Canine & Company In The News

LANCASTER and DEPEW- Some dog owners are on the fence when it comes to boarding their pets, but with Michael and Debbie Hall around, the owners of Canine & Company, in Depew, any concerns will become obsolete. The couple, along with their staff, works hard every day to provide the love, care, and attention our furry best friends need, and of course a fun-filled day of playing.
Owned and operated since 1998 by the Halls their goal has been and continues to be to provide the very best care for your pet and to treat your dog as if they were one of their own.

Debbie’s opportunity to open up the facility came when her former job as an operation manager at a large retailer went out of business. After taking her own dog through a training course, she wondered if this was the next step in her life and it turned out it was.

“I actually became a groomer because I wanted to be a trainer,” said Debbie. “I didn’t really know much about grooming. I went down to PetSmart and sat out in the vehicle with my husband and thought I could do that during the day and train dogs at night.”

Debbie first enrolled into the Rochester Institute of Dog Grooming and upon graduation she went to the Canine Academy in Austin, Texas to become a certified dog trainer. Eventually, she came back to the area and opened up her own facility on Walden Avenue, near Central.

At that time she only offered grooming and training. It was in March of 2001 when Canine & Company moved to 5952 Transit Road and expanded its services.

“I moved because my clients that boarded elsewhere wanted me to take care of their dogs,” commented Debbie. “Basically, I just listened to them, found this location, and thought it would be prefect and did it.”

The facility now offers overnight boarding, daycare, in home pet sitting for dogs, cats, small mammals, birds, and fish, full service grooming, obedience training, and a special service menu, which offers services such as cuddle time, bedtime stories, and romps and roll for dog boarding or in daycare.

Also, from 6 to 7 p.m. every Monday, owners who have a puppy six months and younger can bring them to a free puppy socialization class. Puppies must have required vaccinations and owners must stay with the group. This is offered at the Hall’s training facility, located at 5950 Transit Road, next to Canine & Company. The class is hosted by the obedience instructor.

“Especially, for a facility like us your dog has to be able to go out in a play group,” said Debbie. “You want to start that early, especially if you have a little dog. Everything in life is bigger than they are. So, for small dogs it is great and for large dogs it is so they don’t become bullies. [The class] is about just getting the feel of different places, people, and objects such as chairs and umbrellas. They come and play and have a good time.”

Whether a dog stays for boarding or just for daycare, dogs are selected for their specific play group based on size, age, temperament, and play style. The facility offers three indoor and three outdoor play areas totaling more than 11,000 square feet. All indoor areas are heated and air conditioned for the dogs comfort. Outside areas are equipped with carports to provide protection from sun, rain, and snow. There are also kiddie pools, tug ropes, and tennis balls to play with and the dogs are always supervised. Debbie remarked on average their daycare runs about 35 to 60 dogs a day.

There is also an inside space for geriatric dogs that need to be kept in a quiet and calm area.

“We are all inconclusive so our boarding rates include six to eight hours of playtime and the dogs actually get six to eight hours of playtime,” said Debbie. “We are here 365 days a year for the dog. We might be closed for you, the client, but we’re going to be there for the dogs. So, that means even on Christmas Day they are out there for at least six hours of playtime. Also, all the different services we offer I think helps clients come to a one stop shop.”

In addition, each play area or building is equipped with cameras so there is 24 hour supervision and Debbie and Michael’s home backs up right to the facility’s property. Furthermore, every holiday a party is thrown just for the dogs. For Fourth of July, the facility will be hosting “Survivor Night.” “A lot of dogs are afraid because of the fireworks,” said Debbie. “So what we do from 7:30 to about 11:30 p.m. is we run an evening play group. We take them into our unit three building, which is our most insulated building. We turn on the exhaust fan, turn up the radio, and we stimulate the dogs with lots of toys and balls.” Thinking about the future, Debbie said one of her goals down the line is to put in a swim house for the dogs. “I have a million ideas,” she remarked.

Also, helping those dogs who are less fortunate the Halls foster two dogs at a time from Black Dog Second Chance Rescue. Currently, Casey, a yellow lab, and Scrappy, a coonhound, are staying at the facility. “I absolutely love it,” remarked Debbie. “I wouldn’t want to do anything different. I would never give this up.”

For more information about services call 681-0063 or visit www.CanineAndCompany.com. The facility is opened from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays; and noon to 1 p.m. Sundays for drop offs or pickups.

--metrowny.com, June 5, 2012.

Adopt, don't shop.

Kathy Santora of Lancaster, with her dog Bailey, left, listens to Debbie Hall, owner, of Canine and Company in Depew and Lorry Schlick, president of WNY Citizens Against Puppy Mills. The fundraiser at Canine and Company on Transit Road included dog baths, raffles, and professional photography. Animal rescue groups presented information on adoption. Organizers hoped to raise awareness of puppy mills and animal abuse.
Photo by Jim Smerecak. Purchase color photos at www.BeeNews.com.

--Lancaster Bee, June 9, 2011.

Email: cc1trainer@hotmail.com

Canine And Company In The News