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It’s National Hug Your Dog Day! But Does Your Dog Really Like to Be Hugged?

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April 10 is National Hug Your Dog Day, but those of us at The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa know most dogs don’t like being hugged and can, in fact, stress them out. Hugging a dog is not a natural action for a dog, an in fact, it can cause a dog to feel tense, anxious, and trapped. Dogs show affection by loose body moves and by leaning into you.

The best way to show your dog you love him or her on National Hug Your Dog Day is to pet your dog on the chest, pat her on the head, or give her a good ol’ fashion belly rub!

At The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa, our dogs in doggie daycare or boarding are loved every day! For a list of fees or services, please click here. Pats and affection given daily!

National Dog Bite Prevention Week

The second week in April is also delegated as National Dog Bite Prevention Week. A great way to prevent being bitten is to be educated and aware of a dog’s propensity to bite with these tips:

  • Don’t hug a dog for the reasons mentioned above
  • Never approach an unfamiliar dog
  • Ask permission before petting someone’s dog
  • Watch the body language of a dog-avoid dogs that are tense or growling
  • Never run from a dog-whether in chase or on a “hunt,” the risk of being bitten goes up
  • Avoid touching dogs that are sleeping, eating, or protecting something
  • If a strange dog approaches, stand still with your hands to your side until it goes away
  • When meeting a dog, allow it to approach you, and offer a clenched fist
  • Avoid the face and mouth of a dog
  • Do not tug on a dog or allow children to crawl or climb on a dog. Even the most well-meaning dog is capable of biting
  • Avoid looking a dog straight in the eye
  • Never tease a dog
  • Socialize your dog
  • Spay and neuter your dog
  • Train your dog
  • Supervise children when near dogs and teach them to respect dogs and their bodies
  • Avoid moving quickly around a dog who may be startled and reactive
  • If possible, ignore a barking dog until it stops barking at you. Either remove yourself from the situation if it is not your dog or wait for the behavior to stop before interacting with the dog.
  • Never pin down, hit, or punish a dog for a natural behavior that you see as “aggressive” as doing so may cause the dog to become aggressive

Any Dog Can Bite

No one wants to believe their dog is capable of biting or causing harm or injury to anyone. But the fact remains, a dog who feel threatened, scared, trapped, or is under socialized and untrained is capable of biting.

Avoid the consequences of a biting dog by reading our tips, clicking on the links for more information, or enrolling in our behavioral training programs.

“Dogs don’t bit out of the blue. So stay safe and know the signs.”





Hoppy Easter from The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa

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It’s Easter weekend, and dogs and cats around town are gearing up for a rip-roaring good time! Some of us get to partake in the fun of running around with the kids while they hunt for these plastic bundles of candy-filled fun that we are not allowed to eat, chew on, or steal.

Some of us are looking forward to seeing people and their pets we haven’t seen since the time our people brought trees in from the wild, threw balls and strings on them and told us not to touch them. Um, hello?! We are dogs and cats! We chase balls and strings! Sigh.

If you are hosting a jolly good time or having friends over, The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa has some tips to keep us safe!

Tips to Keep Your Dogs and Cats Safe this Easter

If you are hosting an Easter celebration, you may want to keep these tips in mind for a safe, healthy, happy, and enjoyable Easter for your pets and your company.

