Stroll into Summer Pooch Parade!

Who is ready to celebrate summer with their dog?  We ARE!   The days are hot so it makes the evening more enjoyable, it's the perfect setting for you and your dog to treat yourselves!
It brings me great pleasure to announce Bark & Clark's Summer Pooch Parade!

Please join us for the Stroll into Summer Pooch Parade on June 19th @ 7:30pm.

The evening will start with me, Certified Trainer, Tamara Clark, leading your pooches through the heart of DTLA, starting in the  Historic Core and ending on the ever bustling 7th street.  We will stop in at Pussy & Pooch for some Pawbar time for your dogs and then through the city we will go for our educational romp.  As usual, the evening will conclude with a chance for the humans to sit down, unwind and enjoy wonderful conversation at the dog friendly, Coco Laurent.  So fun!  

Besides the obvious fun you will have, this is a great chance to learn about how to handle your dog downtown and in general with other dogs and humans.  The Stroll into Summer Pooch Parade workshop's focus will be on you dogs socialization with congested city sidewalks (including dog on dog interactions), leash control, and focusing on you while dealing with distractions.  As well, we will have our usual education on the approved potty places and how to get your dog to go there. 

The benefit of working your dog in this environment is it helps reinforce their basic obedience and uses those skills to increase their focus on you - not all the distractions. We'll also work  on manners specific to the city, such as sitting at all intersections before crossing; sitting for introductions and the proper way to greet other dogs. 

We teach uptown manners for Downtown dogs! This class is so fun, it's more like an outing... So let's take a stroll through the city and focus on doggy's ability to deal with the public, the lively  city and all the other pooches out and about.

I am so excited about this Pooch Parade, I hope I will see you all there and if you can't be there, I hope you will help spread the word!  

Be sure to RSVP by June 12th because space is limited.  The cost is $50/dog.

To sign up for our next Pooch Parade, give us a bark:  Bark!

May Session Puppy Class!

Did you miss our last session?  Now is your chance to get your puppy in school! Don't delay (we've been selling out quick) sign up today for the next session of Bark & Clark's Puppy Obedience Class!  We are continuing on in our  Wednesday nights slot.  Each class will be @ 7:30pm at the DTLA Vets facility (333 S. Spring St)!  Class is back in session on May 28th.  

The Puppy Obedience Class is one of my favorite classes to teach for the primary reason that I get the opportunity to help launch you and your pup into a healthy, productive and REWARDING relationship!

This is a 5 week class that will cover all the basics of obedience (sit, down, stay, come), work on walking on a leash and address all those puppy behaviors (play biting, chewing, potty training, etc.) that most puppy owners need help with.    

At the beginning of every class there is a play session for all the puppies to start training on socialization with other dogs.  I also dedicate a good amount of time to educating on how to socialize your puppy to the rest of the world, manners and how to keep them safe.

This class is always a great mix of fun and learning.  It is hard not to smile the whole time and laugh with all the silly pups running around during play time or just watching them learn.  It is sure to be rewarding to both you and your pup.

So don't delay, pups are already signing up and I take a limited number.  Give us a bark today and get your spot reserved! 

Class starts Wednesday, May 28th @ 7:30 PM, this is a 5 week course for $150 per pup.

For more information or to sign up today, give us a BARK!

Goodbye To Our Sweet Zoe

Zoe was not only the dog of one of my best human friends, she was my dog's best friend and holds such and amazingly special part of my heart.  It doesn't seem possible that she is gone.  It happened too fast and she was too young, we just didn't get to have her for enough time.  Those are the feelings I am left with.  But then another side comes to the surface and I realize that I got the opportunity to have her in my life for about 4 of her 8 years.  In that time she gave me so much love, happiness, comfort, education and of course, friendship.

