The Ranch Pet Resort

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Dog News

The Dogs Days of Summer are Almost Over

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Dog trail in the sand

Don’t tell the dogs, but summer is coming to a close. School is back in session, the days are getting shorter, and NFL football is starting back up!

While the current weather trend doesn’t fully agree with summer coming to an end, the upcoming Labor Day Weekend signifies the traditional end to summer.

While we have quite enjoyed the summer frolicking with your dogs in the best ever, one-of-a-kind ONLY water park in the Tri-Valley, The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa wants to take this time to get your pup ready for fall!

Freshen Up for Fall!

Is it time for your pupperoo to get a haircut? bath? nail trim? Our dog grooming facilities are very pupular (see what we did there?). We hear it’s the best place in town to get a blueberry doggie facial, deshedding treatment, luxury bath package, teeth brushing, and more!

Book now for the winter pictures since we fill up fast!

Shop Now for Winter Wardrobes

Winters can get mighty cool around here, so shop for the most trendy and fashionable doggie active wear. Murphy’s Paw in Livermore is the go to doggie outlet for all of your necessary and fashionable trends. From leashes and collars to cool outer and inner wear, your dog will be stylin’!

Cindy Kirkland from Pleasanton’s pup is the coolest pup in the neighborhood in this jean jacket!

Winterize Your Dog with a Doggy Check up

We never want our furry besties to feel anything but their best! Consider taking your pup in for its annual check up. Have your favorite vet check your pup from tooth to tail to ensure he gets all A’s in health and wellness! Make sure all shots are up-to-date and microchip your pet to ensure its safe return in the event she wanders off!

Complete a Home Safety Check

With summer coming to a close, it might be time to winterize. Make sure all chemicals from the pool are put safely out of reach, the pool cover is on and there are no holes or tears in case Rambo Pup decides to charge on it; the latches on your gates self-close so Scooby can’t escape; the holes and loose fence board are replaced; and anything that can be put in your dog’s mouth and cause a hazard are picked up and out of sight.

New Dog Id Tags

Has it been awhile since Ms. Lucky Loo had her tags replaced? Sometimes wear and tear get the best of our pets, and our contact information wears off. Consider replacing old dog ID tags with current and correct information. Who doesn’t like a shiny new object around our neck anyway?

Replace Toys and Bedding

Is Finn’s dog bed looking ragged and dirty? Does it have more holes in it than your favorite chewed up pair of slippers? It’s a fine time to shop for a new winter bed. Choose one that fits your dog when it curls up and stretches out so your dog is warm and comfortable. Toss out old comforters and blankets that can easily be chewed and swallowed.

Take it from this blogger whose ornery lab ate the stuffing from an old comforter. The material lodged in the dog’s intestines and had to be surgically removed. You’d think both the blogger and the dog would learn after the first mistake. Nope! We underwent expensive surgery two times!

While we are on the subject of throwing out dangerous items, consider tossing toys that have seen better days. Loose threads, stuffing from “indestructible” toys, and hanging plastic pieces are an expensive emergency vet visit waiting to happen.

Book Regular Doggie Daycare Outings

We all get cabin fever with cold winters, and there is nothing like doggie daycare at The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa.

Whether it’s frolicking on the play structure, romping along the artificial turf, or even splashing in the puddles and water fun on warmer days, your dog deserves all the love and attention from our professional staff at The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa.

Just like you enjoy your time away from work to hike, bike ride, or build those muscles at the gym, Marmaduke needs his time away from home, too.

Book now!

For more fun-loving ideas to do with your dog around the Tri-Valley or more pet-related information, read our blog!

Bigger Dogs in Need of Homes. Where are Adopters?

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Ducky is available for Adoption at Berkeley Humane

A year ago, there was a record number of animals adopted into loving homes. Families found more time and opportunity to welcome a new family member due to the effects of COVID. Sadly, a record number of animals have recently been turned into shelters since people stopped working remotely. The time commitment, expense of owning a pet, lack of available vets, and life changes have caused pets to be turned into a shelter; and a lot of those animals are still waiting for their forever homes.

In a recent CBS news report, Berkeley Humane expressed the sadness and frustration at the lack of adopters and the number of larger dogs who are still waiting for their forever home.

The news segment featured Carly Skonnard from Berkeley Humane who showcased two beautiful dogs, Kieran a shepherd mix, and Ducky, a Doberman Pinscher.

Kieran from Berkeley Humane has been in the shelter for half a year

Both dogs are friendly, health-checked, and overlooked. Berkeley Humane staff train the dogs and spend time with them and want nothing better than to find the perfect adopter for these long-time residents.

Bark and Meow Around the Block Pet Adoption Event at Berkeley Humane

To help ease the financial burden of adopting a pet for life, Berkeley Humane is hosting Bark and Meow Around the Block on Saturday, August 27, from 10 am to 4 pm at 2700 9th Street, Berkeley.

