BarkBox is BULLDOG Approved!

As a bullysitter, providing boarding and daycare JUST for bulldogs, I serve a rotating crew of toy fiends. We have super chewers, fierce tuggers, ball fanatics… and occasionally a pup who just likes to suck on the toy until it disintegrates. When I started my bullysitting business I had the usual collection of tough toys but I was still making frequent trips to the pet store because the “fun” toys never lasted.

I’d been seeing those cute ads for BarkBox for a while when I decided I would just try a 6 month subscription - it was the same price I’d be paying for several toys if I went to the store, plus their replacement policy seemed solid, each box came with treats, and I didn’t have to leave my house.

When my first box showed up and the animals had protruding parts (see those little flippers and feet on the penguin?) I thought there was no way these toys were going to survive. Surely an ear would get ripped off and the stuffing would immediately leak out,

Oddly enough, the toys lived on.

It’s only happened maybe twice where a toy has been absolutely wrecked in the first few days and in both cases BarkBox sent me a replacement. I’ve been a BarkBox subscriber (out of pocket, no incentive) for a year now and I still have toys from my very first boxes. I’m super guilty of shopping the ‘add-on’s so the box that arrived today had about an extra $50 in fun, extra toys that I picked out from the Spring, 4/20 and Star Wars collections. We have a LOT of toys here… Some toys I buy for specific clients and some toys that come in my regular boxes I end up sending home with the dog that loves it the most.

Needless to say, BarkBox was already something I fully endorse so I was super excited to find out that I was approved as a BarkBox affiliate. If you are interested in trying BarkBox now we are set up so we can get a little reward. If you sign up with our link you’re enabling our toy addiction and the ability to share toys with our bulldog friends! :)

You can click on the little banner above or use this link right here.

Note: I will never endorse or recommend a product which we don’t use, or hasn’t been tested and approved by OUR bulldog friends.

Any small incentives we receive for recommending products are merely another opportunity for revenue that supports our small business and family. We recommend BarkBox because we love BarkBox. See this previous blog post for pictures of our bullysitting clients enjoying BarkBox.

Thank you for supporting our small business!

Customer Satisfaction with Tacoma Bulldog Boarding

Last month marked ONE YEAR since we began hosting bulldog “sleepovers” - it’s hard to comprehend how this crazy ideas has transformed into this large, happy part of our lives.

As a way to celebrate our anniversary I reached out to clients with a ‘client satisfaction survey’. I am super proud of our five-star rating on Google, but I felt the feedback from a survey would be better way to understand how comfortable we make our clients FEEL and what we could improve upon in our next year of business.

I thought I would share some of the numbers I crunched from our records and the survey results:

• So far, 78% of bulldogs who have stayed with us have already scheduled or completed a second reservation.

• 51% of our clients have stayed with us three (3) or more times!

• 100% of survey respondents would recommend us to another family (69% already have).

• 91% of families who came to a meet & greet have scheduled or completed a reservation, so far.

• After completing a meet & greet 47% of survey respondents felt ‘at ease’, 47% of survey respondents felt ‘mostly comfortable’, and the remaining 6% felt ‘a little worried’. No survey respondents felt uncomfortable.

• HOWEVER, most importantly: during their stay, 82% of survey respondents felt ‘extremely comfortable’, and the remaining 18% of respondents felt ‘mostly comfortable’. No survey respondents felt neutral or uncomfortable.

• Therefor, 100% of families who had been a little worried prior to their stay felt comfortable once their bulldog was here.

• Nearly 100% of survey respondents used the words reliable, trustworthy, helpful, friendly, and good value to describe our services.

• Other words used to describe our services were responsive, fun, and safe.

• The most frequent way we exceeded expectations was by providing photos and updates, with the way their bulldog was treated like a member of our family coming in a VERY close second. Clients appreciate the bond we have with their bulldog and that we follow care instructions. Lastly, clients reported feeling good that their bulldog comes home healthy and tired.