One of my fondest memories of Zoe, is also my first memory of her, it is how we met.  I had met her owner a little while before I met Zoe, she helped out with my training mentor.  On this particular night, Zoe was going for her K-9 Good Citizenship, I was one of the "crowd".  I also was helping with registration.  So I came walking down a set of stairs to give her owner some forms to complete.  Zoe and her owner were on a stage in a type of small amphitheater, outside the testing area.  It was twilight, if not a little darker.  So as I moved toward them, Zoe preceded to bark at me in a way that I thought I was going to loose my life.  I still remember her owner yelling "STOP MOVING".  So I did.  Then we all calmed down and in the next few minutes she became the sweetest girl.  From that moment on, we were friends.

Over the years, she taught me about dogs, she taught me about aggression, she taught me how to take life a little less serious and she taught me about the relationship a dog and human can have.  But she did more than just teach me, she taught my dog.  When I got Neville, Zoe was there to teach him how to fetch or at least go after the ball and how to go into the water... both the ocean and a pool!

Zoe and Neville have had so many adventures together, hiking, beaches, parks, and even snow.  They had sleep overs and dates to all sorts of places.  All the while, we humans got to just enjoy.

Zoe was also an amazing friend to me.  She listened to many of my woes and licked a few tears away.  She endured my singing and even pretended to enjoy my "Zo-Zo-Zo" song.  She would smile at my voice and say I love you with her eyes and her whole body would wag with her tail.  Her greatest joy was her tennis ball and one of my greatest joys was throwing it for her just to watch her happiness.

Today marks one week since she left this earth.  The week leading up to her death was a difficult and tragic week, the cancer came in and took over very quickly.  To think that just 2 weeks prior I was walking around her neighborhood with her and we had no idea she was sick.  I was honored with the opportunity to be present for her passing.  Though it was sad, I was happy I was there with her and especially her owner.  I got to give her one last hug and one last kiss and sing my "Zo-Zo-Zo" song.  Not having her here is so very sad, but I am so profoundly grateful that she was there at all.

Our Sweet Zoe, I will miss you, we all will.  We love you sweet girl, Rest In Peace.

Puppy Class

Sign up today for the next session of Bark & Clark's Puppy Obedience Class!  We are continuing on in our  Wednesday nights slot.  Each class will be @ 7:30pm at the DTLA Vets facility (333 S. Spring St)!  Class is back in session on April 20th.  

The Puppy Obedience Class is one of my favorite classes to teach for the primary reason that I get the opportunity to help launch you and your pup into a healthy, productive and REWARDING relationship!

This is a 5 week class that will cover all the basics of obedience (sit, down, stay, come), work on walking on a leash and address all those puppy behaviors (play biting, chewing, potty training, etc.) that most puppy owners need help with.    

At the beginning of every class there is a play session for all the puppies to start training on socialization with other dogs.  I also dedicate a good amount of time to educating on how to socialize your puppy to the rest of the world, manners and how to keep them safe.

This class is always a great mix of fun and learning.  It is hard not to smile the whole time and laugh with all the silly pups running around during play time or just watching them learn.  It is sure to be rewarding to both you and your pup.

So don't delay, pups are already signing up and I take a limited number.  Give us a bark today and get your spot reserved! 

Class starts Wednesday, April 20th @ 7:30 PM, this is a 5 week course for $150 per pup.

For more information or to sign up today, give us a BARK!

Love Your Dog Pooch Parade

I am very excited to announce Bark & Clark's first Pooch Parade of 2014, it has become my favorite of the whole year.  Please join us for the 4th annual Love Your Dog Pooch Parade on February 20th @ 7:30pm.  It will be a night on the town with your dog as we take a love-filled, yet educational stroll through our the heart of the city.  Then a decadent treat for your pooches at Pussy & Pooch and finally a chance to sit down and enjoy adult treats with wonderful conversation at the lovely and dog friendly patio of Artisan House.

Besides the obvious fun you will have, this is a great chance to learn about how to handle your dog downtown and in general with other dogs and humans.  This class focus is on using basic obedience to help your dog focus on you - not all the distractions. We'll also focus on showing your dog how loved they are, how to be a great socialized companion in our busy city, leash control and polite interactions with other dogs and people. Last but certainly not least, we address the ongoing battle of teaching owners the proper places to potty their dog and how to clean it up!

