4:15 A.M.

I'm up, I was laying in bed thinking about what I had to say. 1st I had to make coffee, feed my dogs, get the paper, check on the dogs, drink my coffee then start blogging. So here it is.

Subject: Micro chipping your dog!

On 4 different occasions micro chips have helped our puppy customers get their dogs back since I have been micro chipping my puppies before they go to their new homes.

The first instance a veterinarian scanned a dog that came into his clinic, (I think in North Dakota) and found that it was stolen. The owner got his dog back.

Next, A neighbor said it was their dog and I said scan it and that will tell you. The real owner got the dog back.

The third was where a man picked up a German shorthair pointer from the pound. He called the vet who micro chipped the dog and my vet Dr. Stan Fagerness said I think that is one of Colleen's dogs. I was able to tell
this man how old the dog was, what training it had and what a great deal he just received.

Just yesterday Dr. Stan Fagerness was called again with a lost Golden retriever and he said I think that is one of Colleen's dogs. Tiffany, a trainer at Blaine Kennels, received the phone call and knew what to do. Tiffany looked up the micro chip number because Dr. fagerness knew what year he micro chipped this litter of Golden retrievers. Since she knew how old the Golden retriever was, Tiffany looked in my file and found it was a Gigi' puppy. She found out who owned the dog and called them. It just so happened that these people are in obedience class with their 3rd puppy and we knew the other dog too. Workers doing work at their house let the dog out. This dog is 5 years old and had never before left home. If it happened to them it can happen to anyone.

I wanted to share these stories so you could learn a proven method of keeping your pet safe. Get your dog micro chipped, I have to do my new puppy Chip. I'll be getting that done sooooooon!

Many people don't register their pet after they get them micro chipped. Which is why I get the phone call. My name is on the emergency contact when I sell a puppy. We have been here for 25 years and open 7 days a week so I figure I'm the best one to get a hold of, if you lose a pet. Plus Dr. Fagerness registers the micro chip on his end, thank goodness he does his paper work. Finish your paper work after you get your pet micro chipped, you may not get as lucky as these people. Call me,

763-786-3616 I like to hear your comments or stories too. Thank you for reading Colleen.

 

 

Blog Entry posted on: August 19th, 2010

What do I do when I get up at 3:00 or 4:00 A.M.? Well, I get out of bed and put my tennis shoes on to start the day and thank the Lord I can do this every morning for over 25 years. Then I make coffee, I let my own dogs out and feed them, walk over and check our doggie guests, get the paper, pour myself some coffee with creamer, do some laundry, read the paper, have another cup of coffee and then I really get going. My mind works the best before 6:00 A.M. especially to write anything, ask my Web lady. Today is no different.

Today I want to talk about maintenance on your dogs. I just got done cleaning my dogs ears and brushing their teeth. All my dogs have been trained by Tiffany and this is a God send. My dogs get on a Box and sit while I perform these tasks on them. We do lots of ears, teeth, nails and baths on dogs and it is really nice to have them sit still.

It is no different than you taking care of yourself. They say people live longer if they take care of their teeth. The same holds true for dogs. It is a lot cheaper to brush your dogs teeth than go in and have them cleaned and put under to do it. I had 2 small poodles and didn't know this 25 years ago and as they reached the ripe age of 17 they smelled like they were dying from the inside out. I couldn't even take the smell when they sat on my lap. So brush your dogs teeth!!! I've got the best products too.

We have brushed dogs teeth for 10 days while staying with us and the owners couldn't believe the difference when they returned. The gums weren't red,the teeth were cleaner and they smelled better too.

Okay ears. I can't believe it, it's 5:30 A.M. already, what have I done with 2 ½ hours? Ya ya ears.

Don't let this get out of control, go to your vet if your dog keeps shaking it's head. Dogs that have to be groomed have lots of hair in the ear canal, so take care of it. I have had Labs, Goldens, shorthairs, rotts, Poodles, shih-tzus and now goldendoodles and all of them need to have their ears cleaned regularly.

