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Episode 271 - a new kind of dog daycare and ringcraft

271_DogCast_Radio.mp3

Released Sat November 25, 2023
Length: 1:18:52
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Reinventing dog daycare

When Shaina Denny started looking for daycare for her delightful mini chocolate dapple Dachshund, Poppy, she couldn't find anything which matched her requirements. Nothing was flexible enough, clean enough, engaging enough, or cool enough, so she decided to build her own version, by reimagining dog care from the ground up.

Called, Dogdrop, her solution offers the flexibility for owners to drop off their dogs just for an hour or two if they want. Obviously, dogs can stay all day too, and with qualified, responsible staff, who provide regular feedback, owners and dogs are happy.

Headquartered in Los Angeles, Dogdrop is a women-founded, LGBTQ+-led, and venture-backed start-up whose mission is to provide the best possible care, products, and services to dogs everywhere, so they live longer, happier, and healthier lives.

To find out more, visit the Dogdrop website.

I started looking into dog daycares and I thought it’d be great to just drop Poppy off for an hour or two. Like many dog parents my age we’re not planning - I’m on the go and now my friend calls, or I have a business meeting or a dinner came up, or I want to squeeze in a workout.
 - Shaina Denny

Ringcraft

Before Julie attended Ringcraft classes with her Labrador, Buddy, she thought showdogs simply strutted into the show ring, looked beautiful and that was it. It turns out there's a lot more to it - how the handler presents the dog has a huge influence on their chances of winning. The techniques required vary from breed to breed, a good relationship between handler and dog is vital, and even the outfit the handler chooses can be make or break. More than that, there's a bewildering array of types of dog show - but fear not, Kerry Rhodes helps make sense of it all in this interview.

As well as teaching Ringcraft, Kerry trains people in canine first aid - and has surprising but useful advice on the most important emergency item to take with you at all times. Kerry and her Rhodesian Ridgback also compete in agility, and Kerry reveals how tall dogs are put at a distinct disadvantage by some of the agility equipment. She recently discovered that one of her dogs is scared of heights.

Find out more about Kerry's Ringcraft. Find out more about Kerry's Rhodes 2 Safety Canine First Aid training. Or visit Kerry's website.

Ringcraft in essence is making your dog look as good as he possibly can in the showring. A rubbish handler can make the best dog in the world look decidedly average, conversely a great handler can make an average dog look really really good.
 - Kerry Rhodes

Christmas presents for dogs

Do you buy your dog a Christmas present?

Does it matter whether we give a gift to our dogs?

Does it matter how much we spend on their gift?

What does a dog really want for Christmas?

Julie ponders all this and more!

Sharing

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