Episode 07: The K9 Outpost
In this episode of the Small Business Voice, Jeanette Forni is joined by co-host Marisol "Mari" Fernandez of Rooted Movement, who comes straight from teaching her free Saturday morning community fitness class downtown Modesto. The two bond over dogs, summer prep, and the kind of practical pet knowledge most owners wish they had sooner.
The featured guest is Susan, owner of Canine Outpost, located at 1001 South Berkeley Avenue in Turlock — a full-service dog boarding, daycare, and training facility that's been part of Jeanette's life since Kona was their very first boarding client (a stay that involved Kona escaping his setup, triggering the motion sensors, and meeting Susan at the front door).
Susan's background is in veterinary medicine, and it shows. The conversation covers far more than just boarding. She explains the difference between physical and mental exhaustion in dogs — a dog can walk six miles and still be mentally wound up enough to redecorate your living room — and why mental enrichment like frozen Kongs, Kong wobblers, and lick mats are so effective. Jeanette gets the good news that her frozen plate of ice and pepperoni slices is actually a great enrichment tool, equivalent to a 30-minute walk in terms of mental engagement.
Susan also walks through Canine Outpost's Puppy Preschool program, which covers sound desensitization (a must before 4th of July fireworks), handling desensitization for vet and groomer visits, and building routines that carry over when dogs go home. She shares a sobering story about a Frenchie boarder who developed aspiration pneumonia, and why having a signed vet release on file — allowing the facility to make medical decisions when owners can't be reached — is so important.
The episode also covers practical summer pet safety: microchipping, putting your phone number on a dollar store collar with a Sharpie, not leaving dogs in the heat, and making sure your homeowner's insurance includes pet liability coverage for incidents caused by a dog bolting out the door.
Canine Outpost is open seven days a week — 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, 8 to 4 on Saturdays, and 10 to 2 on Sundays. Reach them at 209-250-1151 or canineoutpost.com