As Featured on 4EVRGRN Tacoma “7 Question Sunday”

We were so grateful to be featured by Tacoma’s own 4EVRGRNn - a local PNW brand, which uplifts the voices of PNW locals and other small businesses. Their clothing brand is gender and size inclusive with competitive pricing. Visit their website to shop online or preview their items and more on their Instagram account.

Copy & pasted directly from this weeks feature of ComfortaBull Dog Care:

WEEK 131 - COMFORTABULL DOG CARE

For the 131st week of "7 QUESTION SUNDAY" we shine the spotlight on another influential individual from the PNW. Janet Dillon is the owner of ComfortaBULL, a specialty Bulldog boarding and sitting service.

JD: As a child I would walk the dogs in my neighborhood, for free, because I enjoyed spending time with dogs! As an adult with a Bachelor’s degree from @seattleu with a minor in Business Administration and a Frenchie-sized hole in my heart I pondered if I could turn my passion and knowledge of bulldogs into a business. Until I began bullysitting I never fully understood what was meant by “do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life”. We have been open for almost a year and ComfortaBULL Dog Care has been more enjoyable than I could have ever dreamt! 

ComfortaBULL is a passion project, but my day job is focused on improving justice and social services for my tribal community. I have a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and was working on a second one in Communication and Leadership at Gonzaga when COVID hit. As a #girlmom of 3 I put that on pause when my kids were required to stay home from school in early 2020. Now that I started a business, I’m re-evaluating what degree would be best for me when it’s time to return. One of my favorite sights in the world is a dog with their nose out the window on a drive: THAT is pure joy! We listen to a lot of @Spotify in this house!!! I prefer nature and music to TV or movies.

1. What's unique about bulldog culture in the PNW?

JD: Bulldogs have short hair and squished faces, so they are extremely sensitive to (extreme) weather. In the PNW we are more inclined to get outside regardless of the forecast and bulldog owners here do an excellent job taking safety precautions to ensure their dogs can participate in outdoor activities. I love seeing the level of effort PNW bulldog parents go to enjoy the outdoors with their dog: winter coats, booties, waterproof accessories, etc.

1. Best tip to keep the house clean while keeping your bulldog safe?

JD: Keep a small vacuum in the kitchen so that you can quickly clean up spills and avoid your bulldog consuming human food items they shouldn’t be eating. 

My favorite bulldog tip has nothing to do with safety but does keep your house a lot cleaner! We use a “Neater Feeder” elevated bowl which has a drain for liquid. It is placed on top of a plastic tray, which is placed on top of a water absorbing rug. This does a PHENOMENAL job of protecting your floor from water that is retained in your bulldogs jowls when they finish drinking water! 

1. What is a common mistake people make when training bulldogs?

JD: Forgetting to revisit training as needed. Training isn’t just for puppies! Bulldogs are notoriously stubborn, but it doesn’t have to be a challenge you address alone. Refresher training for your adolescent or adult bulldog is a great way to refine their skills and reenforce their best behaviors, but it’s also important to address problem behaviors before they get out of control. Don’t wait if you have a concern!

1. Why is it important to hire someone who specializes in your dog's breed?

JD: Bulldogs have very unique health concerns that need to be understood. Simple errors can disrupt a carefully managed allergy or result in lifelong injuries (not to mention an expensive trip to the vet). Plus, if you can find someone who knows and appreciates your dogs breed - why not take advantage of that? They are such special animals that it’s important to use every tool in your toolbox to ensure they live a long, healthy life!

1. What should owners know before hiring you?

JD: Your bulldog will be staying in our family home and while they are with us we will treat your bulldog like family! We only offer private and small group boarding so we can develop a relationship with each bulldog so they feel comfortable coming back. We also communicate directly with pet parents by sending photo updates by text, sharing cute photos of your pet on social media, and following ALL care instructions you provide. We use a thorough form to understand your bulldogs unique needs and have it posted in our “bulldog den” (converted formal dining room) so we never miss an instruction or preference. As a home-based business we are here to take care of your bulldog and learn their unique personality!

