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Cubbe: The boarding kennel



 
 
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  #1  
Old August 18th 08, 02:42 PM posted to rec.pets.dogs.behavior
Julia Altshuler
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Posts: 1,121
Default Cubbe: The boarding kennel

She's fine.


After writing before we left about the kennel we no longer use, I
thought I better give a report on the new place.


This is doggy daycare which has only recently expanded to overnight
boarding. The building is mostly loading dock with some offices. They
have one largish room divided into "play areas" which are indoor fenced
pens. The smaller rooms with crates are down a hall and in the back. I
don't think they have much business because, when we went to pick Cubbe
up, she was in a play area by herself. I hope they get enough business
to survive, but in the mean time, that's great for us. Instead of
spending most of her time in a crate with only short bathroom breaks,
she spent a lot of her time in a big area with people walking by but
without other dogs to get snarfy with.


The only thing that had me worried about this kennel was that the staff
didn't seem that into dogs. I've been back and forth about this several
times. On the one hand, as long as they take care of the dogs, it
shouldn't matter if they chatter to the human clients about how cute the
dogs are and show that they're interested in the things I'm interested
in, the little bits about dog behavior and dog habits. On the other
hand, when they gave us her "report card" where they took daily notes on
eating, peeing, pooping, and the notes include things like "ate all her
food and was very relaxed and enjoying herself" or "AM- really sweet!
Takes treats gently, pooped & peed this AM" or "Doing well! Getting
used to us! Lets me pet her and rubbed against my legs for more
attention," I found that I really like that. Seeing it made me feel
relieved-- and that was after I could see for myself that Cubbe healthy
and happy.


The place is set up with an outer office that has a large window into
the play areas. It must be soundproofed because for a brief minute, Jim
and I could see Cubbe without her knowing we were there to pick her up.
I loved seeing her wag her tail for the staff woman, THEN go into
paroxysms of joy when seeing us.


Cubbe got back, inspected each room of the house carefully, went for a
walk with Jim, and is now settled back in as though nothing had happened.


--Lia

  #2  
Old August 18th 08, 02:53 PM posted to rec.pets.dogs.behavior
Janet Boss
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Posts: 4,368
Default Cubbe: The boarding kennel

In article ,
Julia Altshuler wrote:


Cubbe got back, inspected each room of the house carefully, went for a
walk with Jim, and is now settled back in as though nothing had happened.


THAT is a very good reaction!

--
Janet Boss
www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com
  #3  
Old August 19th 08, 06:02 AM posted to rec.pets.dogs.behavior
Beth In Alaska[_2_]
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Posts: 218
Default Cubbe: The boarding kennel


"Julia Altshuler" wrote in message
. ..
Cubbe got back, inspected each room of the house carefully, went for a
walk with Jim, and is now settled back in as though nothing had happened.



Sounds like a great place!!!


  #4  
Old August 19th 08, 06:46 AM posted to rec.pets.dogs.behavior
Rocky[_2_]
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Posts: 2,421
Default Cubbe: The boarding kennel

Julia Altshuler said in
rec.pets.dogs.behavior:

The only thing that had me worried about this kennel was
that the staff didn't seem that into dogs. I've been back
and forth about this several times. On the one hand, as
long as they take care of the dogs, it shouldn't matter if
they chatter to the human clients about how cute the dogs
are and show that they're interested in the things I'm
interested in, the little bits about dog behavior and dog
habits.


I've lost potential dog clients because the owners didn't like
how I've dealt with them, the skin part of the equation. Oh
well. I'm much nicer on usenet.

It sounds like you've found a place worth trying again.

--
--Matt. Rocky's a Dog.
  #5  
Old August 19th 08, 04:37 PM posted to rec.pets.dogs.behavior
Julia Altshuler
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Posts: 1,121
Default Cubbe: The boarding kennel

Rocky wrote:

I've lost potential dog clients because the owners didn't like
how I've dealt with them, the skin part of the equation. Oh
well. I'm much nicer on usenet.

It sounds like you've found a place worth trying again.



Yes. We now have acceptable back-up whenever our preferred kennel is
booked. That's a relief.


I keep thinking about the marketing aspect of these places. Some make a
big deal out of how they pamper a pet. They go on about baths and
massages. It's the doggie equivalent of going to a spa for a manicure
and a facial. For me, I see the medical advantage to massage, but after
that, I hate getting worked on. Getting my haircut is a necessity, not
unpleasant, but nothing to look forward to either. Thus with dogs. I
think pampering a dog means taking it for an extra long walk in a cool
place with lots to smell and investigate and maybe run with congenial
dogs for a good game of tag. Spoiling Cubbe isn't about bigger cushions
to lie on (she gets those too), it's about giving her more chance to
chase balls for biscuits, more time outside, extra walks.


I like it that this kennel doesn't strike me as "precious" in marketing
or design.


With other businesses, I like it when the staff is standoffish. In a
restaurant, I want good food delivered promptly. I don't want the
server to be my best buddy. I won't put up with downright rude service,
but things have to get pretty nasty before I think ill of a server. I'm
there for the food. With retail, I want the merchandise. I don't care
if the saleshelp is into clothes or likes the plumbing supplies. I just
want competent answers to my questions. They don't have to pretend to
be interested in why I'm buying a new dress or what sort of trip I'm
going on that requires new luggage. Likewise, I don't want to hear
about the waitress's daughter or the car mechanic's season tickets.


