Q. What are your teaching credentials?
A. We are certified dog trainers and Dog behaviorists/ psychologists. We have been trained under renowned trainers and psychologists like Shirin Merchant, Canines Can Care, Mumbai and John Rogerson, Northern Centre for Canine Training Behavior, UK, respectively.

Q. What training equipment do you recommend?
A. There is no specific equipment as such that we require. We evaluate according to every dog’s need. We generally require a regular leash and collar, toys and treats. We do not need any kind of choke or prong collars, sticks or whips.

Q. Will you be taking my dog out of my sight to train?
A. No, we train right in front of you and in fact encourage the entire family to be present during training. Even outdoor sessions involve you. We want your dog to listen to you, so we train you to train your dog. Our sessions are very interactive and fun, even children enjoy the sessions.

Q. I have just got home a Rottweiler, everyone says they are hard to train and become very aggressive, I am very worried!
A. Rottweilers can be hard to train because they are independent thinkers and have been bred for generations to be guard dogs but if you are consistent and persistent in your training and understand your dog's character, you can be very successful. They can be extremely loyal companions once you understand them and they understand you.

Q. How do you normally teach the dog to perform certain commands?
A. We use guided learning to teach dogs actions. A dog is never forcefully put into a certain position. Instead he is patiently guided into a certain position repetitively, and made to associate a particular word with that position. Obviously success is met with great enthusiasm and praise, therefore the dog looks forward to the command.

Q. My friend had her dog trained but he only listens to the trainer and not her! Will my dog listen to me?
A. As mentioned above, we train in front of you and involve you in the training. We are simply there to show you how to train, in your dog’s eyes you are the one training it finally. Also we ensure that training becomes a part of your lifestyle and is not only followed during specific sessions. So the dog realizes that there is no specific association of time, place or person for when he has to listen.

Q. How long is the entire training going to last?
A. Training is completed in ten sessions, which are spread over five weeks. We visit you twice a week for an hourly session each. The break in between sessions is for your homework and practice. At the end of all the sessions you will have a fully trained dog for life!

Q. What are the advantages and disadvantages of commercial packaged (dry kibble) dog food?
A. Advantages:

• Ready to eat and serve and carry anytime and anywhere
• Balanced Diet

• Good brands are expensive
• Cheap brands are generally unbalanced diets or have raw ingredients that are nutritionally unsound
• Boredom - Imagine eating packaged food every single day of your life? A lot of dogs get bored of commercially packaged food
• Contain a substantial amount of synthetic food preservatives
• Barring some imported companies, most general diets do not take into account the gender-related weight differences, coat condition, and specific breed disorders.

Q. What are the advantages and disadvantages of home made food?
A. Advantages:

• Fresh ingredients
• No boredom
• Less expensive in comparison to commercial packaged (dry kibble) dog food

• 99% times home made foods turn out to be unbalanced diets lacking in adequate amounts of vitamins, minerals, oils and have incorrect ratios of carbohydrate: protein: fats
• An unbalanced diet can compromise your pet's health with respect to ideal growth in puppy hood, decreased immunity and digestion for life.

Q. Why should my dog get Doggie Diners Meals?
A.

• All Natural and Fresh Ingredients!
• Complete Balanced Diet
• Meal is prepared according to YOUR pet's requirements (Age, Breed, Sex, Activity Level, Temperament, Coat Condition, Neuter/Uneutered, Medical Conditions if any)
• We change the smell of the diet every now and then so that the new smells constantly excite your pet at meal time!
• Home delivered to your door-step.
• Can be stored in your regular freezer (to be only heated before serving)
• Cost-effective

Q. How much does Doggie Diners food cost per month?
A. Since the meal amounts depend on your dogs age, sex and breed - the cost may vary per month. Our diets cost anywhere between Rs. 1100 (Adult Small Breed e.g. Pug) to Rs. 5500 per month (Adult Giant Breed e.g Great Dane).

Q. We are pure vegetarians at home; can my dog remain vegetarian too?
A. Yes, your dog can be a vegetarian. However, please contact our Nutritionist to develop a balanced diet for your pet. In some cases, particular dogs may not reach breed specified weights and heights, but a ‘balanced’ vegetarian diet will at least not compromise their immunity or cause bone deformities.

