Tub Time

My lack of constant blogging does not accurately reflect my lack of activities. Kolby and I have certainly been busy in 2014 thus far. The most recent adventure was Tub Time with his best friend and fellow Canine Companions puppy, Helaine.

We have an amazing ranch and feed store not far from our house. I know nothing about ranching or other animals outside of dogs, and even that is kinda limited to Labradors and Golden Retrievers, and even that still is shrunk to just service dogs in the making. But if I had a chance, I think it would be fun to work at this location; either in customer service, or a little more physically intensified as a barn yard worker dog trainer.

Kolby's buddy Helaine drove the two house to visit us.  The pups played in the backyard and it was so nice to see Kolby's maturity. The last time they played together was during "free play" back in the Fall during class time.

I know I have mentioned before that Kolby likes his paws; and he uses them frequently, almost like a Boxer Dog status. However, this weekend's play date proved that Kolby can keep his four paws on the ground. There was no over-exuberant pawing with his front paws and jumping on his best friend to show her his love. It was awesome.

They took turns playing with this ball, even though there was an identical one on the ground waiting for a puppy to play with. They played tug-of-war, and "walked" the other around while both gripping the ball. They took a walk through all the parts of the yard, and enjoyed their tongues hanging sideways with exhaustion.

We eventually took Kolby and Helaine, and her sweet puppy raiser, for a spin around our small town, and then over to the store. We looked at the baby chicks that were for sale before heading over to the Self Serve Dog Wash.

Talk about a fun outing!! I am hooked on this genius of an idea. I recently wrote an Editorial for our Chapter newsletter - I did a copy/paste here.

While I have running water, a tub, shampoo, and dog towels at home, there is something to be said for paying for your dog to get a bath at a business that will provide everything; including the clean up crew. Recently I took our Puppy in Program, KOLBY, to our local Self Serve Dog Wash. 

While I am not here to solicit free advertising for this local favorite of mine, if you want to know the name and location, drop me a question during puppy class. But there are a good handful of Self Serve Dog Washes in our area - so check out one close to you and get to know this beauty of an idea.

The room was empty when we walked in, usually there is a staff member on duty to assist, but since I had already gone through a test run with my pet Beagle in recent weeks, I knew the ropes. The entire experience proved to be great training for Kolby. Starting with the slide-out ramp and stairs to enter the tub.

Kolby immediately put his paws up on the ramp, but error number one on Puppy Raiser's part, was that I didn't secure the movement of the slide out, which caused it to shift just a bit when his weight was upon it. Kolby was not impressed. Once I got that figured out, we went for try number two, and Kolby walked smoothly up the ramp, onto the step, and into the tub. Securing the wall shut, adding the collar that was connected to the tub wall to Kolby, we were ready for action.

The hose is preset to a comfortable water temp and pressure, and with the quick flick of buttons, I had the option to choose between water, soap, or conditioner. Without the hassle of juggling turning on and off the water with half empty soap bottles falling every which way and adjusting the chemistry to create the perfect lather ratio as one does while bathing a puppy at home, a Self Serve Dog Wash creates instant success every time. Not to mention there are no awkward bending movements over a tub, or into a free standing shower. The tubs at a Serve Serve Dog Wash are of perfect standing height. 

Once my Mister was smelling squeaky clean and the suds had disappeared, the dryer hose became the next opportunity for great training. This particular place had a hose that reached into the tub, so I did not have to get my soaked puppy out of the tub and over to the drying table. Having him contained dripping wet was fine by me.

I found that the high powered noise of the dryer was bothersome for Kolby. It was definitely something he was not used to, but it didn't take long before he settled into acceptance. I found that securing his ear closed with a gentle, yet firm grip on the side I was working on helped him tremendously. Soon he became the fluffy quarter Golden that he has in him.

A swift exit back through the open wall of the tub, down the one step, and onto the ramp, Kolby was strutting his good looks out of the Self Serve Dog Wash just like a Prince crowned Homecoming King during half time at a high school football game. And I got to walk away from the drips of water on the floor, and the dog hair in the tub (which could have been made into its own small animal).

I am sold. Kolby will be enjoying his monthly bath experience at the doggie spa until he returns to Canine Companions in August. And then ~ he will be ready for their professional tubs and dryers that are set very similar to the Self Serve Dog Wash.

Happy April!