Topeka, KS August 2023

THE GOLDEN CITY KIDS AND PETS ISSUE

FOOD+ BEVERAGE FOOD AND DRINK GUIDE

Kids and Pets IssueThe Cuteness Factor

This August issue is always one of my favorites because it’s about kids and pets. I guess it is because of the cuteness factor. Thank goodness they are cute, because both are a lot of work. Theodore Roosevelt once said, "Nothing worth having comes easy." There is no question that both kids and pets are worth having. They give love selflessly and bring us so much joy.

Pets and kids are good for each other too. Having a pet is a great thing for a child’s health and development. For instance, having a pet in the home helps to develop strong immune systems, teaches responsibility, provides comfort and companionship, and teaches empathy towards others. "Animals are such agreeable friends. They ask no questions. They pass no criticism,"- George Elliot.

My own experience with a pet was in 2009 when my children begged me for a dog. With a household full of kids, I was not interested in taking on the task of caring for another living thing. However, when my friend’s boxer had puppies...I caved. That dog, named Tyson, converted me from thinking of others as "dumb dog lovers" to becoming a "dumb dog lover" myself! The joy we all experienced caring for Tyson was one we all would not trade for the world. He was just the best!

Later, our daughter Jenna fell in love with a rescue tabby cat named Wes. You have seen them both on the cover. Wes was more like a dog than a cat which made him that much more lovable.

I hope you enjoy paging through this month's issue and seeing the "cuteness factor" of our Golden City's very own Kids and Pets. I encourage you to get out this summer season and enjoy the great outdoors with your favorite canine, cat, or kiddo!

Sincerely,

August 2023

PUBLISHER

Brian Rodehorst | brian.rodehorst@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Kathy Graham | kathy.graham@citylifestyle.com

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS

Thomas Hall | thomas.hall@eagleaerialworld.com, Kristol Kumar | kristol@kristolkumar.com

Lindsey Wagers | info@wagersphotography.com

STAFF WRITERS

Sue Baldani | suebaldani@yahoo.com

Kelsey Huber | khuber2@gmail.com

Amanda Knowland | amandalanum@gmail.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Angela Broockerd, Michelle Moody, Bailey Morris

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Janie Jones, Michelle Moody

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Tiffany Slowinski

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS Jennifer Robinson

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein

CONTROLLER Gary Johnson

AD DESIGNER Hunter Richie

LAYOUT DESIGNER Rhiannon Coffman

What We Do

Who We Are

At Adoption Services & Law Group, we serve prospective adoptive parents throughout Kansas and around the country, including matching with expectant mothers We have over 60 years of experience in all types of adoptions

city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen.

Want to be seen in the magazine? Tag your Instagram photos with @topekalifestyle

A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

Jen Hartman, LMT - Tranquil Balance Massage and Wellness

Welcome to Tranquil Balance! Relax and enjoy as I bring to you the healing touch of massage. I specialize in therapeutic massage, combined with stretching and joint rotation to improve mobility and relieve tension. You’ll leave feeling balanced, invigorated and relaxed! As my client, you will have my complete and focused attention. My mission is to bring balance and wellness to all of you; your entire body, mind and spirit. For more information visit tranquil-balance.com .

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Night Out on Boswell

Save the date for a Night Out on Boswell hosted by Blooms On Boswell. On the third Thursday in August (17th) from 4-7pm, you can browse a variety of vendors, participate in floral workshops, and enjoy food and drinks while mingling with your neighbors. This is a perfect opportunity to support local businesses and artists, learn new skills, and build meaningful connections with your community. We can't wait to see you there! Visit bloomsonboswell.com

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Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/Topeka

but I also need to save for retirement.

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MINDFULNESS

The Art of Gardening the Heart: Cultivate a growth mindset in your life. Learn to recognize the power of pulling weeds of emotional toxicity and planting seeds of truth in the garden of the heart.

MEDITATION

The Neuroscience of Enlightenment: Find the state of FREEDOM not only from counter productive emotions that drive the process of cyclic existence, but also from the predispositions established in the by those afflictive emotions, by learning to deconstruct limiting beliefs and repetitive behaviors created by these emotions.

“A great way to unwind”

THE DIRTY Dog

If leaving your fur baby with strangers gives you paws (see what we did there?) relax! The Dirty Dog is the place to go. Located at 3120 S. Kansas Avenue, The Dirty Dog caters to dogs and cats of all breeds and needs. From boarding to training to grooming, they do it all. We spoke with owner, Amanda Biester, about the joys and challenges of running a school, hotel, and spa for our four-legged friends.

