Pet’s Place: Buoy the Dog Keeps a California Designer ‘On Course’
Training started early for this Aussiedoodle puppy so he could join his designer companion on the job every day
Brenna Malmberg
September 11, 2017
Photos from Anne Michaelsen-Yahn
Pet at a Glance
Pet: Buoy, an Aussiedoodle
Age: 8 months
Location: Newport Beach, California
Owners: Interior designer Anne Michaelsen-Yahn and Donald Yahn
Meet Buoy: He’s a shy puppy but quickly warms up to new faces, including interior designer Anne Michaelsen-Yahn’s clients. He has lived with the Yahns since he was 12 weeks old.
Nautical name: The name Buoy combines the couple’s interest in boating with their current stage of life. “Buoy is a navigational marker in the ocean,” Anne says. “As our last of seven children prepares to go off to college, we thought something was needed to keep me ‘on course.’ ” Buoy has turned into the eighth child, and they love the fun he brings to the household.
Pet at a Glance
Pet: Buoy, an Aussiedoodle
Age: 8 months
Location: Newport Beach, California
Owners: Interior designer Anne Michaelsen-Yahn and Donald Yahn
Meet Buoy: He’s a shy puppy but quickly warms up to new faces, including interior designer Anne Michaelsen-Yahn’s clients. He has lived with the Yahns since he was 12 weeks old.
Nautical name: The name Buoy combines the couple’s interest in boating with their current stage of life. “Buoy is a navigational marker in the ocean,” Anne says. “As our last of seven children prepares to go off to college, we thought something was needed to keep me ‘on course.’ ” Buoy has turned into the eighth child, and they love the fun he brings to the household.
On the job: Anne brings Buoy along to the office and project sites. “We are hoping he learns to love it as much as I do,” Anne says. He’s young and still learning, so she takes him along whenever she can so he can get used to traveling and different locations.
Payment method: Anne rewards Buoy with lots of love and cuddles when he’s on his best behavior during trips.
Payment method: Anne rewards Buoy with lots of love and cuddles when he’s on his best behavior during trips.
Showroom dog: Buoy also tags along when the designer visits local showrooms to check out materials for an upcoming project. “I started bringing him right away,” Anne says, “so that he would be comfortable in lots of situations.”
Most of the time, Buoy just ends up sitting around and looking cute while she handles business, Anne says. All of it is great training for the young pup.
Break time: At home, Buoy plays with his toys and is learning how to fetch.
The breaks continue outside. The Yahns take Buoy on walks around the block, and he gets to explore the backyard.
Since getting Buoy, the Yahns have added a coyote-proof enclosure with a small doggy door. This allows him to go outside into a safe area even when the Yahns are not home.
Since getting Buoy, the Yahns have added a coyote-proof enclosure with a small doggy door. This allows him to go outside into a safe area even when the Yahns are not home.
When he gets sleepy from playing fetch and outdoor adventures, Buoy snuggles into the coziest spots around the house, Anne says, such as the bed.
Roaming the home: Buoy is being trained on how to best behave around the house. The goal is for him to be able to navigate the whole home, except for the family’s formal dining room.
Roaming the home: Buoy is being trained on how to best behave around the house. The goal is for him to be able to navigate the whole home, except for the family’s formal dining room.
Filling an empty house: “We just love having Buoy around the house and know that when the children are gone, it will add to the fun atmosphere we are used to,” Anne says.
Your turn: Did you do any home improvement projects when you got a pet? Tell us about it in the Comments!
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my cats are indoor only guys. the problem is the dogs love to 'snack' out of the cat pan. yuck! multiple pans needed to be available but also needed to be dog proof and still appeal to the cats ( for consistent use.) I ended up hiring a gentleman to install a cat door in my interior (cart room) bedroom door. the opening is just big enough to let the cats slink through. All my dogs can do is stick their heads through the door to see what's going on. he also cut the door in half and turned it into a dutch door so it is easy to open and check on how everyone is doing when I have non cat lovers over. ( not that this happens often but its a nice feature.) This also comes in handy when I have to have repair personal in. the kitty door can be locked closed if needed or left open for their convenience.
I have been trying to figure out how to build a coyte proof small dog run connected to a doggie door from the house for a couple of years. I would love to see a pic of what this looks like.