• Jaw Fractures – Canine oral problems can sometimes lead to tooth loss, inflamed gums, advanced gum disease and tissue loss. As white blood cells fight bacterial invaders, it erodes the structural supports of the tooth sockets and jaw bones.
• Organ damage – Harmful oral bacteria can travel to other parts of the body, by way of the bloodstream. Kidney and liver infection have been well-documented in dogs with untreated gum disease. 
• Toll on the ticker – Dogs who suffer from chronic inflammation caused by periodontal disease are at increased risk of developing heart conditions, including endocarditis and congestive heart failure. 
• Poor management of chronic conditions – Chronic oral infections can interfere with the ability to sustain healthy blood sugar levels among diabetic dogs. Likewise, diabetic dogs are at increased risk of developing infections not limited to the oral cavity.
• Personality changes – What you may attribute to as changes brought on by aging, such as less energy, appetite, social withdrawal and a crabby attitude, may actually be rooted in the teeth and gums! 

Fortunately, many proud pup parents report that they’re dogs’ behaviors and personality go back to normal once they’ve had a good dental cleaning or pursued other necessary dental procedures. While dental and periodontal conditions are associated with a range of whole-body complications, they can be prevented or halted relatively easily with consistent care and the right products. 

We encourage you to schedule a visit with our partners, Vetted, to address any of these concerns! Vetted is able to see clients throughout the work week at our River North Club. Get your pup smiling again and get him back on the path to PAWS-omely great health!

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Maya has been with PUPS for about a year now and most of that time has been spent in the daycare room or working through the apprenticeship program. When she started as a Daycare Attendant in our Lakeview Club back in January, she found that “dogs bring such joy, life and energy to everything around them” which is why she wanted to center her career around taking care of them. She felt the best way to do this was by helping pet-parents through dog training. 

As an apprentice, Maya spent several hours a week learning the ins and outs of dog training from our Director of Training, Liz. Maya also shadowed the other PUPS trainers on their lessons so that she could “learn by doing” from her peers that have already graduated from the apprenticeship. 

When Maya wasn’t in lectures or lessons, she was working in the PUPS daycare room! Not only was this a great way to bond with the dogs and her fellow PUPS teammates, but it gave her the opportunity to apply her education to real-life experiences. She realized that it takes some dogs a significant amount of time to get used to being in the daycare room. Some dogs also take a few hours, days or even weeks to learn how to politely socialize with other dogs. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing! Maya is willing to do whatever she can to build trust between herself and a nervous dog because she knows that a pup’s overall confidence, demeanor and comfort level will improve through these interactions. 

Maya was fascinated by the fact that two dogs can have “their own unique way of doing things” despite maybe being similar in age, temperament or breed. For example, one of her favorite dogs at PUPS was a Shiba-Inu named Ino because Maya has a Shiba-Inu too! She quickly realized that the two dogs had very different attitudes and personalities. Likewise, she realized that the two dogs thrived in different atmospheres. 

Now that she has graduated, Maya is eager to start leading lessons independently! Although she will mostly obtain clients that are focused on basic obedience, she’s especially interested in helping dogs during “transitional” periods of their life – whether that be moving to a new home, being adopted later in life or getting a dog more comfortable during a complete lifestyle change. She intends to “fully dive in” to her new Experienced Trainer role and take on new clients, primarily in the River North and Gold Coast neighbors. Maya says that she is thrilled to be in a position where she can “be useful to people and their dogs” because it gives her a profound sense of purpose.

Congrats on your graduation, Maya! We can’t wait to cheer you on and see what you do next!

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• Their Name: Saying your dog’s name makes it easier for him to focus on you! Constantly tell your dog his name, especially when you are giving him a treat, giving a bath or while playing with him! 
• Come. Teaching your dog to come when told is essential, especially if they get too far away from you at the dog park or accidentally break off from their leash.
• Leave it. Think of this command as “leave it alone”. If your dog is about to grab something dangerous, like chocolate on the kitchen floor, “leave it” will save you both from going to the vet.
• Drop It. If he has something he’s not supposed to, like a sock or your daughter’s doll,  “drop it” will prevent him from leaving holes in these precious items.
• Stay. “Stay” is important for dogs that are tempted to chase squirrels or other dogs. If your dog knows how to “stay” put, there is a better chance that he will also stay out of trouble.

We tend to call these commands “Accelerated Puppy Basics” at PUPS Pet Club. If you and your dog need help with these commands, or other puppy basics for that matter, call 312-971-7080 to learn about private lessons, group classes or training bootcamps!

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During the apprenticeship, she realized that grooming is a unique and sometimes meticulous process. But she really had an appreciation for the craft! This is exactly why pomeranians are her favorite dogs to groom. They require a lot of strategic scissoring which makes it a challenging but fun experience for Clara. 

As a Groomer and a Pet-Parent herself, Clara recommends that every pet-owner brush their dog 2-3 times a week, especially in the “nooks and crannies” like behind the ears or under their armpits. This will prevent stubborn matting in dogs with thicker fur. 