“We get it,” Biester said. “These are your babies. They are members of your family and we treat them as if they were our own. We recruit the best talent in the industry and continuously educate ourselves on the latest training and grooming techniques.”

One of the things that sets The Dirty Dog apart from other doggy daycare businesses is that the staff consists of professionals. “Most of the pet care industry operates as babysitters,” Biester explained. “All of our employees are professionals who are credentialed and certified in pet care. They are not high school kids looking for a summer job. They have dedicated their lives to careers in pet care.” Biester said the staff collectively hold multiple certificates in pet care, pet nutrition, grooming, pet agility, and are CPR certified and trained.

“Safety is our number one priority when it comes to the animals we care for,” Biester said. “Safety, health, and happiness are our three keystones.” When they get a new member, they perform an

initial assessment based on size, personality, and play style. If an animal has social issues like aggression or anxiety, they work with it individually to help it learn social skills. “It’s not sink or swim with us,” Biester explained. “Sometimes dogs forget the canine language and we have to help them learn to interact and use healthy social behavior again,” she said. “We don’t give up on them.”

The Dirty Dog offers private and group training classes that range from Puppy Kindergarten to Canine Good Citizen to Dog Sports classes. Boarding and day classes include Day Training, Manners Camp, and Boarding School. “The bonding is the easy part,” Biester stressed. “But creating boundaries and changing bad behavior can be more challenging for pet owners. We’re here to help.”

When it comes to boarding your pet, they offer options as well. You can choose private or social boarding, in general lodging areas as well as several suite options. Suites are great for elderly pets, puppies and kittens, dogs or cats who have recently had medical issues, and multi-pet homes. Whether private play or playgroup, the pet care team will make the most of your pet’s days while keeping them on a familiar schedule. “People love the suites because they're less disruptive for the animals and it gives the owners such peace of mind,” Biester explained.

“We try to make our services as convenient as possible for our customers,” Biester said. “We know families are busy, so we encourage doubling up on services to save time. If you are boarding your pet, and planning to add grooming or training services, we encourage you to do it while they are here. It saves pet parents the trouble of scheduling a separate appointment, plus it saves them a trip here and back.” They even offer shuttle service to and from training or grooming appointments to help busy pet owners.

For over a decade The Dirty Dog has been serving the pets and families of Topeka. If you’re looking for a place for your pet to play, or be groomed, trained, or boarded in Topeka, look no further than The Dirty Dog. From social skills to sleepovers to spa days, if your pet needs it, there’s no better place to get it than at The Dirty Dog. Learn more at dirtydogtopeka.com Visit

EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION

Opening Doors for Young Learners

Founded by a group of families in 1982 with an enrollment of only 43 students, Topeka Collegiate has grown tremendously in the past 41 years. As of today, over 2000 students in the community have passed through its doors, and later, found themselves walking through the doors of Harvard, Yale, Duke, Georgetown and many other esteemed colleges and universities. It remains Topeka’s only independent college preparatory school for children in pre-K through 8th grade. With a curriculum focused on math, science, history, reading, and writing skills, students are also heavily exposed to Spanish, computer science, music, and art in a way that promotes a lifelong love of learning.

In addition to an exemplary education, students reap the benefits of the school’s mission, which is to inspire and prepare every student for a successful future through academic excellence, active citizenship, and humanitarian ideals. Its students are greatly involved in giving back to

nonprofit organizations and charity events such as the Nancy Perry Day of Caring, Senior Center holiday visitations, Harvesters, United Way, and the Red Cross.

Athleticism and team spirit are also promoted through physical education classes in every grade and with co-ed soccer, volleyball, basketball, and track and field in middle school. Its sports teams compete against different schools within the Topeka Parochial League.

Every student is valued for his or her own uniqueness and the school provides a nurturing and inclusive environment where students are allowed to shine in their own individual ways. Integrity and compassion is fostered during every school day.

While the leadership is top notch, so are the teachers. Students’ standardized test scores have consistently placed them among the highest-achieving independent school students in the country. Here, let’s get to know some of the educators who create the magic in the classroom.

