Keeping Your Dog Safe and Happy at Halloween

Halloween is a fun and festive time of year, but it can also be a stressful one for pets. With all the excitement, decorations, and treats, it's important to take precautions to ensure your dog stays safe and happy.

Fun Halloween Ideas for Dogs

• Dog-friendly costumes: Dress up your dog in a cute and comfortable costume. There are plenty of options available, from superheroes to animals to funny characters.
• Halloween-themed treats: Make or buy dog-friendly Halloween treats, such as pumpkin-flavored biscuits or apple cider-flavored chews.
• Halloween-themed toys: Get your dog a Halloween-themed toy, such as a spooky stuffed animal or a pumpkin-shaped puzzle toy.
• Halloween-themed photos: Take some fun photos of your dog in their costume or with Halloween decorations.
• Halloween-themed parties: Attend a dog-friendly Halloween party or host one yourself.

Tips for Keeping Your Dog Safe at Halloween

• Avoid giving your dog human treats: Many Halloween candies and treats are toxic to dogs. Stick to dog-friendly treats only.
• Be careful of decorations: Keep decorations, such as lights, candles, and fake spiders, out of your dog's reach.
• Watch out for toxic plants: Some Halloween plants, such as chrysanthemums and lilies, can be poisonous to dogs.
• Don't let your dog eat candy wrappers: Candy wrappers can be a choking hazard for dogs.
• Be aware of fireworks: If fireworks are being set off in your neighborhood, keep your dog indoors to avoid stress and anxiety.
• Supervise your dog during trick-or-treating: Don't let your dog greet strangers at the door, as they may be excited or anxious.

By following these tips, you can help ensure that your dog has a safe and enjoyable Halloween.

Keep Your Pup Pampered & Save!

Treat your furry friend to the VIP treatment they deserve with Rover Come Over's grooming services and reap the rewards while you're at it! Here's how:

• Regular Rover Come Over Pampering: Schedule your pup for a groom every 6 weeks (or less) and enjoy a 10% discount on each service. Consistency is key to a healthy, happy coat, and your wallet will thank you too!

• Spread the Rover Come Over Love: For each new groom customer you refer, you'll receive $20 off your next groom. It's a win-win! You get to help your friends' furry friends look and feel their best, and you get rewarded for doing so.

Earn FREE Daycare Credits!

• Spread the word: If you refer a new customer to Rover Come Over Daycare and that customer completes five days of daycare within a 60-day period, you'll earn five FREE days of daycare for your own furry friend! Be sure to have your friend mention your name during their initial visit to receive your credit.

Halloween is right around the corner and your while your little goblins consider all that chocolate a treat, it’s important to keep chocolate away from your pups.

Information regarding chocolate toxicity and dogs is plentiful and readily available on the internet. We like this straightforward piece from Whole Dog Journal: What To Do If Your Dog Eats Chocolate

Symptoms of chocolate poisoning in dogs

Dog parents need to be aware of the symptoms of chocolate poisoning. In her article linked above, Dr. Kathryn Allan lists the following:

The most common signs of toxicity from theobromine are vomiting, diarrhea, increased thirst, panting or restlessness, excessive urination, and racing heart rate. In severe cases, symptoms can include muscle tremors, seizures, and heart failure.

Again, we urge you to take the time to learn about the danger chocolate consumptions can pose to dogs. If you suspect your dog may have ingested chocolate please contact your vet immediately.

Rover hopes all of our two and four-legged friends have a SAFE and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Ten Tips for providing a safe July 4th for your Canine Household:

1. Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise earlier in the day.

2. Keep your dogs inside during fireworks, preferably with human companionship. If it’s hot, air conditioning will help.

3. Provide a safe place inside for your dogs to retreat. When scared of sounds they can’t orient, dogs often prefer small enclosed areas.

4. If possible, keep the windows and curtains closed.

5. Make sure all your dogs are wearing ID tags with a properly fitting collar. (Dogs have been known to become Houdini around the 4th of July.)