Clara has spent most of her life in Cicero, Illinois but loves the Chicagoland area all the same. She says there are “endless possibilities” for fun activities in Chicago. Clara is exceptionally creative which means you can find her drawing or baking in her free time. Her family used to own a bakery in Cicero but now Clara enjoys making fruit tarts and bundt cakes for fun. During her downtime, you’ll also find her cuddling her 13-year-old Bichon Frise, Dorothy!

You can book a bath or grooming appointment with Clara at the Lakeview PUPS Pet Club! Schedule an appointment by calling 312-971-7080 ext 1502.

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• Burrito Blanket: Lay a blanket down, scatter yummy treats all over it and roll it up into a burrito! Let your pup sniff the blanket like crazy and unroll it with his nose or paws so that he can get the treats! 
• Three cups: Get 3 plastic cups, place a treat under one of them while your pup is watching and ask him to “find” it! You can make this more challenging by mixing the cups around after you place the treat!
• Treat in a Bottle: Take an empty, plastic water bottle and fill it with delicious treats. Remove the lid and place it on the floor in front of your pup. Watch him move it around in order to release all his favorite treats. 
• Shredded Lettuce: If your dog likes to shred, let him! Buy a head of cabbage or iceberg lettuce, scatter some kibble inside the leaves and let him tear it apart. He will feel so accomplished after “making” you a salad. 
• A SNIFF-ari: Go to your dog’s favorite park, put him on a long lead and let him sniff around freely. If there’s a leaf pile or patch of grass that he really likes, scatter treats across it so he can sniff them out.

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In June 2021, Danya came into PUPS Pet Club in full force! After years of leading brand, marketing and communication teams for several Fortune 500 companies, she was eager to pair her past experiences with her love for dogs as the new Marketing Director for PUPS. 

Like our Founder, Danya also tragically lost her beloved pup Horty in April, 2021. Realizing the only way to fill the enormous gap his loss left was to get another pup, she stumbled upon Starfish Animal Rescue while searching for adoptable dogs on PetFinder. 

She loved that this rescue saves pups from high-kill shelters in rural Kentucky. She quickly fell in love with adoptable, “Sweet Baby B” AKA Baxter, a Schnauzer, Fox Wire-Terrier, Dachshund mix. She adopted him just a couple of weeks prior to joining PUPS. Baxter is a little guy with a huge, spunky personality! Danya and the entire team at PUPS was immediately obsessed with him. But if you know Danya, you know that one dog isn’t quite enough! So just six weeks later, she scrolled the website again and found Lala, another Dachshund-mix with a sweet and sensitive side. Danya, Baxter and our Head of Training, Liz, took a trip out to Aurora and of course, Lala came home that evening and joined the “Proud Pack!” Danya also has a Russian Blue kitty called Ricky Man.

Danya sees her own pets as family and is determined to give them the best life possible. But she wants that for every dog at Starfish Animal Rescue too! That’s why she decided to give back to the shelter in the most selfless way that one can – fostering! With the new year came a bold new resolution for Danya. She vowed to foster one dog a month in 2022. Well, it’s mid-September now and Danya just found a home for her 16th foster pup, LuLu!

Although she has surpassed her fostering goal, she has no plans on slowing down her dog-loving efforts. She is continuing to foster through Starfish and works tirelessly as Head of Marketing (or BARKeting, as she likes to call it) at PUPS Pet Club. She’s also an active pet sitter for the company. 

“Crazy dog moms” get a bad or embarrassing reputation sometimes, but we are immensely grateful to have Danya on our team and are glad that she wears her Crazy Dog Lady crown with pride!

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• Dogs with fleas may have black droppings or “flea dirt” on their coats. Ticks are often seen or felt in areas such as a dog’s neck, ears or skin folds between the legs and trunk. 
• Fleas cause “hot spots” associated with intense itching which can also lead to sores, scabs and even secondary infections. Ticks cause intense skin irritation too. 
• Fleas can consume 15 times their body weight in blood. Severe infestations may result in anemia or low iron levels which also leads to pale gums and lethargy. 
• Ticks are famously associated with Lyme disease which may manifest in pets as fever, a lack of appetite or fatigue. Flea-borne illnesses can sometimes lead to vomiting, swollen lymph nodes, red eyes and joint pain. 
• Flea and tick prevention is a year-round endeavor as ticks can actually be more active during the fall and winter. Likewise, heartworm disease is potentially fatal so year-round prevention is an easy way to ensure your pet’s safety.

Fortunately, these uncomfortable symptoms and serious illnesses can be prevented! Vetted is taking over the WellCare Veterinary Services at PUPS Pet Club in River North! This new-and-improved, tech-forward modern vet experience will offer the same services, but rooted in a deeper focus on preventative pet health. This is a revolutionary new kind of veterinary experience – a proactive vet clinic built with the comfort of the pet and pet parent top of mind as the number one priority. A one-of-a-kind experience when it comes to veterinary care focused on a preventative approach, meaning taking the early steps to avoid future diseases. Our goal is to support you, the pet parent while you’re on a journey to keep your pet living their happiest and healthiest life.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT!

https://www.getvetted.io/wellness-clinic.

