March 31: Sunshine and smiles

Feeling bark-tastic today. The sun is shining, the daycare is busy, dogs are playing and happy, and we have an adorable new puppy here named Bliss who's just as adorable as the name suggests...

Also, one of the doggie meetup guests from Saturday just dropped off a beautiful display of flowers for us to say thank you. So sweet!

Hope your days are going just as great as ours. Woof!

March 30: Four-legged friends unite

Happy Monday, everybody!

We had a fabulous Spring-time doggie mingle on the weekend here at the daycare, with an awesome turnout. We met lots of new dogs and everyone got along great. Thanks to everyone who came down!

Our next doggie mingle will be posted on http://www.meetup.com/ as usual. Here at Small Paws, we host free meetups for small dogs and their owners in a safe, indoor environment. Our group is called the "Small Breed Dog Meetup" so check it out if you'd like to join. We already have more than 100 members and it's free to join.

Our next Paw-ty will likely be held in June and we may enlist professional portrait photographers Voth Photography, who we've worked with in the past, to take doggie portraits on the spot, with proceeds going to the BC SPCA.

And here's a photo of the pups taken today:

March 27: Happy Friday!

Woof! From the crew at Small Paws!

March 26: Dogs (not chimps) are most like humans

I just stumbled upon an interesting study today that says dogs are more like humans than chimpanzees.

It says that while chimps share many of our genes, dogs have lived with us for so long and undergone so much domestication, they are now serving as a model for understanding human social behaviour.

"In my view, pet dogs can be regarded in many respects as 'preverbal infants in canine's clothing,'" lead author Jozsef Topal explained to Discovery News. The report was published in the journal Advances in the Study of Behavior.

In one of their studies, Topal and his colleagues taught both a 16-month-old human child and mature dogs to repeat demonstrated actions on verbal command. The dogs "performed surprisingly well and at a comparable level to the 16-month-old child," Topal said.

To read the entire article, go to http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29895614/

And now for some more photos of our little doggie geniuses:

March 25: Bark-tacular day

The sun is out, lunches are nearly done, and the dogs have been having a blast chasing each other around! Great day for getting outside and walking the dogs.

As you can see, the pups are having fun. Here they are, sitting pretty for the camera!



















Small Paws Doggie Daycare is a daycare in Metro Vancouver exclusively for small dogs. We're located at 491 Sperling Ave in north Burnaby (corner of Hastings), with easy access for people living in Burnaby, Port Moody, Coquitlam, New Westminster and East Vancouver.

We also offer grooming every Wednesday with a professional groomer (this books up fast so make sure you call ahead to make an appointment!)

For more about us, visit http://www.smallpaws.ca/ or phone 778-370-0456.

March 24: Busy day!

Turning out to be a great day! Maybe it's not so nice outside, but we're having a fun time in here.

Lots of dogs to keep us entertained, and a new adorable pup called Bella to make us smile.

Here's a few photos from the morning:

March 23: Happy Birthday Snoopy!

We've been having a lot of first birthdays lately, but this one really takes the cake (literally!)

Snoopy has just turned 16. As his mom says, he's old enough to drive! And you should see him, trucking along with all the young'uns, getting kisses from the young girls (and boys).

We just had the party. Check out the group photo below!

Also, please note Grooming is moving to Wednesdays as of next week! We have a few spaces left for the Spaw on Weds, April 1. Call 778-370-0456 or email info@smallpaws.ca if you'd like to book.

March 20: First day of Spring

Hurray - Spring is here!

We're one step closer to BBQs, swimming in the lake, camping, throwing the ball for the dogs in the parks... If I close my eyes I can almost forget the pounding rain out there.

It's funny how some dogs HATE walking in the wet, and others don't seem to even notice it.

We try to pair them up on their walks (of just 2 dogs at a time) so they're matched by energy level, and today, by ability to withstand the rain.

Here's some photos of the pups keeping warm and dry...

March 19: Get Twitter-ing

Did you all know we're on Twitter? Follow us at http://twitter.com/smallpaws

Twitter's a fun way of keeping in touch with other businesses or people. For example, we're huge fans of Cesar Millan here at Small Paws and we're following his alerts. We also get news alerts from The Vancouver Sun and ones from local pet-related businesses. Anyways, check it out!

So it's raining outside and the dogs didn't like their walks as much as usual (shake, shake), but it's nice and warm inside, and Nigel took an AWESOME group photo today:












Visit the Small Paws website at http://www.smallpaws.ca/

Small Paws Doggie Daycare is a dog daycare exclusively for small dogs at 491 Sperling Ave (corner of Hastings St) in north Burnaby. We have customers travelling from all over Burnaby, New Westminster, Port Moody, Coquitlam and Vancouver, and even West Vancouver and Richmond.

For more info about us, visit our website, email info@smallpaws.ca call 778-370-0456.

March 18: Happy Birthday Scooby!

Scooby celebrated his 1st birthday today with lots of his buddies.

He actually turned one on the weekend but his mom and dad bought him a cake and now he's partying it up with his furry friends!

Looks like he liked it... :-)

Visit the Small Paws website at http://www.smallpaws.ca/

Small Paws Doggie Daycare is a dog daycare exclusively for small dogs at 491 Sperling Ave (corner of Hastings St) in north Burnaby. We have customers travelling from all over Burnaby, New Westminster, Port Moody, Coquitlam and Vancouver, with some even driving from West Vancouver and Richmond.

For more info about us, visit our website or call 778-370-0456.

March 17: Happy St Patrick's Day!

Are you wearing green today? Sipping a pint of green beer, perhaps? Ahhh... that would be the luck 'o the Irish.

