Latest news with #Dogster
Cision Canada
10-07-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Vendasta Appoints John Vars as Chief Product Officer to Lead AI-First Product Vision
SASKATOON, SK , July 10, 2025 /CNW/ - Vendasta, the AI-native customer acquisition and engagement platform for small businesses and their trusted partners, has appointed John Vars as Chief Product Officer. The appointment signals a bold next chapter in Vendasta's evolution as an AI-first company — and a commitment to delivering intelligent, sticky solutions that drive measurable growth for agencies and SMBs worldwide. The move underscores Vendasta's commitment to leading the next wave of intelligent automation—empowering agencies, media companies, and SaaS providers with sticky, scalable AI solutions purpose-built for SMB growth. Vars, a seasoned product leader and entrepreneur, brings more than two decades of experience turning complex challenges into intuitive, scalable solutions. He co-founded Dogster and led product at high-growth companies like TaskRabbit and Varo Money . Most recently, as CEO of Mixhalo, he spent over five years at the helm — guiding the company through multiple product launches, including Mixhalo Translate, an AI-powered language interpretation tool for live events. Vars' career reflects a deep commitment to blending innovation with impact, especially at the intersection of user experience, AI, and business growth. "John is equal parts realist and visionary, which is the exact combination we need as we double down on our AI-first strategy," said Brendan King , CEO of Vendasta. "In the last year alone, we've built a multimillion-dollar AI business inside Vendasta with unprecedented traction. This is the kind of product our partners are asking for — high-value, easy-to-deploy AI solutions that get them in the game. In just one quarter, Vendasta's AI platform helped drive over 35,000 unique customer conversations for Neighborly, resulting in 18,000 leads, 11,700 appointments, and 3,400 conversions. That's a 372% increase in leads converted to revenue compared to the prior year. "This isn't incremental improvement—it's AI fundamentally rewriting the rules of local customer acquisition." Among the standout success stories: Denver -based agency The Xcite Group achieved $745K in gross market revenue and 100% retention using Vendasta's AI-powered tools, including AI Receptionist and the SMB dashboard, Business App. These tools don't just streamline operations — they drive conversions, scale revenue, and deepen client relationships by blending automation with a human touch. "AI isn't just a feature. It's becoming the foundation of the modern agency and the SMBs they support," said Vars. "What excites me most about Vendasta is the clarity of vision and the urgency of this moment. We're not waiting for the future, we're building it. And we're perfectly poised to take advantage of this time, as the rise of AI builds on our core company strengths." As Chief Product Officer, Vars will lead Vendasta's product, design, and platform teams, guiding the company's transition into a fully AI-native ecosystem. His leadership arrives as Vendasta prepares to roll out a series of new AI Employees — digital agents that help agencies automate lead generation, client onboarding, reputation management, and more. The announcement comes at a time when AI adoption among SMBs is accelerating, and agencies are under pressure to offer smarter, scalable solutions. With Vars at the helm of product strategy, Vendasta aims to set the standard for how AI is deployed across the partner-powered channel. About Vendasta Vendasta is the AI-native platform for customer acquisition and engagement, built to help businesses get more customers. And keep them. Designed for channel partners like agencies, franchisors, and technology providers, Vendasta's end-to-end solution unifies marketing, sales, and operational workflows into a single, intelligent ecosystem. By combining proprietary SMB data, automation, and AI-powered assistants, Vendasta streamlines every stage of the customer journey, from prospecting to retention to growth. With over 700 team members across Saskatoon , Boca Raton , and Chennai , Vendasta powers growth for a global network of partners and the millions of small businesses they support. SOURCE Vendasta Technologies Inc. Media Contact: Nykea Behiel, Director, Brand & Experience, Vendasta, [email protected]
Daily Record
03-07-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Five of the worst dog breeds for first-time owners including aggressive canine
