New Dog Orientations-
Due to our unique dog care program Moon Dog Lodge does require an orientation process. This starts by connecting with you through a scheduled phone call to go over basic Moon Dog requirements and to chat with you about any questions you may have. During this call we hope to open up a dialogue with you encouraging you to share insight into your dog’s personality, basic education (training), family pack dynamics, and social history. This information is extremely valuable in helping us to better understand your dog and their needs when in our care.
Once all feels like we are on a comfortable track after the phone conversation we then move forward with scheduling the on-ranch portion of the orientation. On-ranch orientations are scheduled from 1-4 pm Monday – Wednesday and are $35.00 per dog. Families are only present for the first half hour of the orientation process. This 30 minute time frame offers the family a visual of the lodge, outside environment, and information on how we utilize the spaces and property during the day and evening hours. We then have you head off ranch and begin to lead your pup through a very welcoming and fun filled rest of the orientation. Moon Dog greatly appreciates the valuable experience of being with your dog one on one. This offers us a better understanding of how your dog navigates their world as an individual, separate from their family pack. We take time to observe (not judge) them in a variety of interactions with the Moon Dogs, the guardians, and the ranch environment. Ultimately we wish to see dogs in “happy mode” and finding what they need in all that Moon Dog encompasses.
Moon Dog Lodge’s two-step orientation process is a well thought out process. The on ranch component gives the opportunity to interact with your dog in our well managed communal freeform ranch environment. At the end of this process Moon Dog is able to have a better understand at that point in time whether our service is a safe and enjoyable experience for your dog and all involved.
We are dedicated to what we do and responsible in how we do it. After all these pups are your family members. We are grateful and honor our Moon Dog families for taking the time and energy to go through this process.
Please note, a copy of vaccinations records are required for on ranch orientations.
Immunizations-
Moon Dog Lodge requires that all dogs are spayed and neutered, current on core vaccinations, and that all families are responsible in care taking their dogs health in regard to flea, tick, lice and mite management. This also includes fecal parasite management. A veterinarian fecal sample test may be necessary.
Core vaccinations:
- Rabies (3 years) Dogs under one year consult your veterinarian
- DHPP (3 years) Dogs under one year consult your veterinarian
- Titer vaccinations are accepted with proper records.
- Canine influenza if your dog is traveling outside the area, showing, and or frequenting local dog parks regularly.
- Bordetella (every 12 months) Consult your veterinarian
We ask that all our families keep their dogs records up to date and provide us a copy each time vaccinations are updated. This is much appreciated in helping our records stay current at Moon Dog Lodge.
“The Lodge”
Moon Dog’s inside space for our guest dogs is a simple, comfortable, and welcoming area that is an extension of our ranch home. The lodge provides a fabulous down to Earth space for relaxation…Come mid day we practice the art of siestas. During this time Moon Dog guardians nurture the dogs with our own kind of special zen methods of care. This calming and healing ambience is a lovely gift that only enhances and balances a dog’s over all health. This is repeated in the evening hours for our lodging dogs where this communal space is always honored as a sanctuary of rest with plenty of snuggly beds, blankets, soothing sounds of our water fountain and soft music offing a gentle vibe for slumber. See atmosphere info below.
WE ARE 100% DEDICATED to our guest dogs, their families, and the service we provide. We are passionate about dogs, our philosophy and the exceptional program we offer. All outings, our on ranch field trips and inside (lodge) care is managed and guided by our Moon Dog Lodge guardians (staff) who are educated dog lovers. Our human crew is trained through a thoughtful and well designed program that educates our guardians on key components like, respect and awareness of dog culture, dog psychology, dog individual and social behavior, management of social off leash behavior, and compassionate leadership (communication) just to touch on some basics. This training is reviewed on a continual basis along with 24-7 fieldwork each and every day out on the ranch property. The ranch and its large open natural environment for dog socializing and release offers our guardians a great deal of valuable knowledge and understanding about these blessed creatures. Our unique communal program is a wonderful study on the world of the domesticated dog and pack dynamics. In addition, our guardian’s work opens a fantastic opportunity to better understand dog and human relationships and the vital communication skills and leadership needed for a healthy connection with these animals. This hands on learning with the beloved Moon dogs is priceless and often surpasses the textbook part of our education process. This line of work can be challenging at times like any other job but ultimately it is one of the most uplifting and soul fulfilling ways to spend a work day! Moon Dog provides our guardians with top notch skills that greatly benefit the Moon dogs, their families, and each individual guardian with valuable knowledge that can be practiced and shared for a lifetime.
Much thought and energy is given to our interviewing and hiring process of our guardians. We seek individuals that have a deep love and intuitive connection with animals. As noted above, Moon Dog Lodge strives to give our guardians the tools and understanding they need to build healthy relationships with each individual dog and ultimately provide exceptional care for our packs. Moon Dog lodge is proud of the time and energy we put into not only our dog care but the specific care and training of our people. This is of great importance in this line of work as dogs sense when there is stability and this develops trust. Trust is a key factor in leadership and this is a huge part of the recipe to what makes Moon Dog Lodge an outstanding service.
It is important to note that any time you choose a social dog care service that provides an organic landscape like Moon Dog Lodge there is the possibility for injury due to the natural open space environment. It is also important to acknowledge that when working with animals in social groups altercations can occur from time to time no matter the best of precautions. Social groups of dogs will always incorporate a spectrum of behaviors that encompass a wide range of circumstances. Moon Dog provides a well structured program of guided greetings, monitored physical release including one on one play interaction, along with rest and calmness throughout the day. Clear consistent management and focused guidance from our educated staff gives dogs the ability to navigate their days appropriately. Moon Dog provides a stable experience of social activities and shared space in as healthy and as balanced of a state as possible.
