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We received the honor of 2022 Terrell Business Hall of Fame for being selected 2022 Best of Terrell Awards – Boarding, Grooming & Training for 8 consecutive years!! We at Paws Up Performance Site are so grateful for this wonderful honor.

The Press Release is as follows:

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Paws Up Performance Site, Inc. Receives 2019 Best of Terrell Award

Terrell Award Program Honors the Achievement

TERRELL April 24, 2019 — Paws Up Performance Site, Inc. has been selected for the 2019 Best of Terrell Award in the Boarding, Grooming, & Training category by the Terrell Award Program.

Each year, the Terrell Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Terrell area a great place to live, work and play.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2019 Terrell Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the Terrell Award Program and data provided by third parties.

About Terrell Award Program

The Terrell Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Terrell area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.

The Terrell Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in our community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to recognize the small business community’s contributions to the U.S. economy.

SOURCE: Terrell Award Program

CONTACT:
Terrell Award Program
Email: PublicRelations@awardedcity.org
URL: http://www.awardedcity.org

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Karen Hapgood

We are all concerned about the rising temperatures this Summer. We worry about our kids staying out too long and suffering from dehydration as well as ourselves. But, are we concerned enough about our pets?

Would you be comfortable sitting around outside when the temperature is between 95 and 105 degrees? Your pet isn’t crazy about the idea either. The ideal internal temperature for a dog is 102 degrees. This does not mean they can survive outside in 102 degrees!

Heatstroke causes fast, shallow breathing and a rapid heartbeat. It can occur in some breeds in as little as 15 minutes. Your dog will run a very high temperature (104 degrees or above) and may be in shock. A dangerously overheated dog will probably die without prompt treatment.

When you suspect your dog of Heatstroke, immediately spray the dog with cool water; pack ice in the groin area and around the head, neck and ears. Wrap the dog in cold, wet towels. Take your dogs temperature every 5 minutes to ensure it is going down. You should also continue to gently pour or spray cold water on the body AND on the pads of all feet. The pads of their feet and their panting are how a dog’s body keeps itself cool. Please use caution as bringing the temperature down too fast can cause just as much harm. Seek professional care at once.

Most cases of heatstroke are preventable. Never leave your dog inside a closed car or a poorly ventilated kennel on a hot day. Minimize the exercise and try to go for walks early in the morning or late in the evenings. Dogs need fresh air, sufficient shade, and access to plenty of water during the hot weather. Never leave your dog outside without shelter from the sun or without clean water.

Please bear in mind that this article is for your information only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary care.

Karen Hapgood

The importance of obedience applies to more than just the everyday life of your dog. Imagine your family enjoying a BBQ on the front lawn; kids playing ball with your dog and the ball bounces toward the street with a car speeding by!! You can call your children away but what about your dog? A few simple commands of Stay, Come, or even Down could save his life.

These basic commands are easily taught with the proper instructions. At Paws Up we teach obedience with praise. We want your pets to happily respond to your commands. Dogs of all ages can be taught. Our basic obedience classes teach: come, sit, stay, down, wait, heel, stand, plus a few other words that can be used in your daily routine.

‘Heel’ is the command to have your dog walk calmly on your left side without all the pulling and tugging. ‘Sit’ can be used while you are preparing the dog’s meal. Simply have your dog ‘sit/stay’ while you place the bowl on the floor. This is especially useful when you have a dog that likes to jump up and knock the bowl out of your hands. What a mess! The command to ‘Wait’ is one you will find most useful on a daily basis. How many of you have experienced your dog nearly running you over as you try to go through an open door? Or to get in or out of your car? After your dog masters the ‘wait’ command you can confidently ask your dog to ‘wait’ while you go through the door and then invite your dog to follow. After a trip in the car you simply have your dog ‘wait’ until you open the door to let him out. This is much easier than having your dog climb over you and the steering wheel to bolt out the door.

Even your vet will be surprised when you go in for a visit and you tell you dog to ‘stand and stay’ while he is being examined. I know our vets LOVE it when they see our guys come in. It is also much easier on us in the grooming shop when we get a dog that will stand calmly while in the bath tub and on the grooming table. It cuts the time nearly in half compared to trying to groom a dog that spins the entire time on the table.

I hope I have given you an idea of what is possible for you to accomplish in just a few shorts weeks. Your life with your dog will be much more pleasant and you will enjoy having him around more often.

Karen Hapgood

Anyone with a dog that will require constant grooming should start out by taking your dog in for a simple bath and brush. This is a fairly simple routine that allows the Groomer and the dog time to get acquainted. After the second or third visit you should be able to tell that your dog is “Happy to be there” and you can request a more in-depth grooming.

Always talk to your Groomer. Let them know how YOU want your dog to look. If you are not sure, ask your Groomer for suggestions. Look at pictures of different styles. When you pick up your dog ask questions.

How well did he do that day?

Did you find anything unusual or out of the ordinary? (lumps, bumps, fleas, ticks, cuts, tender spots, etc.)

A conscientious Groomer will be happy to talk with you about coat type, infestations, or even let you know if your dog loves his bath, yet but may not be happy about the nail trim. Our Groomers will be happy to give you tips on helping your dog overcome some of his anxieties.

As Groomers we can tell if the dog’s diet has been changed by the change in coat texture. Because we have a background in veterinary medicine we can recognize ear infections and/or yeast build up in the ears. We will be happy to give you tips on daily grooming and dietary assistance. Your Groomer can help identify minor problems before they become significant health issues in your pet.