6. Leave your dog something fun to do – like a frozen Kong filled with his favorite treats.

7. Encourage your dog to play, and play with him/her, but don’t allow them to collapse into your arms at the first bang or whistle.  In point of fact, however, many dogs want to do just that, as their fear overcomes their play drive.

8. Sound Therapy: Play mellow music to calm your canine companion. It is most effective when you first play the music well before the fireworks start, at a time the dog is already peaceful and relaxed. He will begin to associate the music with being calm and content. Then play the music a couple of hours before the fireworks start and continue to play through bedtime. The music doesn’t need to be loud to be effective as it has been clinically demonstrated to calm the canine nervous system.

9. If you have dogs that are not exhibiting fear, play with them.  This will often distract the fearful dog as he/she is always vying for your attention.

10.  Get away from the fireworks.  Take your dog to a quiet place, perhaps in the country, and stay with a sympathetic friend or family member.

Rover is pleased to welcome our customers back into the lobby! We’ll continue to follow health guidelines and ask that masks be worn, and social distancing be maintained. Space limitations allow for three customers at any give time so please be aware you may need to remain on the front porch a few minutes if necessary. Thanks for your understanding and cooperation!

While we’ll continue to pick-up/drop-off services in the parking lot, we’d remind everyone that all dogs need to remain on-leash (6-foot or under) within the parking lot or building. Please maintain control of your dog as you wait for staff members to arrive.  

Rover Come Over is pleased to join with our friends at Window Genie to offer this specieal. Call Window Genie at 567-970-3700 to book your appointment.

Due to extreme weather conditions and safety concerns

ROVER COME OVER WILL BE CLOSED TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2021

During extreme weather, we consider multiple variables before closing the daycare (temperature, road conditions, wind chill factors, etc.). When temperatures reach the single digits or during heavy snow/ice periods, it's best to check (see below) before bringing your dog to Rover.

Given the predictions of snow and extreme cold weather in the upcoming days, we are providing information regarding Rover Come Over practices during inclement winter weather.

• Rover Come Over will remain open and ready to care for your dogs during most snow emergency days.

• While it is our goal to remain open on all days, Level III Snow Emergencies issued by Lucas County authorities dictate that "no person except operators of public safety vehicles on duty or otherwise responding to an emergency; and essential news media personnel, including reporters, support, and production employees; health care and other emergency personnel; and essential employees of critical infrastructure facilities, may drive on roads and streets in Lucas County. All others traveling on the roadways might be subject to arrest."

• If Rover Come Over closes, we will notify our customers via text alerts, email, Facebook and on the Rover Come Over Blog.

• If you are unable to pick up your dog on the days we are open, please give us a call (419-861-9100) before 6:30 pm to arrange for an overnight stay. (Overnight charges apply.)

• Most of our dogs love the winter weather and we encourage outdoor play as the weather allows. The extreme low temperatures and bad weather days are few, but be assured during extreme cold weather, outdoor time will be adjusted as conditions warrant.

Despite recent temperatures, we know that winter is coming, and we’ve implemented COVID19-compliant health and safety measures allowing lobby access to customers who need to make payments. This access will be limited to two (2) customers at a time and social distancing, along with wearing of masks, will be enforced. We will continue with dog pick-up and drop-off restricted to the parking lot.

As always, if you prefer contactless transactions, you can make payments through Gingr or over the phone.

Thanks for your cooperation and support as we implement these adaptations.

Ten Tips for providing a safe July 4th for your Canine Household:

1. Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise earlier in the day.
2. Keep your dogs inside during fireworks, preferably with human companionship. If it’s hot, air conditioning will help.
3. Provide a safe place inside for your dogs to retreat. When scared of sounds they can’t orient, dogs often prefer small enclosed areas. (I once had a dog who climbed in the bathtub during windstorms.)
4. If possible, keep the windows and curtains closed.
5. Make sure all your dogs are wearing ID tags with a properly fitting collar. (Dogs have been known to become Houdini around the 4th of July.)
6. Leave your dog something fun to do – like a frozen Kong filled with his favorite treats.
7. Encourage your dog to play, and play with him/her, but don’t allow them to collapse into your arms at the first bang or whistle.  In point of fact, however, many dogs want to do just that, as their fear overcomes their play drive.
8. Sound Therapy: Play mellow music to calm your canine companion. It is most effective when you first play the music well before the fireworks start, at a time the dog is already peaceful and relaxed. He will begin to associate the music with being calm and content. Then play the music a couple of hours before the fireworks start and continue to play through bedtime. The music doesn’t need to be loud to be effective as it has been clinically demonstrated to calm the canine nervous system.
9. If you have dogs that are not exhibiting fear, play with them.  This will often distract the fearful dog as he/she is always vying for your attention.
10. Get away from the fireworks.  Take your dog to a quiet place, perhaps in the country, and stay with a sympathetic friend or family member.

Additional Links and Downloads

Help your dog cope with fireworks; Fireworks from your dog's point of view Informative PDF from Clinical Animal Behaviourist Karen Wild

How to Keep Your Dog Calm During Fourth of July Fireworks from the American Kennel Club

Fireworks and Your Pet: Tips for Staying Safe from ASPCA

Rover Come Over Holiday Hours
Friday, July 3       6:30-6:30
Saturday, July 4   CLOSED
Sunday, July 5      Daycare Closed (Overnight pick-up/drop-off available)

Recent stay-at-home orders lead to many changes and adaptions for both our two-legged and our four-legged family members. After weeks of close contact, you may find changes in your dog's behavioral patterns. Whether your dogs’ experience confusion about a change in routine or genuine separation anxiety, attending dog daycare may relieve stress for both you and your pup.

• Like humans, dogs are creatures of habit. Your dogs will quickly learn that even though you're preparing to leave the house, they, too will be joining their friends.
• As pack animals, dogs are instinctively social creatures. Dog daycare provides regular contact with other dogs in a non-restrained, off-leash environment.
• Keeping your dog active and well-exercised can be difficult for many of us. Walks and at-home play are great, but other family and work demands don't usually provide the optimum amount of activity.
• Lastly, you have the peace of mind that comes with knowing your fur-babies have had a fun-filled active day and, odds are, you will all enjoy a calmer, more restful evening.

Give us a call today (419-861-9100) to schedule an “interview” for your dog. He/she will enjoy a free half-day of daycare and you’ll learn how she/he can become a bone-ified  member of the Rover Come Over pack.

Further reading: The Truth About Dog Daycare, written by a dog trainer

“In my opinion, dog daycare is the best invention for dogs since freeze dried liver.”

First of all…

THANK YOU, ROVER PUPS AND PEOPLE FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND SUPPORT THROUGHOUT THE COVID19 STAY-AT-HOME PERIOD.

As Rover Come Over resumes daycare and grooming services, we will act in accordance with Responsible RestartOhio guidelines and protocols.

• Operating hours will remain the same:
  •  Monday -Friday 6:30 am – 6:30 pm
  • Saturdays 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

These are the changes you can expect in order to ensure the health and well-being of our pups, our customers and our employees are in compliance with best practices relating to COVID19.

• A Rover team member will pick-up and deliver your dog to you on our front porch. Please remain in your car or maintain the recommended 6-foot social distance if there are customers ahead of you.
• All employees will be wearing face coverings/masks and we ask that all customers please wear their face coverings/masks.
• We strongly encourage you to pay for services online via our Gingr app but if you cannot, we will make all in-person financial transactions through the front window.
• Though we greatly enjoy the meals and snacks our customers routinely provide, under responsible protocols, we are currently unable to accept these human treats.

The resumption of Rover Come Over services will be a learning experience and work-in-progress for all of us, and we ask for your continued patience and support as we navigate the path ahead. Please call us a 419-861-9100 if you have any questions.

WE ARE SO EXCITED TO GET THE ROVER PACK BACK TOGETHER

AND SEE YOU ALL AGAIN!