If you've never owned a dog, these breeds may be too troublesome for you to handle. Getting a dog for the first time is the start of an exciting new chapter in your life, but it's far from easy. Training a dog to obey your commands, as well as possible toilet training and adapting your lifestyle to their needs is a tough gig. The breed of dog you choose can have a huge impact on your success as a pooch parent. Some breeds require extra attention due to grooming needs, health problems, or exercise requirements, making them a handful for inexperienced pet owners. Experts at Dogster have rounded up some of the 'worst' dog breeds to own for first-time dog parents, whether they're known for their aggression, their difficulty to train or other challenges. The experts say on their website: "Beginner pet owners should never adopt a dog without thoroughly researching them. This includes their physical and mental traits, eating requirements, and grooming needs. You must also consider your dog's mental stimulation level and the training they need to stay fit. "Some dogs require more exercise and training, while others have significant grooming requirements. The average pet parent may not have the time to train, groom, and exercise their dog." So, if you're looking for a new dog for the first time, you may want to avoid the following breeds. Dog breeds first-time owners should avoid 1. Border Collie These energetic pups are independent, and so it's important to keep an eye on them as they may start barking, digging, or nipping out of nowhere. Border Collies have a reputation for breaking house training, chewing furniture, and scratching walls, and they need 1.5 to two hours of exercise a day. There are also different types of Border Collie -farm, show line, or sport, which all have different needs, so it's important to know which type you're taking home. 2. Siberian Husky Due to their strength and size, Siberian Huskies require stricter training than other breeds. They are energetic, so you must keep them occupied with plenty of exercise, and they need a lot of space and so shouldn't be living in a flat. They are known to be quite vocal, so be aware of this if you have grumpy neighbours. Their double coat needs extensive grooming to stay clean and tangle-free, making them more challenging for first-time owners. Oh, and if you have small animals in the house like hamsters or small birds, definitely don't go for a husky - they love to hunt! 3. Dalmatian Their high energy levels make Dalmatians quite a challenge for dog owners, and they can become destructive and bark endlessly when bored. Despite having a short coat, Dalmatians still shed heavily, so owners might have to use a vacuum cleaner often. Dalmatians are reasonably smart, but they're better for experienced owners due to their exercise and training requirements. 4. Chow Chow They may look like teddy bears, but they certainly don't act like them. Chow Chows can be stubborn during training, and are not a fan of strangers. They may show aggression toward other animals, including dogs, and while they don't need more than an hour of exercise daily, this grumpy breed requires more training than most. Chow Chows can even be dangerous and irritating in new hands, and so are an absolute no-go for new dog parents. 5. Cane Corso These large, strong dogs like to be the boss, and they were deliberately bred to be protective and intimidating. First-time owners would particularly struggle as they are highly suspicious of new people. They can also become aggressive toward strangers, and mainly attack intruders to show loyalty to their owners. A Cane Corso needs trained as soon as they have a new owner, as they must see their parent as the 'alpha'. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Dachshund with Split-Color Face Is Such a Half-and-Half Cutie
Dachshund with Split-Color Face Is Such a Half-and-Half Cutie originally appeared on Parade Pets. Dachshunds are such fun and sweet pups. With their short legs, long bodies, and eyes that scream "I know I'm cute," Dachshunds are pure personality in fun-sized packaging. These small pooches can come in all types of colors and patterns, but the one you're about to meet has to be one of the most unusual-looking Dachshunds we have ever seen. Just look at this little sausage sweetie who has a split-colored face. He's too cute for words. One person asked, "What an interesting pattern on a Dachshund. Is that considered a dapple? So cute!" The video creator explained that Slinke is more of a piebald. Dogster explains, "To be recognized as a piebald Dachshund, the dog must have colored flecks or spots on a white undercoat. Those with no markings on the body, and only markings on the head, are called extreme piebald and are not officially recognized. If one has blue eyes, it is not considered a true piebald Dachshund, either. They can only have dark-colored eyes." Here's another clip of this striking pup. I have a relative who has always been a Doxie mom, and Dachshunds are fiercely loyal and often bond hard with one person. They can be stubborn but are also smart — and usually food-motivated enough to learn a trick or two (or at least pretend to, if snacks are involved). In short: Dachshunds are equal parts adorable, ridiculous, and bold. They're the lowriders of the dog world, and they know they're iconic. Although piebald Dachshunds are extremely cute and often a popular breed choice, they may have some increased health risks compared to their other Dachshund counterparts. Some of these include eye issues, such as cataracts or glaucoma, as well as skin allergies and sensitivity to extreme temperatures. I think we can all agree that Slinke is one of the cutest Dachshunds we have ever seen! 🐶SIGN UP to get 'pawsitivity' delivered right to your inbox with inspiring & entertaining stories about our furry & feathered friends🐾🐾 Dachshund with Split-Color Face Is Such a Half-and-Half Cutie first appeared on Parade Pets on Jul 1, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade Pets on Jul 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
