Can you tell me a little bit about the owner of Cowtown Canines?

Of course!

What about the fur-kids that run the show? Can you tell me a little about them? 



  Hey guys, what's up? My name is Bully Bully but you can just call me Bull. Mom says that everyone keeps asking how I became the great dog that I am today so I figured I would tell Y'all a little about me. Well, you see about 6 years ago I was living out in the country somewhere with all of these other dogs. There were all of these cages with tons of barking dogs, and there were always puppies coming and going. Mom calls it a puppy mill and says that I was a stud dog. I am not sure what that means, but I know that I am a stud because everyone always tells me how pretty I am. Any way, one day my previous owner took me to a vet clinic with all of these puppies. I was so scared because I didn't know what they were going to do with me. Then this blonde haired girl opened the back of the van and said "come on baby, your going home with me." I didn't want to leave the back of that van so the blonde haired girl picked me up and took me inside. She then set me on a scale, and said "oh my, you are only 68lbs". I am not sure why that startled her so much but as soon as we got home she gave me the biggest bowl of food that I have ever seen. Then the next day this blonde haired girl (who is now my mamma) took me to work with her. She worked at a vet clinic so I wasn't very happy going there, especially once they started taking all of these samples to run test. Once she got the results back she found out that I had no immune system. I also had sarcoptic mange and a bunch of intestinal parasites. No wonder I was so itchy. Over the next few months mom fixed my skin, got all of the bugs out, and put some weight on me. Once I was all better I got to meet my grandpa and was able to go to his training classes. Mom use to tell me that it was for my own good since I didn't have any manners. I didn't mind at first, but I started loving it once I realized that grandpa always gave me tons of treats. Once I had enough confidence to let strangers touch me mom and I would go to Petsmart, the dog park, and anywhere else where there were alot of people and dogs. This was when I started trusting people again. 
  Then one day about a year after my mom rescued me, my dad asked mom if he could get a Shelby Mustang. She said sure and laughed really hard afterwards. I wasn't sure why she was laughing so hard until she came home with an English Mastiff puppy. She handed the 6lb puppy to my dad and said " here is your Shelby Mustang." Dad laughed really hard and said "what a perfect name!" I love my sister very much, but I think she loves me a little more because she stresses out really bad if we are separated. Must be a girl thing!
  So about two years ago mom told me and my sister that we are not going to the vet clinic anymore. I didn't like the sound of that since I loved going to work with my mom every day. However, she reassured me that I would still be going to work with her, it was just going to be a different place. That was when we first started going to daycare. I got to meet all of these really nice people and tons of dogs. I fell in love the first week. At first I stayed in the play area all day with the other dogs. But, that was before I realized how cool and quiet it was up front. So now I chill up front all day and wait for my best friends to come in the front door. When they come in I will get up, say whats up to my doggie friends, then nudge their parents hands for them to pet me. If they don't pet me I will flop over on my back and demand a belly rub. It works every time! My mom tells me that I know how to train people really well.
  Over the past few years I have also had a few foster brothers and sisters. Most of these guys are English Mastiffs, but there have been a few mixed breeds as well as some Bull Mastiffs like me. I miss all of my foster brothers and sisters when they leave but I know they are going to their new forever homes just like I did a long time ago. So...a few weeks ago mom brought home this Chihuahua puppy and told me to be sweet to my new brother. I noticed that she didn't say foster brother, so I think he is staying with us forever. I don't mind too much because while mom is training him she uses me as an example. Which means I get treats for doing the most simple mundane tasks like sitting, laying down, and staying. I hope he is a slow learner.
   So in a nutshell that is how I became the great dog that I am today. My mom says that it took a lot of training and love to get me where I am today. I think it just took a lot of treats. Either way I love my life, my family, and all of my friends, two-legged and four.    
  



