It’s officially spring, which means it’s dog shedding season! Read on to find out how to keep your pup’s shedding under control.
Daycare Punch Card
Did you know we have a daycare punch card?
Here's a little info about it...
It’s easy! We want to make the drop-off and pick-up process as simple as possible. You can prepay for your pup’s daycare instead of paying every time you pick up your dog.
It’s convenient! Pet parents who use our punch cards also get to use our valet services, meaning you don’t even have to leave your car when you drop off and pick up your pup!
It includes extended drop-off & pick-up times! Our valet is available from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., so you don’t have to adjust your already-busy schedule to take care of your furry best friend. Plus, Petropolis punch cards also work at both our St. Charles and Chesterfield locations!
It never expires, so there’s no pressure on when you need to bring your pup in!
You get a discount on the daily daycare rate when you purchase a punch card! See below for more details.
Discounted daycare rate with punch card
10-Day $419.50
20-Day $799.00
30-Day $1,138.50
There’s no better exercise for a dog than playing and socializing with other dogs (and people!), and our day care pups go home absolutely tuckered. That means you get to relax and enjoy your evening. (Don’t forget to share your dog’s #PetropolisPassout on social media!)
Call us at (636)537-2322 to purchase your punch card or purchase from our front desk the next time you come in!
Luxury boarding
a retreat for your pet at Petropolis
We know your pets are your best friends- more accurately- a member of your family. Here at Petropolis, we are beyond excited to spoil and treat them with the highest quality care. As soon as your pet steps foot in our building, they are a member of our own Petropolis family! With 30 years of experience in the pet care industry, we know a thing or two about the importance of stress-free, luxury boarding. All pets get a healthy dose of relaxation, socialization, exercise, and love from the staff no matter how long they stay. Take a look at what we offer (it might just be nicer than where you are staying!)
Luxe, Spacious rooms/villas
Our individual, quiet rooms keep pups calm and relaxed during their much needed snooze time. Your pup will hear music playing softly throughout the entire facility. (Research studies have shown that listening to music comforts and calms dogs, and we have seen great results!) At our Chesterfield location, our luxury boarding rooms are large enough for siblings to room together. We also have villas you can upgrade to, which are located in an even quieter bay and include webcams. Our St. Charles rooms are 30, 40, or 50 square feet; more than enough room for your pup! We also have 120 square feet upgraded rooms for bigger families or pups needing more privacy.
Customizable packages
Whether your pup is high-energy or laid back, we will build a custom activity schedule just for them. Group-play daycare is available for half the day or the entire day, along with one-on-one play sessions with our staff. Our outdoor play yards are covered and have heating and cooling, so play time is always available. You can also book other services while boarding, like adding a groom to the last day of their stay!
Staff check-ins
Petropolis staff members are always monitoring and checking in on the pampered pets staying with us. Whether they’re needing some extra love and affection, a potty-break, snack, or possibly a new activity schedule, we are here to help and keep you updated along the way!
Cats get special treatment
Your feline friend’s getaway is far away from where the dogs roam- it is actually on a completely different floor of our facility and is sound-proofed! The multi-story cat condos have excessive room for exploring, lounging, and taking naps. Just like canine boarding, we offer custom activity packages for your furry friend (our staff would love to play/snuggle with your furbaby!) In our Chesterfield location, our Cat Jungle has a coy pond with live fish for your kiddo to watch swim around! There are also interactive TV’s to spark their instinctual curiosity.
Pupdates let you know how your furry friend is doing!
During your pet’s staycation, we will keep you updated with pictures and recaps of their day. You can always check in if you have any questions as well (call us at 636-537-2322 or you can message us on Instagram or Facebook).
Ready to book your reservation? Click the link below and be sure to go over our boarding checklist before your bring your pet in for their stay!
Celebrate Valentine’s Day With Your Pet!
