Gladly sharing my tips on dogs and other frequently asked questions.
1. My dogs show signs of aggression. How would you take care of them with your own dogs?
Easy. I can tame dogs. I have done it many times to my own dogs, friends' dogs, strangers' dogs, and SPCA dogs,...any dog!
I use Cesar's techniques in reading their body language, snap them out of their compulsion for aggression and "install a peace program". I believe that dogs can read our thoughts and emotion. Hence I just imagine a peaceful and a tame self into the dog. I am not a dog psychic, but I can easily read the warning signs(nose-to-nose encounters, ears up, staring eyes, one front leg up, growl), and I can get myself understood by the dog.
Aggression is a symptom, not a character of dogs. That is the first misunderstanding among us humans. We tend to label aggressive dogs just like condemned animals. They are not! Underneath the aggression, there are more important issues to be addressed. Some of the common reasons are not enough exercise, lack of discipline, lack of respect, and wrong approaches in terms of body language.
This question requires a book length of answers. But do not worry, I am the man for the job!
2. Will you let my dog free access to the house?
Yes, we do not have cages in our home. We treat your dog just like our own. Your dog is free to roam and explore our home. Most dogs who board with us even sleep together in our bedroom!
3. My dog's behavior always change (for the worse, more nervous and aggressive) after I board my dogs in other dogs hotel. Why is that so and how is yours different?
Often times, the dog boarders use human psychology to correct the dogs for wrong behaviors. Wrong behaviors need to be corrected but the method of correction cannot be the same as correcting a human child. Dogs are not humans!
For example, some people scold their dogs verbally. "NO!" They scream. Now dogs do not know English or Chinese or any human language. In their perception, they heard "WOOF, good one. Do it more!". Plus they listen and smell the angry person's boiling heartbeat. That sounds and smell like, "Do it, Do it!"
The right way to do is to touch the dog at the side neck area or the rib area, or to pull the leash to the side to snap the dog out of it. And then reinforce the light physical touch with a sound and/or visual signal.
I would never use fear or physical abuse to correct my dogs.
I have worked to remove a dog's trauma before. In one case, the dog runs away when the owner wants to touch it, and she pees in fear. So it is very probable that the dogs' boarding place "beat the hell out of the dog" and uses physical abuse and intimidation to control the behavior. I do not like to do this. There is a better way.
4. Will you bathe my dog? My dog hair is always messed up. How to remedy that?
Use the right shampoo... my shampoo! That is the short answer.
People are always amazed by my dogs and they thought I am a professional groomer or the dogs just got groomed.
I only bathe them once a week. And I have never gone to a dog grooming's school.
I know some people say better once a month, but in Singapore humid climate, that advice is better left for temperate countries.
Another group says bathe the dog every day, but that will strip too much of its natural oil. Too harsh on the hair.
I found that once a week is a good balance for Singapore's tropical climate.
Be more discerning when you shop for dog's shampoo. Almost all dog shampoos use certain chemicals that make the liquid looks great but the same chemicals are not cleaning the hair. And some are damaging to the hair and skin. I know that it is hard to learn chemistry... Here is a foolproof test to test your dog shampoo:
1. Have a spoonful of shampoo in your hands and hold it for 5 minutes.
2. Wash
3. Feel it. Do you feel any irritation?
If you feel irritation, then throw away that shampoo! Most shampoos in the market are like that... Now if that shampoo hurts your hand, how is it going to make your dog hair great?
5. What would you do if my dog feels ill?
It is easy to tell if a dog feels ill. Just observe its stool, its nose and eyes.
I would call or message you about the situation ASAP.
If you do not respond and the situation is serious, I would send it to the vet right away, and charge the bill later.
Usually dogs show symptoms before the serious problem surface. Responding to the tell tale early signs is very important.
6. Would you train my dog to be a better dog if I board them with you?
Gladly! Any unwanted nasty behaviour will be corrected and replaced with pleasant ones to redirect the instincts.
7. What do you feed your dogs? Can you feed my dog with what he is used to?
We feed human food.
Human food consists of rice, cooked meat, and fruits.
From observation, we conclude that dogs do better with cooked food instead of commercial dog food as the dog foods are laden with preservatives and unhealthy additives.
They have more energy, easy bowel movement and more mental focus when we feed them cooked food and fruits.
However, when your dog boards with us, we stick to what you want your dog to eat. We do not want to put a stress to your dog.
If your dog feeds on dog food, then we will give him the dog food. We do not want our dogs to eat dog food.
8. My dog has problem eating, and I must be physically there, otherwise she wont eat. Then how can I leave it with you?
Exercise!
Let me explain why your dog is a picky eater. Dogs are brilliant beings that want to work for food. They do not like to be unemployed and given free hand outs (unlike some humans). No work = no eat. Exercise unblocks this "code of ethics" as the brain moves forward while exercising. They will surely eat. Otherwise, I have created many recipes that your dog will not resist. I am a better chef for dogs than for humans.