Just taking the time to keep your pets clean will save you lots of money at the vet in the long run.

Thank you for taking the time to listen to me.

My employees get here at 6:00 A.M. So I have to go and greet them and see what our day holds for us.

May God Bless you and keep you all safe!

Love Colleen

 

 

Blog Entry posted on: July 29th, 2010

Don't ya hate it when you get weeds in your crack?

Well I found a solution in the Pioneer Press the other day. I don't like using things that could harm animals and I have to keep them away from whatever I use for a few days. You all know how hard that is.

All you need to do is buy a gallon of white Vinegar add 2 cups of salt and 8 drops of liquid dish soap.

It was so cool how fast it worked, except I got to close to my morning glories and killed some, so in other words be careful, only put it on the weeds in your crack.

Good luck! You know you can call me and exclaim if you want to. Colleen 763-786-3616

 

 

Blog Entry posted on: July 27th, 2010

What can I write in my blog?
Whatever I want, I'm told. 

I am so thankful. My husband Dale has been sick for 2 years and hasn't been able to work. Anyone who has had a sick spouse can understand. You basically have to do the work of 2 people. No matter how small the tasks might be, it all adds up. Dale is finally feeling better and hoping to be back to work real soon. Dale trains gun dogs and the Dog Squad dogs.

I am so excited and appreciate all the small things that I never even thought of. Dale and I have gone out to lunch, yes! Think about it not going out to eat with your spouse for 2 years. We even barbecued last night for the 1st time in 2 years, we prayed and thanked God for this wonderful food and companionship.

I also want to thank all of our wonderful customers/friends who have been so understanding about getting their dogs trained to be gun dogs. Again I want to say, thank you. We love all of you and we don't take too much for granted. Thank you God!!!

Love Dale and Colleen

 

Blog Entry posted on: July 19th, 2010

In the Know!

People call me all the time for advice and I have to decide what would be the most beneficial for you to know.

Between fire crackers and storms, it really can make life somewhat miserable for pet owners. I get calls for example; My dog shakes all the time when it storms, wets themselves and won't move. I ask “What do you do?” The answer is always I try to comfort them and love them up. WRONG!!!

You are only reinforcing them to be scared plus most of these people are afraid of storms too.

My husband Dale and myself have broke many a dog from being gun shy/ or storm crazy.
1st Ignore the behavior.
2nd Play with your dog. I don't usually train with treats but this is an exception.
3rd Turn all the lights on, turn the TV or radio up loud and ignore the storm.

This is the same philosophy for a dog being gun shy, but we use a pigeon to get the dog excited. Dale will take something to read and the dog to the gun club and sit and sit and sit. It may take several trips to the gun club. Then you play with the dog with a bird and they forget all about the gun shots and start having fun. Don't be afraid to call.

This is all we do and we do it Well!
Dale and Colleen 763-786-3616

PS. Dale even broke one of my dogs from Car Sickness. He put a pigeon in a cage in front of my poodle, Prince. All he could do was concentrate on that bird and forgot all about getting sick.

 

Blog Entry posted on: June 15th, 2010

The 3 Don'ts ~ Pet Safety Tips

1. Don't let your new puppy out with fire crackers! This is the time when most dogs go missing. Exposing them to fire crackers is also how you can make your dog afraid of lightening, thunder and loud noises. Put your dog away in it's kennel or in a room. Turn the lights on and play loud music for them so they don't hear all the noise. Call me ~ Colleen if you need help 763-786-3616

2. Don't let your dog eat the mushrooms in your yard. Tiffany's dog ate one last year and was sick for 3 days. I don't know what kind they are, do you?