Ken Park

4th Grade Teacher and Assistant Director of Summer Blast Camp

Ken Park credits his own teachers with giving him the desire to educate others. The one who made the biggest impact though was his drum/percussion teacher. “He had a passion for teaching and instilled in me the desire to learn and to make a difference in the world through teaching and education,” he says.

Having just completed his 27th year of teaching, he still carries that passion for music. “I’ve given drum lessons since I was in high school, and over the years I’ve played in pop, rock, blues and jazz bands, and orchestras.”

Ken joined Topeka Collegiate in 1996. “What attracted me most was the independent school philosophy, the high academic standards, small class size, inclusiveness, and parents who are actively involved in their child’s education.” He hopes his students will continue to learn and try new things, without the fear of failure.

Elian Mota

Middle School Language Arts Teacher

For Elian Mota, sharing his love of language arts with children is a joy. “I have a knack for and enjoy explaining things, and helping others is fulfilling to me,” he says. “Teaching is one of the things that lets me engage with all of those aspects of myself.”

A teacher for 18 years, he joined Topeka Collegiate in 2015. “The freedom, trust, and support the school leaders give their teachers here was particularly attractive to me.” In his classroom, Elian hopes every child feels like they have “a voice, a language, and a faculty for critical thought that is as valid, as beautiful, and as powerful as anyone else’s.”

Outside of the classroom, Elian enjoys playing the digital collectible card game Magic: The Gathering and spending time with family. “We just got a puppy; his name is Peanut Butter Ignacio, but we call him Nacho.”

For Sheri Rippel, being an educator is in her blood. “I’ve been teaching since I was 5 and had a class full of stuffed animals,” she says. “My grandmother taught in a one-room schoolhouse, and I have a dozen other close relatives who were educators.”

A teacher for 11 years, she joined Topeka Collegiate in 2019. “When I saw a vacancy in Topeka Collegiate’s early childhood program, I jumped at it, not realizing I would find my school home. When I interviewed, I learned a lot about the school’s history and mission, and most importantly for me, its focus on providing a diverse, beyond-the-book learning environment that encourages critical thinking and embraces social emotional learning.”

Sheri’s other passion is theatre. “Being a community theatre volunteer has brought immeasurable riches to my life. Connections, relationships, growth opportunities, leadership challenges - it has transformed my life.”

Having just finished her 26th year of teaching at Topeka Collegiate, Kelley Berryman understands the perspective of being both a teacher and a parent at the school; her two children attended Topeka Collegiate from pre-K through 8th grade.

“My hope is that every child takes away the gift of the love and excitement of learning, confidence in themselves and their abilities, and feeling valued as an individual and as part of a team,” she says.

She also truly values her own team – at school and at home. “I was able to teach through chemotherapy treatment this past fall and winter with the support of my amazing colleagues and family,” she says.

During her free time, Kelley loves watching and attending sporting events as well as doting on her grandchild. “I became a grandma for the first time to a beautiful baby girl at the end of April!”

School is back in session on August 16. Enrollment is still available for PreK through grade 8.

SIP 'N SAVOR

The Golden City's Food & Drink Guide

Topeka's Favorite Neighborhood Pizza & Bakery Cafe. Customers can not only enjoy the Best Pizza in Topeka but also Freshly Baked Bagels and Pastries, Coffee, Espresso Drinks, Smoothies, Soups, Salads, Sandwiches, and Free Internet Wi-Fi all within a relaxing atmosphere from early morning throughout the day and into the evening. Come on down... Morning or Night... Kick back...Relax and enjoy our local family owned Pizza & Bakery Cafe. Visit pizagels.com

BoneAppetite!

Dog Treat Baker Creates Healthier Options for Pets

During the holiday season of 2019, veteran entrepreneur Sherri Moore was unknowingly cooking up a new business idea. She had already founded two businesses that assist senior citizens.

“Most of my clients have pets,” she said. “When I would make a baked good for my senior clientele, I would make something for their dogs, too.”

Her clients began spreading the word about Sherri’s pet treats, which she first began creating for her Basset Hound, Lucy, after realizing how expensive healthy dog treats can be. As people began asking Sherri to bake goods for their furry friends, the idea for Sassy Basset Biscuit Company was born.

Sherri began the process of obtaining an animal feed license and developing her recipes. The ingredients in her treats are real foods and Kansas-made. They are so clean, a few of the treats may even appeal to pup owners.

