January not only brings in a new year for people, it can also bring a new attitude for their pets. January is “National Train Your Dog Month” and many people are jumping to get their pups into good behavior. The new year is the perfect opportunity to get family dogs behaving right. Dog training can save your dog’s life. Each year, hundreds of thousands of pets are turned into animal shelters because their owners couldn’t find a reliable resource to help them with their pets’ behavior problem. Many dogs are euthanized at shelters rather than re-homing the pet which is the number one cause of death in dogs. Another important reason to train your dog is they become much more enjoyable to live with. Also, training is a way to build a close bond with your pet.

Dogs are craving order and structure and need discipline. They need a balance of affection and leadership from their pet parent. They have similar needs as humans, but learn and communicate differently than us. The most common reason pet owners enroll in a dog training program is pulling on a leash, not coming when called and jumping on people.

Every pet parent needs a trusted ‘dog coach.” Leadership is the foundation needed to change unwanted behavior. The best time to train your dog is the moment you get the dog – but it is possible to teach an old dog new rules. For puppy parents, one of the most important things you can do is to socialize him/her.

The Folsom Dog Resort and Training Center offers dog training camps. Your dog stays at The Resort for 5, 10 or 15 nights and we jumpstart the training process for the dog. After your dog finishes training camp, we then teach owners how to maintain the training through private lessons and coaching calls.

–Jason Davis, The Dog Guy®

There’s more to keeping dogs healthy than making sure they eat right and see a veterinarian on a regular basis. They also need physical exercise and mental stimulation.

According to Jason Davis, The Dog Guy®, dogs need to stay busy and engaged. Most healthy, adult dogs need 30 minutes of aerobic exercise at least once, if not two to three times per day. A jog or brisk walk is perfect. Vigorous games of fetch and tug-of-war are
also excellent. And swimming is especially good for larger breeds because it provides great exercise while minimizing the stress on their hips.

The Folsom Dog Resort has over 12,000 square feet of play area. Our guests receive the optimum amount of play and exercise each day, balanced with the appropriate periods of rest. The activities are customized for each dog’s breed, age and temperament. And our highly trained staff constantly monitors the play area to ensure the dogs are safe and having a good time.

Training is another way to keep your dog mentally alert and engaged and comes with the extra benefit of knowing your dog will do what you ask, even in public. Under the direction of Jason Davis, The Dog Guy®, our programs are tailored for your specific dog and situation which is usually determined during the free evaluation we offer.

Right now, the Folsom Dog Resort is offering special deals on both our day care and training programs. To learn more, give us a call at (916) 439-7202 or visit our web site, www.folsomdogresort.com.

– Jason Davis, The Dog Guy®

At the Folsom Dog Resort, training your dog can be fun, fast and convenient. And by using the methods perfected by The Dog Guy®, Jason Davis, success is guaranteed.

In celebration of January being National Train Your Dog month, we’re offering 20 % off all our training camps. To qualify for these special packages, just book one of our training camps by January 31 and begin the training by Feb. 28.

Whether you have a new puppy at home or you have a grown dog in need of some basic obedience skills, The Dog Guy® can help. Our training programs range from fundamental obedience, like sit, stay, come, lie down, and heel, to more challenging behavior problems. We help clients overcome issues such as potty training, jumping on people, pulling on a leash, barking, destruction and more aggressive behaviors. All our programs are designed and personalized for any breed of dog at any age. And once your dog’s initial training is complete, we become “Your Dog Guy” for life, offering advice and ongoing support.

If you have any questions about the 20% off packages or about The Dog Guy® training programs, check out on our web site, www.folsomdogresort.com. Better yet, give us a call at (916) 439-7202 to schedule a free, no-obligation evaluation of your dog’s training needs and situation. But hurry – the offer expires January 31.

‘Tis the season for celebrating and you’re sure to want your best friend to share in the festivities. But holiday treats and decorations also can pose hazards to your dog. When it comes to your pet, a little bit of care and preparation can keep the joy from turning into sorrow.

Christmas trees

Bringing the outdoors in – in this case in the form of a Christmas tree – can be quite a temptation for dogs.

