Dog House PJ

Over Chinese New Year 2010, Instingt Pet Groomer has merged with The Dog House PJ.

There is no website yet, so to see more info about us, please go to our Facebook Page (click link on right of this page)

Here's what we have come up with:

Dogs here are free to roam around as they please. They have free access to the main hall and dining area; totaling to about 500 square feet of indoor space. In these areas, there are tables, chairs, sofas and pens where they can curl up and rest, or chew on their precious toy.

For dogs who are considered aggressive or super fearful, they will have their individual playpen until they are ready to mix with the rest. These play pens are designed so that the dogs can see and sniff each other, they get to watch each others behavior; like body language & playfulness. They get to discover each other while being protected by a fence. The fence doesn't isolate the dogs and so they can still curl up and sleep next to each other, bodies and nose touching.

When we think the dogs are ready to mix with the rest, what we will do is open the pen slightly. The dog gets to choose to come out or remain inside. Meanwhile, the rest of the dogs will be prohibited to enter the pen. This is so that this individual will not be overwhelmed by the other dogs barging in and so-call 'conquering his/her space'.

At night, during bed time (6 hours), dogs who we are 'unsure' of will be put back into their pens or cages. It's bedtime, and after an exhausting day, they will most probably spend that 6 hours sleeping. When morning comes, they will have Garden-Time while we get them ready for the morning 1-hour-walk to start the day.

The Walk is not a lazy stroll; it's a steady speed, pack walk. Here is when we, the humans, establish pack leadership. The leader (alpha) position is important to establish so that we (humans) have psychological control over the dogs. With this psychological advantage, we may not have to physically correct dogs who are misbehaving, but only need to voice a gentle, calm "aik" or "wei". The pack walk is where dogs walk behind or beside us, never in front. Aside from establishing the humans as leaders of the pack, it also serves to burn off the energy that has been accumulated during their rest. Of course, dogs who tire easily (i.e. over weight, low energy, aging dogs) will walk less and at a slower pace. High energy, young and very active dogs will have a faster and longer walk. To understand more of the pack walk concept, please read Cesar Millan's books "Cesar's Way" and "Be The Pack Leader".

Note: We incorporate some of Cesar's Methods which we find practical & useful to us. We DO NOT follow them to the 'T'. We admire Cesar Millan and his simple approach to dealing with dogs, but we don't worship him ;)

During the rest of the day, dogs are free to roam inside the house, they are encourage to mingle, nap, chew toys, and engage in quiet-gentle play. Every 3 hours or so, they will go out into the garden (about 500 sq ft) where they can take on a more excited-energetic play, sprint up and down, play ball, poo-poo and pee-pee. In the evenings, the dogs will go on their second & final walk of the day. There will be a few more garden time before everyone calls it a day at 11pm.

One of our goals here is to have your dog go home tired, calm and satisfied. Ready to curl up, nuzzle and snooze on your lap, or under your feet. No more mid-night barking/howling for no good reason, herding kids around, tearing up furniture, no more pent up energy. This means no more angry neighbors, irritated spouse/parents, and no more Majilis Perbandaran at your door step.

Grooming style is primarily focused on dog's comfort and hygiene necessities. The secondary focus is on speed of groom. The tertiary focus is on beauty and perfect trim. Our ultimate grooming goal is to have the dog gradually learn to take pleasure in being groomed. Loads of praise and treats are used to reward positive behavior or used as a distraction. Firm (not hard) yet gentle handling is used to gradually correct negative behavior. Fears or mental trauma a dog may have from previous experience can be gradually removed (or at least reduced) through patient and gentle grooming.

When you visit us, whether to check out the place or to ask for price; we encourage you to bring your dog along. During the visit, we will give your dog tasty treats, and get to know your dog. Your dog also gets to roam the premise, get to know us and the resident dogs while you’re around. This way, it helps ease the dog and prepare him/her for the time when he/she has to be alone here by him/herself. At least, when time comes for your dog to stay here, he/she feels that he/she already knows the place, dogs and people here. That would make for a more comfortable stay.

NOTE: (Oct 2010) Dog walks have been canceled, because once owners see the Dog House, they decide that it it is unnecessary. From now on, dogs will be walked only upon request.