“I’ve tried some of them, too,” Sherri laughs. “The Sweet Potato, Cranberry and Oat Dog Treat tastes like a granola bar. And I wouldn’t have a problem dipping the Banana Biscotti in some coffee!”

Healthy ingredients are top priority for Sherri and Lucy. Not long after her adoption, Lucy was diagnosed with glaucoma by the K-State College of Veterinary Medicine.

“The tests they ran for Lucy were so helpful. They were so gentle during the process of losing her vision,” Sherri said. “They gave Lucy every benefit of the doubt.”

At age 8, Lucy is now blind, but living a full life. She is also Sassy Basset’s primary taste-tester.

“If I wouldn’t let Lucy eat it, I wouldn’t send it out,” Sherri said. “I’ve always had the ethic that you stand behind the product and make it right for the customer.”

Sassy Basset now offers 13 products and is carried in five local retail locations. Sherri’s long-term goals include opening a storefront and helping the community.

“I want to give back to K-State School of veterinary medicine because of all the help they’ve given Lucy,” Sherri said. “We recently discussed setting up a scholarship and ways to help the school.”

You can find Sassy Basset treats in Wild Bird House; Herman’s Meat & Smokehouse; Hy-Vee in Topeka, Lawrence, and Manhattan; and R Bar B. You can also order by calling Sherri at 785.364.6614 or visiting SassyBassetBiscuitCo.com Visit

LEARN MORE: Sherri Moore is the founder of three small businesses, including Sassy Basset Biscuit Company, Girl Friday Senior Concierge Services, and Glenn Moore Meadows, which she sold in 2017. Sherri, her husband, Bruce, and their several animals live on a farm outside Holton. Sherri has one daughter, who is a pediatric nurse and manager for the mobile health clinic in Topeka.

Passing It Forward

Brett Ballard, Washburn’s Head Basketball Coach Talks about Creating Winners On and Off the Court

Brett Ballard, head coach of the Washburn University men’s basketball team, has never known life without basketball. “My dad was a teacher and a coach, so I grew up around the game of basketball,” Ballard said. “I had a lot of really great youth coaches and high school coaches growing up in Hutchinson, KS. I was very fortunate.” He listened to those coaches, worked hard and developed his God-given talent.

All that hard work started paying off in high school when he went to play junior college basketball. Then he walked on at KU and played for Coach Williams. “Obviously that was an incredible opportunity for me and I had a great experience there,” Ballard said.

“Then the timing worked out perfectly that after coach Williams left I finished playing and was lucky enough to be on coach Self’s staff for seven years. I was really blessed to have two Hall of Fame coaches as mentors.”

While at KU, Ballard was the camp director for the Bill Self Basketball Camps. He organized and directed over 2,500 campers and also coordinated and directed the Coaches Clinic, the Winter Clinic, and the Wilt Chamberlain Special Olympics Clinic. The lessons he learned from his coaches and the campers have stuck with him throughout his life.

Ballard eventually left KU for an opportunity to be head coach at Baker University, followed by the head coach position at Tulsa University, and then Wake Forest. In 2017, the Washburn job opened up. “Washburn was one of the best Division II basketball programs in the country and I knew it would be a great opportunity,” he said. Ballard has certainly

“You know the relationships you have with your players. When they get done and you see them as husbands and fathers, just knowing you played a small part in that… that’s really rewarding.” -

made the most of it. His 104 wins are the most recorded by an Ichabod coach in program history after their first five seasons!

But as the years bounce by, Ballard says he’s gaining more from the game than simply the satisfaction of teaching young men to play better basketball. “I think initially what drove me to coach was the love of the game. I love competing and it still is a big part of why I coach. But I think the longer you do this, you start to see the impact that you can have,” Ballard shared. “It's really an influential time in their lives and to have an impact on them as a basketball player is important, but to be able to influence who they're going to be after they leave…I think that part of it is as much of a motivator now as anything else.”

CONTINUED >

Luckily for the Topeka community, that impact isn’t restricted to the basketball players he coaches. Washburn University offers summer camps for youth boys and girls in second grade through eighth grade. This past month, they hosted over 450 kids at summer basketball camps.

“My guys really give a high level of effort and energy to the kids. I’m really proud of them for that,” Ballard said. “They form a bond and I know the young campers look up to them.”

There is also a camp scholarship opportunity for kids who can’t afford to attend. “We're really fortunate we have some individuals and businesses in Topeka who donate camp scholarships,” Ballard said. “This year, over 50 kids were given scholarships.”

