Welcome to Neighborhood Favorites.

Today we're at Doggy Style Bakery and Pet Spa with my co-host Moses as we explor the top spot for pampering pets.

We'll meet Krista Hines and her team.

Check out their unique services and even give Moses a nail trim.

Plus, we'll take a peek upstairs at the only cat boarding area in the neighborhood.

Come on, let's go inside.

How are you?

Good.

Hi, George.

Nice to see you, Krista.

Moses.

Say hello.

Hi, Moses.

Oh, my goodness.

So good to see you.

Yeah.

You know, we come here, we, like, stumbled upon you, and we we've never really had a chance to kind of tou and see what you have.

Oh, well.

Yeah.

So.

Oh, this will be great.

Yeah.

Yeah, yeah.

You ready?

Moses?

So does Moses like any toys.

You know I've not had toys for him.

He probably would have inherite his brothers toys who you know is no longer with us but I think I should.

He has bones okay.

But I think he should probably have some toys.

Well, maybe we should check out some toys.

Yeah.

What would you suggest?

He looks like a thoughtful little guy.

I think he might enjo doing some sort of puzzle toys.

Really?

What's the puzzle.

Toy?

So a puzzle toy is something that you can stuff with food or maybe another toy.

Okay, and he can, route through it and try to play with it.

Right.

So this little piece of fromage, can be stuffed with a few different treats and stuff like that and he can, snuffle through it and try to find them.

We also have toy that have toys inside of toys.

Okay.

Right.

So this little cabbage guy, it opens up and it has a nice little fun ball for him to play with.

You like that, Moses?

That squeaks.

Right.

So fun stuff.

And then he can als put some treats around in here.

Okay.

What.

Do you think about the big stuffed?

I think that they are great friends for for the okay.

Like to have in their, like, bed or just.

Exactly Just snuggle with.

Right.

Okay.

So something like the snow leopard.

Okay.

He could cuddle up next to.

Oh, it's a good strong toy.

It's got a lot of he can play with it a lo and it probably won't rip apart.

Okay.

And, he can lay his head on it, become friends with it.

Yeah.

He likes to lay his head.

He.

He likes almost human.

He likes to lay his head, like on a pillow.

Yeah, exactly.

Yeah.

So this guy could be his little pillow and he squeaks, too, right?

He loves noises.

You like that?

Oh my goodness.

Oh you like.

So he's sniffing.

So we may have to take this home, You could start.

Oh, so this is good.

So you come in and is.

There's something that, you know, if people are coming in tha you would suggest that a no or.

Yes, is it size based o how do you know which is going to be the right to for your pet?

Right.

For sure.

Some dogs are really strong chewers some dogs are going to rip apart of, plush toy like this right away.

Okay?

And other dogs are going to love on it and snuggle with it and play with it and just have fun with it.

Right?

So, for dogs that are a little bit more destructive.

Okay.

We have, toys that are rubber, based or even leather.

Something like this is a great to for him to be able to chew on.

Sometimes you don't want to hear a squeaker all the time, right?

Maybe you have a war call you need to take or something like that.

So you need some toys that are for quiet times.

And these things are okay for their teeth and those kinds of things as I see other colors and stuff, although they're pretty, you know, they're.

Sometimes the dyes can be a problem.

Right?

So, so yeah, there is definitely some of our toys have natural dyes.

Okay.

Some of them are not so natural.

So you know, it's up to you where your safety level is, okay, as to where you want to go with that.

But definitely that can be a concern.

So, you know, one of the reasons we do neighborhood favorites is because we love the smal businesses, the boutique stores.

Tell me what makes Doggie style like so different from other places that we would go?

Well, I think first of all, we really want to be a part of the community and we really want to, help support pet owners, right?

There's a lot of questions that people have when they come in here that everybody has is a pet owner, and you want to be the best pet owner you can be, right?

So we're here to help support that.

And it was so cool because, one of your clients came by, you knew the name of the dog.

You knew the name of the person.

You gave him a treat.

You know, it was like, really cool.

So one thing that, you know, I said to you that Moses is always picking stuff up from the ground before he acts like he's hungry.

And, you know, you gave me some feedback about that.

And could we just share a little bit about what you thought that could be and how we can, you know, som of the things that you have here that can help.

Absolutely.

So, first of all, foragin is a natural instinct for a dog.

But ofte they are foraging for something that they're missing a nutrient.

It's something that they're missing in their diet.

Okay.

So looking a that can help with the foraging.

Okay.

Their desire to forage.

Right.

So, the first thing we would talk about is, talk about nutrition and what he's getting to eat and, maybe curbing that.

And then we also talked a little bit about toys.

Right.

So that he has something to play with.

Well, let's see you have some stuff here too.

Like, what is this, some future.

Absolutely.

So Kampuchea is a great food topper.

It's a bone broth but it also includes probiotics.

Probiotics are great for our gut.

They help us absorb our nutrients better.

They help us stay healthier.

And so something like that can be added to his food and can make a huge difference.

And his absorption of the nutrients that he's getting already.

Right.

So I'm seeing so many things here, which I love.

Can we just kind of go through some of the things that we have here?