We’ve all heard the saying, “a dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself”, right? Well, this Valentine’s Day, give back to your selfless pup! We’re talking spoiling them with love, affection, cuddles, and treats. Stick around for more ideas on how to spend Valentine’s Day with your pet!
Enrichment opportunities.
There’s always time for enrichment! Try out some of our favorites:
- Frozen sweetheart treats: use a heart shaped mold to freeze chicken stock and some small treats for a yummy brain game! Check out how the Petropolis pups reacted to this enrichment treat.
- Treat rollup: lay a towel down and scatter some treats (or kibble) on it while rolling it into a burrito. Your pup will have a mental workout while foraging for the goodies!
- Cats deserve enrichment too! Try hiding treats around the house so they can hunt- they will love using their instincts.
Indoor activities.
This freezing weather doesn’t mean you can’t have a blast inside the house with your furry friend! For instance, training for even 5 minutes will strengthen your bond with your pup and be a mental workout. Use this time to brush up on skills or try taking on a new trick! It’s never too late to teach a dog something new. Another easy game to play in the house is some good old-fashioned hide and seek. Wanting to motivate some play time with your feline friend? Cats loove chasing things- strings, feather toys, you name it! Try using a laser pointer as a substitute and watch your cat have the time of their life and get in some exercise. There are so many more ways to keep your Valentine happy without venturing outside in the cold- you just need to get creative.
Simple but effective.
Try taking your pup for a long walk at a new park or trail! They will be thrilled to explore the new sights, sounds, and smells.
Schedule a day of socializing and play.
Does your pup have a BFF? Plan a playdate for the two pups! Or, you can be the best dog parent out there and bring them to daycare for a day filled with playing, chasing, treats, making new friends, and love from our staff. You’ll bring home a very happy, tired dog at the end of the day to cuddle with.
We want to see how you are celebrating Valentine’s Day with your pet! Send us photos of your adventures on Instagram (@petropolisstl)
Dog Training Month
Happy Dog Training Month! This January, we are celebrating the continued education of our furry friends. Whether your dog has been with you for years or just a few weeks, all dogs can benefit from training! At Petropolis, we focus on the enrichment of animals in order to promote a healthier human-pet bond using force-free, reward-based methods.
Before You Rehome Your Pet, Give Them Time to Adjust
Chesterfield, MO, January 26, 2021 – According to a study by the ASPCA, over one million households rehome their pets every year. Of these, about 36% surrender their pets to animal shelters. One of the major reasons these pets are rehomed is behavior issues.
A large portion of these pets are rehomed following the holiday season when families adopt or buy pets to celebrate. It is important to remember, however, that it can take weeks or even months for a pet to adapt to its new home.
Before You Rehome Your New Dog
Dr. Marty Becker, the veterinarian behind the Fear Free movement, says that a puppy is most susceptible to learning new skills between the ages of 14 and 16 weeks. What a puppy learns at this time in its life becomes the foundation for the rest of their training. Starting a new dog’s training early will help them develop good habits. It also strengthens the dog-owner bond and improves trust.
Not only must the dog adjust to its new home, but its new owners must adjust to the new addition to the family. The American Kennel Club suggests that children nine years old and older should not be left unsupervised with a new dog for at least three months. During this time, the dog is still adjusting to its environment. Children younger than nine years old should never be left unattended with a dog. If you are taking training classes with your dog, take your children along. Group training classes are a great way for your children to learn manners with their own dog and others. This will make the children and the dog more comfortable with each other, so you will be less likely to need to rehome your pet.
Before You Rehome Your New Cat
For cats, it can take even longer for them to be comfortable in their new home. A new cat may hide for the first few days or even weeks after adoption. All family members should know to give the cat its space and allow it to explore its new surroundings in its own time. If your new cat is not as outgoing or loving as you had hoped it would be, give it time before going back to the shelter. It could be that your cat is still finding its place in your home.