•  Make sure the tree is in a stable stand and, if possible, secure it to a wall to ensure it won’t topple over.

Needles from trees, wreaths and garland can be both toxic and very sharp, causing damage to the dog’s mouth, throat or stomach if ingested. Be sure to sweep up any fallen needles as soon as possible.The tree water in a stand can also cause problems if your dog decides to have a drink. It often contains fertilizers or preservatives; and stagnant water is the perfect breeding ground for all sorts of harmful bacteria. Try covering the stand with a tree skirt to keep Fido out.

• Tinsel and lights brighten the tree but can be dangerous, especially to dogs that are prone to chewing. Tinsel can get caught in their digestive tracts and nibbling on wires can give them quite a jolt. Make sure the lights are unplugged when you’re not around to watch your pet.
• Glass ornaments look like shiny tennis balls to your pet but can cause serious lacerations if he decides to chew on them. If you use glass ornaments, put them high on the tree, out of reach. And those sharp ornament hooks can become embedded in a dog’s mouth.
• If you’re thinking about using holly to decorate the tree you may want to reconsider. If eaten, holly can cause nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

Poisonous plants

Other plants used for decorating this time of year can be just as dangerous as holly.

Mistletoe and its berries can upset stomachs and cause irregular heart beats and even cardiac shock.

Poinsettias contain an irritating sap that can upset stomachs and cause blistering in the mouth.

Hibiscus and paper whites can cause upset stomachs and diarrhea.

Dangerous foods

We all know that feeding a dog human food is asking for trouble. The temptations are even greater at this time of year because of the abundance of spices, rich foods and sweets. Take precautions to keep your pet away from those treats – and out of the garbage.

• Chocolate is especially dangerous. Ingesting chocolate can result in damage to nervous systems and urinary systems. Coffee and tea can cause similar problems.
• Xylitol, which is used to sweeten many different types of gum candy, can be very harmful and lead to liver failure.
• Grapes and raisins can cause acute kidney problems.
• Nuts are generally not good for dogs, especially Macadamia nuts and walnuts.
• In addition to keeping your dog away from plates of food, make sure it doesn’t get into the garbage. It could easily swallow a meat bone or fragments which can get lodged in the dog’s throat, stomach or intestinal tract causing obstructions or bleeding. The garbage also contains other hazards such as greasy aluminum foil, plastic wrap, string and ribbons.

Many people will count puppies among their holiday gifts this year, triggering a 10-15 –year relationship. Like many relationships, the bond between pet and owner begins immediately and the first few weeks and months are crucial to forging a healthy, happy relationship.

Every breed has unique characteristics and every dog has its own personality. But there are a few things you can expect from every puppy: they will relieve themselves often and indiscriminately and they will chew. Preparing your home in advance of the puppy’s arrival can minimize the frustrations associated with those behaviors.

One of the keys to raising a puppy is making sure the dog has its own safe, dedicated space inside and outside your home.

Indoors, rather than giving the pup free reign we recommend providing an exercise pen and a crate for managing the pup’s behavior. But that doesn’t mean separating the pup from your family. On the contrary, we recommend having the pup in a pen when you can keep a watchful eye on it. That way, the pup feels like its part of the family without being able to destroy anything. When you can’t be watching the pup, it should be kept in its crate. That’s also where the puppy will sleep, whether or not you choose to have the crate in your bedroom. At bedtime, the crate can be moved into your bedroom.

Healthy, well adjusted dogs need time both indoors and outdoors. When outdoors, the pup should be kept in a dedicated exercise area, often called a dog run or dog kennel. They confine the pup so it cannot dig holes in your garden, chew up your irrigation system or relieve itself on your deck.

Avoid using grass or dirt for the exercise area. The grass will likely be ruined and the pup will get filthy. Better options include decomposed granite or synthetic turf. The exercise area should include shelter from the weather – shade in the summer and an escape from the rain and cold in winter. There are a wide variety of prefabricated dog houses on the market; one of our favorites is the Dogloo.

