Member

Posts: 116
From:mcminnville tn usa
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 12-07-2003 08:16 AM         

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See, even though i am just in high school (fixing to go to college) i own my own doggie cafe/ clothes store for dogs (its a long story of how it started, but also a funny one, lol) my cousin and i were just freshman in high school when we started making our own dog treats for our dogs, we didn't want them eating second rate treats, well, my aunt heard about it, and she wanted some for her dog too, then, she told her friend about them, and so she wanted the for her dog, and soon, everyone was wanting some, so, we started charging for them (.75 cents a dozen) and soon, we had so many orders, and so much money we decided to fill out the remaining orders, and go on vacation. by the end of the school year, we had each made about $6000! so, the summer before our sophmore year, we decided to go to florida for 2 weeks, just me, her and our dogs (i didn't get to take ringo because he likes to run away, i guess from living on a farm, then coming to us, but he always comes back ) my aunt (the one who got us "out there") stayed in a hotel room with her husband to "watch us" well, one day, my cousin and i were looking for some neat clothes and this retro shop, everything was like 50 or 75 cents, well, we found a beautiful dress, well, the dress wasn't all that hot, but the fabric was. seeing that my cousin knows how to sew so well, we bought it, and the next day, her dog had a dress, with a cute hat to match it. when we came home, to our surprise, everyone wanted her to make their dog clothes, and before summer was over, we had made about $4000 more. that is when we decided to start J&W's but, do you think it is okay to let my dog run around the shop? forrest is so friendly, and i have let him run around a few times (not in the bakery area though, just where the clothes and toys are) but when i get my smaller dog, i want her to be their when i am their, do you think it will seem strange? or maybe even offensive? i let customers dogs come in, so why shouldn't mine? i was just wondering since i own it, should i just leave my pup at home?

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Posts: 1392
From:
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 12-07-2003 08:22 AM         

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The owners of the food shop I go to (which also has a doggie bakery and bath services) sometimes have their dogs there. Or I have seen one guy, at least. I think they let him roam around but if someone comes in whose dog has trouble with him, they send him back downstairs in the employee-only area. He never has a leash on and he is always well-behaved.

With a small dog, you could even have one of those pouch-carrier things that you wear and if there are a lot of other dogs in the store or your dog is being frisky, you can carry her in the bag. Depending on how small the dog is, of course.

It's so cool how your business started. I have thought I should open my own specialty shop here. The one I go to is so far away and I can't find a closer one, and the suburb just to the south of us has a bunch of money so I could open one there...

Jamiya

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Posts: 116
From:mcminnville tn usa
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 12-07-2003 08:44 AM         

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well, i could do the dog carrier bag thing (It just so happens that i have one lol) but i sometimes bake the dog cookies, see, it is a family owned thing, and the only employees are me, my aunt, and my cousin. My aunt is only there some of the time because she already has a wonderful job, and she is mostly there to shop. It is a small business, we make the clothes at home, and we make the treats in the shop, so we really don't have a lot of need for extra workers, since we are only open after school (3:00pm-8:00pm) and on the weekends we are open from 6am to 6pm and on sunday only 12pm-3pm but we get most of our business on saturday and sunday. but seeing that my dog will be on her own when i am cooking (well, my cousin will be in the front with her) i really can't do that. but hopefully, when i get her, it will all work out for the best!

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Posts: 1591
From:NY, USA
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 12-07-2003 08:52 AM         

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Many of the workers at the feed stores I go to also bring their dogs and cats to work. I think as long as the dog is friendly and well behaved it would be fine to take him/her to work with you.

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Posts: 813
From:Santa Maria, Ca.
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 12-07-2003 11:13 AM         

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Hi, it's a dog store, they are dogs..I don't see a problem with them being there, as long as they don't get hurt, by someone elses dog that comes in. Good for you! and your keen business sence....Jamiya, Go for it!!! if you have the funds to get started, sounds like a great idea...Susan

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Posts: 813
From:Santa Maria, Ca.
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 12-07-2003 11:17 AM         

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Oh on this same topic, I was thinking of learning how to groom pets. They charge a bundle here for grooming. I'ts about three times what they charge where I came from. I think I'll look into it further, you never know! might just hit the mother load...hehehehe...Susan

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Posts: 996
From:sheridan, wy
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 12-07-2003 12:14 PM         

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I think it would be nice to have dogs in a store for dog treats. I like going to pet stores where they have their own animals around. You might want to check with your local health department and make sure it isn't a health code violation since you bake things there.

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Posts: 1387
From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 12-07-2003 12:52 PM         

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I work part time taking care of an 87 year old woman. She is nearly blind, and close to deaf but otherwise gets around fine. She also suffers with an anxiety disorder, I have three dogs and take turns taking them to work with me. Usually Witt, my Catahoula X goes with me, he is only a year old but when he is near her he is very calm, moves slowly and snuggles her. Witt could care less about most other people, he is happy to just be with me, but he seems to like "taking care" of Jackie. Dooley is my Aussie X, and the wiggliest dog ever! I watch him carefully when I take him because I worry he will get excited and knock her off balance, he seems to be her favorite though...Darby is my Poodle, and I really thought she would like him best because he is a snuggle bug and small. She does like him and I really think it does her heart good to recieve his affections, but Dooley is the one she gets a kick out of.
I do take Witt with me everywhere I go, this used to make me somewhat nervous because I was afraid someone would take him, maybe break into my vehicle and dognap him or something, it happens. Now he acts like he would rip your head off for even coming near the truck, so I don't worry as much. I can go into a store and know that he will be fine. In the summer he stays home more because of the heat. I have horses, so feed stores are a place I go alot, most have a resident dog. The shop where I buy my dog food always has a couple dogs there, the owners and her employee both bring their dogs. However both dogs are kept in the grooming area unless accompanied by one of their owners out into the main store. I think this is a good idea because you never know about the other dogs who come in. I think it depends on your job situaution, what you are talking about sounds like the perfect situaution to include your dogs in. I would make some safety rules though, like having a specific area for them to be. This should keep them from escaping out the door as a customer comes in, keep them from being confronted with customer dogs without a proper introduction etc.. This is a good way for you to take advantage of training opportunities too....work on down/stays, manners, socialization skills,tricks all those things in your down time. KUDOS to you and your friend for your creative ventures!

