It is one of the things clients should think about when out in the rain with their dogs. Purchasing a raincoat or letting them walk ala’ natural. I do both when walking my dogs. Since I have six dogs, it takes a few minutes to get all their gear on. They are so excited that its hard trying to put a rain coat on jumping, wildly happy four-legged banshee’s (that is what I refer to mine as). Usually I will wait until the rain has slacked off and there is but a slight mist or trickle.

Today looks like one of those days that I will sit in wait and just when I think its safe, I will leash them all up and off we will go.

For those that are walking their dogs in this weather..happy rainy walking!

I am very excited to look out the window this morning and see yet another day of sun. Feels great.

Its also  great day to take your dogs out for a stroll. Just remember that even though its not in the high 80’s that dogs can still get over heated, so take plenty of water with you. If you have a white dog, like I do, remember to use dog safe sunscreen so they do burn. Yes, dogs can get sunburns just like humans.

Have a great Sunday from the House of Pawz (HoP)

If your schedule prohibits you from providing for walks and play time for your dog, it is time to hire a professional who can provide those services. Dog daycare and dog walkers can be two great ways to give your dog additional exercise and stimulation. Like in any profession, there are very talented professionals and there are not-so-great companies. Shoddily-run daycares or inexperienced dog walkers and day care employees can create as many behavior problems as lack of exercise can cause, so be very choosy in deciding who you will trust with your dog. Picking the right dog walker is every bit as important as selecting a trustworthy babysitter for your human child – take it seriously.

Evaluating a Prospective Dog Walker

Come well-prepared with a list of questions (ask all that follow and any additional questions you may have):

What credentials does the individual have? Daycare employees and dog walkers should have some knowledge of behavior, training, and dog body language. Are they pet first aid certified?

Ask for veterinary references, references from other canine professionals in the area (trainers, veterinarians, etc.), and references from clients.

What are the businesses rates? Hours? How long has the company been in business? How many dogs do they take at a time? Has a dog ever been injured at or lost by their business? Do they adhere to all local leash laws and clean up after dogs on walks?

What training techniques or tools do they employ? How do they handle unwanted behaviors, like lunging, jumping, or pulling on the leash? Will they follow up with any training techniques and requests you set forth?

Are they fully insured or bonded? All dog professionals should carry liability insurance specifically for pet care businesses, and any professionals entering the home in your absence should also be bonded. Be firm on this requirement.(Please note  an owner is both insured and bonded through the same contract. If they are insured, they are also bonded, same number) Employees of the business must be  bonded separately.

If your dog is aggressive or reactive on walks, what experience do they have working with these dogs? How would they deal with a reactive or aggressive dog being approached by a strange human or loose dog?

If the answers to these questions are all satisfactory, it is time to observe them in action. You should always view the professional “in action.”

No Exceptions

Regardless of whether you’re seeking to employ a dog walker or dog daycare, they should have no objections to you observing them during a work session. Ask to visit or follow along on walks. If they refuse this request, look elsewhere for a professional – your dog walker or daycare provider shouldn’t have anything to hide. Again, no exceptions.

Follow your gut. If you get a bad feeling about a potential dog walker or daycare, keep looking.

Buyer Beware, Unregulated Industry!

At this time, there are no requirements for dog walkers, daycare professionals, or trainers. Anyone, without any experience or knowledge of dogs, can start taking clients as a dog professional. There are many uninsured, uncredentialed, unknowledgeable individuals in all of these fields looking to make a quick buck from dog owners, masquerading as canine experts.

It’s somewhat frightening that one would need a license to cut hair or apply acrylic nails, but no state-mandated licensing program exists for those who are responsible for our best friends. Not all the dog walkers or daycares in the phone book will have insurance, be established as an actual business through the local government, or have the knowledge to keep your dog free from illness or injury, physical or behavioral.

Some cities have started guidelines for dog walkers in response to unscrupulous business owners. San Francisco is one such city, and has posted eight suggested guidelines for dog walkers online at www.sfgov.org. Call your local town or city hall to see if your city has such guidelines. If not, consider passing along San Francisco’s guidelines and suggest something similar be implemented in your town. Keep the S.F. guidelines in mind when evaluating your dog’s new dog walker!