Like I see the, urinary bladder, you know, Barry, there's tropical balm.

Let's, you know, let's go shopping, okay?

Okay.

Yeah.

So tell me, what is.

A lot of these are CBD products which are new, that are safe for pets.

Okay.

There are 100% THC free, which is really important for pets because they're a lot more susceptible to the THC.

They absorb it a lot faster than they then assume.

Instead of that, it works as a anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, all the great things that it does for us, it does for them.

We also have the urinary Barry, works, to help flush out the urinary tract.

So if they get if they're prone to, bladder urinary tract infections.

And that's a great thing that add to their food, mushrooms as well.

Okay.

We have a couple different types of mushrooms.

They can help cognitive decline in, with cognitive decline in older dogs.

But they can also boost the immune system.

So if they're going through any type of, illness or something like that, mushroom supplement can be a great way to build their immune system back up.

So for you giving me all the I'm laughing and I'm taking all this in is to have all of this information.

I mean, the places that we went before, you just kind of dropped them off, or you had their nails clipped like nobody was there to talk to you about it.

How do you know?

This stuff like this is amazing to get out of this is like a tutorial.

It's like an education.

Just being in the community.

I'm sure it's just something that you love doing, and.

Right.

Well I've had the store since 2002.

So we've been in business for 22 years now.

So.

And I've done a to of research when I first opened all of this information was so overwhelming to me, right.

I had no idea how how much of a difference some of these supplements, some of these foods affected our dogs.

We we learned about highly processed foods an how that affects us as people.

Same thing with our dogs.

So the more processing we d with the foods, the less nature natural nutrient they're absorbing into the body, the more natural nutrients they get in their body, the healthier they are.

So we can say from this dialog that we're having, things have changed.

When my parents had their dogs, the dogs stayed outside.

They never went to the vet, and they ate from what, my scrap or whatever they threw to them.

We're talking about now that it is evolved, that you are taking care of your pet.

Hopefully the way that you're taking care of yourself.

Correct.

And, you know, we have a lot of customers that often say they feed their pets better than they do is they feed themselves.

Right?

Because we love our animals and they don't have a choice.

Right?

So we want to make sure that they're getting the best that they can get.

And it's preventative measures so that they stay healthy and live longer.

And longe lives are happier lives for us.

So we are now with the food and I.

There's so many different brands and things like that.

Let's talk about like for Moses.

We'll use as an example stomach, gut probiotics that you talked about.

I said that correctly.

What do you choose?

How do you think about those kinds of thing when you're making a decision?

For your pet.

So, one of the first thing we think about when we, choose a brand of food to carry is locality is amazing.

United States.

And even how close to us is it made?

Right.

So we have foods here that are made in Maryland, that are produced in Pennsylvania.

That are local to us.

Right.

And that's really important to us becaus supporting our local economy is.

And then being able to get it.

And being able to get it right.

Exactly.

So and then processing, how did the the manufacturers processor put it.

Right.

So we have foods here that are processed at human food facilities, or at their own plant.

Right.

So some of these companies build their own plants and they process there in the foods.

That's importan because they control everything that comes into their plant and how it gets processed.

Right.

And when we see food recalls, a lot of times that's because these companie are bringing in foods to plants and they're sharing the the foods.

Right.

And a lot of those foods can be coming from China.

They don't have any control over exactly what's going in their foods.

Whereas the brands that w carry, we make sure that that is at the top of their list.

Okay.

From start to finish, you're making sure that you know how all of these things are done, right.

So the amount and you know, what's the differenc between wet food and dry food?

How do you like if somebody comes in and says you have a new dog, you don't know what he wants to eat, does it go by breed?

How do you kind of so suggest it?

Right.

So, it goes really it's the processing, right?

So the less processed, th better nutrition you're getting.

Right?

So we go everywhere from a raw food, right?

Which is unprocessed, right.

Or it's ground vegetables and meats and put together and then packaged and frozen and sold to you.

Right.

That's your top of the line as far as nutrition goes.

Right.

And then you go down from that to like a freeze dried food.

Right.

So freeze dried foods retain a lot more of their natural nutrients.

Right.

And I just feel like I don't know anything like, you know what I mean?

Like, I feel lik I thought it was just very easy.

You get your dog, you find, you know, something for them to eat, you find something.

But from what you're telling me, it's a lot more detailed in that.

It's a lot more detailed than that.

Yeah.

And yeah.

So you're looking for places and you're looking for peopl like yourself that says, okay, this is what we need fo your dog to have to grow and to.

To, to be healthy and, and to solve some of those digestive problem and stuff like that.

But yeah.

And then the jumping in, you know, the skin like says I know for myself I have eczema.

So I can't although I love Cologne, I can't wear it on my skin, I wear it on my clothes.

So, you know, Moses also has a small condition of allergies.

And, he checks, so could that could be fine.

The food or something that you think that could help with the skin and those kinds of things?

Absolutely.

We have, even kibbles that are help with skin and stomach issues.

Right.

So definitely nutrition and the type of food and the, the proteins and stuff like that that you're using make a huge difference in the outcome.