1. Favorite place to let dogs explore the PNW?

JD: My favorite place to take my dogs, when they were alive, was out at the ocean in more remote locations without many other people around. I felt like that was when they could be most free! However, as a dog boarding business owner my favorite place is our fully fenced back yard. The dogs are safe from encountering unknown animals and can play freely. 

1. Favorite local dog product?

JD: I love the collars and leashes by Pupups, located in North Seattle. Their products are waterproof, extremely durable, compatible with the Fi sensor, and come in cute designs! The other thing I love is the business is local and woman-owned!! We have seen their products hold up to active (messy) puppies and outdoor conditions. It’s definitely worth checking out their social media!

You can follow all the fun on Instagram @comfortabull and Facebook ComfortaBULL Dog Care with more information on their Website: www.comfortabulldogcare.com

A Bullysitter’s Review of BullyMake

Testing a BullyMake subscription box - the toy delivery service for power chewers - only made sense since we care for bulldogs! I waited until we had 3 of our biggest regular bulldogs here to open the box…

You can get boxes from $31 - $39 per month, depending how long you want your subscription and are comfortable paying up front. We were shipped 3 tough toys and 3 bags of treats in a Fall/Thanksgiving theme.

The clear winner was the textured nylon pinecone. Not only did 2 of our 3 big bulldogs thoroughly enjoy it, but a couple of our smaller frenchie guests have since enjoyed it too.

The runner up was a rope that two bulldogs immediately used in a game of tug… causing the rope to come apart. The silver lining is there weren’t shreds of rope everywhere and BullyMake does have a toy replacement policy. I was sent a replacement in the “ballistic” style - I’m not a fan.

Follow up: the third toy has been completely ignored.

The three bags of BullyMake treats look and smell good - and the dogs gobbled them up! The variety of treats and different textures was also a win. *Subscription hack: they also offer a “toys only” box which is helpful if trying out new treats seems too much like flirting with danger.

One thing I learned through this box sample was that BullyMake offers to replace as many toys as necessary from your box. However, it can only be requested once every 30 days so WAIT until you’ve had your box for a full 30 days before requesting replacements.

VERDICT: I prefer BarkBox - their toys hold up to our guests without being so visibly “tough”. If you have a power chewer and you’re curious - use the code F40 for 40% off your first box. We do not receive anything if you sign up - this is simply a review of my experience.

Gift Wishlist for Bulldog Lovers

The holidays will be soon upon us and, although I’m not one to rush, I thought I’d write up an adora-bull gift guide for bulldog lovers. As a bulldog obsessed person I am THRILLED when people buy me bulldog themed items for holidays - so my first tip is: when you’re out shopping, stay on the lookout!

Note: all links will be grouped together at the very bottom.

Here in the PNW having at least one good pair of rain boots is an essential for dog owners - not just for walks, but for going out in the yard hunting for piles. I have one pair on my back patio dedicated to this job specifically. When I saw these, I knew I had to have them: short rainboots with frenchies on them. Total win for the frenchie lover in your life (run true to size). They are $52.99 for a size 8 at the time of this post AND they’re shipping quickly.

Speaking of piles, these dog waste bags are really for ANY dog lover - but I had to feature them because the lyric twists/puns give me a little giggle during an otherwise unpleasant job. The waste bags are by BarkBox (readers know how much I love BarkBox) and come in two styles: Pug Life & Poopaganda. Price at the time of blog post: $12.99 for 300 bags.

This “All You Need is Love and a Bulldog” sign is sitting right by me at my work desk! I was impressed with its quality for price. The little paw prints on the side and the textured look make this look like a boutique store purchase! Currently listed for $10.

The blanket I wanted to recommend in this gift guide is not currently available for sale!! Roscoe is modeling our bulldog sushi blanket to the right :) I will keep looking for it myself but I also suggest you do a basic Google search to see if you can find it by the time you read this blog.

Note: I will include the link for a version of the blanket I found with cats on sushi in case you also own a cat and love sushi!