Whether it’s through the camps or the basketball team at Washburn, Ballard says he loves the difference that they are able to make in the community. “I really like giving back to Topeka because it's been so good to my family,” Ballard shared.

“We've been treated so well since we moved

here. I hope the fans that come out to our games see a hometown team that they can be proud of both on and off the court.”

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Backyard Chickens

Everything you need to get started on your backyard coop.

Chickens have become increasingly popular as pets in both suburban and urban areas during the last 20 years. Backyard chickens may seem to be an unsuspecting animal to keep as a pet but the tried and true egg producers are back in fashion as food costs are soaring and families are looking for more food independence in light of recent supply chain shortages. There’s a lot to like about raising chickens in your backyard. Surprisingly, chickens are relatively low maintenance. And bonus – unlike dogs, they don’t need to be bathed or groomed, and they don’t shed on your clothes or require training. Oh and bonus – they make you breakfast.

The eggs from backyard chickens are the best—tastier and fresher than any store-bought eggs. Much of the day, the birds entertain themselves, picking at grass, worms, beetles, and all of the good things that go into making those delicious farm eggs. Plus, with their keen eye for insect pests, chickens make for great gardening companions.

Chickens can provide family companionship, fun, entertainment, sustainable fresh food, and plenty of poop that gardeners prize as a natural fertilizer/composting material. Could backyard chickens be the perfect pet/producer to add to your home?

Things To Consider Before Getting Chickens:

First, check local town ordinances to ensure that keeping chickens is even allowed in your neighborhood or if there is a limit to the number of chickens you can keep at once.

Make sure you have the space for a henhouse or a full-size chicken coop. It has to hold a feeder and water containers, a roosting area, and a nest box for every three hens. A proper coop should be large enough that you can stand in it to gather eggs and shovel manure comfortably, but a simple hen house can be quite a bit smaller. Plus, any housing must be sturdy enough to keep your chickens safe from all the predators out there. Gorgeous coops are aplenty on places like Pinterest if you’re building your own, but many pre-made options are available through various farm supply stores as well.

Chickens need food and water daily. Feed is about $20 per 50-pound bag, but prices vary depending on your location and the quality of the feed. How long a bag lasts depends on the number of chickens you have.

Hens will lay eggs through Spring and Summer and into the Fall, as long as they have 12 to 14 hours of daylight. Expect to collect eggs daily, or even twice a day.

Backyard Chicken Q&A:

HOW MANY CHICKENS SHOULD I KEEP?

Chickens are sociable creatures, so plan to keep three to six birds at least. With this amount, you’ll always have a steady supply of eggs, since an adult hen lays about two eggs every three days, on average. Local ordinances also dictate how many chickens one household can keep.

HOW MUCH DOES KEEPING CHICKENS COST?

All of this costs money, of course. The materials to build and furnish a coop and a 20 x 5-foot run—including wood, fencing, and hardware—are going to set you back at least $300. If you can’t do this work yourself, you’ll also be buying skilled labor. Overall, expect to spend between $500 and $700 when getting started depending on the size of your flock, coop and run. For prefabricated coops, expect to pay $600 or more.

WHAT KIND OF SHELTER DO THEY NEED?

Chickens need to have an enclosed coop that provides adequate space, protection from the elements and predators, and good ventilation. A modified shed, barn, or stable with an outdoor

run is a good option for a coop. The outdoor run should be fully enclosed if you have predators like hawks or owls nearby. Ideally, coops are slightly elevated off the ground to prevent flooding and have windows on each side, enough nest boxes to allow several chickens to nest simultaneously, outlets for lighting, fans if they’re needed, air inlets or ventilation holes on the roof, and a concrete floor treated with a pet-safe waterproof coating that allows for easy cleaning and drainage.

Want to go the fancy route?

Search Pinterest for “chicken coop building plans” if you’re building your own or consider going the luxury route with a gorgeous custom-built coop from a company like CutestCoops.com

WHEN DO CHICKENS START LAYING EGGS?

Most hens will start laying eggs when they’re about 18 to 20 weeks old, although it may take more time for them to reach their peak output. Often, the first eggs are laid irregularly or are smaller or oddly shaped when compared with a typical egg. This is nothing to worry about! Once a cycle is established, most hens will lay one egg per day.