Q: How will I be ensured that my dog will be healthy and free of parasites (ticks & fleas)?
A: At the Pawsh we take utmost care to maintain the health of your pets. All pets undergo a thorough health check up during check-in. We insist that all pets have undergone an anti-tick and flea treatment with their Veterinarian. We also insist on copies of all vaccination and de-worming records from the Veterinary Doctor. If we find that upon arrival the pet does not fulfill the above criteria they may be sent back. Hygiene is of utmost importance to us and kennels and the outdoor area is cleaned and disinfected regularly through the day. Besides this, the property regularly undergoes pest control.

Q: What happens if my dog falls ill while being boarded with you'll?
A: Our extensive check in form gives us all details regarding your pet’s health history. It also provides us information about your Veterinary Doctor. If for any reason your pet falls ill during his stay with us, we will immediately contact your Veterinarian and ensure that your pet is attended to through his illness. (Medical expenses will have to be borne by you upon your return.) You may also choose to avail the facility of our in-house Veterinary Doctor in case of an emergency. In case your Veterinarian is unavailable for any reason, we will ensure that our in-house Veterinary Doctors attends to your pet at the earliest.

Q: What happens if my dog does not get along with another dog?
A: The check-in form that you fill gives us a good idea of your dog’s personality. We are very careful when we socialise a new dog with the other residents. If at any point of time we feel that the personalities of two dogs may clash we make sure they are in separate play groups and are not exposed to each other. At the Pawsh, you have certified Behaviorist to help out with such problems, and they ensure that no ugly incidents occur while dogs are being socialized with each other. Unsocial dogs are given their own play time and not allowed to mingle with other dogs.

Q: My dog is quite high strung, I am worried that he might fret, how do you de-stress dogs?
A: First of all before you decide to board your dog, we encourage owners with distressed dogs to visit our facility as often as possible so that your pet is familiar with the place. Our Behaviorist will also help you with pointers that will help to make the entire experience less stressful for your dog. On site, our dedicated team will make sure your pet gets the required love, care and exercise to see him through these days without you. Our home room, fitted with DAPs (Dog appeasing pheromones) helps to calm dogs that are nervous and get them to relax. Other stress busters also include swim time, if your dog enjoys the water and car journeys, if he likes drives!

Q: My dog is on fixed routine, will you be feeding him according to his schedule at home? And what about his specific dietary needs?
A: We understand the importance of a routine and follow your pet’s timings so that he is not unsettled at the Pawsh. With so many things new around him it is important to stick to at least a familiar routine. While with us your pet has the option of dining on our special in house diet from Doggie Diners. But if your pet has any special dietary needs or is on any other dog food we would be happy to ensure that the same continues while he is with us. (Any food besides our in house diet will have to be provided by the owner.) Besides the food, if your pet is on any supplements, do not forget to pack this with his bag, our team will make sure he gets his daily dose.

Q: Do you tie the dogs at any time?
A: NO, we never tie the dogs. Dogs are separated into play groups depending on their personalities. They are allowed a free run of the place as per the schedule of the day. If any particular dog is unfriendly or hostile towards other dogs, he gets his own playtime. Some dogs enjoy being walked on the leash and these will get their daily walk time as they do at home. Even indoors in their room, they are free and never tied.

Q: Will my dog be occupied through the day?
A: Every dog at the Pawsh has his own schedule packed with fun, exercise and lots and lots of love. There is never a dull moment while they vacation with us. Their schedules are packed with play groups, swims, and one-on-one time in the home room, agility, afternoon siesta and games in the evening. Besides all the activities our young and dynamic team makes sure each pet gets their daily fill of tender loving care! :)

Q: My dog is aggressive with other dogs; would he still be welcome at the Pawsh?
A: Yes, he is as long as passes the trial with us. Sadly we will not be able to let him mingle with other dogs for obvious reasons. We will follow his walk timings as per his schedule and make sure he gets his exercise and fun time when other dogs are in their rooms.

Q: What is a trial? Is it necessary?
A: We have a compulsory trial at the Pawsh before you board your pet with us. The trial is to make sure that your pet is comfortable with us. It also gives us a glimpse into his personality so we know what to expect when he is boarded with us. Besides that the most important feature of a trial is that because it is of a short duration of two hours, the pet is assured that he is not being abandoned. It is very important for your pet to feel secure. So that when you board him with us he has no fear of being left behind. Therefore it is extremely necessary.

Q: I have a long coated breed, anything at the Pawsh that can help him battle the summer?
A: The Pawsh now has the facility of an air-cooler in the kennels, and owners can opt for a kennel with an air-cooler at an extra cost.