The Adopt on the Spot event features dogs and cats wanting a forever home. “Adoptable dogs, cats, puppies and kittens will be vaccinated, microchipped, and ready to go home! Adoption fees are waived for this event. Adoption counseling will be provided to help set up new pet families for success!”

For more information about the event or to adopt a pet for life, please visit the Berkeley Humane website.

The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa Can Help Pet Sit! 🐶

If you are worried that you don’t have enough time for your beloved pet, worry no more! The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa offers doggie daycare and boarding for your furever friend. At a very affordable price, your pet will be loved, exercised, supervised, and socialized with some of the most excellent dogs in the area.

Our team of dedicated, dog loving staff will make sure your dog is cared for just like you would. We have activities and games, fun, frolicking, and did we mention a WATER PARK? Even the most water-avoidant dogs like to play in and around the water structure or nap under one of our play structures.

Our staff is there to supervise all dogs for their safety, fun, and enjoyment.

Want to know more? Check us out on Facebook and Instagram!

Adopt a pet for life, and allow The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa to paw sit while you go to work or travel on vacation!

Do Dogs Experience Anxiety?

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The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa‘s “Rover Reporter” went on a mission to answer the question: Do Dogs Experience Anxiety?

A simple Google search led to the answer that yes, dogs and other pets do experience anxiety, and they show it in ways we may or may not recognize.

Ways Dogs Show Anxiety

According to an article by the American Kennel Club, dogs experience anxiety in several ways. If your dog is showing signs of the following, it may be experiencing anxiety:

  • Excessive panting, drooling, licking, barking, whining, or howling
  • Urinating or defecating in the house (unrelated to potty training or incontinence)
  • Aggressive behaviors
  • Destroying property
  • Digging
  • Pacing about
  • Appearing depressed
  • Demonstrating repetitive or compulsive behaviors
  • Restlessness

Why Do Dogs Get Anxiety?

Much like humans, dog experience anxiety under certain conditions or circumstances. Some anxiety behaviors can be recurring, and others can be constant.

Dogs are very adept at “reading” or understanding situations and people. If your dog senses that you are stressed, it can react to your feelings.

If a dog is in an uncomfortable or unfamiliar situation, such as going to the vet, traveling, or moving, it can also exhibit anxiety.

Sometimes sounds, noises, unfamiliar surroundings, objects, surfaces, other animals, or strangers can cause a dog to feel anxious.

Likewise, dogs who are separated from their owners, even for a brief period of time, can experience anxiety.

Anxiety is also common in older dogs whose cognitive functions are starting to decline.

How to Help an Anxious Dog

Every dog reacts differently to anxiety, and it’s important to monitor your dog’s reactions and health to determine if your dog has anxiety and if you need to seek treatment for anxiety.

The first action you might take is to visit your vet. Describe your dog’s behaviors and under what conditions your dog appears anxious.

Medical treatments, behavior training, socialization, crate training, exercising your dog, providing a nourishing diet, and removing your dog from stressful situations are just some of the ways you can ease the anxiety your dog is experiencing.

Anxiety Can be Normal in Dogs

If your dog is experiencing anxiety, it can be a perfectly normal and acceptable behavior.

This “Rover Reporter” noticed increasing anxiety in her older dog a few years ago. Separation anxiety, howling, restlessness, and excessive panting (when all weather extremes were normal) were the first signs that something was not quite right with my beloved pooch.

Medication didn’t seem to work on him, so we adapted to working from home, assuring him each time we left “we would be right back,” cuddling him, allowing him to sleep with us, changing his diet, and allowing him to be where we were.

He has since mellowed, except when we have company, at which point he wants to be where the action is, or he will cry and howl if separated.

Most importantly, we have come to accept our pooch has changing needs, not much different than ours, and with patience, education, understanding, and love, he has settled down a bit, and that makes us all less anxious.

July Bowser Report Reveals that Dogs Make Neighborhoods Safer

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Dogs in the neighborhood make people feel safer

A new study by Ohio State University finds that dogs deter crime and make neighborhoods safer, especially when neighbors trust each other.

Let’s consider the noise any dog makes when it barks, and why it barks. Dogs bark to alert us of danger, an intruder, a moth, bird, UPS carrier, squirrel…you get the picture. The commotion a dog makes for any reason deters criminals from committing crimes and makes neighborhoods safer.

So, the next time you get upset about your neighbor’s dog barking, remember, he is scouting the neighborhood for mischief so you can sleep peacefully!

Dog Walkers Promote Trust in the Community

Listen, we dogs know that people who walk dogs are often some of the friendliest people in the neighborhood. When neighbors take time to get to know dogs and their owners, a bigger trust develops.

These dogs walkers become the eyes and ears of the community and are sometimes the first to be alerted to something “not quite right.” The suspicious car that circles the neighborhood; the new crowd of people walking the street; and the misplaced truck that only stops at homes with packages become very noticeable to the dog walkers who are very aware of the normal happenings in their neighborhood.

