36 - North Shore News — Sunday. December 12, 1989 joggie day care includes nap ti I have often thought that it would be really neat to have a doggie day care. My whole entire day would be spent with dogs (like it’s not already!). But my day care wouldn’r be any old day care, it would be really cool! First of all it would be mandatory that all dogs who attend my day care come in for an interview with their canine connection owner ahead of time so I could see what che dog’s per- sonality is like and shat the —PETS humaa-canine relationship is like, P would then pur togeth- cra personal file on the dog, which stated any allergies, vac- cinations, likes, dislikes and behaviour issues. For the dogs, I would have a few separate indoor romper rooms where adult dogs with similar personalities could play together plus a large fenced outdoor play area. 1 would also ensure that the dogs were always supervised whether they were playing together or _ 260 TOYOTA ECHO _ 2000 TOYOTA COROLLA : 4 Door © Automatic © CD Player 2 Tit © Ceuiea and much enacel | $9,495 exellent. condition - Factory & warranty ° $25,995 hangiag out. | would have a ial romper room for pup- pies to pday since Chey are more fragile than adult dogs and also need lots of sleepy time between play. Pd have a TV set which played doggic videos in a separate area where dogs could lic around on couches and fluffy beds if they wanted. Wait a second, somebody has already done all of this and morc. Lisa Kerley, the owner of Dog Days has put together a doggie day care exactly as | would have done. And, during the afternoon she has veung kids drop by after school, who have volun- teered their time to help groom and play with the dogs. This is so great because not only does it teach the dogs to enjoy being touched by different people but it helps kids learn how to care for dogs. Also during the afternoon, Lisa enacts a mandatory quiet time. This is when all the dogs setrle down in a group and are cooed and stroked by the staff und) they fall asleep. This is a great way to help teach a dog ‘self con- trol. On top of getting exercise by playing together in a huge, clean outdoor and indoor play area, the dogs are taken out for long walks rwice a day. Nor all at once as a huge, out- of-contral pack but either one on one or i a very manage- able and responsible pack of three. The dogs are always moni- torcd by at least owo staff members, If there is a dog who is in a bad mood, shall we say, he or she gets a place alone to mellow out for the day. Dog disagreements are not tolerated and they are dealt with promptly before they escalate into a fight. The dogs are then taught how to behave around cach other and the incident is noted on their tiie. And just Hke school, the parents ace informed of the behaviour. Puppies have a special play area all 10 theinselves, but monitored adult playtime is allowed to help with the socialization of the young dog. The little monsters are also ted regularly during the day as the owner would at home. Ifthe dog is on medication or has special dietary needs, Lisa and her staff accommo- date them. Lisa also offers training tips, to owners whose dogs are a little unruly, which follow positive motivation and rein- forcement methods. If the dog has had obedience train- ing already, she and her staff respect what the dag has learned and follow the owner's training so the dog | does not get confused. Lisa and her staff have a good thing going. This is how ; my day care for dogs woulda work (if Thad one), where the most important thing is the daily loving care of the dogs, ° while they are away from home, not the yeariy profits. - Reach Dog Days Daycare at 990-3640. — Joan is the owner. of Sierra K9 sraining For fe on her training visit ber Web site . -.. For advice contact her at esier- rak9@telus.net>. Lesters to thé editor are welcome... ever Rritten about B.C! Cougar Annie’s Gardettvividly relates the’ feisty pioneer known as C ‘oligar Annie, She was a legend in time on Vancouver teland’s west coast, She bore eleven children, outlasted four husbands, killed 72 cougars, cleared five ac f rainforest and created a garden of rare beauty.in the wilderne rd With a foreward by Feter C. Newman, over 100 colour photograph and 272 pages, this book is a must. it reveaie the history of a little-known area of the West-Coast and explores a ‘\andecape broken dreams where, in the middle of nowhere, an extraordinary garden still flourishes, valled in by tall trees and taller taize. AVAILABLE BY DIRECT ORDER . CALL 1-883-858-5455 Four day delivery to most places within B.C. An ideal Christmas or Millenisime gift for anyone interested In the Weet Cont. © - $40.00 plus GST. Add $5.00 shipping and handling per onder.”