The pups are having fun, chasing each other around and running after the ball. The morning walks and lunches are done - no green kibble today, I see!

Please note we walk all the dogs each day using secure harnesses. We would prefer if you supply your own harness for your dog. However, if he/she comes with a collar, we will put one of our harnesses on him/her. Dogs are walked in groups of two to ensure maximum safety.

Small Paws Doggie Daycare is a dog daycare exclusively for small dogs at 491 Sperling Ave (corner of Hastings St) in north Burnaby. We have customers travelling from all over Burnaby, New Westminster, Port Moody, Coquitlam and Vancouver, with some even driving from West Vancouver and Richmond.

For more info about us, visit our website at http://www.smallpaws.ca/ or call 778-370-0456.

March 16: We looooove Mondays

It's Monday, which means Spaw Day!

Please note that as of April 1, the Grooming will be moving to Wednesdays (no longer on Mondays).

Right now, the pups are chasing each other from room to room, and a couple of them are playing tug-of-war with a rope toy. Fun, fun!

March 13: Friday the 13th

Dog pile!!!!

It's Friday the 13th, but the sun is shining and certainly nothing spooky is going on...

Also a reminder that the Dogstars seminar is filling up quickly, so if you're on the list, make sure you get your payment in ASAP. For more info about this one-day course, click on the left-hand link titled: "March 4: Is your dog a star?"

March 12: Action shots

We snapped some fabulous action shots today...

We especially like the one of Pepe breakdancing!

Remember you can click on each image to view them larger.

March 11: Lots of fun photos

Thought we'd do individual photos today, so here are a whole whack of fun ones of the littl'uns playing! Remember, you can click on them to blow them up bigger.

Have a fang-tastic day!

March 10: Sunny day for play, play, play

As of 2 p.m. there are 27 dogs at daycare today! So we've split them into two rooms, by size and energy level.

The little ones are playing in the small room and the bigger small dogs are chasing after the ball and wrestling in the big room.

This group photo has most of the dogs in it (some arrived later, others had already left). Everyone sat really patiently today (including the youngest puppies)... practice makes perfect!

DOG PILE!!!!!

March 9: Happy Birthday Chopper!

Chopper, one of the best-smelling dogs at daycare, is three!

His mom and dad bought him a yummy birthday cake from the dog bakery so he could share with all his friends... yum, yum!

Here's a few photos of the birthday boy and his furry friends...

March 6: Happy Birthday Frankie!

Wow, so many doggie birthdays his time of year! Today Frankie the Boston Terrier-cross turned one, and he's here celebrating with his friends.

Happy Friday everyone!

March 5: Climbing the ramps

What a great day for dog walking! The sun is out, it's warming up, spring is in the air...

The dogs have been having fun on the ramps this morning, running around and climbing and playing hide-and-seek, so we thought it would be fun to do a group shot back there.

Here's a selection of photos from this morning. You can click on them to view a bigger version.

March 4: Is your dog a star?

Does your dog have star quality?

Should he/she be in the movies? Or posing in glamorous magazine photos?

As you know, Vancouver is a filming hub, and we’ve teamed up with a company that supplies dogs to the movie industry right here in Hollywood North!

We’ll be offering a one-day training seminar right here at the daycare on Saturday, April 18 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in partnership with Dogstars pet agency, with the opportunity to sign onto their books.

This is for dogs of all ages.

Your dog will learn some cool new tricks that will prepare him/her to work in the movies, or perhaps just to impress your friends!

Curriculum includes:

1. On your mark
2. Lick
3. Wave
4. Shake a paw
5. Crawl
6. Look / watch me
7. Nudge
8. Roll over
9. Head down and head lift
10. Wipe face

In addition, the trainer will spend some time at the end of the class focusing on problem behaviours, with a question and answer period. It will be a fun day! But we’re taking limited numbers, so act fast if you’d like to book.

The cost for the 2.5–hour workshop is $55. Registration for Dogstars is usually $35 but they’re offering a reduced rate if you take the seminar. If you would like to sign on to their books and opt for the seminar, the total cost will be $75.

Email or call us if you’d like to book.

It's at Small Paws Doggie Daycare, 491 Sperling Ave., Burnaby, B.C.
Tel: 778-370-0456 or info@smallpaws.ca or http://www.smallpaws.ca/

March 3: Max's Birthday Party

The last couple of weeks have been so exciting for us... lots of birthday parties!

Max the little Yorkie celebrated his first birthday today with a doggie birthday cake and a few of his good friends.

Here are a few photos from this morning. And yep, there is a video on YouTube. Check it out at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gymb8KQKk4A

Yappy Birthday Max!

















Small Paws Doggie Daycare is a dog daycare in Metro Vancouver (north Burnaby) exclusively for small dogs. Visit our website at http://www.smallpaws.ca/ or email us at info@smallpaws.ca for more info.

We are located at Hastings & Sperling, with easy access for dog owners living in Port Moody, New Westminster, Coquitlam, Burnaby and Vancouver.

March 2: Mmm... smells good

It's Spaw day! Dog daycares don't usually smell good, admittedly, but we do our best by keeping the place spanking clean and buying all the best, safest disenfectants from the vet.

Today, there are some lovely smells emanating from the Spaw in the back room ... coconut, berries, pineapple. It's like a Balinese fruit platter.

We'd like to say thanks to Buttons and her family for the very cool dog bed they brought us! Photo of a few of the dogs trying it out is attached to the left.

Also, check this out... both Mika and Sasha turned up wearing the same outfit today - a purple sweater. Photo attached below.

I must admit, Nigel's photos aren't very good today... in fact, they're pretty dark and out of focus (we're still trying to work out the new camera).