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WHICH WAY TO THE PET GALA?

We'll leave the Met Gala to those pesky cats.

 

 CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES 🙌

As May gets underway, WDU has plenty of cause for celebration! We're celebrating our April grads, Dog-Moms everywhere (May 13th), OUR Moms (May 14th) everywhere, happy clients & an alpaca named, "Chet." So, if you're new here, each month we send you tips, tricks, and advice on everything you need to be your very best pet-dog owner. We also share stories from our own experiences as dog trainers, expert articles, and good news from the dog world. So settle in as we jump into another jam-packed WDU newsletter!

SANTA PAWS IS COMING TO TOWN...

For our South Carolina residents this holiday season is going to be an extra special one for one dog-friendly family. The SC Lottery is hosting a Dog Picture contest until May 12th. Enter to win your pup's photo on the holiday edition scratch-offs! We seriously love this idea.

 

GET YOUR PAWS ON THIS

 

WDU DOWNLOADS

Teaching an old dog new tricks

The leader of our pack, C.C. Bourgeois was featured in last month's edition of Lowcountry Dog Magazine. In her latest article, she gets you savvy on how to tell when your dog has moved into their golden years, plus how to keep their noggins sharp for a longer, happier, healthier life together. Let's dig in!

 

CHECK OUT THE FULL ARTICLE HERE.

 

WONDER 101

 

MYTH BUSTERS

Myth: Blue-colored dogs are a result of inbreeding.

FACTS: The short answer: they are not. The shorter answer: they're not. The long (& very technical) answer: The color of a dog’s coat is basically at the mercy of his gene pool.  Genes do two things that determine a dog’s appearance. They control the pigments produced (eumelanin and phaeomelanin) and where these pigments are produced on their body.

MYTH BUSTERS

Myth: Blue-colored dogs are a result of inbreeding.

FACTS: The short answer: they are not. The shorter answer: they're not. The long (& very technical) answer: The color of a dog’s coat is basically at the mercy of his gene pool.  Genes do two things that determine a dog’s appearance. They control the pigments produced (eumelanin and phaeomelanin) and where these pigments are produced on their body.

According to the Veterinary Genetics Lab at UC Davis, "Lighter coat colors are a result of base coat colors being diluted to paler shades. For example, black becomes a gray-blue color (known as blue) and chocolate brown becomes a pale silvery red (in some breeds, this can be called "lilac"; in the French Bulldog, this is typically referred to as "isabella." Despite the huge variety in coat color, there are only two basic pigments that determine the color of canines: eumelanin (black) and phaeomelanin (red). All different variations in color are created by these two pigments, which are both forms of melanin.

 

#DOGLIFE HACKS

Dear Abby,

During the pandemic after the city closed all the dog parks I suddenly found myself doing wind sprints in my neighborhood to tire out my active puppy. Spoiler alert: It only worked on me. My once docile, sweet dog slowly turned into a giant hell-on-paws during walks. He started pulling and barking incessantly, whenever he would spot another dog - even from far away. It started to become embarrassing, I couldn't take him anywhere without fear that he would freak out. I didn't blame him - I knew his behavior change was a result of pandemic lifestyle change. I soon learned about WDU's Reform School and signed up. It ended up being so much more beneficial than I could have imagined. Who knew there is more than one way to walk a dog, and that most people are doing it incorrectly?! I learned basic and advanced training techniques to help my dog when he gets stressed out or overly excited - skills that can be used for a lifetime. -- Hilary, Reform School participant

#DOGLIFE HACKS

Dear Abby,

During the pandemic after the city closed all the dog parks I suddenly found myself doing wind sprints in my neighborhood to tire out my active puppy. Spoiler alert: It only worked on me. My once docile, sweet dog slowly turned into a giant hell-on-paws during walks. He started pulling and barking incessantly, whenever he would spot another dog - even from far away. It started to become embarrassing, I couldn't take him anywhere without fear that he would freak out. I didn't blame him - I knew his behavior change was a result of pandemic lifestyle change. I soon learned about WDU's Reform School and signed up. It ended up being so much more beneficial than I could have imagined. Who knew there is more than one way to walk a dog, and that most people are doing it incorrectly?! I learned basic and advanced training techniques to help my dog when he gets stressed out or overly excited - skills that can be used for a lifetime. -- Hilary, Reform School participant

*WDU's Reform School class is specially designed to train a dog not to bark, growl, lunge or “lose it” on walks. The ultimate class for building impulse control or changing up some bad habits.


📖 LEARN MORE ➞
FAST FACTS

The better to see you with, my dear

Oh say can Blue see...in color? Turns out, dog's don't just see in black and white. Get a peek 👀 at these other interesting dog-vision facts:

 

ETCETERA

 

FILE UNDER: I GOT IT FROM MY MAMA

Wonder Dog Mom O' the Month

AN ALPACA
NAMED, CHET

If that doesn't sound like the title of a Wes Anderson film, how about "A dog named, Bunny?" This isn't the makings of a Hollywood blockbuster. No this alpaca mama, Danelle, is the real deal, and a WDU client. Alongside her dog, Bunny, she raises alpacas - and lots of 'em & she's named them after all your exes: Adam, Chet, Sean &  Benito. 

FILE UNDER: I GOT IT FROM MY MAMA

Wonder Dog Mom O' the Month

AN ALPACA
NAMED, CHET

If that doesn't sound like the title of a Wes Anderson film, how about "A dog named, Bunny?" This isn't the makings of a Hollywood blockbuster. No this alpaca mama, Danelle, is the real deal, and a WDU client. Alongside her dog, Bunny, she raises alpacas - and lots of 'em & she's named them after all your exes: Adam, Chet, Sean &  Benito. 

