Pet’s Place: Lessons Learned by Labradoodle Owners

These big dogs, though a little rough on the house, make up for it with love and photogenic moments

Brenna Malmberg May 22, 2017

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Boogie and Piper spend pretty much all their time together and frequently pose with decor for their owners.

Pets at a Glance
Pets: Piper and Boogie, both labradoodles
Ages: 3 and 1½, respectively
Location: San Luis Obispo, California
Owners: Ashley and Kenny Channer

Meet Piper: She’s a cream-colored labradoodle that Ashley describes as a “girl’s best friend.” She’s loyal, obedient, independent and adventurous. She puts those qualities on full display when they go to the beach and play fetch.

Meet Boogie: He’s the younger dog around the house and is a total goofball, Ashley says. Besides making his owners laugh, he spends a lot of time cuddling with them. Boogie and Piper both came from Sweet Home Labradoodles, a local breeder and family friend, when each was 8 weeks old.

House rules: They know what furniture they can and cannot climb on. “Boogie and Piper both rule the house, respectfully,” Ashley says. Boogie, seen here, perches on the couch and eagerly awaits the Channers. He sits with them any time they gather on the couch to watch TV. To help protect the couch, which Boogie is allowed to climb on, Ashley drapes a blanket across the bottom cushions.

Live and learn: “We’ve learned the hard way that wood floors and dogs don’t always get along,” Ashley says. “We have many scratches to prove it.”

On the job: During the week, these two join Kenny at work. They spend most of the day lounging in Kenny’s private office at his physical therapy practice. During a workday break, they join Kenny on a bike or skateboard ride. Often, they also fill in as therapy dogs, “which patients really love,” Ashley says.

Weekend vibes: Boogie and Piper hop in the car any chance they get and go on adventures with Ashley and Kenny to the beach, mountains or a dog park. Piper has been known to hunt and chase lizards during these trips.

Nap time: Boogie and Piper snuggle into the couple’s bed all the time, and Boogie sleeps with them most nights. The couple keeps the bedding bright and clean by washing it with baking soda and vinegar on a weekly basis.

Maintenance: Speaking of cleaning, Boogie and Piper get a bath every week. “Labradoodles are notoriously high-maintenance in the grooming department,” Ashley says. The couple like to keep their dogs’ coats a little longer, which means their furry coats require more attention. They brush them all the time to keep their coats clean and free of mats. “Other than that, they are very easy and low-maintenance dogs,” Ashley says.

Documenting the days: Ashley regularly takes photos of Boogie and Piper around the house, capturing them playing and napping. She has even started Instagram accounts for each dog (Boogie and Piper). She used Piper’s account as a way to post lots of puppy photos without spamming her own personal account with Piper’s furry face. Then Boogie came along, and he got an account too.

“Now we have accounts simply as a way to organize and document sweet photos, fun memories and doodle cuddles,” she says. She loves the way that “photography, style, design and pets have collided in an inspirational way. There’s nothing better than cute pups in beautifully designed spaces.”

Dog house: These two dogs spend every minute by Ashley and Kenny’s side and regularly make them smile, as displayed in this family photo. “They bring so much love, energy, cuddles and laughter to our lives,” Ashley says. “Our house would definitely not be a home without Piper and Boogie.”

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