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With summer in full swing, patio days are a must for the whole family. But what do you do if you are out and about and you have your dog with you too? Many establishments today allow pups on the patio as long as you can follow some basic rules. Only take your dog to locations you know are dog friendly This may seem obvious but sometimes it’s hard to know where your pup is allowed to go. There is a great website called bringfido.com where you can check to see what restaurants in your area allow pets. Here are a few metro restaurants that allow pets on the patio: Louie’s Grill & Bar Picasso Cafe Cheevers Fuzzy’s Taco Shop HunnyBunny Biscuit Co Earls Rib Palace Iguana Mexican Grill Check out bringfido.com for a full list Only take your dog if they are well socialized and good with other dogs and people Only bring your pup with you to a...

Rain, rain, go away, come again another day. Is your dog tired of being cooped up all day while it rains? Some dogs love to splash in the rain, but others take one look, turn around, and run back inside. It can be hard to find ways to keep your pup entertained and happy when they can’t go outside because it's raining. We have compiled a list of activities you can try with your dog next time it rains. Practice nose work You can hide snacks around the house for your furry friend to sniff out. This is also a great way to keep the kiddos entertained. Have your kids find creative places to hide your pup’s favorite toys and snacks (or themselves), and watch as your dog sniffs them out! Check out a dog friendly store in your area Don’t feel like you must be stuck at home when it's raining. Take your dog to your local dog-friendly restaurants,...

Summer is in full swing and the 4th of July activities are just around the corner. While the 4th is a fun time for us it is a high anxiety time for many pets. The busiest day of the year for shelters taking in run away dogs is July 5th every year. Since the 4th of July is on a Tuesday this year there will likely be multiple weekends full of 4th of July activities including fireworks. It’s normal for your dog to feel scared – they have keen senses and experience fireworks more intensely than we do. For your dog, fireworks aren’t the same experience as a thunderstorm, which comes with a lot of warning signs, like changes in temperature or pressure and increasing winds. Fireworks, on the other hand, are sudden, occur out of nowhere, and are far more intimidating as a result. Here are a few tips to keep in mind during firework season: Keep your dogs...

Dads work hard caring for their kids, furry and otherwise. Every family looks different, but if yours includes a dad who also loves his pups then this post is for you! Show your appreciation for all he does with a special celebration this fathers day. Plan a Special Day for Dad and His Dog Instead of taking your dad out to a fancy steakhouse (unless you can find one that allows dogs), treat dad to a fun outdoorsy dinner in a restaurant that allows dogs on the patio. Maybe dad would enjoy something like fishing or hiking? Take your dog with you! Dogs love swimming and exploring the outdoors. A special day for your dad doesn’t have to be extravagant to be memorable; it just has to be meaningful. Make a Father’s Day card for Dad Sometimes a simple card is the most meaningful gift you can give. Your pet dad might also enjoy a card from his fur baby....

1. Frisbee All of the dogs love it when we bust out the frisbees. It’s not only fun to throw the frisbee, but the dogs have a blast catching it mid-air and running all around with it in their mouth. The best thing about Frisbee is that it’s simple and can be played anywhere. 2. Bubbles Who doesn’t love bubbles? The dogs get so excited when we bring out the bubble guns at daycare! Be sure to check that your bubbles are dog-safe, or you can make your own using water and dish soap. 3. Tug of War Tug of war is a typical game you can play with your dog. But you can change it up by buying a new toy. Take your dog for a trip to pick out a new summer tug toy! This game is a great way to get out energy and can be played anywhere! 4. Red light, green light This isn’t your typical...

Most dogs love being outside and enjoy the heat of the summer. As long as they have adequate water and shade, they enjoy being outside even when it's hot! Here are a few tips to keep in mind as Oklahoma gets hotter. How to Keep Your Dog Cool: Take a collapsible water dish with you on walks. Add ice cubes to their water bowl. Avoid taking your dog for walks in the heat of the day. Avoid hot pavement. Offer a damp towel for them to lay on. Try homemade frozen dog treats. Use a small kiddy pool. Make sure your backyard has shade. Replace part of their diet with wet food, which is proven to help keep dogs hydrated. Take them to a dog daycare like Vera’s with indoor play areas! While some dogs love the warm weather, a dog with a thick coat or a short snout will be less comfortable when temperatures rise. Dogs with short snouts...