Beginning this week and due to COVID19 limitations on operations, we will no longer be open for daycare on Saturdays. (Including this Saturday, April 11.) Our Monday through Friday operating hours (6:30 am – 6:30 pm) will remain the same. This does not affect our overnight dogs so if your dog is scheduled for weekend overnights, please contact us with any questions.

As always, we’re working hard to provide you and your pups the best service possible during this challenging period. Refer to the post below for more information.

Please stay safe, stay healthy and know we look forward to resuming normal services and operations as soon as possible.

Thank you,

Your Rover Come Over Family

After much consideration, Rover Come Over has determined it will remain open to care for your dogs. Many of our customers fall into essential service categories and we want to do all we can to support them during this period. 

As you might expect, we’ve had to adapt our operations and policies to provide the safest possible environment for our customers and our staff. The measures below will be in effect as of Tuesday, March 24:

• Grooming and bathing services are suspended until further notice.
• All drop-off/delivery of dogs will take place outside of the building.  Please honk your horn once and we’ll pick-up/deliver your dog. We're happy to get your dogs out of the car but if you're handing them off, be sure to use a leash for the exchange. 
• Operating hours will remain the same.
• We urge customers to make payment on-line through Gingr, if at all possible.
• Our staff will practice social distancing to the fullest extent possible.

We appreciate your patience and understanding during this challenging and constantly-changing period and we wish you and your family good health.

Thank you,

Your Rover Come Over Family

BATHING YOUR DOG AT HOME

Though Rover Come Over has remained open for daycare and boarding, we’ve had to temporarily suspend our grooming and bathing services due to COVID19 restrictions. While most dogs don’t require frequent bathing, we know some of our pups might need a little freshening up.

For those brave enough to bath their dogs at home, check out Dogs 101: Everything You Should Know About Bathing Your Dog at dogtime.com.

If you and your canine need some comic relief while self-isolating, click on one of these videos that always make us smile.

Funny Dogs Who Love And Enjoy Bath!

Cute Dogs vs Bath Time Videos

Dogs Just Don't Want to Bath Compilation

Lastly, be assured we’ll let you know as soon as we resume regular grooming and bathing services.

Rover Come Over Remains Open

Dear Parents,

At this time, Rover is open and serving your dog daycare, grooming and overnight needs. It is our intention to remain open and will do so provided we are in compliance with state and local policy during the COVID19 outbreak.

Be assured we have always maintained stringent sanitation practices and have added additional measures as we join the massive effort to keep everyone safe.

We’ll do our best to keep you updated should any of the above information change. Lastly, if you are a first responder or essential employee within the health care system, please let us know if we can be of assistance in caring for your four-legged family members.

Stay safe and healthy, you and your pups mean the world to us.

Your Rover Come Over Family

If you visited Rover or if you've looked over our site, you'll note that we pride ourselves on ensuring your dog is safe and happy at daycare. We recently ran across an excellent article on preventivevet.com that offers some considerations in determining whether your dog would be a good fit for daycare in an off-leash environment. Author Cathy Madson discusses dog sociability, personality, disposition and drives. She does a great job of explaining what factors daycare providers consider during the acceptance process and how sometimes even long-term daycare dogs might change in their suitability for daycare. As conscientious daycare providers we work hard to find the right play group for your dog and if you're interested in learning more about what's involved in the process, Will Your Dog Enjoy And Do Well In Daycare? is worth a read.

You might be aware that today is officially National Love Your Pet Day but did you know there are numerous pet holidays throughout the year? At Rover we love our pups 365 days a year and each of our dogs is worth celebrating but here's a few more upcoming notable (and sometimes curious) pet days. For a complete list of pet holidays check out Petful's A Full List of Pet Holidays Throughout the Year.

• March 1: National Pig Day
• March 3: If Pets Had Thumbs Day
• April 1–7: International Pooper Scooper Week
• April 28: National Pet Parents Day
• May 3: Mayday for Mutts
• May 14: International Chihuahua Appreciation Day
• June 1–7: Pet Appreciation Week
• June 26: Take Your Dog to Work Day

*Image by thenevarmoore from Pixabay 

Rover is excited for both the Super Bowl LIV and Puppy Bowl XVI this year! Be sure to fill out a square in Rover Come Over's Super Bowl LIV grid when you pick up your pup. Your entry is free and makes you eligiable to win a free day of daycare. 