Another fact of puppy life is chewing. They will chew almost anything – and everything – if given the opportunity. The best solution is to provide the pup with plenty of high quality toys that can be chewed safely. Avoid the temptation to give your pup an old shoe or sock. They have no way of discriminating between an ancient pair of Converse and a brand new pair of Manolo Blahniks. Also avoid flimsy rubber toys or used water bottles. They can easily be chewed into small pieces and get lodged in the puppy’s throat. Stick with any of the wide variety of hard plastic toys on the market, such as Nyla-bones or Kong toys.

This week’s deal is: Super Dog Training Package
for ONLY $1,695.00
Regular Price: $1,995
Deal Discount: 15%
Savings: $300.00
Quantity Available: 5

This is our TOP training package is designed to teach more advanced on-leash and off-leash obedience and includes: 15 nights of lodging, 15 days of training, 2 private lessons, a Free Training Collar, lifetime phone support, and our success gaurantee.

This deal is available to the first 5 people (between 5/2/11 and 5/8/11) who notify us via email that they desire to purchase this deal. After we receive your email we will contact you by phone to finalize your purchase. A $200 deposit is due at time a booking.

Restrictions: $200 deposit due at booking. Must use within 60 days of purchase. May not be applied to any existing training programs already booked. May not combine with any other discounts, special offers, or special promotions. Limit one per customer per household.

email jake@folsomdogresort.com to purchase this deal.

Roosevelt’s Weekly Deal! $
For the week of April 25, 2011

This week’s deal is: Day Care 10-Pack for ONLY $200.00
Regular Price: $250.00
Deal Discount: 20%
Savings: $50.00
Quantity Available: 5

Details & Restrictions: Must use visits within 90 days of purchase. Limit one per household. May not be used during overnight lodging stays. Full payment due at time of purchase. May not be combined with any other offers or discounts.

This deal is available to the first 5 people (between 4/25/11 and 5/1/11) who notify us via email that they desire to purchase this deal.  Email jake@folsomdogresort.com to take advantage of this deal.  After we receive your email we will contact you by phone to finalize your purchase.

The KCRA A-List voting has begun! We take pride in giving your dog tender loving care (and if it’s training, also guidance) when he is at the Folsom Dog Resort. We’d appreciate if you could show us a little love by casting your votes for the Folsom Dog Resort and The Dog Guy. KCRA is conducting its annual search for the best businesses in the Sacramento area, the A-List. We’d love your support!

Voting is easy and takes less than a minute. Just follow the links below. And, as a THANK YOU for showing your support, we’re offering voters special deals on lodging/daycare ($50 in services for $25) and training ($100 in services for $50).

• Click here to vote now for The Folsom Dog Resort in the Best Boarding category and access your lodging/daycare Voter Deal.
• Click here to vote for Jason Davis, aka “The Dog Guy” in the Best Dog Trainer category and access your training Voter Deal.

Thank You – We appreciate your business and your support!

This week’s deal is: 1/2 Price Happy Dog Package
for ONLY $15.00 per day
Regular Price: $29.95 per day
Deal Discount: 50%
Savings: $14.95 per day
Quantity Available: 5

Details & Restrictions: Must Use within 60 days purchase. May not apply to reservations already booked or pets currently at The Resort. Limit one per household. Valid only for one dog per household. Does not include overnight lodging fees. Peak season lodging rates may apply. May apply to maximum 10 night stay. $50 deposit due at time of purchase. May not be used with any other offers or discounts during stay.

This deal is available to the first 5 people (between 4/18/11 and 4/24/11) who notify us via email that they desire to purchase this deal. After we receive your email we will contact you by phone to finalize your purchase.

email jake@folsomdogresort.com to take advantge of this deal

This week’s deal is: Good Dog Training Package for ONLY $595.00
Regular Price: $795
Deal Discount: 25%
Savings: $200.00
Quantity Available: 5

This training package is designed to teach basic on-leash obedience and includes: 5 nights of lodging, 5 days of training, 2 private lessons, and 1 year of phone support.

This deal is available to the first 5 people (between 4/11/11 and 4/17/11) who notify us via email that they desire to purchase this deal. After we receive your email we will contact you by phone to finalize your purchase.

email jake@folsomdogresort.com to buy this deal now!

Restrictions: Must Use within 60 Days of Purchase. $200 deposit is due at time of purchase.