However, I own a bajillion English and French Bulldog themed throw blankets and I’ll post some of them below. I even included a bulldog lovie, for the itty-bitty bulldog lover! I tend to use my throw blankets on the couch, in my Diggs crates, and as stylish covers for the crates.

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Below are a couple unique spots for bulldog gifts:

French Bulldog Love is, like myself, a woman-owned small business and her shop is filled to the brim with the cutest French Bulldog items including clothing, blankets, stickers, and so much more.

Not only does she offer seasonally themed items (their Halloween items are SO cute), they have custom items too. She is active on Instagram and has a blog.

Kelson Paper is ANOTHER woman-owned small business. I have the most adorable blanket, magnets, and stickers from her featuring both English and French Bulldogs.

I strongly suggest you follow her on Instagram so you can be aware when she opens up or offers art experiences. My purchase was part of a batch of products called “Prints for Paws” which donated money to French Bulldog Village. Everything I purchased was wonderful!

If you aren’t yet familiar with the valuable work done by Bulldog Haven NW then I recommend a look through their website. BHNW rescues, rehabs, and re-homes bulldogs who need special care or medical treatments their owners cannot afford, so any extra funds are enormously helpful.

They operate a TeeSpring shop and a CafePress shop full of Bulldog Haven NW themed items. Your purchase will support their non-profit and help bulldogs in need!

Consider making a donation in the name of your bulldog lover as a gift this holiday season, add them as your Amazon Smile beneficiary, or purchase something off of their Amazon wish list to help the dogs in care.

Another gift idea I would recommend is a paid subscription to BarkBox. I wrote an entire blog about how much we love BarkBox here at ComfortaBull Dog Care. Their toys have been strong enough to stand up to our constant rotation of strong chewers and we haven’t had to throw one out yet. We keep an entire bucket full but will send some home with clients if they develop a “favorite” during their stay.

Note: we only get a free BarkBox added on to our account if you purchase a 6 month subscription or more, which we do not anticipate you to gift, so there is no incentive for us to share other than sharing our love of the subscription service.

Happy shopping! Please feel free to share any shops or products that you are absolutely in love with in the comments.

BarkBox is Bullysitter Approved

As a bullysitter, providing boarding and daycare JUST for bulldogs, I recognize the constant destruction of toys isn’t sustainable. More than likely you are also the caretaker of a “strong chewer”. When I started this bullysitting business I had the usual collection of toys for strong chewers: Kong, ChuckIt, and those super thick ropes that I knew I’d eventually be picking up in shreds. However, I’d seen the cute ads for BarkBox and decided I would try a 6 month subscription - it was literally the cost of several toys at the store, plus there were treats, and I didn’t have to leave my house. When they showed up and the animals had protruding parts (ears, tails, etc.) I thought there was no way they were going to survive. However, oddly enough, they did… I still have one of the toys from that first box and I’m shocked that it’s tail hasn’t been ripped off. I decided to start giving away some of my BarkBox collection to clients because our toy bucket was getting so full, otherwise they’d probably still be “alive”.

Not only did my bullysitting clients look adora-bull carrying a string of sausages, but also they held up to four different bulldogs before I sent them home with one of our guests.

What ultimately sealed the deal though was finding another toy hidden inside one of the destroyed toys! I was shocked to find some pieces of fluff strewn across the floor because I hadn’t had to pick up fluff in so long and was going to throw the toy away when I realized there was more to it… Since then there has been two other toys that got torn and either they had another toy “compartment” and a number of our toys have survived even after losing a limb!

I’m sold. I hope that if you’ve been sitting on the fence considering BarkBox that you’ll give them a 6 month try. It’s worth a shot to see if they stand up to your “strong chewer”. If not, it really wasn’t a huge financial loss compared to the cost of buying toys in market.

Their customer service team is really great about allowing you to adjust your box based upon your dogs chewing style, allergies, and preferences.