9. How do you get your dog to switch to human food? I tried that and my dog vomits.
Fruits first. Fruits contain enzymes needed to break down some human food. If your dog has been addicted to dog food, it has not enough digestive enzymes in the body. It takes time to build it up.
5% fruits, 95% dog food for 1 week. Observe the stool
Increase to 50% fruits, 50% dog food.
Then have 30% human food, 30% fruits, 40% dog food.
Slowly replace to human food.
If watery stool or vomit is observed, use carbon tablet. Activated carbon will neutralize and reset the digestive tract.
10. Will my dogs miss me? How do you solve separation anxiety?
Your dogs will be super happy to see you again. Mine always are. However they will not wallow in sadness and desperation as we have created harmony and fulfil their instinctual needs when they are with us.
"Separation Anxiety" is a common unpleasant dog behavior. The root cause is always the relationship between the human and the dog.
If the dog has always been the pack leader, then it makes sense for them to throw tantrums when their follower(the humans) is missing.
If the human is the pack leader, and he gives the instruction to the dog to behave, this problem would not occur.
11. Commercial kennels' rates are lower, why is yours more?
To each, his own.
I would not put my own dog in any commercial kennel. Many kennels put the dogs in cages without any interaction.
We encountered far too many stories of dog with behavioural and even physical health problems when the board at commercial dog boarding/kennels. Here is an example
http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/stomp/sgseen/this_urban_jungle/1016760/nightmare_stay_at_dog_hotel.html
12. Are you doing this professionally, commercially or just as a hobby?
Short answer: Hobby
I run chemical and spices family businesses in Indonesia and Thailand during the day and they are autopilot businesses.
Every day I spend less than 3 hours monitoring their progress.
On my own, I also create and sell our own dog shampoo online at www.silkydogshop.com.
Why do I do this? Because I love dogs, I understand them and I am always on the look out to improve their well being. And I like to be trusted by someone's beloved family member. The satisfaction of doing a great job outweighs the effort and dedication put forth in taking care of your dog(s).
13. What are your goals or future plans for this dog boarding business?
Personally I will develop as many businesses as I can.
The one question I have when I wake up in the morning is "To be a man of Faith and Service"
This is one mantra I learned in Saint Joseph's Institution (SJI) and will always be close to my heart.
One day I want to provide luxury dog hotel and a dog boarding facility for the middle segment.
14. Why does my dog not listen to me?
Because you are not listening to your dog.
Dog will fulfil its master if just a pinch of understanding is shown to it.
Understanding does not mean pity or pure cuddly affection.
Understanding requires finding out the needs (not wants) of the other party and showing the dog how to reach that need.
Dogs need to work and earn it with pride.
They hate to be given anything for zero effort.
Easy. I can tame dogs. I have done it many times to my own dogs, friends' dogs, strangers' dogs, and SPCA dogs,...any dog!
I use Cesar's techniques in reading their body language, snap them out of their compulsion for aggression and "install a peace program". I believe that dogs can read our thoughts and emotion. Hence I just imagine a peaceful and a tame self into the dog. I am not a dog psychic, but I can easily read the warning signs(nose-to-nose encounters, ears up, staring eyes, one front leg up, growl), and I can get myself understood by the dog.
Aggression is a symptom, not a character of dogs. That is the first misunderstanding among us humans. We tend to label aggressive dogs just like condemned animals. They are not! Underneath the aggression, there are more important issues to be addressed. Some of the common reasons are not enough exercise, lack of discipline, lack of respect, and wrong approaches in terms of body language.
This question requires a book length of answers. But do not worry, I am the man for the job!
2. Will you let my dog free access to the house?
Yes, we do not have cages in our home. We treat your dog just like our own. Your dog is free to roam and explore our home. Most dogs who board with us even sleep together in our bedroom!
3. My dog's behavior always change (for the worse, more nervous and aggressive) after I board my dogs in other dogs hotel. Why is that so and how is yours different?
Often times, the dog boarders use human psychology to correct the dogs for wrong behaviors. Wrong behaviors need to be corrected but the method of correction cannot be the same as correcting a human child. Dogs are not humans!
For example, some people scold their dogs verbally. "NO!" They scream. Now dogs do not know English or Chinese or any human language. In their perception, they heard "WOOF, good one. Do it more!". Plus they listen and smell the angry person's boiling heartbeat. That sounds and smell like, "Do it, Do it!"
The right way to do is to touch the dog at the side neck area or the rib area, or to pull the leash to the side to snap the dog out of it. And then reinforce the light physical touch with a sound and/or visual signal.
I would never use fear or physical abuse to correct my dogs.
I have worked to remove a dog's trauma before. In one case, the dog runs away when the owner wants to touch it, and she pees in fear. So it is very probable that the dogs' boarding place "beat the hell out of the dog" and uses physical abuse and intimidation to control the behavior. I do not like to do this. There is a better way.
4. Will you bathe my dog? My dog hair is always messed up. How to remedy that?
Use the right shampoo... my shampoo! That is the short answer.
People are always amazed by my dogs and they thought I am a professional groomer or the dogs just got groomed.
I only bathe them once a week. And I have never gone to a dog grooming's school.