National Dog-Moms Day is May 13th

Mother's Day is a day dedicated to those selfless humans that brought us into the world &, although we may now require ongoing therapy, we really could not have done it without them. While we love our pet parents, Mother's Day is not for plant moms or Tamagochi moms or even dog moms. The day is for the real MVPs.

GIFT IDEAS FOR DOG MOMS

THOUGHT FOR FOOD
FROM NINA OTTOSSON

Why we ❤️ them:

For the dog mom with an active pup... or any canine. Dogs, like humans, need exercise for their mind as well as their body. Enter Nina Ottosson puzzles and games for those times when you can't get your pup outside because of weather, or you know... life. These enrichment puzzles can help prevent and reduce behavior problems, prevent and reduce weight problems, prevent boredom and increase confidence.

🛍 FIND IT HERE

THOUGHT FOR FOOD
FROM NINA OTTOSSON

Why we ❤️ them:

For the dog mom with an active pup... or any canine. Dogs, like humans, need exercise for their mind as well as their body. Enter Nina Ottosson puzzles and games for those times when you can't get your pup outside because of weather, or you know... life. These enrichment puzzles can help prevent and reduce behavior problems, prevent and reduce weight problems, prevent boredom and increase confidence.

🛍 FIND IT HERE

DOG DECOR
FOR YOUR COFFEE TABLE

Why we ❤️ them:

Everyone loves a coffee table book & if they don't they WILL after receiving this bad boy good boy. A beautiful book will become a great conversation anytime guests are over. The best part is: minimal reading, mostly dog pics!

🛍 FIND IT ON AMAZON

DOG DECOR
FOR YOUR COFFEE TABLE

Why we ❤️ them:

Everyone loves a coffee table book & if they don't they WILL after receiving this bad boy good boy. A beautiful book will become a great conversation anytime guests are over. The best part is: minimal reading, mostly dog pics!

🛍 FIND IT ON AMAZON

PET TECH
FI SMART COLLAR

Why we ❤️ it:

For dog moms of the digital age. This puppy (the collar...not the actually puppy) is bluetooth & wifi enabled, water proof, & chewproof. No need for a WiFi connection, like with a TAG. It can detect when your escape artist of a hound Houdini's his way out of the backyard - yes, it has escape detection 🤯. Complete with Lost Dog Mode, activity & sleep tracker & an LED light to keep Mom safe when she walks at night.

🛍 FIND IT HERE

HER NEW FAVORITE MUG 
PERSONALIZED COFFEE MUG

 Why we ❤️ them:

The best part of waking up... is your dog's name on your cup. Guaranteed to be any sentimental dog-mom's newest favorite mug. You can get this one personalized with a note from her pup right on the mug. We'd be lying if we said we didn't just order one of these for ourselves.

🛍 FIND IT ON ETSY

HER NEW FAVORITE MUG 
PERSONALIZED COFFEE MUG

 Why we ❤️ them:

The best part of waking up... is your dog's name on your cup. Guaranteed to be any sentimental dog-mom's newest favorite mug. You can get this one personalized with a note from her pup right on the mug. We'd be lying if we said we didn't just order one of these for ourselves.

🛍 FIND IT ON ETSY

THE HOLY GRAIL OF GIFTS
GIFT CARDS FROM WONDER DOG UNIVERSITY

Why we ❤️ it:

Real talk: Moms do a lot. Now you want them to train the dog too? They're still working on "getting" YOU...😉 Make it easier on the Lady of School Lunches & let US help. We don't know much about packing school lunches (unless your kiddos eat kibble) but we do know a thing or six about training a new puppy, dealing with a dog suffering from separation anxiety, how to handle a dog that pulls too much on the leash or barks or lunges or jumps or begs or won't listen...you get the picture.

🛍 SHOP WDU GIFT CARDS HERE

 

Shopping for the dog-mom who has everything? Didn't find anything here? Check out our PRO RESOURCES for more training & pet-dog products we swear by.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

 

Upcoming Classes 📚

Group Classes are up & running! Here's what's coming up:

🗓 GROUP CLASS LIST

 

Puppy Classes

 

PUPPY PRESCHOOL: May 13

AGES: 7 to 14 weeks
WHEN: 1 hour/week, 5 weeks
REGISTER: Click your preferred start date above to register
LEARN MORE


PUPPY ELEMENTARY:
June 28

AGES: 6 to 11 months
WHEN: 1 hour/week, 6 weeks
REGISTER: Click your preferred start date above to register
LEARN MORE


PUPPY HIGH SCHOOL:
 
June 14

AGES: 12 to 18 months
WHEN: 1 hour/week, 6 weeks
REGISTER: Click your preferred start date above to register
LEARN MORE

 

*Did you know we offer puppy class packages at a discounted price with guaranteed admission? LEARN MORE ➞

 

Specialty Classes

 

CANINE GOOD CITIZEN
TEST PREP CLASS:
  June 28

AGES: 12 months to Seniors
WHEN: 1 hour/week, 6 weeks
REGISTER: Click your preferred start date above to register
LEARN MORE

 

BEFORE WE GO [GO]

 

Congrats Grads! 🎓

Our latest round of adorable grads (& their pups 😆) is up! Check them out here or tap the image below. Congrats to all these over-achievers, you're the reason we do what we do.

 


📸 SEE THE LATEST PHOTOS HERE ➞

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1941 Savage Road, Suite 100A • Charleston, South Carolina • 29407