If you are interested in supporting extra BarkBoxes for our small business, consider signing up through our link: http://www.barkbox.com/r/QXZAGA0J4Y

Must Have Products for Bulldogs

I have invested quite a bit of time researching and purchasing pet products that cater to my bullysitting clients. I selected four of our favorite products to share.

Bulldog Feeding Solution: Neater Feeder

My absolute favorite product is the Neater Feeder Deluxe. It’s drastically improved the watery mess that results from large jowels. I bought ours in black and I placed it on top of a black tray (sold separately). Unlike other products, not one of my bullysitting clients has refused to eat or drink out of it.

- I purchased a size medium. It is 18” wide and holds two bowls about 5” off the ground. I feel like it’s a good size for both French and English bulldogs.

- There is a size up (Large) which adds 3” of width and 3” elevation, which would suit Olde English Bulldogges.

- The splash guard in the back isn’t even the best part – the feeder is at a slight angle and there is a drain in the front for “bulldog-drops” after they drink water.

- There is an option to exchange one of the regular bowls with a slow feeder or add leg extensions.

Bullysitter hack: use the bottom portion of the feeder as a ginormous outdoor water bowl in the summer.

Bullysitter Approved Crate: Diggs Revol

They’re pricey – no doubt – but I was so impressed with the quality and features of my first Diggs Revol that I invested in another one soon after my first arrived! Having crates on site is an added convenience for bullysitting clients (and me). For years I had the traditional black wire crates, but they are super awkward to move AND I’ve seen escape artists get free. See all the features of the Diggs crates for yourself in the video below.

- We have two Medium crates in Ash (white). This is the size I would recommend for most bulldog pawrents. Waiting for the Large crate would be best if you have an Olde English Bulldogge or two smaller Frenchies that prefer to sleep together.

Bullysitter hack: I use a BarkBox tufted bed because I found the fitted bed (SnoozePad) sold by Diggs to be too pricey.

Easy-for-everyone Pet Gate: Carlson Maxi Pet Gate

We use a couple different gates/fences but we use the Carlson Maxi Pet Gate in ‘extra wide’ at the bottom of our stairs (our bedrooms are upstairs) and it has a nice little bonus feature: a cat door that opens and closes. What I like most about it is that it can be easily removed when we don’t have any bulldogs staying with us.

- The 10”x7” cat door must be left closed if you have small or “motivated” pets you don’t want to get through. Frenchie’s fit easily and the English Bulldog pictured here can successfully contort herself through.

- At 30” tall this gate is NOT sufficient for jumpers. We have to get creative when we have a known jumper staying over. They do sell an “extra tall” version that adds 6”.

- The gate opening is somewhat narrow for adults and some may have to turn sideways to get through.

Bullysitter hack: Save the extra parts! This gate is really versatile and you may decide you want to install it differently later. At one point we had it across our entire hallway and it was still perfectly sturdy.

Boarding & Daycare Tested Cleaning: Biokleen Bac-Out Pet Refresh

We use a lot of different products and tools to keep our home smelling fresh. Between washes I love Biokleen Bac-Out Pet Bed & Fabric Refresher! Biokleen describes the product as “a unique blend of live enzyme cultures that break down and eliminate pet odors that get trapped in fabrics”.

- As we have small children, I love that Biokleen products don’t contain Phosphates, Chlorine, or Amonia.

- Biokleen advertises the product as being great on sofas, bedding, cars, pet areas, curtains, and more. I can vouch for that! I also use it on our Ruggable rugs.

- Biokleen is manufactured in the US and won a 2020 Eco Excellence award. They also make other wonderful products for your home (I also use their drain cleaner).

Bullysitter hack: I use Rocco & Roxie Professional Strength cleaner on accidents and I pre-wash doggy items with Febreeze Laundry Pet Odor Eliminator.

Please note: I have not been paid to write these reviews and have utilized these products as part of my bulldog boarding and daycare business located in Tacoma, Washington. That being said, if you purchase the items we recommend we do receive small incentives from Amazon (pennies, really) but that additional income supports our family. I will always keep it real - these are products we own, use, and love.