If your pet has behavior issues, consider a training program, consult your veterinarian, and research how to best accommodate your pet’s needs before you decide to rehome your pet. Your new cat might need several months to fully acclimated to your home. There are plenty of resources to help make the adjustment easier for both humans and pets. Try different things before making the decision to rehome your pet.
How Much Does Dog Training Cost?
Ready to start training? You’ve come to the right place! At Petropolis, our professional trainers use only positive reinforcement-based methods that improve the human-animal bond. Plus, we help you do the same! Learn more about how much dog training will cost and what you’ll get from our programs.
How We Price Our Dog Training Services
All of our dog training packages are customized based on your dog’s and your family’s needs. We offer all dogs a free one-hour training evaluation so our trainers can meet you and provide an accurate quote on your dog’s training cost. They’ll get to know your dog, ask you about your goals, and develop a plan to reach them. Call (636)537-2322 to schedule your free evaluation today.
What You Get
During your evaluation, the trainer will provide you a list of manners and skills your dog will learn over the course of their program. These range all the way from polite greetings to life-saving skills, and they’re tailored to your dog.
If you opt for one of our standard Day Training packages, your pup will get to enjoy daycare while they visit us and take short training breaks throughout the day. In this case, the dog training cost includes the price of daycare.
You will also get to schedule several Skills Transfer sessions. During these sessions, you’ll work one-on-one with a trainer to address any challenges you’re facing and practice your dog’s skills together.
What Else You Invest
Aside from the financial investment, our trainers will also ask that you and the rest of your household invest time, energy, and patience into your dog’s training. We can teach your dog all the manners and skills they need to be a polite member of the family. But if you don’t practice with them at home, they’re bound to forget. We ask that you have a serious conversation with your partner, your children, or any other members of your household about your training plan. Consistency is key in dog training, so it’s important that everyone is on the same page.
Now, let’s get to training! Call (636)537-2322 or click here to book your dog’s free training evaluation today.
How to Stop Your Dog From Barking
We often hear from frustrated pet parents that they want their dog to stop barking. And while barking can definitely be a nuisance, patience and gentle guidance can reduce your dog’s barking back to an appropriate level.
How Not to Train Your Dog
For many pet parents, the knee-jerk reaction to a barking dog is to shout No! or Quiet! But when you yell at your dog for barking, they just think you’re barking with them! Instead of yelling, we suggest redirecting your dog’s energy and attention to stop the barking.
The Right Way to Stop Dog Barking
How you’ll stop your dog from barking entirely depends on why they’re barking. The reason usually falls in one of these three categories:
- Excitement. Not all barking means your dog is upset. Sometimes, they’re just excited! Your dog may be barking because they’re excited about something they see outside (like another dog), eager to play, or just happy. If this is the case, redirect your dog’s energy by offering their favorite toy. They’ll eventually learn to show excitement through play instead of barking.
- Alarm. We never want to train our dog not to ever bark, because sometimes dogs bark to alert us. This could be to something we also notice, like a knock on the door. But it may also be to something we can’t see, like a particular scent or sound. When your dog barks to alert you of something, reward them with a treat and say ‘thank you’ after the first bark. After that, ignore them. Over time, your dog will learn that one alarm bark is okay but that anything after is unnecessary.
- Fear. Often, fearful dogs bark at whatever is scaring them. It’s their way of telling the scary thing, “Stay away!” If your dog is barking out of fear, work with them slowly to show them that whatever they’re barking at – be it the vacuum, a neighbor on a bicycle, or thunder – isn’t anything to be afraid of.
If you’re still struggling with excessive barking, give our training department a call for a free evaluation. They’ll get to know your dog, troubleshoot any training challenges you’re having, and develop a plan for you and your pet. Just call (636)537-2322 or click here to get started.
How to Stop Puppy Biting
Puppy biting is a challenging phase of puppyhood! But with patience and the right training, you can teach your puppy appropriate play skills.
“Why does my puppy bite?”