Animal Planet will air it's 16th annual Puppy Bowl at 3 pm on Sunday, February 2. Click below for more information on Puppy Bowl XVI and how to watch.

Animal Planet Puppy Bowl XVI

As we begin a new year and in fact, a new decade, some of us have made our resolutions to shape up and maybe even lose a few of those extra pounds. If you’re a pet parent, you probably know that it’s also important for your pup to maintain a healthy weight. While we know we need to sometimes resist those adorable eyes and withhold the table scraps or extra treats, there are other steps to helping your dog stay fit and trim. Check out the links below for informative and helpful information regarding canine weight management and be sure to talk to your veterinarian about your special friends’ weight and health.

If you’ve decided to implement a weight plan for your dog, be sure to let the Rover team know so we can help you meet your goals. Of course, we think bringing your dogs to Rover Come Over to burn some calories with their buddies is one great way to keep them happy and healthy! 

Fetch by WebMD: Why Is My Dog Gaining Weight?

Great starting point for evaluating if your dog is at a healthy weight. Covers causes and treatments, how to weigh your dog and when it’s time to consult with your vet.

Whole Dog Journal: 10 Weight Loss Tips for Senior Dogs

Beyond limiting carbs and calories, read about involving the entire family and reconsidering the type of  treats you offer (your dog probably values quantity over size).

Pet Health Network: 7 Surprising Ways To Help Your Pet Lose Weight (And Why It's Important)

Noting that veterinary survey estimate more than 50% of our nation’s pets are overweight, Dr. Ernie Ward, DVM identifies specific ways to reduce your pet’s weight.

topdogtips.com: How to Slim Down an Overweight Dog (30-Day Diet Plan)

Ready to lose? Need a plan of attack? Scroll down the page for a day-by-day, week-by-week plan for “30 Days to a Slimmer Dog.”

*Photo credit: ID 80048002 © Damedeeso | Dreamstime.com

Though our winter has been relatively mild thus far, we all know living in Northwest Ohio means dealing with winter storms. Be assured Rover Come Over will remain open if at all possible. With that in mind we are providing information regarding Rover Come Over practices during inclement winter weather.

• Rover Come Over will remain open and ready to care for your dogs during most snow emergency days.

• While it is our goal to remain open on all days, Level III Snow Emergencies issued by Lucas County authorities dictate that "no person except operators of public safety vehicles on duty or otherwise responding to an emergency; and essential news media personnel, including reporters, support, and production employees; health care and other emergency personnel; and essential employees of critical infrastructure facilities, may drive on roads and streets in Lucas County. All others traveling on the roadways might be subject to arrest."

• We understand that some of our customers fall into these essential personnel categories. If this applies to you, please call Rover Come Over's emergency line, 419-386-9317 and we'll do our best to make arrangements for your dog's care.

• During extreme weather, we consider multiple variables before closing the daycare (temperature, road conditions, wind chill factors, etc.). When temperatures reach the single digits or during heavy snow/ice periods, it's best to check (see below) before bringing your dog to Rover. 

• If Rover Come Over closes, we will notify our customers via email, Facebook and on the Rover Come Over Home Page. We also provide a text alert service for those customers who wish to receive timely alerts. We encourage all customers to sign up HERE for these alerts. Lastly, our 419-861-9100 phone message will announce any daycare closings.

• Rover's priority is to ensure all of our dogs are safe. If you should lose power and require emergency kenneling of your dog, call our dedicated emergency line 419-386-9317 and we'll be happy to help.

• If you are unable to pick up your dog on the days we are open, please give us a call (419-861-9100) before 6:30 pm to arrange for an overnight stay. (Overnight charges apply.)

• Most of our dogs love the winter weather and we encourage outdoor play as the weather allows. The extreme low temperatures and bad weather days are few, but be assured during extreme cold weather, outdoor time will be adjusted as conditions warrant.