    Howdy Y'all, I know my talkative brother already told you my name and how I got it, but I am Shelby Mustang. You can call me Shelby or even midget! That is what my mamma calls me. So mom wants me to tell Y'all a little about me! Well, lets see, my mamma got me when I was 5 weeks old from a friend of hers as an early birthday present. I stayed at my house for a few days and then went to stay with my grandpa for six weeks. My grandpa had told mamma to bring me over and he would do all of my house breaking, crate training, and basic obedience as her birthday present. So that is exactly what he did. I loved staying there cause my Uncle Rocky (chihuahua) was close to my size and we got to play all day. Plus my grandpa is a really cool guy! He taught me how to sit, lay down, heel, stay, and come on command. He's pretty good at that training stuff. Then one day grandpa called my mamma and said "Your girl is ready." So mamma picked me up and I started going to work with her everyday. 
    When I turned about a year old I started having some medical issues. I could no longer hold my bladder in my sleep. So they put me on a bunch of pills and even did a surgery that my daddy calls a butt lift! The surgery, pills, and prescription food fixed me. YAY! However, that was not the end of my surgery days. When I was about 3 years old my brother was bitten by a spider and had to be taken to the emergency hospital. Mamma must have been in a rush because she forgot to take me with her. Well, I wasn't too happy with that so I took my anxiety out on my chew bone. I forgot to chew it up and swalled it whole. Then the next day after mamma gave me breakfast I started throwing up. Mamma knew immediately something was wrong so she took me to the vet to get X-rays and a barium series. Come to find out, that darn bone was stuck in my stomach. So I had to have surgery again. I had a 13 inch incision that was full of staples. I was so proud of my staples. I would flop over on my back, stick my legs straight up in the air, and wiggle back in forth for everyone to see my belly. 
    Then about a year ago this little bump popped up on foot. It was different from the other bumps I usually get. Mamma would check it and measure it every day. It didn't bother me much at first, but once it started getting bigger it started to hurt a little. So I had to go back into surgery again to have it removed. They also took out some other bumps will I was asleep since mamma said this was going to be my last surgery. 
    Nowadays, I go to daycare with my mamma everyday. I love it so much since I get to play with my friends all day. I am always in the back unlike my brother. You can usually find me snoozing on the couch or playing tug. All my friends say that I am really laszy because I will lay down and play tug! We also get to go to all of these fun events for Mastiffs. I get to see a bunch of dogs that look like my brother and I. Oh yea, I forgot about my foster brothers and sisters. There have been a lot of them over the past year. I have loved them all, but Sassy Girl was my favorite. She was a mix of some sort, but boy was she a sweetheart. Any time she was tired she would always curl up beside me with her head under my neck. I was really sad when she left but I know she is having a blast in Missouri with her new family. Then there is this little dude that mamma brought home a few weeks ago. His name is Bruiser and boy does that name fit him. I don't like him too much because he is always trying to chew on my feet, ears, tail, and my mouth. I am sure I will like him once he learns some manners, but as of right now he can chill with my brother and I will hang out with the Bella the cat at home. Hope to see y'all soon!   






   "Yo quiero Taco Bell". haha. Just kiddin guys! My mom says I am the joker of the crew. I am still a baby so my story is short and sweet, just like me. hahaha. There I go with joking around again. Lets see, it all started when my siblings, my dog momma, and I were taken to a rescue that just happens to be my Grandpas rescue. Of course my mom had to come see the babies and it was love at first sight. I was a mean little booger and my dog mom stopped nursing me since I was too rough. So my mom and dad came and picked me up from Grandpas when I was 5 weeks old. Oh boy did I give them a hard time! My mom told me the first night that I already had her wrapped around my little paw!!! 
  I pretty much run the show these days. I love my brother and sister, and like to use them as big pillows. I also love all the daycare dogs. Even though I am just a little guy, the giants are my favorite! That is pretty much all there is tell about me! Hope to see you all soon!
 

What is Dog Day Camp?

Dog day camp is supervised, unleashed all day play. Our camp counselors monitor, encourage, and regulate play between campers. Day camp is a healthy release for high energy dogs, a wonderful socialization method, and great exercise for our canine friends. Cowtown Canines provides a safe and healthy atmosphere where our puppy pals can play together all day, hang out in our doggie lounge, or run and romp in our outside play yard.

What do the dogs do all day in Day Camp?

Our pups run, romp, wrestle, take naps or watch a movie in the doggie lounge. They play with each other and with our camp counselors. Doggie hugs, tummy rubbing, and ear scratching are on the agenda every day. Our camp counselors act as referees to monitor play and make sure each and every camper is having a dog gone good time!

How often does my dog need to come to day camp? Is there a minimum requirement?

These are really two separate questions; there is no minimum requirement for day campers (save for at least one day camp visit within the previous month prior to a boarding appointment with us).

However, we recommend at least one visit per week for the sake of your dog. For many pups, this environment can be stressful until they get to know their new playmates. If you bring your dog on the same day(s) every week, they will generally have the same playmates. If you sporadically bring your dog, your pup can forget his new pals or will have an entire new group to get used to. This can be very stressful for your pooch.