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Posts: 145
From:Toronto, Canada
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 12-07-2003 03:19 PM         

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The pet store I go to always has a cat and a dog or two walking about.

Their cat has been employee of the month for the last year.

No one seems to mind I don't. Once I had my cat with me since we had just been to the vet and they had the tiniest kitten. I let my cat out of her carrier had put her leash on. She instantly started to nuzzle it and lick it, it was adorable.

I see no problem havein pets in a store mean't for pets, as long as there is a safe place to put them if their is a problem.

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Posts: 1387
From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 12-07-2003 05:00 PM         

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Here is a thought that is a little off topic but I wanted to remind everyone. New puppies and kittens should not be taken into pet stores, parks etc. They are vulnerable to all sorts of illnesses and diseases. Parvo being one. You pup should have had all of it's shots and a chance to build up a healthy immune system before it is exposed to public places. It's tempting to take the new pup into PetsMart and show him off, they are so little a cute and we are so smitten and proud. I have broken this rule myself, if you MUST, make sure to keep them in your arms, do not set them down, do not pet other animals, do not let others pet yours, do not let two pets sniff each other or play, wash all items you purchase before giving them to your baby.

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Posts: 260
From:MO, USA
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 12-07-2003 11:31 PM         

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I take my guys into my office every day. I share it with one other pet sitter and 1 groomer though, and everyone brings their dogs.
However we have an area gaited and they each have a dog kennel there if they need alone time.
I see no problem with it. I think it makes the business more personal to me.

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Posts: 944
From:Columbus, Tx ,USA
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 12-08-2003 08:03 AM         

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I think its a great idea. Good job on your so soon success. He could become your little mascot! I like to take my dogs everywhere, if I could I'd take them to work with me as well, but I belive they would be a big hassle in the office.

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Posts: 926
From:
Registered: May 2003

posted 12-08-2003 08:27 AM         

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Daphne, glad to hear to of your great success! I have been in many stores just regular type stores where the owners dog is there. They were very well behaved and loved peoples attention. I think it depends the type of dog you have and how hyper and how well it gets along with other dogs and people.

Honeybear

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Posts: 944
From:Columbus, Tx ,USA
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 12-08-2003 09:57 AM         

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maisey- I agree with you. I take my dogs everywhere as well. Eveyone tells us there could be a million dollars in the back of the truck and no one would ever be able to touch it.

Though when the dogs are out of the truck they love EVRYBODY!!!

Its odd... But thats what you call a COuntry car alarm!!

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Posts: 1387
From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 12-08-2003 11:57 AM         

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LOL Sam @ country alarm. I actually tested my dogs. I am not worried about my truck being stolen, but pets are stolen for quick cash for drugs, for fighting, for research etc. and both Witt and Dooley have coat patterns that are appealing and different looking. People think Witt is a Pit Bull all the time...so it wouldn't be too much of a stretch that somebody would steal him for fighting. Anyhow, I am more worried about my dogs being stolen than anything else, so I asked a man at the grocery store if he would do me a favor...I explained why and then asked him to approach my truck with a hot dog and offer it to the dog while trying to open the door and messing with the lock. He did. Witt could have cared less about the hot dog and almost broke the window trying to get at the man. He made so much noise that any bad guy would have run in an instant. I tried this with Dooley too on other occasions, with Dooley we have discovered that it depends on the person....sometimes he wiggled and was friendly, most times he barked and growled, always barked and joined in when he was left with Witt. So we only leave Dooley in the truck with Witt. Dooley seems to decide who is good and bad all by himself. My aunt had her CH Poodle stolen out of her van which also had two Great Danes in it...so people are not always intimidated by size.
Side note...one of the men that I asked to do this, a complete stranger, showed up at my door after I had called a plumber nearly 5 months later, Dooley definately remembered
and I had to lock him up so the guy could get in the house. I've never seen a plumber work so fast in my life. Moral...make sure you ask someone you will never meet again to do this test with you!
Both of my dogs are "property aggressive" or I actually like to call it "property protective" or "property assertive", any time you use the word aggressive it somehow becomes a negative, I don't consider my dogs gaurding my property a negative, it's their job. They too love people when outside of their property. I guess they think they are off duty.

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Posts: 1179
From:,Calif. U.S.A.
Registered: Dec 2002

posted 12-08-2003 06:29 PM         

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I would be afraid of someone elses dog getting out of hand. Maybe you could have a gated area behind the cashier. I was watching emergencypet vet show and there was a gal on that had her cat shook by a customers dog. Her store was named after her kitty. In which that cat normally got along with dogs. But not that one. Just be careful.

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