With June here and the weather heating up, more and more dog owners will be treating their pups to an afternoon at a neighborhood dog park.   There are more than 600 dog parks across the country, which means spending the day at the dog park is becoming increasingly more common.  As the founder of Dogtopia, a national chain of upscale dog daycare and spas, I see dogs interacting with each other quite regularly during our daily play groups and at the “indoor” dog park days we host at our facilities during the winter. While the trips to the dog park can be a great way to help with your pooches socialization skills, it can also turn out to be a disaster if you are not prepared for the trip. When it comes to spending time at the dog park, there are plenty of “do’s and don’ts.”

With that in mind, here are a few key tips dog owners should remember before rushing out to the local dog park:

• Make sure your dog is up-to-date on his/her vaccinations before heading out.
• If you’ve never been to the park before, find out if there is a water source. If there isn’t, remember to bring water with you.
• Always clean up after your dog. The dog park’s for everyone.
• Always pay attention while your dog plays and interrupt any rough play.
• It may be a good idea to leave toys and treats of your own at home to avoid any competition for them between the dogs. Besides, the dogs are more than capable of occupying themselves.
• Don’t worry if your dog doesn’t immediately begin to play.  Every dog has to reach their own comfort level.
• If your dog makes a new friend, chat with the owner and learn when they normally come to play. You can arrange play dates!

Following these tips will help make everyone’s experience at the dog park an enjoyable one.  For more information on Dogtopia and a listing of locations nationwide, as well as how to get your dog involved with one of our numerous play groups, visit www.dogdaycare.com.

SmallBizResource Blog — SmallBizResource

Q&A With Franchise King Joel Libava

Posted by Gayle Kesten Tuesday, Apr 7, 2009, 09:00 AM ET

You know the saying, “If the shoe fits, wear it”? Well, make it a crown, and Joel Libava wears it well.

Libava, president of Cleveland-based franchise consulting firm Franchise Selection Specialists, says he didn’t aspire to be his own boss, but at a certain point during his career, he knew what he didn’t want: to work for other people. In 2001, when Libava was canned (his words) from a management position at an automobile franchise, his father, Jerry, encouraged him to join (and eventually take over) the franchise consultancy, which he had founded in the late ’80s to help match franchisors with franchisees. Libava has been there ever since. “Even though business is tough, and there’s a lot of nervousness and caution out there, I love what I do,” he says.

About the nickname: Libava was appointed the Franchise King title at a chamber of commerce event about six years ago. “The director, who knew me, looked across the room and said, ‘Hey, it’s the Franchise King!’ It just kind of stuck,” he told me. “It’s not an ego thing — it’s more of a branding thing to separate myself from others.”

Libava, whose blog is the only one tax expert Barbara Weltman regularly follows, has one of those (Internet) radio-type voices that commands attention, too. In addition, last year he wrote an e-book, “The Essential Steps To Researching A Franchise Opportunity,” plus he’s a featured blogger on American Express’ OPEN Forum and Anita’s Campbell’s Small Business Trends Website.

Libava and I had what you’d call a Franchising 101 conversation, during which he shed light on what it costs to buy into a franchise, where people go wrong in choosing one, and why it’s an excellent opportunity for someone who doesn’t want to reinvent the business wheel.

Read her Q & A Session with Joel.

It is taking the country by storm - Mutt Madness at Dogtopia!

Dogtopia of Raleigh has their brackets all set and are ready for voting!

Dogtopia of Cary is down to the Terrific Ten!

Dogtopia of Tysons’ owner, Amy Nichols, had a chance to head down to News Channel 8 and discuss the Obama’s selection of a Portuguese Water Dog as the new member of their family. Why Portie’s make such great family pets, the “challenges” their energetic nature can bring and also where the Obamas may find their new dog.

Wolfie, a 4 1/2 year old Portuguese Water Dog who’s a longtime Dogtopia player, accompanied her and they both did a fantastic job on Let’s Talk Live - check out the video here! 

This posting is from DIane Wheeler, the owner of Dogtopia of San Marcos, CA.  If you know anyone in Southern California who are looking for a new family member, please send them to diane@dogdaycare.com

February 25th, 2009 by Diane

Stella

Connor, one of our caregivers at Dogtopia of San Marcos, found a little lab puppy near Cal State San Marcos.  The best guess is that Stella, as the employees have named her, is 10-12 weeks old.  They have used their tip money to get her shots and dewormed, and are taking turns caring for her in their homes.  She is still too young to mix with our dogs at Dogtopia.

We placed an ad on Craig’s List, hoping to find Stella’s owners.  However, one of our customers forwarded an email showing a full litter of 6 lab puppies that were found on the same day near the same location.  So it appears that Stella and her litter mates were dumped!  Can you believe this?

Connor, Chelsea and Courtney have been taking turns keeping Stella and have generously purchased toys for her.  Although they all would love to keep her, none of them are currently in the position to take on another dog.

I don’t understand how someone can dump a full litter of dogs. But thank heaven for people like my employees that are still caring for Stella, and using their own tip money for her care.  We need more people like them, and I feel very lucky to have them as employees!

We held our very first Breed Day at Dogtopia of White Flint today and it was a blast! We had lots of chocolate (and maybe some lighter brown) pups come to play. Each participated in a special naptime play session and went home with a Valentine’s bandana.

Special thanks to Enzo’s (the very handsome Rhodesian Ridgeback) mom who even brought us some delicious cookie/brownie snacks!!

Each dog also took home a photo collage of their fun… next month’s breed day might just salute dogs from the Emerald Isle in honor of Saint Patrick’s Day!

Who needs a box of chocolates for Valentine’s Day when we’ve got these adorable Chocolate (and maybe light brown) dogs to keep us company?

Thanks to everyone who let their dog join us at Dogtopia of Tysons Corner, VA for Chocolate Day today!