IOU PET CARE, LLC

05/29/2026

05/28/2026

04/29/2026

Miss Roxy enjoying the overcast day.
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04/28/2026

Iggy, my 10-month-old shepherd mix, got stuck barking at a statue he found unsettling. I worked with him by tossing treats on the ground to redirect his focus and help him connect the statue with something positive. Through classical conditioning, his fear shifted to anticipation, and the barking faded.

04/27/2026

PART 3: FINALE-ASSESSING DOGS
This is the finale, summarizing the steps I take when assessing new pups or introducing dogs who may have been here before but haven’t met each other yet. If you’d like to start from the beginning, be sure to check out parts 1 and 2 of Chance’s assessment.

In part 2, you saw that Chance was first introduced to the least intimidating dog here—Otis, a 3-month-old puppy. From there, we moved on to a large male Rottweiler to gauge his reaction. Some dogs can be overwhelmed by such a strong presence, but Chance handled it well.

Next up was Molly, one of our regulars—a very balanced female whose body language speaks volumes. Notice the excessive sniffing? It wasn’t because she was fascinated by new scents—she’s already familiar with the environment and attends daycare regularly. In this context, sniffing can be a way to communicate and create space. You’ll see Chance mirror that behavior, choosing to disengage and give Molly what she was asking for. She’s a few years older and, while playful, simply wasn’t interested at that moment—and she expressed that in a calm, respectful way.

Most often, sniffing is a calming signal. The dog is essentially saying:
“I’m not a threat.”
“I don’t want any trouble.”
“Let’s keep this low-pressure.”

The following week, Chance returned for another daycare session and met Miss Olivia. At this point, he was off leash, as he had become comfortable in the environment and was responding well to me. Olivia absolutely loves other dogs and has the energy of a full-time pack aerobics instructor—no exaggeration.

By the third week, Chance was ready to meet Hunter, a large male and part of our regular daycare group. Hunter is confident, extremely friendly, and unfazed by just about anything. He’s also earned the nickname “Houdini” around here—he’s never tried to escape, but with three connected yards, he’s figured out how to open gates, so we keep them extra secure.

Different breeds, different personalities, multiple daycare days—always moving at each dog’s individual pace. It’s about reading body language, using positive reinforcement, and knowing each dog well enough to anticipate potential outcomes. And no matter how well things are going, safety and careful management always come first.
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04/22/2026

PART 2: ASSESSING A DOG FOR DAYCARE AND BOARDING.
If you read part 1 of Chance’s assessment, you’ll be excited to see the progress he made on his very first day. He started off curious but a bit apprehensive during the first hour. Once I moved the pups outside—still safely separated by the fence—Chance began to show a completely different side of himself.

When I assess new dogs, I introduce them one at a time, typically starting with the least intimidating companion. In this case, I chose the youngest and smallest—Otis. As mentioned in part 1, keeping Chance on a leash in the beginning allows me to gently guide and redirect him without needing to grab his collar or use any aversive methods.

My approach centers on positive reinforcement while maintaining safety for myself, the dog being assessed, and the other dogs in my care. With that foundation in place, Chance began to display absolutely beautiful body language—loose, relaxed, and fully playful, showing he was ready to engage.
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Salvatore Anthony

04/21/2026

I use eggs regularly in my high-protein recipes, and instead of throwing away the shells, I save and repurpose them for my adult dogs. I’m not a canine nutritionist, so please check with your veterinarian to be sure this is appropriate for your dog.
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04/19/2026

PART 1: DAYCARE AND BOARDING ASSESSMENT
Chance is a 7-month-old Great Dane who has not yet experienced a social setting with multiple dogs. The process begins with a brief 20-minute meeting on the property with both Chance and his owners.

The next step is a scheduled daycare visit, during which he is dropped off for a full assessment. Upon arrival, the resident dogs are kept behind a gate, with no formal introductions until Chance has had time to settle in and become comfortable. He is first given the opportunity to decompress and adjust to the environment and to me.

During this time, Chance remains on a leash, as he is unfamiliar with me and may not yet respond to basic commands such as “come” or “sit.” Keeping him leashed allows me to gently guide and direct him as needed while he becomes more at ease.

Notice that Otis, our 3-month-old puppy, remains calm, as does the Rottweiler behind the gate. This calm energy helps create a low-pressure environment, allowing Chance to approach at his own pace. At the same time, it’s important to observe his body language—his tail is tucked and he is engaging in a lot of sniffing. This typically indicates that he is feeling unsure or nervous, and is using sniffing as a way to gather information and self-soothe while he assesses his surroundings.

However, he is also very curious and begins to approach Otis carefully and slowly. A brief sniff and polite interaction from both dogs sets the stage for a more successful introduction later on.

Baby steps are essential to help dogs succeed in their socialization, both here and everywhere they go. It’s important not to rush the process—each dog is different, and progress should always happen at their individual pace. Understanding and respecting that pace is key to building confidence and creating positive, lasting experiences.

I have already shared his progress in other posts, but I wanted to show you the steps it takes to get there. Stay tuned for more updates in the next day or so.
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Feel free to ask questions or comments below.

04/09/2026

It’s a beautiful day and we are taking full advantage of it!
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