Summer Events at SOMA Grand:

July 2008

Pooch Time and Yappy Hour for dog owners:

Soma Grand staff writer

Soma Grand's "Pooch Time and Yappy Hour" was a resounding success-- furry friends and their companions came to enjoy Soma Grand's beautiful outdoor park in the sun. We greeted our guests with organic treats and toys while their chaperons lounged in the cabanas over a glass of wine. It was a day to experience the pet-friendly Soma Grand in real time.

General Puppy Tips

1. Never coddle a fearful pup: change your mood to upbeat to make them more comfortable

2. Pushy puppies: let them know you are in charge and they have to go through you to get what they want

3. Leaving puppies: let them know that fun happen when you are not around - take them to day play groups, give them interactive dog toys and show them any fun activity away from you.

4. Peeing puppies: if you puppy gets excited when he sees you and pees: next time just walk in and ignore him. Look the other way, don't speak to him or pet him. This will keep your dog from getting excited.

5. Tired dogs are good dogs: don't over-exercise your pup but food and exercise are integral parts of development. In time they will be able to keep up with you.

Housebreaking 101

1. Confine
2. Use a crate
3. Make it inviting
4. Reprimand complaining
5. If he's not confined, supervise...
6. Supervise

a. Use umbilical cord and tie down approach when possible
b. If he's not supervised, confine...

7. Regulate

a. Get him out on regular intervals
b. If you feel he should have to go and he doesn't, return him to confinement for a short period and try him again.
c. Do not allow him to wander around until he's eliminated.

8. Remember!
9. Do not use harsh reprimands if you see your pup eliminating inappropriately

a. Never reprimand him after the fact
b. Never play with him during any bathroom outing. Stick to the business at hand.
c. Keep his bathroom area clean.
d. Teach him to go to the bathroom on command.
e. Take him out at regular intervals at night until he can make all the way through without needing to eliminate.
f. Never play with him at night.

Everyone Needs Alone Time

It's important for your pet to be able to spend alone time to prevent over-stimulation and anxious behavior. Follow these tips to make sure your pal is getting some healthy space:

1. Provide a special place (a pillow, crate, or nook)
2. Exercise your pet first (exhaustion translates to sleep: too much energy translates to lots of anxiety)
3. Dogs should be able to spend 12 hours a day home alone by the time they are a year old without experiencing anxiety
4. Remember to moderate your own demands-- spending every moment of the day with your puppy is a guaranteed way to ensure enormous amounts of headaches- don't overdo it at the beginning: spend only as much time as you will feasibly be able to continue to spend.

Signs that your dog is suffering from separation anxiety:

1. Is always underfoot/ has difficulty making a move without you.
2. Engages in nuisance barking, destructive behavior or elimination in the house.