May 13th is National Dog Mom’s Day! This is a day for all pup-loving women across the country to celebrate their special kind of motherhood. Over 30,000 years ago people started domesticating dogs as pets. According to scientists with National Today, dogs descended from the same species of wolves as the grey wolves in ancient Eurasia. How they then evolved into breeds like Chihuahuas, Poodles and Great Danes is still theorized today. However we got the breeds we know and love today, we can’t imagine life without our furry companions. In 2018, a dog person’s dating app, Dig, launched National Dog Mom’s Day for dog-loving women to thank dog moms, foster dog moms, and future dog moms for all of the love they give to pups. Here are some activities you can do with your dog on Saturday to celebrate dog moms day: Go for a walk Grab your fur baby and head to your favorite trail. One-on-one time in...

The purpose of enrichment is to reduce stress in dogs and two encourage better social skills. Enrichment is important because it allows your pup a scene of control and helps them to release energy and endorphins. When dogs exercise, their brains produce and release endorphins that make them feel happy and energetic. There are several ways you can help provide enrichment for your pup. Of course, we think the number one way to help your dog stay happy and healthy is daycare! Social enrichment is so important for dogs of all sizes and ages. Dogs are very social creatures and they know and recognize other dogs. A well-socialized dog will not be fearful, over-stimulated or aggressive when they meet new people or dogs. Our hours: Monday-Friday 7am-7pm Weekends & Holidays 7-11am & 4-7pm We are open 7 days a week for daycare and would love to have your pup come and romp and play in one of our 5 spacious...

During severe weather, we often think of protecting our family and property, but how do we ensure our pets are safe? Based on data from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, here are a few ways you can ensure your furry family members are also safe in the event of a tornado or severe weather. 1. Build a tornado kit for your pet It's essential for every family to have a disaster readiness kit in case of an emergency. These kits often include things like important documents, a first aid kit, snacks and water, or anything valuable or sentimental that can be grabbed quickly and easily. Pet parents need to take this kit a step further to ensure you also have essentials for your pet. Here are some ideas of what you should pack in a pet tornado kit: Extra supply of any needed medication Several day’s worth of food in an airtight container Travel equipment like carriers or crates Pet...

Stressed or anxious dogs tend to shake, tremble, pant, pace, or they may try to run away or hide. A good sign to look for in a stressed or anxious dog is if their tail is tucked between their legs or their ears are back and flat against their head. But what causes dogs to feel stressed? It could be a number of things. They may be afraid of loud noises like thunderstorms or fireworks. Maybe they are afraid of new people or new situations like getting groomed. Some dogs have separation anxiety or trauma from past experiences. There are so many things that can cause your dog to feel anxious or stressed. But how do you know if CBD is right for your pup? A study published on ScienceDaily in May found that 89 percent of epileptic dogs given CBD for a clinical trial experienced reduced seizures. Additionally, a 2018 study published by Frontiers in Veterinary Science observed a...

What is Canine Influenza (Dog Flu)? It is a contagious respiratory disease in dogs similar to the flu humans get. However, no human infections with canine influenza have ever been reported. Despite the current news exploding with canine influenza information, the virus is not new so please do not panic. However we do need to make sure we are all doing our part to slow the spread. The first step is always to contact your veterinarian with any concerns you may have and to discuss the best options to protect your dog. Vaccines against both H3N8 and H3N2 canine flu are available in the United States however supplies are limited. Your veterinarian can provide additional information about these vaccines and whether you should consider vaccinating your dog. Symptoms of Dog Flu So, how do you know if your pup has dog flu? There are several symptoms all owners should be aware of. Keep an eye out for the following symptoms...

Are you working or away from home during the day? Does your dog seem to have unending energy or display any negative behaviors when left alone? Maybe your dog is anxious or lonely when you are away? The average person works an 8-hour workday. Once you factor in your commute, errands, and social activities, your dog could be spending 10+ hours alone every day. Besides the obvious need for bathroom breaks, 10 hours alone can get pretty boring. It’s easy to understand why your dog acts out. Lack of attention and interactions while you are out of the home may lead to destructive and disobedient behaviors from even the best dogs. Instead of leaving your pup home alone and hoping for the best, consider bringing them to Vera’s for daycare where they will get to play all day! At daycare your dog will get interaction with humans and other dogs. They will become more socialized and love spending time playing...