INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT: Vancouver Pet Store: Good Boy Collective // Dayandra (She/her), Rupert & Ronnie!

Good Boy Collective is a dog friendly boutique and community space with a focus on modern and ethical supplies for your dog. One of the standout services they offer is a Reactive Dog Private Shopping experience. This is perfect for a stress free, trigger free shopping experience!

 

 

Dayandra started Good Boy collective in 2017 with an online shop. In 2019 she made the leap by leaving her career in fashion and opened up her retail location close to Main Street & 21st Avenue in Vancouver!

 

“This little shop is my entire heart and soul! To say I’m passionate about it would be an understatement!
My whole life I have been a major dog nerd and I hope to share my enthusiasm with all of you!
My goal is to inspire happy, healthy relationships with our dogs (and to have fun while we do it) !
I opened my shop because I felt that something different was needed in the pet store world – there’s so many fantastic small brands out there doing amazing things,
but they were far less represented in stores.
I wanted to open a shop that I’d feel good about shopping in for my own dogs.”

 

Check out Good Boy Collective on Instagram!

 

 

What is the most rewarding thing about your business and what you do?

The most rewarding thing about having our shop is getting to know our customers (and their dogs!) and being part of such a wonderful community. I am also so grateful to be able to work with such wonderful people who are likeminded and in this for the love of dogs too!

 

Have there been challenges? If so, how did you overcome them and what positive things came out of it?

Owning a small business comes with many challenges, however the one that comes to mind first was celebrating our 1 year anniversary during COVID Lockdown. Just like the rest of the world, at the time we truly didn’t know what would happen and there was a lot of uncertainty and fear. We decided to stay positive and safe, but to make some changes to our business – so we started offering curb side pick up and changed our focus during this time. We focused indoor enrichment for dogs staying in more, and all of the great things you COULD do with your dog! During COVID, a lot of people also came together in working to support local small businesses – which was so beautiful to see. I know our neighbourhood really was helped by this! We met so many new faces during that time and these people have become regulars of ours today.

 

What has been your proudest moment in your business journey so far?

There have been so many moments! Right now, I would say I am proud to be celebrating our 5 year anniversary this year. It’s so surreal that it’s already been 5 years and we’re so grateful for this milestone!

 

 

 

 

I’d love to hear about your dog! What is their name, age and type?

I have two dogs: Ronnie and Rupert. Ronnie is a 2 yr old Dalmatian and Rupert is a 6 yr old Chinese Crested – he is a hairless breed, so he only grows hair on his head, feet and tail!

 

What are some things that you love about them?

I would have to write a novel to describe my love for these dogs. They are everything to me and more!

 

Do Rupert and Ronnie have any special quirks or personality traits that are unique to them, or just simply make you melt?

Rupert is a very calm, soft and sweet boy who would love to spend his entire day snuggling with you or following you around. He loves with his whole heart and will literally scream with joy when he sees someone he adores. I must say, having a dog that looks like Rupert is also just entertaining on it’s own! He’s such a funny looking fellow that anything he does is adorable and funny.

Ronnie is athletic, sensitive, loving and let’s be real – absolutely stunning. I could stare at that beauty all day! I am always in awe of how smart she is and how much she’s willing to learn. It is so fun to train her and we have such a good time working together. Just like her brother, she is also very snuggly and loves with her whole heart. She smiles when she is happy with her teeth and will chat with you with moans and groans when she has something to say.

 

 

Dogs can teach us so much about ourselves. What have been some lessons you have learned about yourself?

Anyone who is a dog lover knows that a dog is never “just a dog” – They can teach you about unconditional love and patience. They can be your therapist, even without speaking. They can show you empathy, understanding and kindness. A dog can also break your heart – but every dog you have will teach you something different in their own unique way. I have been lucky to have had a dog through every stage in my life and every milestone. Dog’s have taught me so much throughout my life and I have dedicated my life to my love for them. They’re magic!

 

What does the perfect day, time spent together, look like for you both?

For Ronnie, I love seeing her at the beach – running for miles, digging in the sand and splashing around. I love seeing her experience that pure joy and freedom so a perfect day for me is being able to witness it.

For Rupert, he’s more of a ‘city boy’ at heart – A perfect day with Rupert would be a sunny day of shopping around and having lunch on a patio. The little man loves shopping with us and is such a gentleman! He loves getting attention from all the new people and truly is a dog that is happy just hanging out with you (and sneaking a french fry, if we have any).

 

 

Thank you Dayandra, Ronnie and Rupert!

Follow Good Boy Collective on Instagram here @shopgoodboy and for more info on all the wonderful things they offer, check out their website shopgoodboy.com.

 

HAUS OF RUFUS

“Your pet is your best friend for part of your life,
but you are their best friend for all of theirs.”

 

Haus of Rufus is a pet friendly, photography studio in Vancouver that was born out of the love for our Goldendoodle, Rufus. We invite you to Haus of Rufus, a space where we help you capture meaningful, authentic and vibrant portraits of you and your loved ones.

And if you are lucky enough to be the guardian of a pet, we’d love to capture your bond, at any stage of their precious and significant life.