Services Announcement

Dear Pawsitive Pooch family, 

Nea here. It is with profound sadness that I write to inform you of some unexpected news regarding Pawsitive Pooch. 

As you may know, I fell and received a concussion, among other injuries, in January. Further investigation has shown that the fall and subsequent concussion was likely caused by a mild stroke, also known as a Transient Ischemic Attack. It is likely I have had more than one since my fall. The good news is, generally, TIA's do not have many permanent effects, and generally people can make a nearly full recovery if addressed quickly. Unfortunately, recovery can take quite a while, and can often, as in my case, require a substantial lifestyle change. 

After speaking with the Pawsitive Pooch Team, my medical care team, business advisors, and trusted clients, I have come to the difficult decision to suspend daycare and Puppy Prep Academy services and close the Hannegan facility in order to focus on my health. I have been “pouring from an empty cup” for quite some time, and ultimately, without a considerable and urgent change, I am putting myself at risk for more severe health consequences.

This decision was not made lightly, and I understand the inconvenience and disappointment it may cause you and your beloved pups. It has been a tremendously difficult year in this location, and with the added issues with the landlord, and my health, closing this location is truly the best move forward. 

Our lease is up April 30th, though current circumstances may require an even earlier move out. Our anticipated last day for daycare in this space will be announced soon. 

Any package credits will be converted to your account as standing credit with no expiration, to apply towards future services offered. 

Thanks to some support from former team members, you may be seeing familiar faces soon as our private training, walks, and Walk & Trains will still be available, and mid-May we are working towards offering services for small groups of established Puppy Prep & Daycare clients- please keep an eye out for emails with more information. 

I understand the importance of consistency and reliable care for your furry family members, and I deeply apologize for the disruption this closure may cause. Your trust and loyalty mean the world to me- you truly have become my family, and I am so incredibly proud of the wonderful community we’ve built together. 

While I cannot provide an exact timeline for when we will reopen in a new location, I am hopeful that this change will clear a path for better things to come. We will keep you updated via email, our website, and social media platforms as soon as we have any updates regarding our reopening. Genni, our incredible remote assistant, will be as responsive as possible to emails, and I ask for your patience as she will be taking on even more inquiries once this email goes out.

In the meantime, if you require assistance in finding alternative daycare options or have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We are here to support you and your pets in any way we can during this challenging time.

Once again, I want to  extend my deep apologies for this unexpected closure, and to thank you for your understanding and continued support. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to care for your pups, and look forward to welcoming them back as soon as possible.

Much love,

Nea Moon

(she/her)

Owner

The Pawsitive Pooch, llc

“Mystery Canine Illness”

Recent news reports have stirred concern in our clients regarding a “mystery illness” affecting dogs in the U.S. As there’s quite a lot of misinformation rolling around out there, we wanted to take a moment and address your concerns.

First to know, there are NO confirmed cases in Whatcom County, or nearby surrounding counties. There are unconfirmed reports of suspected cases in Eastern Washington; As of this morning, according to Washington's Department of Agriculture, which is responsible for tracking such illnesses, there have been no confirmed reports of the mystery illness in the state.

This illness has been around for a while, some veterinary sources estimate well over a year, but recent news articles have kicked off a flurry of panic, and as we know, news cycles thrive off panic.

Being aware of the developing situation and proactive with your dogs health is always a good idea. We are aware that serious illness has occurred, and as a dog-centered business and dog lovers ourselves, we are doing our best to stay informed with accurate information, doing our best to balance the legitimate concerns of health without being dismissive to the very real concerns.

There is quite a lot of misinformation circling right now, and it's important to remember anecdotal experience is not evidence. As helpful as it can sometimes be, Social Media can too often fan the flames of panic and spread inaccurate information far more quickly than facts.

So what do we know?

There is a general increase in a variety of respiratory illnesses in general, like bordetella (aka kennel cough/canine cough) as we expect to see this time of the year. Much like kids bringing home fall-colds, dogs often have higher rates of respiratory infections in the fall.