One reason and a big one at that, is my area of business is so small. Ten mile radius from my house small. However, since even one person from afar might know another person in my area, its worth getting all connected through, Blogs, Twitter and Facebook.  My three main areas of marketing online.

It has worked for my art business, but then again,  I can sell art to the world. To be honest I spend more time blogging about my art and posting new items, than I do blogging or twittering about my pet walks, pet sits or the like. How many times does one want to read, “I walked so and so today”, “I played with Kitty for 30 minutes”. It sounds boring, but in reality, I so enjoy my visits with my furclients, but its a bonding thing between just me and the pet.

One reason I wanted to try a Twitter link for my pet sitting is so I can stay up to date with news about dogs, cats and birds. I have followers and do follow quite a few that have great tips on training, interacting, medical issues, laws and the like. In the coming days, I will see what I think of it. If  interested, please let me know what you think as well.

I know it is has affected all of us. The trickle down effect, so to speak. January is always a slow time in retail and business, so it gives me time to reflect and re-organize my priorities.

One of those is how to market my business via the internet. I am an avid user and believer in technology. There really isn’t anything I do not do these days that doesn’t require me to be on the computer or my smart phone. I blog, twitter and facebook all in the name of getting my business out there to my clients and also to new clients. Becoming more efficient and available for my established clients is another important area for me.

In the coming year, I am going to find news ways in which I can reach pet owners through the web. Since dog walking and pet sitting for me is only a ten mile radius, it make the demographics of study a bit challenging.

I guess you  could say this is my New Years resolution. I think we all need something to work towards.

To my established clients, I thank you and I will be working hard at making  your experience with my business even better.

This is also a time to take  steps to keep your pet safe and healthy. Since I have dogs, I always pay attention to whats out there on the internet. I have listed some tips I have found that will give you a better idea on the do’s and don’ts of including your pet in your Thanksgiving family ritual.

1. Don’t give your animal different food than they would normal get. Feeding turkey to your dog or cat can cause him or her unwanted abdominal pain, vomiting or diarrhea, none of which are welcome during this festive weekend.
2. Discourage your family members and guests from indulging your pet with inappropriate snacks. Food high in sodium (especially peanuts and chips) and other fatty foods like poultry skin, beef or port fat can cause an inflammation of pancreas. Pancreatitis is potentially life-threatening condition.
3. Dispose of aluminum foil, plastic wrap, and wax paper from holiday foods. If you pet can get to it, he or she will lick the food off foils or wraps. The swallowing of such coverings can cause an intestinal obstruction.
4. Secure your garbage. It only takes a minute for your little scavenger to get into the garbage and wolf down whatever smells good-including the string used to tie the turkey.
5. Turkey bones are also dangerous for you pet. Any brittle, spiky bone could lodge in the esophagus or cause an irritation of his or her stomach or intestines.
6. Maintain his regular schedule for feeding and exercise. Minimizing the stress of animal means being aware of his daily routine and expectations. Pay as much attention to your pet as usual so that he will not feel neglected or insecure.
7. Keep your pet home and away from parade celebrations. With the large crowds, your pet can become stressed or even worse, can get lost in the crowd.
8. Make sure your furry friend has fresh water at all times. Frequently check your pet’s water bowl to make sure the supply is clean. Busy children and relatives may bump a bowl and spill the water.
9. Provide a quiet refuge for your animal. With all the holidays fanfare, you pet will need a “time out” from visiting friends and family. A comfortable crate is one solution; a room with a “Do Not Disturb” sign is another. Give your dog or cat time and space to settle down or take a nap.
10. Keep current registration and identification tags on you pet. With guests coming in and out of your home, it is very easy for a door to be left ajar and for your animal to wander off.

We here at Pawcific NW Petsitting would like to wish you and yours a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving

Yes, there is a company that is releasing a gadget called the Spotlight. It is a rectangle box that attaches to fido’s collar and is smaller than a business card. It will connect with satellites and cell phone towers pinpointing the location of your dog’s whereabouts, through GPS tracking.

Now if the dogs goes beyond a certain point, the Spotlight will send a text message to your phone telling you where the dog’s location is. Not only that, but  if you  have a smartphone with web access it will provide directions! Nifty huh?

