Meet Sunny. He’s our newest “baby.” He weighs 150 pounds and is only a year old. He’s a Newfoundland, a gentle, silly and sweet giant. The problem with this beast of sweetness was his behavior. His actions were helping to slowly chip away at my sanity. Sunny had a fondness for peeing and pooping in the house. He was difficult to manage on his leash because he behaved as if he’s walking me. To this guy, the kitchen trash bin was heaven on earth. (Mmmm… leftovers. I’m a lucky dog!)
Clearly, I needed help with this nutty newf. I called on my friend, Suzanne Mackay, who owns Sunny Dog Place. Sunny Dog Place is a cage-free doggy day-care and boarding facility in Harbor City, adjacent to Torrance.
Suzanne recommended that I enroll Sunny in her Dog Boot Camp. Sunny would go live at Sunny Dog Place for 2-3 weeks while she worked on his training. Done. I was so tired of his bad behavior and was at loss at how to correct it. Sadly, I was glad to have a break from him.
Sunny loved being at Sunny Dog Place. Of course. It is truly heaven on earth for canines.
During his stay, Sunny worked with Suzanne. He learned how to mind his manners while walking on leash. She taught him to “come here Sunny” and he did. He learned to listen to commands like “sit” and “stay.” And, for a behavioral bonus, he got to go swimming in the dog pool! The pool is unreal. I honestly couldn’t stop laughing while watching all the dogs swim.
Sunny is back home with us. Part of the Boot Camp training program are “tune-up” visits. Suzanne has come over to my home a few times to help me be a better dog mom. He’s not perfect. He still likes the trash and has an occasional accident, but he’s improved greatly. I am extremely grateful for all that Suzanne has done for our family.
As a Valentine’s Day “thank you” to new and faithful ManhattanBeachMomma readers, we’re doing a give away. Beginning Wednesday, February 16th, ManhattanBeachMomma will do one give away a day through Sunday, February 20th. We have 2 overnight stays ($43.00 value, per night) at Sunny Dog Place & 3 pool visits, which are $35.00 per visit.
In order to qualify for the give away, please leave a comment here within the blog. Good luck!
I was not compensated for this post.
Whew! The day flew by! Tracy Chaney, my friend you are the winner today!
Pete – You are today’s winner! Please contact shmackay@mac.com to claim your prize! Let me know which you choose – swimming or boarding so I can keep track.
Congratulations!
Debbie
Today’s winner is Cathy Wilson! Yay, Cathy! I will connect you with Suzanne, the owner of SDP. You can choose either an overnight stay or swimming at the pool.
Let me know what you choose so I can keep track of the prizes that are left.
Four more giveaways starting tomorrow! Good luck y’all!
Dear Cathy:
Just email me at shmackay@mac.com after you’ve contacted Debbie with your choice of an overnight or swim session – congratulations!
loved the idea for getting the training done at a boot camp. other methods have not worked for my dog.
I love it! Awesome photos! So glad you guys did this, sounds like it was the best way to take care of your big baby.
Lisa Vitale
http://lisawifemom.wordpress.com
Wow.. I’d love to have my dogs (2 labs) visit for the socializing w- other pooches and for the pool time.. I used to take my dogs to the beach more often when we were in Hermosa Beach, they’ve never been in a pool. I’d bet they’d luv it. Thanks to all of ya !!
Hi Pete – Thank you for reading ManhattanBeachMomma! Your dogs would love Sunny Dog Place!
Debbie
Looks like a fab choice for you!! So nice that you are paying it forward and treating someone else to this wonderful place.
We have 3 4-legged babies and when we travel – they go to a country resort with pool and acres to run in — it is the best case scenario b/c when we get home — they are relaxed and tired!
Rachel
Thanks Rachel. The acres of country to run around in sounds great. Do they allow humans to stay? If so, I may be interested. I need a vacation!
Debbie
OMG!! The dog flying through the air into the pool is hysterical!! Love your posts Debbie!! BTW – I’ll text you to confirm…but Hot’s may be opening (soft opening) on Thursday (Sean’s Birthday!)…Happy Tuesday!!
Hi Tracy – Keep me posted on Hots! Exciting!
XO Debbie