Serious illness related to respiratory infections is being reported in a smaller subset of dogs across the U.S. with respiratory symptoms. We do *not* know 100% where it came from, or how it's being spread. We do know it is not a specific virus, more likely a combination of factors leading to more severe symptoms. The cases recently picked up in the media may, or may not be related. There are currently too many variables and a relatively small number of cases with so many unknowns at this time. There are common themes, but there is simply not enough evidence. This disease is not “sweeping the nation” as some media outlets claim.

Obviously, any illness is cause for concern. We should all be vigilant for potential infection in our dogs, and changes in behavior are often the first sign our dogs are sick.

Symptoms to look for:

• Weakness, severe depression, lethargy (excessive sleeping, low energy, low or no interest in normal activities)

• Difficultly breathing (breathing faster and harder at rest)

• Inappetenance

• Cough that is persistent, causing significant problems such as vomiting or periods of respiratory distress

• Sneezing

• Increased nasal and/or eye discharge

Particularly high risk dogs include:

• Seniors

• Very young

• Pregnant

• Immunocompromised (by disease or treatment)

• Dogs with underlying heart or respiratory disease

• Brachycephalic breeds (smooshy faced breeds)

If you think your dog may be ill, call your vet, and isolate your dog. That means no daycare, boarding, group classes, or even walks in public if they can be avoided. If you are concerned your dog may be ill, isolating them will help keep other dogs safe and prevent further possible exposure/infection of your dog.

If you think your dog may have been exposed to a dog that is ill, isolate from other dogs, call your vet, and monitor for symptoms.

What are we doing at Pawsitive Pooch?

The protocols we already have in place exceed industry standards, and are here specifically to prevent the spread of disease. All dogs are required to have their Bordetella and canine parainfluenza virus vaccines to attend, and if your veterinarian recommends it, we are supporting clients in vaccinating their dogs for Canine Influenza.

As standard practice, every family drops off one at a time. During drop off, we evaluate every dog in our care for symptoms of illness, including coughing, sneezing, unusual nasal/eye discharge, unusual bowel movements and overall behavior/energy. Any dog with suspected illness will be dismissed, or if already in group, immediately isolated and sent home. The rare occasions where we suspected dogs had been exposed to anything contagious, we contact families right away to inform and discuss appropriate next steps.

We take the time to chat with you and get a sense for how your dog has been feeling and ask follow up questions to determine if there are any behavioral or physical changes that indicate potential illness.

We have air filters running throughout the day to reduce the risk of airborne disease transmission.

We wash our hands frequently, and remove soiled items throughout the day as needed.

We immediately clean up any urine, feces etc and immediately clean soiled areas.

We use veterinary-grade disinfectants on all dishes, toys, leashes, high-touch surfaces, and spray down all flooring and surfaces with the same disinfectants after cleaning at the end of the day, including the lobby floor and even our own clothing.

We clean the facility throughout the day using dog-safe cleaners, and block off areas for using disinfectant when required.

Our groups are kept small and stable, which not only offers a predictable routine for best behavior outcomes, it helps limit the spread of any potential disease.

Your dogs are our family, too, and we go to painstaking lengths to keep every pup in our care safe.

We are closely monitoring the development of the disease through a number of avenues, including veterinary and daycare groups, following recommendations from both national and local veterinary sources, and using common-sense hygiene practices. We encourage our clients to get their news from trusted sources and follow the advice of your veterinarian, and take what you see on neighborhood social media groups with a healthy grain of salt.

If we feel that closing our daycare services are necessary to keep your dogs safe, we will not hesitate to do so, and instead will offer alternative services to keep your pup exercised, engaged, enriched, and healthy. Our world revolves around your dogs, and we will do everything within our means to keep them safe.

Grooming Workshop coming soon- Doodle Do's (and don'ts)

Keeping your doodle’s coat in it’s best form can be tricky business, especially with at-home grooming. This joint workshop is led by owner and groomer Hannah with Hannah’s Grooming and Spa, and Nea, owner and head trainer of Pawsitive Pooch, will cover both the grooming and training sides of keeping your sweet doodle looking their best.

Our joint class will include tips on daily coat maintenance, the best tools for the job (and which to avoid), the pros/cons of at home grooming vs professional grooming, how to train your pup to love the grooming process, and a Q&A session at the end. This class is humans only, so please leave your doodles at home!

Register for your spot via your Gingr portal, or email us for more info.

August/September Newsletter

My puppy has WARTS?! What is Canine Papilloma?