Okay.

Now also to expense.

So when you're doing you know, it's probably cheaper to just go someplac and get a big bag or something.

Right.

You're saying that it's worth the added expense because truthfully, it is sometimes a little more expensive to do the, you know, to make it more healthy.

It's just like, yeah.

We'll keep you out of the vet talk, okay?

Okay.

So it's worth it.

Yeah.

Okay.

So that's what I want to say.

So you're either going to spend it making sure he's healthy or her healthy.

Right.

By making sure no matter what the cost.

Because if you don't invest now you're going to be going to the vet.

Right.

And spending it exactly.

If that that and more which are totally okay.

Exactly.

So and you know, the people our customers know, right.

They've used these foods.

We've used these foods.

I use these foods on my dogs.

I, we see the difference in their health.

So when you start using the foods, they almost sell themselves to you because you can see the difference and the improvement.

Okay.

And once you see that you're gonna continue.

So it's an investment.

It's an investment.

It's not just, you know, this is more this course.

Oh my God, I can get thi a little cheaper in some places.

But you you're making a investment in your dog's health.

Exactly.

Okay.

What made you decide to open a dog store?

Well, we had a store.

Yeah, way back in the early 2000.

I was working in an office, and, nine, 11 happened.

And I was right downtown.

Right off of Union Station.

We were you know, close to the mall and, right, sort of in the center of some of the action.

And it really changed the wa that I was looking at my life.

And I really went home an was like, I need to do something that's important that I love, that I'm passionate about.

Okay.

And that's how I started.

I just wanted to spend more tim with my dogs and around people that had dogs and, you know, learning more and and growing in that.

Yeah.

Your passion.

Yeah.

So doing your passion.

And you know, we talked about this when I, you know earlier that when you do your passion it just kind of some way will take care of you.

Do you know what I mean.

And we both agreed that we didn't like to have to be like, in an office, like every day or whatever.

Right?

Just gives yo the freedom and the community.

What does it best that you like about being in the heart of the community here?

On 17th Street.

It's amazing.

It's, you know, dog owners come by.

We have people that stop by the store every day, just to get their dog a treat, to stop and say hi.

It's amazing to see our customers interact with each other, right?

Like as pet owners or as dog owners.

We're always talking to other dog owners.

Our dogs want to interact with another dog.

And so we start interacting.

And it it makes this great community in this great friendship.

And we are here to support that.

And I just really enjoy.

Yeah.

So I was here, we brought Moses here to get, his nails trimmed and, the street was close for Halloween because you guys were, like, giving treats and people brought their dogs, and you could stop it every, you know, business.

And so is that how it is?

Is like a networ of, businesses, small businesses that kind of interact with each other.

I think this part of DuPont is really unique in that almost every store around here is locally owned.

Right?

So we are all local business owners and businesses that are supporting each other and supporting the community, and people just come here and enjoy that interaction and that locality.

It feels like being in a small town almost, in a big city.

So how do you feel?

How do you personally feel, you know, with your staff, like you know them?

You know, it's a smal staff and you get to know people you know more intimately when it's not just like this big corporate thing.

How do you fee like when you come in every day, do you say, you know, I'm really glad I made this move.

How do you.

Absolutely, absolutely.

There's no way that I would have ever wanted to do anything else.

Like everything, that I that I've done here.

It has been so fulfilling to me.

Yeah.

How would would, would you suggest somebody, our viewers saying, you know, I've been doing this forever, I loved what would you suggest for them about either working or starting their own business and pets?

You know, because, you know it's not all like so, you know.

So pets are a lot, right?

Especially taking care of pets.

So you have to be in it because you love it.

Okay.

There is no doing it on the side.

Or wha if you are going to a pet sit or open a store like this, or do grooming or do any type of care for a pet, you have to be in it to to do it right, to be there when that pet needs you.

Well, Moses, are you ready?

Pedro's going to do your nails, and Krista is holding you.

Do you normally?

Sometimes hold.

Pets?

We often do so when they come back and they're well-behaved.

And.

Yeah, he loves getting his nails.

Yeah.

Oftentimes it makes them little bit calmer to hold them.

Okay.

Yeah, I don't know.

He likes getting groomed.

It's like his dad.

Calm calm calm.

Quick and easy.

Yeah, but I wouldn't sa you don't suggest people doing this at home.

You certainly can.

But you just have to go slow and make sure that you.

Isn't there a vein or something.

There is.

Need to know how to.

How do you know where that is?

So, on him, his nails are white, so you can actually see it.

Okay.

If you look at them.

Come here, buddy.

Thank you.

Look, look.

You can see the the white tips, sort of at the end.

Okay.

And where it turns pink here.

Okay.

Is where his quick is.

Okay.

So you just don't want to cut into that.

Yeah, well we'll just bring you here.

Yeah.

How about that?

Look, you you feel better?

Yes.

Whatever.

Dogg style bakery, boutique and pet spa is more than just a store in the community.

Krist and her team are creating a safe and fun place where pet and owners feel right at home.

Thank you for joining us here today, and stay tuned as we explore more local gyms and neighborhood favorites.

We'll see you next time.