Newsweek
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Owners Bring Home Saint Bernard, Poodle Mix—Shock at What She Grows Into
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. When bringing home a young, mixed-breed puppy, owners can only imagine what their canine will look like as an adult, which left one family with a bigger fur mess than they expected. A family didn't know what to imagine when welcoming home a Saint Bernard and poodle mix, also known as a Saint Berdoodle. This hybrid is known to be a friendly and affectionate yet protective dog, according to an article from Dogster. These gentle giants make a great family dog, especially as they are hypoallergenic. Given the dog's lineage, the owners planned for a large dog breed, but a March 16 Instagram video posted to the account @yourfriendmarley showed how they underestimated her size. The text on the video reads "when two worlds collide," accompanied by images of the two dog breeds. The product was Marley, a giant fluff baby. About 93 pounds later, their dog was fully grown, and their home was filled with endless fur. Marley stood up with her front paws propping her on the kitchen counter. She stood as tall as the man in the background. Her entire body was covered with luscious, curly hair that looked like a cloud. Newsweek reached out to @yourfriendmarley via Instagram for additional information and comment. Screenshots of two popular dog breeds, a Saint Bernard, left, and a white poodle. Screenshots of two popular dog breeds, a Saint Bernard, left, and a white poodle. Belova Veronika and RS-photography/Getty Images Like any dog, there's plenty of upkeep when it comes to a Saint Berdoodle. The owner wrote in the comment section that Marley receives six cups of food daily and a biscuit, "plus anything she sneaks." Their coats vary. Some might be medium and thick with curly hair, or long and wavy like a Saint Bernard's coat. But either way, daily grooming is essential to avoid any knots. Viewer Reactions The Instagram video amassed over 12.7 million views, 555,000 likes and 4,356 comments as of Friday. "He needs to start paying rent," joked a viewer, while a second wrote: "I thought it was AI." Another added: "That ain't no dog that's a horse." Someone else commented: "I'm a dog groomer and I think I'd die on the spot if that walked in." While many were stunned by the dog's mane, others expressed concern about breeding these two dogs together, claiming many hybrid mixes come from unethical breeders and are prone to health or behavioral issues. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Newsweek
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Woman Wonders What Her Dogs Do Home Alone—Can't Cope With Petcam Footage
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Wondering what her pups were up to while she was out, a dog owner decided to check her pet-cam, but she was not prepared for what she found them doing. The hilarious footage, shared on TikTok on Wednesday under the username @frantb3, shows the mischievous duo engaging in a fight over who gets to play with a piece of underwear they stole from their owner. "Me: [I wonder] what the girls are doing right now. The girls," reads layover text in the clip. It is not uncommon for dogs to show interest in their owner's clothing items, socks, and shoes, including smelly used ones. But a Dogster article medically reviewed by Dr. Amanda Charles says that they have their reasons. When your dog steals the stuff you wear, it is because it smells of you and they love your scent, so you should really be flattered rather than angry. It could also be that they are smelling something of interest, like food crumbs stuck in your socks. However, the dog might also be acting out of boredom, using destructive behavior as a coping mechanism. Dr. Jess Kirk says in a Vet Explains Pets article that there could also be a medical condition behind it, known as pica, characterized by a compulsive urge to eat nonfood items. Playing with your clothes is not only inconvenient to you, but it can also become dangerous for your pup if they accidentally ingest them, because it can lead to gastrointestinal obstructions. To make sure your pup doesn't get hold of any of your items, avoid leaving clothing lying around in the house and keep wardrobes and drawers closed. Stock image: Two small dogs play in a room. Stock image: Two small dogs play in a room. getty images The video quickly went viral on social media and has so far received over 454,000 views and more than 38,000 likes on the platform. One user, Yuadi Santander, commented: "One time I saw my dogs wearing a boxer, and it belonged to the neighbor's son. I don't know how it ended up in my yard, and the dogs kept stretching and stretching, and the poor little boy kept yelling, 'Nooooo!" GC Yazmin posted: "Mine were wearing my underwear on the street, between my three dogs. I was coming back from the store, so embarrassed because my husband was chasing them, wanting to take them off, because they were his favorites." Vi wrote: "They are checking the elastic, don't worry. They will last a thousand more times." Newsweek reached out to @frantb3 for comment via TikTok comments. We could not verify the details of the case. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