When something in the neighborhood is unusual, credit for noticing can often be given to the local dog walkers and their dogs!

Neighbors tend to trust the eyes and ears of the dependable dog walkers who get to know not only the neighbors, but their cars, their comings and goings, and their property.

Here’s a shout out to the dogs who insist on being walked and taking their neighborhood dog watch duty seriously!

Dogs Bring Health Benefits to Humans

It’s long been argued that a dog can “improve mental well-being, decrease the risk of cardiovascular problems, increase physical activity and even make you more attractive to others” (source).

Anyone who has ever owned a dog or two or three might also add that owning a dog increases the owner’s overall happiness and decreases stress or anxiety. The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa also reports that sleeping with your beloved canine causes a deeper, more restful sleep.

Now we dogs at The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa can celebrate what we already knew: owning a dog is awesome!

Consider Adding a Canine to Your Crew

The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa is committed to the health, safety, and well-being of your dog. If you are considering adding a dog to your family, we offer dog boarding, doggie daycare, dog grooming, and dog training.

The shelters are full of dogs and puppies who need furrever homes. Please considering adopting a dog from your local shelter and saving the life of the dog, yours, and your neighbors.

March Bowser Report

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March madness is in full swing at The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa. Between the warm, sunny weather and the chilly rains, it’s a madhouse at The Ranch. And by madhouse, we mean these dogs are living it up to their fullest, and we wouldn’t want things any other way!

March Bacon Bubble Party

March began strong with our Bacon Bubble Party One of our most popular events, the Bacon Bubble Party drew in a crowd of canines eager to get their chops on our doggie safe, bacon flavored bubbles. Let the pictures speak for themselves.

Both Bigs and Littles got in on the Bubble Fun! Thank you to everyone who participated in the bubble fun!

March Madness Celebrates Freya’s Birthday

Our doggie daycare guests get treated like family! When there’a a birthday to celebrate, we make sure the guest of honor feels special. Happy March Madness Birthday to our gal pal, Freya! She is a beautiful chocolate lab celebrating one years of puppyhood. Her special wish is playtime, and we made sure her special wish came true!

March Madness with the Dogs of The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa

We have to say that our dogs of The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa are some of the goofiest, silliest, tail- waggiest, tongue-hanging-outiest pups of all time. Here for March Madness are some special guests. Whether you are a doggie daycare visitor or a doggie boarder, we think you’re pretty special.

The Nose Knows

This snooper has his nose to the ground and is quick to pick up on any scent-hooman or canine.

The Eyes Have It

We are simply mesmerized by this guy’s eyes…we think he’s got a future in hypnotism because suddenly, we feel very sleepy!

Simply Sophisticated

This Dobie is a natural at posing for the camera! She even got photobombed by a Golden Fan!

Nothing But Legs!

Our Great Dane guest shows off her elegant legs, leaving some of the Corgis and Schnauzers bitter. At The Pet Ranch Resort and Spa, we find beauty in all of our canine guests.

Contact Us for Your Pet’s Next Staycation

Whether you need a few hours off or a few days or even a week, The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa is Livermore’s Premier Boarding, Doggie Daycare, and Grooming facility. We invite you to take a look around. Please contact us in advance to visit or board your pet.

December Bowser Report

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Here at The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa we are checking our Naughty and Nice list to update Santa as he is getting a copy of our December Bowser Report.

There is a lot of activity at The Ranch, and it appears that everyone is getting along for now; we are pleased to report that all our daycare, boarding, and grooming pooches are going to be on Santa’s Nice List.

Update on the Smalls at The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa

The smalls are loving time together at The Ranch. Some are sporting their winter wear while others are just way too cool to admit the cooler weather is upon us.

We got to celebrate Chewy’s 11th birthday on December 3 which made us all happy! There’s nothing like sharing a birthday with your friends!

The Biggies are Acting Like it’s Summer

The warm weather keeps the Biggies playing in our one-of-a-kind water feature! Nothing says, “It’s December!” then a bunch of dogs enjoying our water feature. Then again, labs are huge hunting and water dogs so no weather is too cold for them to join in on any water activity!

The Newbies are Fitting in at The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa

We are often asked how a newbie fits in with the regulars. We can honestly say that most newbies fit in very well at The Ranch. Between our well-mannered dogs and our staff, we keep a careful eye to make sure our newbies feel right at home at The Ranch.

Take a look at this video of our newbie, Sophie, enjoying her time with the regulars. It’s heartwarming to see our regulars making everyone feel right at home!

Book Your Appointment Today at The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa

Don’t miss out on your dog’s wishes to be a part of the most loving, fun, playful, adorable playgroups at The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa.

Our doggie daycare and dog boarding fill up quickly, so it’s best you make plans for your special canine today! Contact our helpful and friendly staff to book a reservation today!