Services
Classes and Workshops | Dog Training | Dog Walking | Pet Sitting | Massage
Classes and Workshops
Must Love Dogs offers short one session lecures and workshops on a variety of pet dog related subjects to community organizations and groups. Some topics are:
- Massage for Dogs
- Lassie Come!
- Leash Manners & Polite Greetings
- Dog-lish as a Second Language
- Help! My Puppy is an Animal!
- Can We Get a Dog? PLEASE!!!
- Preparing Your Dog for Your New Baby
Just call or email for more information.
Here are classes being offered (in 2010):
Basic Dog Obedience - (5 Weeks/5 Hours)
This fun hands-on 6-week dog obedience training class uses positive reinforcement and reward-based training methods. Includes sit, stay, down, come, heel, drop it and more. Each one-hour lesson incorporates lecture, step-by-step demonstration, hands-on practice, and question and answer period with problem solving. Students learn how to use and adapt the class exercises to real life issues like: leash pulling, biting and chewing, housetraining, and jumping. Proper footwear, and proper equipment for dog required (4-6 ft. leash and collar - no choke chains, please!). All puppies/dogs must have begun or completed their vaccination series and be in good health to attend. Please bring puppy, extra yummy bite-sized chewy training treats and proof of vaccinations to class.
Sign up at Assabet After Dark, Marlboro, 508-485-9430, ext. 429 www.assabetafterdark.com
May 1 - 29, 10:00 - 11:00
Leash Manners & Polite Greetings (2 weeks/2 hours)
This class is for the dog who gets overly exuberant when greeting people or dogs. It is for the dog who jumps up on guests, the dog who pulls on the leash, and the dog who gets too excited during greetings. This class is not for the dog who barks, growls, and lunges or the dog who cowers and barks at strangers or other dogs. The focus of this class is to help owners begin to teach their dogs to greet people and other dogs calmly. Dogs will learn that self-control will get them the attention they desire. Owners will learn to take on a leadership role with their dogs. Dogs practice to walk on a loose leash, calmly greet a person, and calmly pass by another dog. There is no upper age limit for this class, but dogs need to current on their shots. Bring LOTS of soft, chewy, high value treats like cut up cheese or hotdogs.
March 2 & 9 , 7:00 - 8:00PM at Dover Sherborn Community Education, 508-785-0722
Massage for Dogs (1 meeting, 1.5 hour class)
Just like people, dogs can enjoy a massage. Everyone who owns a dog knows how much they like their tummies rubbed and their ears scratched. So why not go a step further and give them a massage? Dogs of all ages and sizes can receive nose-to-tail massage. In this hands-on workshop you will learn basic massage touches including proper contact, pressure and rhythm to help your dog relax, loosen sore muscles or stiff joints, become less stressed, and live a longer, healthier life. In addition to all the health benefits, a massage is a great way to pamper your dog and show your never-ending love. (Massage is a complementary form of health care for dogs and should not be used in place of regular veterinary care.) Wear comfortable clothing and bring a mat or towel to class and your dog. No classes scheduled at this time.
No classes scheduled at this time.
Dog-lish as a Second Language (1 meeting, 1.5 hour class)
You yell, they bark, and everyone gets frustrated. When it comes to communicating, it often seems that humans are from Earth and dogs are from Pluto. But understanding how dogs communicate is the first step to deepening the bond between you and your pet. Explore how body language, calming signals, and touching techniques can strengthen, or save, your relationship with your dog. Learn how to incorporate simple verbal and nonverbal communication techniques into your daily interactions with your best friend. Please do not bring your dog to class. Read article
No classes scheduled at this time.
Starting A Dog Walking or Pet Sitting Business (1 meeting, 1.5 hours)
Dog walking and pet sitting services are growing in popularity as pet owners want caretakers for their pets while they are at work or away. Explore the ins and outs of starting your own Dog Walking or Pet Sitting business and learn from a successful business owner. We will discuss strategies for attracting clients, determining your service area, fee structure, marketing, networking and professional associations, business structure and licensing, insurance, and additional services you could offer, etc.
No classes scheduled at this time.
Dog Training
No time to attend a weekly dog training class? Find a class environment too overwhelming for your dog? Does your dog already know some commands? Not all puppies and dogs (or humans for that matter) are cut out to succeed in a class environment. That's why Must Love Dogs features private training with personal attention that is tailored to your dog's needs.
Private training is offered in your home or at a location nearby. With private training, you and your dog can practice what you learn in real-world situations. And our flexible training schedule enables you and your dog to learn at your own pace.
Must Love Dogs offers a variety of dog training services depending upon your dog's needs. These include:
Solutions for problem behaviors
Doggy manners
Reading your dog's body language
Must Love Dogs specializes in addressing the following areas: Sit * Down * Come * Stay * Pulling on the leash * Exuberant door greetings * Chewing * Nipping/Biting * Barking * Jumping * Digging
Plus, Must Love Dogs encourages involvement of all family members in the training sessions.