But with Cubbe, I loved it when the vet tech at her regular boarding
kennel told me about letting Cubbe out of the crate on a Sunday when no
one was there and watching her investigate the office. I like it when
they tell me that they like my dog. I want evidence that they like
dogs. It could be agility or sheep herding or knitting dogwool
sweaters, doesn't matter as long as there's dog-centered conversation.
Jokes about dogs are fine, anecdotes with funny endings, or small
observations about the way dogs settle down for a nap or bark at squirrels.


Matt, I'm curious about what your non-customers didn't like about the
way you dealt with them. Did they think you were bossy in telling them
how to train or treat their dogs? Did they think you were
disinterested? Were you insufficiently entertaining? Non-helpful in
getting doors? I've just admitted to inconsistancy in what I expect
from people I do business with. Have you figured out what it is with
some people?


--Lia

  #6  
Old August 19th 08, 04:52 PM posted to rec.pets.dogs.behavior
Melinda Shore
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Posts: 7,732
Default Cubbe: The boarding kennel

In article ,
Julia Altshuler wrote:
For me, I see the medical advantage to massage, but after
that, I hate getting worked on.


Well, dogs aren't humans, and even if they were there are
humans who like massages and those who don't. I fall into
the latter category, myself, but a dog massage can work
wonders if the masseur/masseuse knows what they're doing.

I tend to agree with you otherwise, but really, a good
massage is actually physical therapy for the dog.
--
Melinda Shore - Software longa, hardware brevis -

Prouder than ever to be a member of the reality-based community
  #7  
Old August 19th 08, 06:36 PM posted to rec.pets.dogs.behavior
Rocky[_2_]
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Posts: 2,421
Default Cubbe: The boarding kennel

Julia Altshuler said in
rec.pets.dogs.behavior:

Matt, I'm curious about what your non-customers didn't like
about the way you dealt with them.


One couple thought I was rude to them during an interview -
even soon afterwards, I couldn't recall what I'd done to
offend them. During interviews I concentrate on the dogs. I
greet the dogs first, sit down, and play with them. Then I
say hello to the owners. Some may think that rude, but I
don't really care.

Maybe I said that their dog was fat. Maybe I criticised their
breeding plans. I've lost clients for those reasons, too.
I'm pretty clear (aka direct aka rude) with those who **** me
off when it comes to the welfare of their dogs.

Did they think you were
bossy in telling them how to train or treat their dogs?


I don't tell people how to train or feed unless the dog is
over-the-top. And I'm pretty matter-of-fact when it comes to
dealing with the latest Petland puppy because I deal with a
lot of first time dog owners. RPD hot-button topics rarely
come into play during interviews.

--
--Matt. Rocky's a Dog.
  #8  
Old August 19th 08, 06:57 PM posted to rec.pets.dogs.behavior
Suja
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Posts: 2,483
Default Cubbe: The boarding kennel


"Rocky" wrote in message:

During interviews I concentrate on the dogs. I
greet the dogs first, sit down, and play with them. Then I
say hello to the owners.


That's kind of what I'd expect. From the owner's POV, I would definitely
want to see how you interact with my dog. I'd really rather leave my dogs
with someone dog savvy but rough around the edges with humans than a really
nice person who is clueless about dogs.

Maybe I said that their dog was fat. Maybe I criticised their
breeding plans. I've lost clients for those reasons, too.
I'm pretty clear (aka direct aka rude) with those who **** me
off when it comes to the welfare of their dogs.


NO! Really?

I'm not really sure about how to handle this, especially the 'fat dog' issue
if the dog is otherwise well cared for and no one has asked for my opinion.
I just did a HV for a family whose dog is at least 20 pounds overweight,
IMO. She has intestinal issues and needs to have food in her stomach
constantly, gets 3 miles of walking a day (big black dogs don't do well in
Virginia heat), and the dog is obviously loved and cared for. I decided to
hint at how little food Khan's getting and leave it at that.

Suja


  #9  
Old August 19th 08, 07:01 PM posted to rec.pets.dogs.behavior
Rocky[_2_]
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Posts: 2,421
Default Cubbe: The boarding kennel

"Suja" said in rec.pets.dogs.behavior:

I'm pretty clear (aka direct aka rude) with those who ****
me off when it comes to the welfare of their dogs.


NO! Really?


Hah, believe it or not!

I'm not really sure about how to handle this, especially
the 'fat dog' issue if the dog is otherwise well cared for
and no one has asked for my opinion.


Unless it's a sausage, I give it a lot of time before the
hints start happening, especially when, as you say, the dog is
otherwise well cared for. The advantage I have is that I see
these dogs repeatedly, and the owners see my healthy dogs
repeatedly, too. Usually they clue in.

--
--Matt. Rocky's a Dog.
  #10  
Old August 19th 08, 11:56 PM posted to rec.pets.dogs.behavior
Mirelle[_7_]
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Posts: 14
Default Cubbe: The boarding kennel

On Aug 19, 11:01*am, Rocky wrote:
Learn to say things politely, Matt.
That way, you won't get customers' backs up.

Mirelle
"Suja" said in rec.pets.dogs.behavior:

I'm pretty clear (aka direct aka rude) with those who ****
me off when it comes to the welfare of their dogs.


NO! *Really?


Hah, believe it or not!

I'm not really sure about how to handle this, especially
the 'fat dog' issue if the dog is otherwise well cared for
and no one has asked for my opinion.


Unless it's a sausage, I give it a lot of time before the
hints start happening, especially when, as you say, the dog is
otherwise well cared for. *The advantage I have is that I see
these dogs repeatedly, and the owners see my healthy dogs
repeatedly, too. *Usually they clue in.

--
--Matt. *Rocky's a Dog.


 




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