Young puppies explore the world with their mouths. And if your puppy hasn’t had much experience playing with other dogs, they may not have good boundaries yet. Most often, puppies bite because they’re trying to play, not because they want to hurt you. That’s why, instead of punishing them, we redirect them.
“How do I train my puppy to stop biting?”
First off, make sure your puppy has plenty of appropriate things to bite. Things like chew toys, bully sticks, antlers, Himalayan chews, frozen Kongs with treats inside, etc. are all great options. Give your puppy a few at a time, and switch them out occasionally to keep your pup interested. Just like human children, puppies go through a teething phase, and chewing (especially on frozen toys) helps relieve the discomfort.
You might notice that your puppy has the most energy first thing in the morning and right before bedtime. They’ll sometimes get the ‘zoomies’ to release that pent-up energy. These are prime times to take your puppy outside, go for a walk, or play with them to help release that energy in a healthy, nondestructive way.
This is also the perfect time to teach them not to bite during play. Make sure you have an array of long toys so your puppy can hold one end while you hold the other. If your puppy bites your hand instead of the toy, drop the toy and completely stop engaging with the puppy for a few seconds. If the puppy starts to bite at your arms or legs, you may have to leave the room entirely. Give them a few seconds to calm down, then pick up a toy and invite them to play again.
Dogs love to chase and grab moving objects. By jerking your hands away from a biting puppy or wagging a finger at them, you can inadvertently teach them that biting makes your hands move, meaning your hands become even more fun. Instead, by disengaging and removing yourself from the situation, you teach your puppy that biting means playtime ends. Over time, they’ll learn that only polite play keeps the game going.
To stay consistent with your training, keep a toy in each room of your house. If your puppy starts biting at you, redirect them to the toy. Also, show members of your household or visiting friends how to do the same. Consistency and patience are key!
If you’re struggling with puppy biting (or another of the many challenges of puppy parenthood), book your free training evaluation at Petropolis today. Our training team would love to get to know your puppy, troubleshoot any challenges you’re facing, and help you plan for your puppy’s development and growth.
Potty Training Your Puppy
Many new puppy parents are intimidated by potty training, but it’s not as complicated as it seems. Potty training takes patience and consistency, but with time your new puppy will learn not to do their ‘business’ indoors.
“How do I start potty training my puppy?”
The first step in potty training is to monitor your puppy’s food and water intake. Young puppies have very small bladders, and they can’t ‘hold it’ very long. By monitoring their intake, you can best predict when they need to be let outside.
Every time your puppy eats or drinks, set a timer for five minutes. When the timer goes off, take them outside on a leash and tell them to “go potty” in a bright, happy voice.
If your puppy goes potty, reward them with praise, pets, or a high value treat (a small bit of cheese or hot dog works well).
By praising your puppy, you’re telling them that they’ve done the right thing, meaning they’ll be more likely to ‘go’ there again. And by using a leash while potty training your puppy, you remind them that potty time is not playtime.
If your puppy does not potty, take them back inside, but keep them on the leash. Set another timer for five minutes, and try again. If you see your puppy start sniffing, spinning, or trying to run away from you quickly, they need to go! By keeping them on the leash, you’ll be able to quickly guide them outside before they can potty in the house.
“How do I stop my puppy from peeing in the house?”
It’s disappointing when your puppy has an accident inside the house. But remember: never punish your puppy for pottying inside. Never hit them or rub their noses in the mess. Dogs live in the moment, so by the time you scold them for a puddle on the floor, they can’t comprehend why they’re being scolded. Punishment will only teach your dog to fear you and to start ‘hiding’ their messes.
The best cure is prevention, so start potty training the day you bring your new puppy home. By starting the training process early, you bond with your puppy and teach them to trust you.
Need help?
If you have a puppy, be sure to sign up for a free evaluation with our dog training team. They’ll get to know you and your pup, troubleshoot any challenges you’re having, and give you advice for how to best train your puppy. Just call (636)537-2322 or click here to get started.