Private one-hour lessons tailored to your needs start at $60. A travel fee may apply.
Dog Walking
If your hectic work schedule doesn’t leave you enough time to take your dog for a walk, then try Must Love Dogs’ dog walking service. Dog walks are a great way to make sure you dog gets the attention he (or she) needs to be healthy and happy - and you get peace of mind knowing that your best friends needs are being taken care of. Now you won’t have to rush home after work or during your lunch hour.
Scheduling dog walking services on a regular basis helps break up the boredom of being home alone all day. Do you have a young puppy that isn’t able to “hold it” for more than a few hours and needs a potty break? A visit or two during the day is appropriate for older dogs or those with medical issues, too.
A visit from Must Love Dogs gives your dog something to look forward to. A walk, playtime, potty break, and some one-on-one personal attention. While we’re at your home we can also clean up any accidents, feed and put fresh water in his bowl, administer medication, and bring in your mail.
Dog Walking services are limited to Framingham, Natick and parts of bordering towns. Currently a 30 minute visit for a dog is $18. A second dog is an additional fee.
Training Walks
Training Walks are also available that combine pet sitting with training. We will visit your home while you’re at work, giving your dog a potty break, exercise, and training session. The current rate is $30 for a 35 minute session.
Post-Surgery Visits / Home Health Care
This service is provided for pets that have been discharged home by the veterinarian following surgery. To enhance and support your pets’ healing process, and relieve your anxiety about going into work, Must Love Dogs can administer medications, clean and bandage wounds, feed and offer tender loving care during this recovery period. Now you can go back to work with peace of mind knowing that your pet is being taken care of.
Or, perhaps YOU have recently returned home from the hospital and are not yet able to give your pets the care they normally receive. A visit or two a day can help alleviate your worries about their well-being.
Pet Taxi & Delivery Services
Must Love Dogs pet taxi can safely take your dog to the vet on your behalf, or to the groomers, kennel or elsewhere. Why go to the trouble of taking time off work to take your dog to the vet when Must Love Dogs pet taxi service can easily do that for you? We’ll even pick up your pet food if you don’t have the time to do it! A round trip is $25.00 (within 5 mile radius of clients’ home).
Cancellations
24 hours notice is requested to cancel a scheduled visit and avoid the service fee. Some exceptions may apply in emergency situations or severe weather conditions.
Pet Sitting
Get the peace of mind you need to have a great get-away! Many pet parents are realizing that keeping their pets’ daily routine in their own home and being able to curl up in their own bed and eat their own food is important to our dogs and cats. In-home visits will make your vacation or business trip less stressful – not only for you, but for your pet(s), too.
In-home pet care is an affordable and less stressful alternative to boarding, or imposing on your neighbors, family and friends. I know your pets are as special to you as mine are to me, and I know how hard it is to have to leave them behind when you go away. I can make this easier for you by providing lots of tender loving care in your absence.
Each visit with your pet at your home is approximately 30 minutes. For dogs, a minimum of 3 visits is strongly preferred for each 24 hour period you are away. Longer visits can be arranged. Currently a 30 minute visit for a dog or cat is $18. A second pet is an additional fee. A $75 non-refundable deposit is required at booking.
Pet Sitting services are limited to Framingham, Natick and parts of bordering towns. Please call early to book an appointment so we can meet. We begin by spending some time with you and your pet and talk about the services that best fit your needs. Our get together also gives your puppy or dog the chance to meet us, too. After all, it's important that we are all comfortable with the meeting.
Massage
Must Love Dogs’ mission is to provide dogs with a consistently soothing massage experience that enhances their quality of life. Massage sessions are generally about 30 minutes. At home visits provide convenience for you and a more comfortable (less stressful) environment for your dog. Call Must Love Dogs for an appointment.
Dogs of all ages and sizes can receive nose-to-tail massage. It helps to maintain wellness and to enhance overall health. In older dogs, massage eases stiffness, like arthritis, and helps to increase mobility. In working animals, such as agility dogs, massage can relax tired muscles. Puppies can benefit from massage too. It helps develop bone structure and boosts their immunity.
The massage techniques used by Must Love Dogs are similar to those used for humans. Massage relaxes muscles and eases stress, stiffness, and pain by increasing the circulation of blood and nutrients throughout your dog’s body. Massage can be part of an ongoing health care program for dogs.
Read Article
In addition to its therapeutic benefits, massage can also make a wonderful gift for any occasion such as holidays or birthdays.
Benefits:
- Improves circulation
- Strengthens the body by stimulating the muscles
- Relaxes and energizes your dog
- Increases flexibility and mobility
- Eases mental stress and physical pain
- Boosts immune system
- Speeds recovery after surgery
- Reduces and/or postpones the potential for arthritis and hip dysplasia
- Enhances your dogs quality of life
- Complements veterinary treatments
Please note that massage is not intended to replace veterinary care. Consult with your Vet about medical questions you have about your pet.