Backyard Whimsy

Creating a Kid-Friendly Backyard Space

This adorable outdoor play space is not only easy and inexpensive to build, but it is full of charm and the perfect spot for the kids to play and lounge. The A-frame structure is easily customizable to any style and color scheme desired. Leave the wood bare, or add flare with paint or stain. An outdoor clubhouse provides a space that allows kids

to make it their own and to let their imaginations run wild spending time outdoors.

For this project, we visited our local hardware store to get all the necessary  supplies we needed. The deck is an 8 x 10 decking so  there is no need to cut down the length of any boards and pressure treated wood was used. First, dig holes CONTINUED >

18 inches down to put the  footers, which is a 4 x 4 x 8 treated  post, and cut those into two foot lengths. Next, pour quick set concrete in the holes. Add water, and set the posts in and let it dry. We used lag screws to attach the base 2 x  10’s to the corner posts, and then 2 x 6’s  for the joists with metal hangers. Now time to put on the decking boards with exterior screws. Don’t forget to constantly check with a level.  Once the decking is  finished, now it is time for the fun!

For the A frame you need a 60-degree angle at the top of the A, and a 30-degree  angle at the bottom. You can run a 4 x 4 along the decking to attach the A frame to which adds a bit of height so adults can stand in it as well. Use heavy duty exterior screws to attach the A frame 2 x 4’s to the structure. The top of the A comes together and is held by exterior screws. For the roofing, we used 8-foot corrugated clear panels and screwed those into the A frame for a weather protecting cover. We left  three feet uncovered so a chair and some pots with herbs and flowers could be added to the entrance. Decorate with outdoor pillows, a children’s table, outdoor rug  and hanging flower pots to make it feel like a special place for kids to go. If entertaining friends, a few simple charcuterie boards are always a hit.

F O R S A L E

Wrap yourself in Mother Nature in this stunning and grand home on secluded 3+ wooded rolling acres. Trails for hiking and outdoor activity and a Topeka Landscape designed chemical free landscape that is native, low maintenance, and pollinator friendly. Fruit trees, aromatic flower beds, bat houses and more! The main floor living house is airy and open, yet large enough for getaway space. Entertain downstairs in the speak easy styled play space with one of the 6 bedrooms and full bath. Tons of storage throughout, the basement, the 3 car garage, the main floor laundry, and the office with closet. All the bedrooms are spacious and ensuite to bathrooms, especially the huge primary with spa bath and walk in closet. She comes alive at night with well placed fire pit, hot tub with decking, and a covered deck with fireplace. Yep! We think the time has come, it’s your turn to live here!

To view all the properties images, a virtual tour, and all the details, please scan this QR code or visit www.stoneandstory.com

Fun Tricks To Teach Your Puppy

A list of exciting new tricks to teach your puppy

We created a list of some fun tricks to teach your puppy! Whether you just welcomed a new furry friend into your home or you’re teaching an old dog new tricks, you and your pet are sure to have a fun time! Spending time playing and training with your pet makes for a great bonding experience! Don’t forget to reward them with some delicious dog treats when they successfully do a trick. My pup’s personal favorite treats are chicken, peanut butter, and carrots. We hope you and your pup have a great time learning the tricks on this list!

SPEAK

Get your dog to bark naturally (try ringing the doorbell or knocking on the door). Once they bark, say ‘speak’ and reward them.

STAY

Have your dog sit and then tell them to stay. Hold your hand out with your palm toward their nose in the stop position. If they hold the position for a second or two, praise them and reward them with a treat. Keep repeating this and gradually having them stay longer.

SHAKE

Hold your hand out in front of your dog. Your dog may do some experimenting trying to figure out what you want. Once they put their paw in your hand, immediately praise and reward them.

At The Dirty Dog Pet Services, we understand that no two pets are alike. Like us, they are individualseach with their own individual personalities, preferences, abilities, and needs. While we aim to be your one stop shop, offering a wide variety of services: Doggie Daycare, Boarding, Grooming, and Training, we know there is no “one size fits all” when it comes to pets. We take the time and put in the effort to listen to and understand each pet as an individual and curate a service plan to meet their specific needs for 1. Safety and 2. Enjoyment!

DIRTY DOGS HAVE MORE FUN!

Each of our highly trained, and certified, Pet Care Professionals are passionate about what they do - PROVIDING THE ULTIMATE PET CARE EXPERIENCE!