  1. Consider putting your pets in a room or crate while you have company over. While The Ranch understands your love for your amazing pets, Uncle Henry and Cousin Linda may not enjoy LeRoy, the Rottweilers, excitement over seeing new guests. Some people may not like dogs or cats (we know, we don’t understand either), may have had a bad experience with them, or be allergic to them. If your pets are locked up in your room or crate, they will be safe from knocking into or over your guests, causing a fear-bite reaction, getting out of an open door, or being fed food or treats from a well-meaning guest.
  2. Do not feed chocolate, candy items, food with bones, hot cross buns or any food with currants or raisins in them, any foods with garlic or onions, or any foods whose ingredients may be hidden, or alcohol. These people foods can cause dogs to vomit, have an upset stomach or diarrhea, choke, or have to go to the ER for a very, very expensive treatment.
  3. Keep all tulips and daffodils away from curious pets. The bulbs and even the water in the vases can cause upset stomachs, mouth irritations, difficulty breathing, or heart problems. While these plants and flowers are gorgeous, it’s best for everyone to admire them up and away from pets.
  4. Synthetic easter grass. All of that stringy “grass” is colored with dyes and is non-digestible and can block the intestines leading to illness, surgery, or in the worst cases, death.
  5. In the event your dog does ingest something or acts ill, please contact your vet or emergency vet immediately.

Healthy Treats You Can Feed Your Pets

If you want to indulge your dog or cat this Easter season, here are some tasty, healthy treats you can feed your pet. Just do so in moderation to avoid an upset tummy.

Foods we recommend and even encourage you to feed your pets in moderation any day:

  • Cooked lean meat, fish, eggs
  • Broccoli cut into small pieces
  • Peas
  • Bananas
  • Apples
  • Watermelon
  • Blueberries
  • Rice
  • Oatmeal
  • Spinach

A healthy diet is optimal for both pets and humans. When we choose to indulge in clean eating, we look and feel better! But it’s ok to indulge every now and then!

Wishing Your Family and Pets a Happy, Healthy Easter Weekend!

Why Does My Dog Do That?

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While dogs are said to be man and woman’s best friend, unless you’re a cat person, these canines have some interesting behaviors that may make you question, “Why does my dog do that?”

In a series that The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa began last month to answer some of your most asked questions, this month’s blog will focus on why dogs react they way they do on a leash, why they lick you, why they eat grass, and why they sleep in the positions they do.

Keep in mind that our canine friends still carry the history of their ancestors in their genes and that while we may have domesticated them, they come from a long line of ancestors whose behaviors stay with them.

Through the good and the bad, dogs act in a way that makes sense to them, even if we find their behaviors funny, frustrating, or confusing!

Why Does My Dog React on a Leash?

Leash reactivity is a common behavior where dogs will either growl, snarl, bark, pull on the leash, lunge, spin around, or otherwise “act out” when they encounter a situation, dog, or person that makes them feel scared, frustrated, or territorial. It’s a more severe reaction than a dog without leash reactivity would have and occurs in dogs who have been under socialized or not exposed to people, places, things, or other animals in a positive way (source).

The perceived “threat” creates a fight or flight response in the dog. Since the leash prevents the dog from running away, they respond by using their body language as cues to warn the perceived threat they are uncomfortable.

Leash reactivity can be tamed over time and with patience and understanding. For more information on leash reactivity and how to help your dog overcome leash reactivity, please click here.

Why Does My Dog Lick Me?

The slobbery licks your dog covers you with is a learned behavior. A puppy licks its mom to get milk and licks its siblings to groom and interact with them. Dogs lick to explore their environment, show affection, play with you, get your attention, or ask a dominant dog in its pack for permission to eat communal food.

The more you are covered in slobbery, wet kisses, the more positive affirmation you are giving your dog. While some may associate licking with a “gross display of germs,” a dog associates licking with positive behavior that he is naturally ingrained to perform (source).

Why Does My Dog Curl Up in a Ball When it Sleeps?

If your dog moves in circles or digs its bed before it curls up to sleep, you can thank its ancestors. In the wild, dogs dig nests to curl up in. Curling up keeps the dogs warm and prevents their vital organs from being exposed to predators.

So the next time you see your dog digging in its bed or circling before it lies down, you have a better understanding of this behavior. If your dog stretches out or sleeps upside down, it’s either hot or feels very safe and secure (source).

For more tail wagging information about your dog, Refer to our blog.

We’re Hiring!