Canine Papilloma, or “puppy warts” as it’s often referred, is a viral infection that causes small benign skin tumors, most often found in the mouth, gums, and lips of puppies and dogs usually under 2 years old. These papillomas are not transmittable to humans, but are highly transmittable to other dogs. Less commonly, papillomas can occur on the eyelids, the surface of the eye, or between the toes.

Generally the health side effects are very mild, and limited to the presence of growths. Usually these growths occur in groups rather than solitary growths, so if one growth is seen, check inside the mouth and lips for more; often growths can form on the gumline. Most oral viral papilloma cases are mild, and resolve on their own within 2 months.

How is it spread?

The virus requires injured skin to establish infection; healthy skin will not be infected. Abrasions from chewing rough toys are a common cause for damaged skin; It is spread through contact with a papilloma when sharing water bowls, food bowls, bedding, toys, or normal mouthing during play. The incubation period is 1 to 2 month, and this virus can only be spread among dogs, but not across other species.

How do I treat it?

To start, you’ll need a diagnosis from your veterinarian. While papillomas are easy to spot, not all growths are equal, and it’s best to get confirmation from your veterinarian moving forward. They will also offer the most appropriate treatment plan, if necessary, for your puppy. It will be very important to keep your puppy quarantined until the papillomas are no longer present, as they are highly transmittable. This means no doggie daycare, dog parks, or areas your pup may run into, play with, or share toys or bowls with other dogs. This include limiting contact with housemate dogs that are under 2 yrs and/or immunocompromised.

How do I prevent it from spreading?

Quarantining a puppy with papilloma, and regularly disinfecting items they have had contact with are the best ways to prevent spreading it to other dogs, especially housemates. While most adult dogs have likely been exposed to and cleared canine papilloma, older and immunocompromised dogs may be at risk. Always speak with your veterinarian if you have concerns for the other dogs in your home.

How is it handled at Pawsitive Pooch?

At Pawsitive Pooch, our staff asks brief intake questions during drop off to assess the current health of the dogs, and our handlers perform a hands-on and visual inspection of the dogs in our care, noting any abnormalities or injuries. Should a dog be found with oral growths at their visit, they are separated from the group and their family called for an immediate pickup. Any shared toys, bowls, or bedding the dog may have had contact with are removed from the group area and thoroughly disinfected. The families of any dogs that may have been exposed are notified. Dogs must be free of visible growths for two weeks before returning to daycare.

Canine Papilloma is generally considered to be a mild, but highly contagious viral transmission that most puppies clear easily within two months. While it’s visually unappealing, most puppies do not seem to struggle, though severe levels of growths have been reported. Keeping your puppy quarantined, and mentally enriched during their recovery with leashed walks, decompression games and enrichment will help support them through recovery. If your puppy has suspected or confirmed Canine Papilloma, and you’re struggling to keep them entertained, please check out our Feeding Enrichment page and our DIY Enrichment page for some ideas!

What Is Kennel Cough?

Kennel cough is an incredibly common bacterial infection among dogs. Like the flu, there are seasons where kennel cough is more common; however, your pooch can contract it any time. Dog parks, vets, pet stores, grooming facilities, daycares, and boarding facilities are all common hubs for kennel cough.

Kennel cough is incredibly easily transmitted, especially in places where your pooch is likely coming in contact with other dogs or shared surfaces. Though Bordetella bronchiseptica doesn’t survive on surfaces for long, it only takes a little to cause an infection. The most common method of infection is through aerosolized particles of contaminated saliva, so visiting areas with poor air circulation or that aren’t often cleaned present more of a risk for kennel cough.

Coughing, hacking, “honking”, fever, lethargy, foamy saliva, and a decreased appetite are all symptoms of kennel cough. Dogs can also be completely asymptomatic. Puppies that aren’t yet vaccinated against kennel cough are at greater risk; however, Bordetella bronchiseptica mutates often enough that there is not a completely effective vaccine. Immune-compromised and elderly dogs also have increased susceptibility.