We teach uptown manners for Downtown dogs! This class is so fun, it's more like an outing... So let's take a stroll through the city and focus on doggy's ability to deal with the public, the lively city and all the other pooches out and about.

I am so excited about this Pooch Parade, I hope I will see you all there!  Be sure to RSVP by February 13th because space is limited.  $40/dog.

To sign up for our next Pooch Parade, give us a bark:  Bark!

Puppies, Puppies, Puppies!

Yes!  It is back, Bark & Clark's Puppy Obedience Class is returning Wednesday nights @ 7:00pm at the DTLA Vets facility (333 S. Spring St)!  Sign up today, the first class is February 12th. 

The Puppy Obedience Class is one of my favorite classes to teach for the primary reason that I get the opportunity to help launch you and your pup into a healthy, productive and REWARDING relationship!

This is a 5 week class that will cover all the basics of obedience (sit, down, stay, come), work on walking on a leash and address all those puppy behaviors (play biting, chewing, potty training, etc.) that most puppy owners need help with.   

At the beginning of every class there is a play session for all the puppies to start training on socialization with other dogs.  I also dedicate a good amount of time to educating on how to socialize your puppy to the rest of the world, manners and how to keep them safe.

This class is always a great mix of fun and learning.  It is hard not to smile the whole time and laugh with all the silly pups running around during play time or just watching them learn.  It is sure to be rewarding to both you and your pup.

So don't delay, pups are already signing up and I take a limited number.  Give us a bark today and get your spot reserved! 

Class starts Wednesday, February 12th @ 7PM, this is a 5 week course  for $150 per pup.

For more information or to sign up today, give us a BARK!

A Special Goodbye to a Special Doggie Friend

In October I got the news that my dear friend Bailey had come to the end of his journey with his human companion.  News I knew one day I would hear, but certainly not ready for.  I have shed so many tears, both of joy and absolute sorrow.  Bailey was one of a kind.  But now that I have had a couple of months to process it, I wanted to pay tribute here to my amazing friend.

When I first meant Bailey, I was walking dogs as a part of my business and his owner was looking for a twice a day walk for his Pit Mix.  I had no idea what to expect when I first went to meet him.  We had a good 45 minutes together as his owner secured his apartment, got keys, etc.  Bailey and I walked the neighborhood and got to know each other.  Within that 45 minutes I got to know a dog that was amazingly sweet, loving and had a personality that was unforgettable.

Over the time I walked him, seeing him everyday twice a day, I got to know him quite well and he really got to know me.  So much so that at a time I had some sorrowful things happening, Bailey would great me with a gentle lick to my face and would push his head to my chest for a hug.  One of the many things that made him truly amazing.

He was somewhat of a celebrity around our walking route, so many people knew Bailey and always had to say hello.  I don't think there was a life he touched that didn't benefit from knowing him.  Myself and my dog included. 

I knew Bailey before I got Neville.  So when I was introducing Neville to Downtown, I often walked them together so Bailey could help Neville not be so scared.  I titled Bailey as Neville's Grandpa because that is the relationship that developed.  Bailey was the kind and wise old soul that showed Neville the way.  A beautiful thing to watch.

So I have tons of memories of Bailey.  How easy he was to take care of while his owner was out of town, even taking a pill with no problems, long talks in the park when he couldn't walk that far, endless hugs, snuggles, kisses and licks, watching his butt waddle up and down the stairs and my all time favorite was his tail wag.  Bailey could hear my voice, see me from a far or just smell me through the door and his tail would wag so hard his whole body would move.

Bailey, my friend, I love you endlessly.  You will be missed so much and your legend will continue to live on both in image on my website and in our memories for how amazing you were.  You truly were one of a kind and certainly a dog, a friend and a companion that will be so very missed.  Rest in peace.