House rules
- Never off-leash outside. Stairs are OK off-leash if you're comfortable. The walker keeps her leashed on stairs, so she's used to both.
- Not allowed in the guest room.
- Pick her up under chest and stomach. Never the shoulder lift. She panics.
Vet & emergency
Daily rhythm
Morning
Out first thing for a walk.
Food
Less than a scoop of kibble in the morning, another in the afternoon or evening. Kibble's in the canister next to her bowls, scoop in the lid. She's a grazer with no firm schedule and might ignore food for hours. Water always available.
During the day
One or two walks. The walker comes Mondays and Fridays around 2pm and lets himself in. Naps and play in between, on her terms.
Evening
One more walk before bed.
Bedtime
She sleeps on a blanket at the foot of the bed or in her dog bed by the window. She'll try to sneak under the covers at night. Turn her away, or let her in and slide her to a comfy spot. The crate works too: bring it into the bedroom with her blanket draped over it so she chills out.
Walker & daycare
🚶 Ronnie, dog walker
Mondays & Fridays, around 2pm. Has access to the home. Extra walks on request.
🏠 Urban Pooch Canine Life Center
Daycare and boarding, on Ravenswood. Book in advance, text Brandon when needed.
Words she knows
- "Yes": reward marker. She did the thing right, treat is coming.
- "Good": keep doing what you're doing.
- "Down": lie down.
- "Stay": hold position. Handy if you need her in the bedroom while guests are over.
- "Steady": come to a full stop. Useful on the stairs or mid-walk.
- "Easy": calm down. Use it when she's playing rough or being insistent about something.
- "Up": jump up onto the bed or the couch.
- "Off": get off a surface. Point at where you want her off of.
- "Drop": if she grabs something on a walk, say drop and hold the leash still until she lets go. She's pretty good about this.
- "Come": recall. Still tricky, she's a bratty girl.
Where things live
- Leash & collar
- Hanging by the door.
- Poop bags, treats & allergy chews
- On and in the credenza opposite the door.
- Dog wipes
- Same drawer as the poop bags, and also in the cabinet outside the apartment door.
- Towels
- Cabinet outside the apartment door.
- Dog bath towels (the black ones)
- Guest room.
- Pumpkin puree
- Kitchen cabinet. Optional digestive helper, see "If something feels off".
- Dog soap
- Green bottle, under the kitchen sink.
- Bath bribery peanut butter
- Front closet, in a jar marked "dog".
- Nature's Miracle
- Under the kitchen sink. For accidents, spray after wiping with paper towels.
Good to know
Leaving her alone
A 15 to 20 minute walk buys you 4 to 5 hours of comfortable alone time. Longer is possible, but the odds of a puddle climb. Crated or free is your call. She's fine either way.
Car rides
Put her in the seat behind the driver, on her blanket. Leash on, just dropped beside her. You don't need to make her lie down. She'll chill out independently.
Guests over
Totally fine. She'll want to be near them. If you need her out of the way, put her in the bedroom, tell her to stay, and close the door.
Bath time
Towels or dog wipes are usually enough. If she really needs a bath: kitchen sink, green soap from under the sink, black towels from the guest room. A spoon of peanut butter from the closet jar marked "dog" makes it easier.
Cleanup
- Indoor accidents: wipe up with paper towels, then spray with Nature's Miracle.
- Bedding: her blankets and beds are all machine washable.
If something feels off
She skipped a meal
Normal. She might ignore food for half a day. Worry only if she's been uninterested for a full day or more.
She grabbed something on a walk
Say "drop" and hold the leash still until she complies. If she swallowed something concerning, call ASPCA Poison Control or text Brandon.
She threw up
One time isn't cause for panic. Snap a pic and text Brandon. We can talk it through.
Loose stool
Happens sometimes, she's just clearing things out on a mid-day walk. Her usual is firm. Optional: a heaping teaspoon of pumpkin puree on her food, once a day, until it firms up.
She's limping or walking funny
She walks funny on purpose, it's a Boston thing. If she's actually hurt, you'll know. She's fine being carried: pick her up under her chest and stomach, never the shoulder lift (she panics).
Scratching, sneezing, or grooming a lot
Can flare up with weather and plant changes. Allergy chews are in the credenza. One chew, once a day, only if needed.
Goopy or red eyes
Not common. Snap a pic and text Brandon. We'll figure it out together.
Anything else weird
Just text Brandon. No question is too small.