OOPS we did it again! QCDOC on living local!

Two women and a black dog sitting on a red couch in a TV studio.

Dog safety & ownership tips

QCDOC President Linda Brown and her black lab Chopper "barked about" dog safety and ownership tips on the April 10 episode of Living Local! Click to watch another fur-tastic performance.

5 Dog Safety Tips for Kids:

1) Do not run up to a dog. Do not yell or scream, even if you are excited. Dogs like calm and quiet kids.

2) Always ask permission to pet the dog BEFORE you reach in with your hand! Then let the dog sniff you first.

3) Pet the dog gently. Do not poke eyes, boop nose, yank ears, or pull tails.

4) No hugs or kisses! Keep your face away from the dog’s face.

5) Pups are not Pillows or Playgrounds! Never lay or climb on a dog.

6 Tips for Parents Getting a Family Dog:

1) RESEARCH YOUR BREED BEFORE YOU BUY OR ADOPT. Make sure the dog’s energy level and temperament are appropriate for your family.

2) Enroll your puppy in obedience classes as soon as they are old enough, typically around 12 weeks. Involve your children so they learn how to give commands. Adopting an older dog? They can go to training too!

3) Teach your children how to pet the dog. Calm, gentle petting. No roughhousing. No hugs. No face to face. No picking up the dog.

4) Teach your children how to help take care of the dog. Filling the water bowl. Doing poop patrol. Going to veterinary visits. If kids help with feeding, make sure they know to leave the dog alone while it’s eating. Only adults should work with resource or food guarding training.

5) Designate a “kid-free zone” for your dog. Give them a safe space such as a kennel or a special bed in a quiet room. Teach your children to leave the dog alone when in their safe space.

6) NEVER leave a baby or child unsupervised with a dog. Dogs don’t like to babysit, even if you pay really well. :)-

QCDOC Therapy dogs featured on "living local in the quad cities"

QCDOC President Linda Brown and her black lab Chopper represented the QCDOC Therapy Dog Teams on "Living Local in the Quad Cities"! Click to watch their fur-tastic performance.

If you are a dedicated dog owner who thinks your canine companion might help bring smiles and joy to our community, learn more about certifying with Alliance of Therapy Dogs on our Therapy Dog page.

CONGRATULATIONS TO BILL WALKER - QCDOC MEMBER OF THE YEAR 2025

Bill is always doing something to help – from power washing the building, to coming out in 100 degree heat to rake rocks back into the parking lot after someone did donuts, to cleaning out the doggie doo doo cans in the pens – Bill "works like a dog" to keep our clubhouse looking its best! The list goes on and on. Members, when you see Bill, please thank him for all he does for our club!