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Do you love working with animals? Do you have the clean gene in you? Do you want to make a difference in the comfort and enjoyment of pets who will appreciate you forever and smother you with wet sloppy kisses and puppy eyes?

If so, let’s talk! The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa is looking for a handful of hardworking animal lovers! Here are the positions available:

• Kennel Technician

• Doggy Daycare Attendant

• Outside Cleaner (Janitorial)

If you think you’d be a good fit for any of the positions above, please send your resume to livermorekennels@gmail.com. We’d love to set up a phone interview!

Know someone who may be a great fit for one of the jobs above? Please share our email with them!

About The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa

The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa is unlike any other pet resort in the area. We are family owned and operated and have someone on the property 24/7 to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of your dogs and cats.

We have been named the most recommended pet care providers in the area by local veterinarians. We offer daycare, boarding for both dogs and cats and grooming services. During certain times of the year, we also offer training!

State of the Art Facility

The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa stands apart from others because we offer amenities fit for your best friend.

Dogs and cats enjoy climate controlled rooms with hospital grade cleaning systems and state-of- the-art air filtration systems. Both dogs and cats enjoy fresh bedding with dogs being treated to cots to keep them off the floor and cats enjoying the luxury of four levels of space.

Dogs enjoy covered outdoor areas, potty breaks, treats, toys, soothing music and bedtime stories. Cats, a bit finickier than their dog pals, are treated to the quiet comfort of a separate space to stretch, play, sleep, explore, and enjoy pets and scratches.

No One Beats Our Water Park

Not to brag, but we are going to. Our state-of-the-art water park is unlike anything our competition offers. Dogs love to frolic in the water on hot or cold days! Dogs whose owners swore would never like water love to splash and drink from the paw-shaped splash pads, water jets, wading pools and sprinklers. This is the most fun your dog can have in Alameda County.

Have Multiple Pets? No Problem

For you lucky owners with multiple pets, we wouldn’t dream of separating anyone who needs his buddy to sleep with!

We all have a bit of anxiety when going away, even to the Disneyland of Doggie Boarding, so if your pets need to stick together, we have accommodations to fit pairs of pals!

Not Sure if The Ranch is Right for Your Pet? New Customers Enjoy a Free First Night!

We understand being away from your pet can be stressful for both of you. We have you covered! While we are sure your pet will have the time of its life, we want to offer new customers a free first night to make you feel at ease.

Ready to book your visit? Sign up today! Need to ask some questions? Contact us!

See you soon! And hey, if you fall in love with the place, don’t forget We Are Hiring!

The Odd Similarities Between Adolescent Behavior in Puppies and Teens

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Nature has a way of alerting parents to adolescent behaviors. Without studying the similarities, however, you may never have recognized the patterns both puppies and teens exhibit in this monumental stage of life.

Puppy adolescence occurs between 6-18 months of age. Teens reach adolescence between 12-14 years of age and continue through their late teens and into their early 20’s (source).

If you consider the behaviors of both pups and teens during adolescence, you may not notice much of a difference!

Adolescent Behaviors in Puppies

Once a puppy outgrows the cute phase of puppy breath, falling asleep in the most compromising positions, and being held, it reaches a stage of life that many dog owners find difficult and frustrating!

Puppies in the adolescent stage of life exhibit qualities that test even the most experienced and patient dog owner.

Adolescent behaviors in puppies include many of the following:

  • Chewing, chewing, and more chewing on hands, furniture, shoes, people, other pets
  • Possessing energy levels that challenge any pet parent- zoomies are common, so is bouncing on and off furniture and getting the “wild” look in the eyes and face
  • Selectively listening to commands-not coming when called; not staying, sitting, or heeling
  • Growling when attempting to remove the pup from furniture
  • Demonstrating sexual behavior
  • Exhibiting physical changes consistent with puberty
  • Portraying sexual behaviors
  • Reverting back to peeing and pooping indoors
  • Displaying destructive and aggressive tendencies
  • Guarding resources
  • Lacking respect, focus, and concentration
  • Lack of respect and response
  • Testing and challenging their owners or caretakers
  • Showing more lethargy and moodiness

Puppies can display some or all of these behaviors throughout adolescence, causing tension and a war of “who’s in charge” between pup and parent. With time, boundaries, training, and consistency, a puppy who is corrected appropriately will outgrow these tendencies and become a well-behaved adult!