I know some people say better once a month, but in Singapore humid climate, that advice is better left for temperate countries.
Another group says bathe the dog every day, but that will strip too much of its natural oil. Too harsh on the hair.
I found that once a week is a good balance for Singapore's tropical climate.
Be more discerning when you shop for dog's shampoo. Almost all dog shampoos use certain chemicals that make the liquid looks great but the same chemicals are not cleaning the hair. And some are damaging to the hair and skin. I know that it is hard to learn chemistry... Here is a foolproof test to test your dog shampoo:
1. Have a spoonful of shampoo in your hands and hold it for 5 minutes.
2. Wash
3. Feel it. Do you feel any irritation?
If you feel irritation, then throw away that shampoo! Most shampoos in the market are like that... Now if that shampoo hurts your hand, how is it going to make your dog hair great?
5. What would you do if my dog feels ill?
It is easy to tell if a dog feels ill. Just observe its stool, its nose and eyes.
I would call or message you about the situation ASAP.
If you do not respond and the situation is serious, I would send it to the vet right away, and charge the bill later.
Usually dogs show symptoms before the serious problem surface. Responding to the tell tale early signs is very important.
6. Would you train my dog to be a better dog if I board them with you?
Gladly! Any unwanted nasty behaviour will be corrected and replaced with pleasant ones to redirect the instincts.
7. What do you feed your dogs? Can you feed my dog with what he is used to?
We feed human food.
Human food consists of rice, cooked meat, and fruits.
From observation, we conclude that dogs do better with cooked food instead of commercial dog food as the dog foods are laden with preservatives and unhealthy additives.
They have more energy, easy bowel movement and more mental focus when we feed them cooked food and fruits.
However, when your dog boards with us, we stick to what you want your dog to eat. We do not want to put a stress to your dog.
If your dog feeds on dog food, then we will give him the dog food. We do not want our dogs to eat dog food.
8. My dog has problem eating, and I must be physically there, otherwise she wont eat. Then how can I leave it with you?
Exercise!
Let me explain why your dog is a picky eater. Dogs are brilliant beings that want to work for food. They do not like to be unemployed and given free hand outs (unlike some humans). No work = no eat. Exercise unblocks this "code of ethics" as the brain moves forward while exercising. They will surely eat. Otherwise, I have created many recipes that your dog will not resist. I am a better chef for dogs than for humans.
9. How do you get your dog to switch to human food? I tried that and my dog vomits.
Fruits first. Fruits contain enzymes needed to break down some human food. If your dog has been addicted to dog food, it has not enough digestive enzymes in the body. It takes time to build it up.
5% fruits, 95% dog food for 1 week. Observe the stool
Increase to 50% fruits, 50% dog food.
Then have 30% human food, 30% fruits, 40% dog food.
Slowly replace to human food.
If watery stool or vomit is observed, use carbon tablet. Activated carbon will neutralize and reset the digestive tract.
10. Will my dogs miss me? How do you solve separation anxiety?
Your dogs will be super happy to see you again. Mine always are. However they will not wallow in sadness and desperation as we have created harmony and fulfil their instinctual needs when they are with us.
"Separation Anxiety" is a common unpleasant dog behavior. The root cause is always the relationship between the human and the dog.
If the dog has always been the pack leader, then it makes sense for them to throw tantrums when their follower(the humans) is missing.
If the human is the pack leader, and he gives the instruction to the dog to behave, this problem would not occur.
11. Commercial kennels' rates are lower, why is yours more?
To each, his own.
I would not put my own dog in any commercial kennel. Many kennels put the dogs in cages without any interaction.
We encountered far too many stories of dog with behavioural and even physical health problems when the board at commercial dog boarding/kennels. Here is an example
http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/stomp/sgseen/this_urban_jungle/1016760/nightmare_stay_at_dog_hotel.html
12. Are you doing this professionally, commercially or just as a hobby?
Short answer: Hobby
I run chemical and spices family businesses in Indonesia and Thailand during the day and they are autopilot businesses.
Every day I spend less than 3 hours monitoring their progress.
On my own, I also create and sell our own dog shampoo online at www.silkydogshop.com.
Why do I do this? Because I love dogs, I understand them and I am always on the look out to improve their well being. And I like to be trusted by someone's beloved family member. The satisfaction of doing a great job outweighs the effort and dedication put forth in taking care of your dog(s).
13. What are your goals or future plans for this dog boarding business?
Personally I will develop as many businesses as I can.
The one question I have when I wake up in the morning is "To be a man of Faith and Service"
This is one mantra I learned in Saint Joseph's Institution (SJI) and will always be close to my heart.
One day I want to provide luxury dog hotel and a dog boarding facility for the middle segment.
14. Why does my dog not listen to me?
Because you are not listening to your dog.
Dog will fulfil its master if just a pinch of understanding is shown to it.
Understanding does not mean pity or pure cuddly affection.
Understanding requires finding out the needs (not wants) of the other party and showing the dog how to reach that need.
Dogs need to work and earn it with pride.
They hate to be given anything for zero effort.