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Clearly, she absolutely loves working with dogs, especially little, snuggly ones. Cam particularly loves weiner dogs, chihuahuas and small wire-haired dogs. If she had to pick her favorite daycare dog, it would obviously have to be her own, Glizzy the Dachshund. But she also loves Walter Fox the Dox. While working as a Daycare Attendant, her favorite part of the day was taking the pups on their afternoon walk because it puts a little pep in our pup’s steps.

When she’s not watching dogs in daycare, she’s watching them at home! Camille is one of our regular pet-sitters which means that she lets pups play in daycare all day long and then invites them into her own home. Pet sitting can make dogs feel a little more comfortable while also giving them extra cuddles with Cam and playtime with Glizzy. One of her regular pet-sitting clients is an Australian Shepard named Maisie. Sometimes Maisie and Glizzy get feisty with one another but as of recently, Glizzy has been able to get a “sneaky cuddle” with Maisie. These fur-iendships make Cam so happy.

Cam temporarily worked as the PUPS Pet Club Driver as well! She says that working as a Driver made her feel like she had “200 furry children scattered around Chicago”. She loves that she got to know other pups super well during her time as a Driver.

Her most recent role at PUPS is working as a Grooming Academy at the Lakeview Club. Cam ultimately hopes to make every pup “even prettier” than they already are. At the beginning of her apprenticeship, she was eager to learn from our amazing groomers and progressively build her clientele. She was also especially excited to groom Schnauzers because there’s a meticulous technique used to give them their very specific but adorable appearance. Plus, she grew up with Schnauzers and loves interacting with them. Cam is approaching the end of her apprenticeship which means she will be taking clients independently! We are very proud of the work she has put in and the success she has had as an apprentice. We are confident that she will have an amazing, successful career as a PUPS Groomer!

Camille is a great example of going above and beyond at work. She’s willing to help in the daycare room, at the front desk and even at home. She does all of this so that she can continue to see big smiles and wagging tails on all of our PUPS!

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• Banish Back-to-School Boredom. Back-To-School means your pup will have to get used to being home alone. Soften the transition by playing and bonding with your pet before you leave and once you get home. 
• Fall Decor shouldn’t be a Fall Feast. An assortment of pumpkins, gourds, hay and mums may be a feast for the eyes, but it’s definitely not a feast for your pup! Most fall foliage can be extremely harmful to dogs so keep it out of their reach.
• Avoid Halloween Dress-up Dangers. Select a Halloween costume that doesn’t restrict your pet’s airway or potentially create choking hazards. It’s also important to respect your pet’s preferences and emotions. Pets that are anxious or scared of a costume should not wear one.
• Eliminate Haunted House Hazards. Plastic pumpkins, fake spider webs and paper lanterns may look like fun chew toys to your pup. Toxic glues or paints in decorations can actually cause life-threatening problems. Try to keep them out of your pup’s reach. 
• Prep your pup for Trick or Treating. Leading up to Halloween, create a space for your pup that’s full of his favorite toys, treats and puzzle feeders. Make sure he spends a little bit of time there every day leading up to Halloween. On the actual holiday, you can put him in that space and play classical music to distract them from the doorbell ringing.
• Make Time to Microchip. The holidays are the most common times that animal rescue organizations report missing pets. If your pet is already microchipped, fall is a good time to double-check that your contact information is still correct before the winter holidays.
• Watch the Weather. In general, when it gets colder than 35 degrees, you should start limiting your pup’s time outside as much as possible. If it’s cold enough to start worrying about frostbite, consider booties, jackets or other protective gear for your fur-baby.
• Walk the Walk Safely: With fewer hours of sunlight in the day, there’s a good chance that one of your walks will be in the dark, so choose a walking path that is well-lit. Also keep an eye out for toxic fall flora like apple seeds, acorns and mushrooms.

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Carly started working at the PUPS Pet Club in Lakeview in December of 2021. She was originally hired in a hybrid role as a Daycare Attendant and Member Service Representative. This allowed her the opportunity to learn about the company as well as get to know each pet-parent while also playing with and caring for the dogs within the daycare room. 

She was initially interested in the position because, like most people who pursue employment at PUPS, she “loves dogs very much” so working with them sounded like a great experience. But she was also intrigued by the fact that there was growth potential within the company! Carly was excited to hear that PUPS would be opening new clubs within the Chicagoland area and wanted to be part of that evolution. Plus, she figured this would be a great chance for her to improve her natural leadership skills.

Carly is thrilled to be taking on the General Manager position in River North but there are several things that she’ll miss about the Lakeview Club. First and foremost, she loves that her Lakeview teammates are incredibly encouraging, understanding and supportive of one another. The energy between teammates in Lakeview is “contagious” and she hopes to build that commoroderdy within the River North Club too. However, she is super excited to get to know the River North members and dogs – especially doodles and cavapoos. 

We’d like to congratulate Carly on starting her managerial journey at PUPS! We are confident that she will do an amazing job.

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