3. Don't let your dog stand underneath you while you are using a knife. I had a customer the other day come in with her lab, it had stitches in it's foot and I ask why. She told me he was under her while cutting up something. Later I go home cut up something and dropped the knife on my foot (yes I'm okay) . Then I put my dogs in another room. Don't learn the hard way. Plus, I hate going to the vet when it is my fault. Once I was shoveling with this brand new shovel that had a nice new sharp blade and my golden retriever was chasing the shovel and I hit her in the shin and cut her leg open and had to take her to the vet. I hate that when that happens.

P.S. 6-16-10
Yesterday someone was telling me about their dog getting sick from drinking pond water. They got home went to the vet and then had to go to the U of M. This is the 2nd dog this summer that I have heard of that happening to, don't let your dog drink foreign water. Call the vet from where you were when they drank it and the vet can usually solve your problem faster and save you some huge bucks.
“Thank you!” Someone came in yesterday and said “I washed my dogs collar, I never thought to do that.” No, Thank you for reading.
Call me if you want something or to just comment 763-786-3616

 

Blog Entry posted on: June 3rd, 2010

My new blog is from a client I recently gave a tip to, thanks John!

"I called Colleen at Blaine Kennels after several unsuccessful attempts to rid my carpet of cat urine smells.  She told me to try a recipe that she uses for getting the smell of skunk off dogs.  "If it works on a dog then this should take that smell out of your carpet."  She was right, it worked perfectly!
 
I followed her recipe of:
-1 Quart of hydrogen peroxide
-1/4 cup baking soda
-1  teaspoon dish soap
 
I first tried a small area to make sure it was safe on the carpet and then I scrubbed it into the entire living room floor.  My nose and I lived happily ever after. 

Thank you Colleen."

 

Blog Entry posted on: May 17th, 2010

My opinion 5-2010

Does your dog stink? Well give it a bath. I hate stinky dogs. My dogs get a bath almost every week. My husband picked up our little poodle puppy and said pee yew, you stink you need a bath. So today he will get a good bath.

After 30 years of dogs, I have learned many things to be aware of:

Like Golden retrievers get hot spots from sand and dirt festering under their skin. Keep your dog clean.! Did you ever smell their collar? You change your underwear when you take a shower so why not change their collar. Wash it or have an extra collar.

Is your dog wiping its butt across your floor? Get their anal glands extracted? Can your dog see? Or does their face stink? Shave or clean that face. It has old stale food on its face and drips water all over the floor. Is your dog shaking its head? Clean their ears out and or take them to the vet, this is nothing to play around with.

Have you smelled their breath? Whew! Brush your dog or cats teeth. I have found that the petz life oral gel really works. It has peppermint and grapefruit extract that helps with their stomach and eats the tarter off their teeth. Save yourself vet bills by just taking care of your pet.

Thank you for letting me vent!!

 

Blog Entry Posted on: April 22th, 2010

My opinion 4-2010

People keep asking me what I think of Frontline on their pets. Remember this is only my opinion.

I've seen many animals (cats and dogs) get very sick after this was applied and while with some animals nothing has happened, the use of chemicals worries me. On the package it says use rubber gloves when you apply. Well, right there it raises a flag. Why would I put something on my pet where I had to wear gloves? My grandchildren pet my dogs and put their hands in their mouths. My thought is chemical free is the way to be.

 So what do I do? Glad you asked! I use an all natural product that we sell. I spray it on my puppies, cats and adult dogs. I feel it works, for example, my husband went hunting up north where there are lots of ticks. My husband's friend put frontline on his dogs and they had also received the lymes shot. His dogs got lymes disease and mine did not.

I also give my dogs garlic pills made for dogs (that we sell here) everyday to boost their immune system. In the great plagues the people who ate a lot of garlic lived thru it. Garlic helps keep fleas, gnats, mosquitoes and ticks away too. When my husband came home my dogs got a natural flea and tick bath, we combed thru their coat and got all the ticks off that we could find. We didn't find them all till they filled up with blood and then I saw them and pulled them off.

I have been reading natural ways to help my pets for years. With the internet now a days you can find anything. As always remember to use your common sense and go to your veterinarian they know best.