Important pointers on Bailey Chair- Please read!

As a co-designer of the Bailey Chair, I wanted to interject a few things
that keep coming up with newbies coming across our view all the time.

The height of the sides is all-important, as is the fit all the way
around. These are where your dog should be able to EASILY rest his chin
for those all important naps after eating or drinking, while it is going
down! The biggest mistake I see most often is that these are unfinished
or just don't fit right! Remember, if they are too high, just add
another layer of the garden kneeling pads in the bottom. If you didn't
finish the sides well, take a child's pool "noodle" and slice through
one side LENGTHWISE, then slip it over the top of the sides for an
instant padded chin rest.

The pillow at the bottom should be very thick, closed cell foam. This
is different from what is used to line the inside surfaces. The "liner"
is usually from yoga mats or the padded "floor" to put under a sleeping
bag. Garden kneeling pads are just that, available at Home Depot or
Lowe's and many other places in the garden shop, and come in two shapes
- very narrow and long, and double thickness (the footprint, not the
depth). If you need more softness, add a pillow underneath these.

The height of the paw rest. Dog should be comfortable and straight,
without paws or shoulders being pulled too high.

Lastly: How do you keep your dog in the chair? You stay right there
with him/her, interact, entertain, divert attention - whatever it takes!
Getting them used to the chair is fairly easy for most dogs, easier than
most of us thought in the beginning, and challenging for others. Be
honest - did you do your "homework" with your dog before all this
happened? Meaning - obedience training. If you didn't have that type
of relationship with your dog, you'll have some catching up to do. But
if you get it in your head that this may mean life or death (aspiration
pneumonia is not pretty, and can be very costly and life threatening),
then you will work with your dog as if you understand failure is not an
option - then you will likely succeed. It takes practice!

Bailey makes it look easy in his video, because when we designed his
chair, he had been eating in vertical position for about four years, 4-5
times a day, everyday! He just wanted to be cuddled on his kitchen
chair, and he didn't expect the Bailey Chair was going to get him the
same spoiling. It took about 2-3 days for him to adjust, but we always
remained in the room with him, as they can cough, regurgitate, or try to
climb out.

Get a dog trainer for one or two visits if you need serious assistance,
but keep working at it. The alternatives are not many and are less
satisfactory.

If all else fails, call me - I give my telephone number with each DVD.

Donna