Comparing Teen Behaviors with Puppies

Any parent reading the list of puppy behaviors can easily identify the similarities between puppies and teens. Aside from chewing, teens are also known for causing chaos in a household; tuning out, rebelling against authority, testing boundaries, being destructive or leaving messes, and switching between having enough energy to go out at 11 pm and sleeping in until the afternoon.

Sexual advancement is another commonality shared between teens and puppies with moody dispositions following closely!

Much like puppies, teens need boundaries and a parent with consistent disciplinary measures to guide the rebellious adolescent into adulthood.

With time and patience, this youngin will most likely mature into an adult a parent would like to be around.

Help with Puppy Training

For those of you needing help with puppy training, we have a solution! The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa offers training programs for pups and those acting like pups. Please contact us for more information and pricing.


The Surprising Similarities Between Puppies and Teenagers

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Nature has a way of alerting parents that their youngin’ is approaching adolescence. Whether the young one is a child or a puppy, there are surprising similarities between their adolescent behaviors.

Puppy adolescence occurs between 6-18 months of age. Teens reach adolescence between 12-14 years of age and continue through their late teens and into their early 20’s (source).

If you consider the behaviors of both pups and teens during adolescence, you may not notice much of a difference!

Adolescent Behaviors in Puppies

Once a puppy outgrows the cute phase of puppy breath, falling asleep in the most compromising positions, and being held, it reaches a stage of life that many dog owners find difficult and frustrating!

Puppies in the adolescent stage of life exhibit qualities that test even the most experienced and patient dog owner.

Adolescent behaviors in puppies include many of the following:

  • Chewing, chewing, and more chewing on hands, furniture, shoes, people, other pets
  • Possessing energy levels that challenge any pet parent- zoomies are common, so is bouncing on and off furniture and getting the “wild” look in the eyes and face
  • Selectively listening to commands-not coming when called; not staying, sitting, or heeling
  • Growling when attempting to remove the pup from furniture
  • Demonstrating sexual behavior
  • Exhibiting physical changes consistent with puberty
  • Portraying sexual behaviors
  • Reverting back to peeing and pooping indoors
  • Displaying destructive and aggressive tendencies
  • Guarding resources
  • Lacking respect, focus, and concentration
  • Lack of respect and response
  • Testing and challenging their owners or caretakers
  • Showing more lethargy and moodiness

Puppies can display some or all of these behaviors throughout adolescence, causing tension and a war of “who’s in charge” between pup and parent. With time, boundaries, training, and consistency, a puppy who is corrected appropriately will outgrow these tendencies and become a well-behaved adult!

Comparing Teen Behaviors with Puppies

Any parent reading the list of puppy behaviors can easily identify the similarities between puppies and teens. Aside from chewing, teens are also known for causing chaos in a household; tuning out, rebelling against authority, testing boundaries, being destructive or leaving messes, and switching between having enough energy to go out at 11 pm and sleeping in until the afternoon.

Sexual advancement is another commonality shared between teens and puppies with moody dispositions following closely!

Much like puppies, teens need boundaries and a parent with consistent disciplinary measures to guide the rebellious adolescent into adulthood.

With time and patience, this youngin will most likely mature into an adult a parent would like to be around.

Help with Puppy Training

For those of you needing help with puppy training, we have a solution! The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa offers training programs for pups and those acting like pups. Please contact us for more information and pricing. * *Disclaimer-sorry, but at this time, The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa is unable to provide training for adolescent children.