Page 21 - The Peorian Vol 3 Issue 1 Winter

21
thePeorian.com The Present
Some of the dogs receive
training during their daycare
stay, Gardner said. She has a
behaviorist on staff, Amanda
Ballard from Halo Dog Animal
Behavior Consulting, who has
developed structure training
programs not unlike school levels
children pass through during
their lives. She said a dog can
always be trained, regardless of
age, though some habits may be
difficult to break.
The key, she added, is creating
habits for the dogs and to make
sure they are habits that fit into
the dog owners’ own lifestyle.
Her own dogs, for example, have
been trained to behave a certain
way when they are in the bakery
so she doesn’t have to keep them
on leashes or worry about where
they are within the store or what
they are doing.
Indeed, they don’t bark when
new people come in, even those
with dogs on leashes. They sit
quietly and observe the other
dogs.
They even stay away from
any treats that are in the store,
many of which are made right
there in the store’s kitchen. The
fresh baked treats, which come
in a variety of sizes and flavor,
include Beefy Bones, Chicki-
Fingers, Woofers, PB Barkers,
Pup-izza, Low Fat Hearts, Sweet
Snaps and many others.
Dogs with special diets can
be helped, as well. And special
treats, such as decorated Doggie
Birthday Cakes, can be ordered.
The store also carries
accessories for dogs and cats, as
Gardner said she knows many
dog owners also have cats.
The accessories range from
leashes to sweaters to food dishes
to animal beds and carriers.
Grooming is also available,
by appointment. Services
vary, with prices based on the
services provided. They include
shampoos, medicated baths, face
and foot scrubs, nail grinding,
pedicures and teeth brushing.
“We try to be that one-stop-
shop for all your pets’ needs,”
Gardner said.
The daycare is open from 7
a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 8
a.m. to noon on Saturday. Hours
for the retail store and bakery are
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and
noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
For more information visit
www.mydogsbakeryil.com
The store also sells other items for pets and their owners.
Below are store owner Vicky Gardner, right, and manager Gina Dawson.