On the other hand, five days a week can often be too much for many dogs, especially if they are not used to socialization and play five days a week, twelve hours a day.

If the dogs are off leash all day, will my dogs get hurt while playing? How do you prevent play from getting out of hand?

Each and every camper fills out a thorough application form and goes through a temperament assessment and an evaluation day with our trained staff. Only dogs that pass the assessment and evaluation day are accepted into camp. Once accepted, the play groups are constantly supervised and the safety of each and every camper is our #1 priority. Our counselors make sure play doesn't get out of hand or too rowdy.  

 However, dogs play with their paws and teeth, so small scratches and nicks can happen.  If a serious situation were to occur, the injured pet will be transported to the nearest veterinarian and you will be contacted.

 Voice commands, squirts from a water bottle, and redirecting behavior are the most common methods of preventing problems.  Time-outs can be used to give an over-energetic pooch time to cool off and calm down. Negative reinforcement is never used at Cowtown Canines.

How do you keep the facility clean with all the dogs coming in and out?

 Cowtown Canines is cleaned and disinfected thoroughly every night with a cleaner and disinfectant specially formulated for animal care facilities, along with frequent cleaning throughout the day. Any spot cleaning is done with the same cleaner to instantly sanitize the area.

Our play yard is also cleaned and disinfected regularly with a Wysiwash, a product originally made for kennels that uses a dog and people friendly chlorinated tablet to keep our play area clean and safe.

How will you keep my dog comfortable while he is staying with you?

 Your dog can choose to play inside or outside while playing at Cowtown Canines. Our indoor play area is climate controlled so it never gets too hot or too cold for your pooch. Lying in our doggy lounge with the air and ceiling fans on is a favorite past-time for a few of our older guests! Our outside play yard has a large tree which provides lots of shade. We frequently get the pools out for our pups to splash around in as well when the weather is warm. (Our boarding guests sleep in the play areas and the temperature is regulated all night).

Does my dog need to be an active day camper to sleepover at Cowtown Canines?

No. Your dog must pass the assessment and evaluation day to participate in sleepovers at Cowtown Canines, due to the fact that our boarding guests play all day in camp. Your pup must play in camp at least once within the previous month prior to a boarding appointment with us. This helps to ensure that your dog is familiar with the environment and the current campers before you go out of town, and helps us to make sure everyone will have  fun while in camp and be safe at the same time.

What do I need to bring if I will be boarding my dog?

You need to bring your pups regular food and any medications. We encourage you to bring your dogs own bedding or blankets, as the familiar feel and smell will help adapt to his temporary environment. We will provide a large or extra large crate (48" or 54") as his/her room.  Please bring your pups food in a sealed container. The only items we ask that you do not bring are rawhides.

Your web site says that you mix the playgroups with both large and small dogs - How will you keep my dog safe?

Each and every camper must go through an assessment before they are allowed to complete their evaluation day and continue coming to camp. During this assessment, we meet with each dog and see how they react to meeting new people. If they are comfortable listening to us, then we do one-on-one introductions with regular campers. During these introductions, we carefully monitor their behavioral cues and their body language. In particular, we are looking for dogs that are happy to meet new play pals big dogs that can play with small dogs and small dogs that can play with large dogs, and every size in between.  We assess the particular breed and background of each dog, and watch carefully for any traits that may cause problems in camp. We will work with smaller dogs that may not be entirely comfortable with larger dogs as long as they do not snap or bite from fear.

Can I come back in the play room to interact and play with my dog while he is in Day Camp?

No, you cannot. First and foremost, this would not be safe for the dogs. Introducing a novel stimulus to the pack (i.e. you) heightens arousal and could cause a fight. When our camp counselors change shifts, we have a very specific protocol for how to enter the playroom and interact with the dogs. Our counselors have gone to considerable lengths to get each and every camper comfortable with them, and bringing in strangers is unfair to the dogs and could introduce a bite risk. Plus some of our day campers are uncomfortable with people they do not know or certain attributes that we have (men vs. women, glasses, or a beard, for example). It is very important to us that this is a safe place where our campers can come to play and relax. In addition, the dogs act very differently when a novel stimulus is introduced than they do most of the day so it wouldn't be a true picture of what goes on. Finally, our insurance would not allow this for obvious liability reasons.