The one rule to remember:

IF YOU ARE UNSURE – SIMPLY ASK!

Karen Hapgood

Once you get your puppy home the first thing you will be concerned with is potty training. The following is the best way we have found to make this task a success. We have a crate for the puppy’s sleeping quarters. Attach an exercise pen (portable fencing that comes in various sizes and heights) to each side of the crate making a circular play area in front of the open-door crate. Newspaper is placed on the floor in the pen, and place food and water off to one side of the pen. After a few days only put paper on half the floor space. A few days later cut the paper area in half again.

When your puppy knows what the paper is for you can place a small area of paper near the door that you want your puppy to go out. This is for the time when you are home and can supervise your puppy being loose in the house. If you work, I recommend leaving the puppy confined in the pen area.

When you are at home, take your puppy outside about every two hours. When your puppy does his/her business, praise them enthusiastically! You can even give them a treat. This will speed up the potty training process.

Should there be an accident by your puppy in your home you should escort your puppy to the place of the accident, before cleaning it up, and scold your puppy. You may either tap him on the nose or strongly tell him NO, or you can swat him on the behind and strongly tell him NO. After the correction take your puppy outside IMMEDIATELY. When your puppy does his business outside PRAISE him enthusiastically. Always end a training session on a good note.

Karen Hapgood

With the onset of cold weather, it would be a good time to spare a thought for our cuddly friends, as there are some hazards that we should pay particular attention to.

One of the most obvious and yet least thought of is protection from the weather, particularly cold. If you have outside pets, ensure that their shelter is located somewhere dry, preferably elevated, so that water cannot seep in; that it is protected from wind and that some kind of bedding is provided, cedar or pine chips, hay, newspaper, blankets: all make excellent insulators.

If they are indoor pets remember when you let them out to potty to limit their exposure to extremes of temperature, a good rule of thumb is “If you are cold, they are cold.”

Most of us are aware of the hazards of antifreeze. Relatively small doses of sweet tasting ethylene glycol can cause lethal kidney failure and metabolic acidosis when ingested. There are several brands of “low tox” antifreeze that, while substantially safer when swallowed, in large quantities can still cause death from metabolic acidosis.

An antidote is available for antifreeze but early recognition and treatment are crucial to your pet’s survival. A far better solution is prevention, having your antifreeze changed by professionals or not draining used coolant into pans or the sewer will keep your pets a lot safer.

A relatively little known hazard that can often be highly toxic is baking chocolate As little as a quarter pound can cause severe problems in mid sized dogs and possible death in little ones.

If you suspect that your pet has eaten any of these hazards contact your vet or emergency clinic immediately. The ASPCA’s Poison Control Center can be reached at 1-800-548-2423.

My thanks to Dr Mike Freeman, DVM and Pam Wilson, RVT, Med, CHES of the TX Dept of State Health Services who contributed the source material for this article.

Karen Hapgood

Getting a new pet is exciting for all! If you are single this is a new buddy/side kick. Someone to run with; watch TV with, or just go out cruising. If you have a family you have just acquired a new protector, clown, confidant, and playmate for you and your children.

As excited as the human family is; remember how stressed and afraid your new pet may be. When preparing for your new pet set aside a few days to be at home to help your new pet get settled in. Find a permanent place for the food and water bowls. Have a crate handy with plenty of bedding. This crate will serve as a potty training aid as well as a private, safe place for your pet to go when he/she feels overwhelmed. Get a variety of toys so your pet will stay entertained rather than find his or her own amusement with your furniture or drapes.

On the first day – slowly introduce your pet to areas of the house they are allowed to be in. Show them the correct door to go to when a potty break is necessary. Potty breaks in the beginning should be done every 2 hours; when they first wake up, within 20 minutes of finishing a meal, and just before bedtime. I recommend that you remove food and water at least 2-3 hours prior to bedtime. Potty breaks should last a minimum of 20 minutes. Remember everything outside is new and adventurous so sometimes it takes a while for ‘Spot’ to remember why he is out there.

These first few days are also the time to set limits. Is your pet going to be allowed on the furniture? On the beds? In the kitchen?

Using gentle but firm commands for any type of correction will serve you better in the long run. Yelling and hitting may be an automatic reaction for some but will only make your pet fearful of you. Never ever call your pet to you to correct them. It will only make them unsure the next time you call him.

Please take your time and be patient. It will pay off in the long run.

Karen Hapgood

Oh, it is sooo wonderful to get a new puppy or kitten as a gift; especially for Christmas or Birthdays!! Something you and the family can hold and cuddle and love! Oooh, such a good feeling!

But wait; has anyone stopped to think of the Holidays from your pets point of view?? Yes they will love all the affection, attention and treats; eventually. Please remember when you get your new family member to introduce them slowly. They have more than likely just been taken away from their mom and littermates. They are away from the normal smells and sounds that used to comfort them. They will not understand our hussle and bussel ways of Christmas and new Years, etc.

The best way to introduce a new Holiday pet is to take your time. Give them a place to call their own. A place to sleep quietly. A place where they can observe all the new sounds and smells on their own terms. Let them take the first step. Make your introduction when it’s just the family – a quiet time. If you rush upon your pet and overpower them it may cause a permanent mark on them regarding temperament and personality. Your new companions are at a very impressionable age.

Love them; be patient. You will be glad you did.