Transportation Service, “The Moon Mobile” We apologize, this part of our service is no longer available.
Moon Dog Atmosphere
Moon Dog Lodge is a guest ranch for dogs. The dogs that became part of our pack get to be just that, “ranch” dogs! Our Dog Day program largely focuses on their freedom to move about on the 20 acer property with guided structure. Our social outdoor component literally opens the doors for a dog to be a dog and release the natural energy in a natural environment which is a natural part of who they are.
A simple down to Earth loving vibe are some descriptive words that capture the type of atmosphere we emanate and nurture at Moon Dog. Whether your dogs are youngsters, in their mid years, or beloved elders Moon Dog has plenty of space to roam, take a relaxing sprawl, breath in the lovely clean air while soak up the sunshine, and last but certainly not least, experiencing the love. Moon Dog’s got it…Lucky dogs!!!
Moon Dog operates rain, snow, or shine but always with great sensitivity and respect to the needs and preferences of our pack. At the end of each spring through mid fall our pond and ditches open up offering fantastic frolic! This water is MDL’s irrigation system for the ranch and is a constant flow of fresh circulating water. This is an important part of the active dog care service we provide as it keeps dogs cool in the warmer months along with just being wonderful summer time fun. Moon Dog guardians (staff) provide compassionate leadership which of course includes a balance of praise. We all like to know when we are doing a good job, dogs are no different! Our style and philosophy strives to offer a kind of environment that provides clear guidance and healthy boundaries that gifts dogs physical, mental, and soulful satisfaction.
Who knows, perhaps the dogs are experiencing Moon Dog as a chance to reconnect with their wild ancestors and celebrate bits of their old souls!
Above and beyond dog care-
Some dogs can experience a certain level of anxiety when spending time away from their “family pack.” This can be a normal reaction (to a degree) as a dog is a pack animal. Dogs need appropriate compassionate training for learning how to be okay on their own. It is important to use certain techniques that require practice over time to help them to learn, understand, and acclimate to experiencing time away from their families. Once this is achieved it is also important to find the right kind of dog care service for your dog that can offer a positive and enjoyable experience reinforcing that time spent away from family is not a bad thing at all.
Moon Dog Lodge has studied dogs and the care of dogs through the years to offer an exceptional dog care service that goes above and beyond most. We have interwoven a variety of components that care take what we like to call the “whole dog”…Body, mind, and spirit to the highest degree. We are interested in caretaking through a wide spectrum of natural and alternative ways that focus on aroma therapy, sound and music therapy, and -touch. This additional care greatly complements the social and physical release part of our program enhancing an overall well being while in our care. Ultimately Mood Dog Lodge wishes to give your dog the opportunity to have an exceptional “dog” experience that they can trust in while measuring up to their hearts desire when they can not be by your side.
Cleaning-
Keeping our lodge and outside areas clean is an important part of care taking dogs. We are proud to share that we use a variety of all natural cleaners and essential oils to provide and well kept clean environment. Many of our Moon Dog families greatly value our cleaning methods as some pups can have allergies or even severe reactions to toxic cleaners like bleach and everyday house hold cleaners. There are many natural ways to control odor, sterilize, keep illnesses at bay, and even control critters like lice and fleas. We practice all this through a natural cleaning routine each and everyday.
Poop scooping up at the lodge area and poop pick up out in our fields are of course a consistent must! Moon Dog believes in doing our best to care take our planet and therefore all guardians carry biodegradable poop bags so we return this contents back to the Earth as efficiently as possible.
Dirty Dogs-
Moon Dog is a ranch environment with lots of outside glee…There is no way around it, dogs get dirty. We provide warm showers or rinsing as needed, towel dry, and lightly brush out pups at the end of the day. We are not set up to provide professional grooming. We are sensitive to dogs returning home to you as clean as possible. Please keep in mind depending on weather conditions and time of year dog’s can return home with some “leftovers” like seeds in fur, sandy dirt in toes and or bellies. Dogs can also be damp after showering. Please note that when the dogs are outside we are truly a ranch outdoor experience meaning the areas outside are not groomed nor do we have traditional kennel facility fencing (cyclone fencing.) There are sticks and stones, deer, fox, coyotes, and small rodents. Unfortunately noxious weeds pop up here and there, which we do our best to control. Untamed outdoor obstacles are part of the territory much like you would find while out with your pup on the trail in the woods here in central Oregon. It is important to understand that when a dog is functioning in this type of organic environment there can always be a possibility for injury no matter the precautions.
Snacks-
We work hard to provide a safe loving environment that nurtures all aspects of your dog. This includes the small treats that are given out throughout the day. Moon Dog offers our pack members only the best of goodies. We strive to stay knowledgeable and conscientious on areas of basic nutrition. This is an additional area of expertise that we take time to educate our guardians on. A variety of high quality made in the USA, all natural, no artificial preservatives, no egg, no dairy, no grain treats are given out in modest portions for happy tummies. Treats also provide support (a tool) with management of dogs with motivation and encouragement, praise (reinforcing positive behavior) and redirecting challenging behavior. Special attention is always given to allergies and special arrangements can be set up to accommodate your pup with selective treats. Good snacks are part of a well-rounded day!