At Pawsitive Pooch we use cleaners throughout the day and after each class that are developed for veterinarians and facilities with high pooch traffic. These cleaners are specifically formulated to kill bacteria and viruses that commonly infect our furry friends. If we suspect that a dog has kennel cough, we will isolate them from the rest of the class until they can be picked up. We will always notify you if we observe any suspicious coughing, hacking, or other odd behavior in your pooch.

The important things to remember about kennel cough are that it is extremely common and best caught early, so notify your veterinarian right away if you notice any sign or symptoms of kennel cough and avoid interaction with other dogs. A veterinarian must diagnose kennel cough, and they have a variety of methods for treating the infection depending on your dog’s symptoms. We ask that if your pooch has contracted kennel cough, you follow your veterinarians recommendation for when they can return to Pawsitive Pooch.

Covid-19 & Dogs

With the current COVID-19 surge in our community, many of us have questions about how to handle the growing rates of infection and how it relates to our dogs. While virology is not our specialty, we do know a lot about dogs!

A question that we often hear is: “Can my pet contract COVID-19?” Although it is possible that dogs and cats can contract COVID-19, there is no evidence that they can transmit it to humans or other animals. Pets have become ill from the virus, but this is not common, and it is generally mild and resolves quickly. In short, the surges in COVID-19 that we are seeing are due to human-to-human transmission, and animal infection has not played any significant role in perpetuating the spread of the virus. You can find more information about the specifics of COVID-19 in pets at the American Veterinary Medical Association website.

Many foster, shelter, adoption, grooming, training facilities, and organizations are taking steps to improve client and staff safety in animal hand-offs. For example, Pawsitive Pooch, like many other training facilities, has implemented an “air-lock” system for pick-ups and drop-offs, so that there doesn’t need to be any shared space between staff and clients. Some shelters have implemented contact-less hand-offs using crates or by having animals loaded directly in and out of vehicles. If you are interested in adopting or fostering, but are concerned about social distancing, communicate with the organization to work out a way to meet your safety needs.

Another way that businesses are taking COVID-19 precautions is by converting to virtual services. At Pawsitive Pooch, many of our clients have opted to transition to virtual training, a service that we offer for dogs of all ages and sizes. Some vets will even offer Telemed appointments rather than meeting human clients in-person.

There are steps that pet owners can take to prepare for life events related to the pandemic. 

Designate an emergency caregiver:  In the event that you are unable to care for your four-legged friends, you want to have a plan in place. Emergency caregivers could be friends, family, neighbors, a boarding facility, or a favorite pet-sitter. Pet parents can also make a list of instructions for caring for your pet. If your emergency caregiver is needed, you can ensure your pet’s needs are met by compiling directions for food, medications, routines, behaviors, vet information, etc. for your cat or dog.

 Stocking up on pet supplies:  If you ever are unable to care for your furry friends or unable to leave your home, you will want a reasonable supply of food, treats, medications, grooming supplies, and maybe even some chews, or toys to keep high energy pets busy. Check out our previous blog post on feeding enrichment for ways to get out some puppy energy without leaving the house.

As always, we appreciate your support and flexibility in these uncertain times, and we will do our best to continue to serve our community while also keeping our staff & clients safe.

Snowed In?

Here are some ideas to keep your puppy busy while stuck during these chilly days!

An important piece to tiring out a puppy is mental stimulation. For many dogs, this comes from sniffing and exploring new places, and you can often tire your pup out faster when they engage in brain games than you could walking around your neighborhood! While new experiences are a great way to give your pup some much needed mental stimulation, this can be really tricky when we’re stuck at home due to weather, health, and/or current events.

So, how do we keep puppies entertained without leaving the house? Feeding enrichment is a great way to provide mental stimulation at home. Feeding enrichment can look like many things: filled kongs, food dispensers, or even DIY puzzles. Feeding enrichment is an excellent way to get your pup problem solving, and it can be easily tailored to any dog.

Food puzzles are a great option for puppies that like to use their nose and tongue to explore. They are generally made for kibble or small treats, and provide extra stimulation at meal or snack times. They vary in difficulty from food bowls with extra grooves to pieces that your pup must remove in order to find their snack. Start easy and have your pup work their way up to the trickier puzzles.

Food puzzles are also a good way to help your pooch slow down during meal times. Check out “DIY enrichment” on our webpage for some ideas of how to make your own food puzzles!

