Miat Visits PetSmart
by Clifford Vincent Arrow
August 2008
Note: While I meant well, Miat's breeder later admonished me to be careful about exposing Miat to other public dog places (e.g., on the PetSmart floor), especially when he is young and his immunity system is still building, to minimize health risks such as Parvo virus. I think her suggestion is a good idea. She doesn't even recommend letting adult dogs on public places like the PetSmart floor because of health risks like Parvo. Unfortunately, on the day I took him there I didn't think about the health risk. I could have kicked myself afterwards. I didn't think about it. Thankfully, it's been 2 weeks after the trip, and he is in good health. This will be the only time he is on the PetSmart floor! In the future, when he is older, I will only take him in our own basket inside a cart in the store.
Miat Visits PetSmart
I have always admired owners of well-behaved dogs and their dogs. Having just re-read Cesar's Way by Cesar Millan of Dog Whisper, I was anxious to get Miat (my Maltese puppy) introduced to behaving calmly when near other dogs of other breeds. (Of course, Miat had already been exposed for the first 9 weeks of his life with his littermate and other Maltese at the kennel.) I had decided to get puppy housebreaking training pads since the newspapers I had been using for potty training were a bit messy. And so I thought, why not do two things at once: (1) Get Miat introduced to other people and dogs and (2) buy some puppy training pads on the same trip.
Water Break
Miat takes a quick water break before entering store. The day was a typical North Carolinian July summer day, warm enough that I thought it would be prudent to give Miat a chance to drink some water and also to acclimate him to people as they entered and exit PetsSmart
A Calm Miat Outside PetSmart Doggy Daycare
Miat gets an introduction other dog breeds as he sits next to the glass wall looking into the PetSmart doggy daycare.
When I first placed Miat on the floor outside the doggy daycare, the daycare dogs were drawn towards Miat across the glass wall with an occasional bark now and then. Miat was initially uneasy, drawing back. I sat down next to him with my back towards the daycare and just pretended nothing was going on. His reaction to mine was amazing. In less than a minute, Miat mellowed out and also ignored the other dogs in the daycare.
I hope that this experience will be a good typical one where Miat greets other breeds and dogs with calmness.
Good puppy!
Miat Gets a Squeaky Toy from PetSmart
We leave PetSmart. I think the trip is a success. I have puppy training pads, and Miat has a new squeaky toy.