Lifestyle

Friends In Need

Sunscreen? Check. Ice-cold refreshments? Check. The only thing left on your list to maximize your summertime lounge? A friend for life. Collected below are prime pooches ideal for fulfilling your life and livelihood.
Text by Ryan Jarrell | May 10, 2018 | Lifestyle

IKE
A beautiful brown hound well worth the extra attention, Ike is a dog-gone ideal companion just looking for a loving home. No longer a pugnacious pup, he would be ideal for any strata of potential pet adopter, from the overly social 9 to 5’er to the stay-at-home dog dad. Trained in leash walking and a caring cuddle partner, you might want to pick up Ike before we do!; Paws4You.org.

MAYA
A 6-year old mixed breed, Maya’s laid-back nature makes her an excellent fit for anyone who wants to enjoy all the soothing emotional support an animal companion brings without committing to an overly rigorous exercise schedule. Maya loves her masters so much, she doesn’t want to share, and would most enjoy being housed in a quiet home rich in the affection she so sincerely deserves; ThisIsTheDog.com.

DHARMA
Originally found wandering the streets of Fort Lauderdale, one would have to be the Buddha himself to understand why someone would abandon a pup of this caliber! Now lovingly rehabilitated through the services of the good people at 100 Plus, Dharma is ready to provide all the enlightening loving-kindness she can to any family wise enough to open its doors to her; 100PlusAbandonedDogs.org.

HI-RISE HOUDS
If you’re currently living a vertical lifestyle with your dog, or have been hesitant to get a dog because you live in an apartment, I have great news for you: It’s extremely easy to potty train a dog using an apartment balcony! Because dogs develop what is called substrate preference for the way their potty feels, if you elect to use something like wee-wee pads you’re essentially training your dog that it’s ok to go potty on any surface that looks or feels like an absorbent mat. This means your living room rug, bath mat or even clothes on the floor are fair game to pee or poop on. Additionally, most dogs struggle with going potty on a non-grass or earth surface since it’s just not natural. The best option is to use a grass subscription service where real grass can be delivered in a wax-coated box to your home monthly and placed outdoors on your balcony. Second best would be to purchase a synthetic grass “potty patch” which is easy to clean and can also be placed outdoors on your patio. Make sure of course that you’ve secured and sealed up any cracks on your patio balcony, especially if you have a small dog. By placing grass or a grass alternative on your balcony, potty training becomes quick and easy, leaving trips downstairs exclusively for enjoying walks together, play time at the park and spending time with one another. Take it to the next level by bell training your dog to let you know he needs access to go outside on the balcony to his potty!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
› Dee Hoult is the CEO of Applause Your Paws, South Florida’s largest privately owned pet dog training company, and Miami’s leading user rated dog-training company on Yelp.com.