One example of dog-appropriate foods you can use to stuff your hollow-core toys

For higher value food enrichment that your pup can work on in their kennel , stuffed kongs (or any hollow toy meant for stuffing) are a great option for almost any dog. Kongs can be stuffed with many puppy safe foods like (xylitol free) peanut butter, fruit (no grapes), oatmeal, treats, and much more! They are typically very durable, and keep your pup busy while they try to nuzzle, dig, shake, and lick out the filling. Check out the “treats” section of our webpage for filling ideas.

Treat dispensing toys are a great option for high energy pups that like to chase and fetch. These toys can be pushed, nuzzled, shaken, and chased around to receive kibble and small treats in small amounts at a time. Toys like these are great for keeping your puppy active in a small space like a living room or X-pen, but can also be used in larger spaces.

Ozzi loves searching for snacks in his homemade snuffle mat!

Last, but certainly not least, toys like snuffle mats, and mats for licking let your pup sniff and dig for a reward. Hide treats, kibble, pet-safe popcorn, and other snacks in snuffle mats, and smear squeeze cheese, peanut butter, honey, and other pet-safe spreads on licking mats. Always make sure that human foods are pet safe before sharing with your pooch; foods such as some store bought peanut butter can be hiding dangerous additives like xylitol. If you are ever in doubt, give your vet a call first!

Feeding enrichment is also a great way to keep your pet busy and away from people food during the holidays. If you have an easily overstimulated pup, try giving them a kong or other high value treat when family members visit.

Check out the “feeding enrichment” section of our webpage to learn more about feeding enrichment and our favorite treat dispensers, puzzles, and hollow-core/fillable toys.

Covid-19 & Classes

Per the CDC and Governor Inslee’s recommendations to help stop the spread of covid-19, Pawsitive Pooch is postponing all in-person group classes, private sessions, and Puppy Social Hour sessions at this time.

Classes and private sessions will be moving to an online format for virtual-learning, and students will receive an email with instructions to continue their sessions online. If a virtual format for distance learning is not an option for any reason, please contact us to make arrangements.

We sincerely hope you all stay healthy and safe during this trying time. Together, we can stop the spread.

We look forward to seeing your smiling faces and happy pups very soon.

Best wishes,

The Pawsitive Pooch Team

Exciting News!

It’s official, folks! The Pawsitive Pooch is expanding into our own facility!

That’s right, we will start offering group classes for puppies and adults (we know, we know, you’ve been asking for YEARS), as well as continue our private sessions. We can also start offering puppy socials, AKC CGC classes & testing, workshops, and seminars. Best of all- the winter weather won’t dampen our schedules!

Our new Training Studio will be near downtown Bellingham, with a fall opening. Keep your eyes peeled on our social media (instagram: pawsitivepoochwa, Facebook: The Pawsitive Pooch, llc) and website for more details.

A great big THANK YOU to all of our supporters over the years-without your patronage, referrals, and general love, we couldn’t have gotten to this point without you. It’s truly a dream come true to get to this point, and we 100% owe it all to you.

Much love,

Nea

Some days, dog trainers have it rough.

Being a dog trainer isn't all puppy cuddling and treat-dispending. Sure, we do plenty of that, too, but there's some downsides to it as well. 

Ate something bad and feel like puking? Suck it up, that reactive dog can't afford you taking a sick day. Didn't get much sleep? A classful of puppies won't give you a break. Crummy personal week? Stuff it all down, slap on your best "teacher" smile, and make.it.work.

Some days it won't feel like you're making much of a difference. Some days you'll get overwhelmed with how many people and dogs need your help, or how large the big issues really are.

Some days, an old client will reach out and tell you how much you've helped them, and that you've literally saved their dog's life.

Those are the days that make the crappy ones worth it. To remind me why I'm here. It's why I stay up late watching videos and spend my Sunday's catching up on the latest studies. It's why I listen to training podcasts instead of radio stations, and follow "celebrity" trainers instead of Hollywood Stars. I'm reminded of how grateful I am to be in this job, making a measurable difference one dog at a time.

So, thank you. Thank you for coming here and supporting a small business. Thank you for helping advocate for humane, science-based training. Thank you for you commitment to your dogs, to their training, and to their welfare. Thank you for making this the BEST job in the world.