If you have an escape artist, this is an ideal solution, provided the device stays on the collar. Right now they haven’t released it,  but when they do I will be curious to find out just how well they do. It will be waterproof, and weigh less than 2.5 ounces and get this, it will have a LED light you can turn on remotely..I tell you it doesn’t get any more better than this. There of course will be a charge of $250 for the device with a monthly service fee, depending on what type of plan the owner wants.

The company releasing these devices is PAW , short for Positioning Animals Worldwide. They partnered with the American Kennel Clubs Companion Animal Recovery division. You can see the devices by going to www.pawgps.com

This months issue had me wondering if what I feed my dogs is really the best thing for them. The reason I feed them what I do, is my first adopted dog, Gus, had a very bad outbreak of skin allergies. I tried the expensive medicated shampoos, the very expensive foods; I tried oral medications, even putting vitamin E in his food, to no avail. He oozed and had a horrible smell about him. It finally got to the point where he lost most his hair. Poor thing, he was a site to be sure.

As I wandered the pet food aisle at my local grocery store, I saw a bag of food that had Salmon and yogurt. “Good for skin issues” is what the bag proclaimed. I thought, “why not”, nothing else is working.  Well low and behold his skin cleared up and his hair started growing back! Yes, it is a name brand food, but it worked and I have used it ever since.

I have been asked what brand I feed my dogs and after answering the question, get scowls and the ever common, “it’s full of fillers and it’s bad”. His vet recently even went so far as to give him a rated F on the brand of dog food! Although he did not find anything wrong with Gus and said his skin and hair are in great condition, I now feel like I am committing some great crime in feeding my dogs a brand named dog food from “ack!” a grocery store shelf!

So it was that I happened upon this article about “The Raw Debate”. It talks about the pros and cons of feeding your dog a raw food diet vs. the commercial brands out there. More are heeding the call to raw diet in wake of the pet food scares in recent years. Saying, “It is a more natural diet for dogs”. But, is it?

There are two types of raw diets, ones made commercially and ones you make yourself. (I have six dogs, so I won’t be heading to the kitchen anytime soon). Each consists of raw meat, veggies and supplements with a few grains and fruits thrown in. However, you have to be careful in making sure that it is properly balanced and meets the dogs’ requirements.

Pros are:

Safety, (you know what is going into the raw food when preparing yourself)

Health, when making or buying raw food it allows you to meet your dog’s specific needs. An example would be if your dog is allergic to wheat products or has any food allergies. It also has a high water content that allows you to feed more while keeping your dog weight under control.

Cons are:

Safety, When feeding a raw diet, people need to be aware of Salmonella and other canine pathogens. Bones that are in the mix can also cause choking and intestinal blockage.

Health, it is can be difficult to get an adequate, balanced and nutritional diet your dog needs. Sometimes it takes months for deficiencies to show up. Raw veggies are also hard to digest for some dogs. (They recommend cooking the veggies)

Last but not least is the question you have to ask yourself when considering a raw food diet. “Am I prepared for the expense and time it takes to prepare the food”? If you work a lot and spend more time on take-out food for yourself on a weekly business, chances are that you’re too busy to prepare a home-made raw diet for your four-legged furchild. If you travel a lot and board your dogs, many boarding kennels charge extra for the space and time it takes to store the food.

Right now there is little evidence on the health benefits of feeding your dog a raw food diet. I am sure as more health food scares arise and more people become aware of what really goes into their dogs’ food, there will be. For now, if you’re like me, it’s a matter of personal preference and what is working for your dogs.

Everyday I read about all the new services that are out there providing the help that we, as pet owners need. Just recently I read about a new one, (well not so new in the human world), but new to the pet world, Reiki.It was very interesting to read so I thought I would share.

What is Reiki? It is the ancient Japanese healing technique with similarities to it energy cousins, Tai Ch’i. The popularity of Reiki among pet owners is growing rapidly. Animals are extremely sensitive to energy and enjoy the experience. Treating an animal may require several visits, depending on the situation. When a Reiki treatment is being givien for the first time it may rquire that the practioner sit across the room from the anmal and send Reiki; that is especially true for aggresive animals. It is not necessary to touch the animal, as with a person, for the Reiki treament to be effective.

The benefits from Reiki are:

• Speeding healing from injury
• Reduce stress
• Increase energy
• Increase performance
• Relax tight muscles in the animals
• Calms anxious and nervous behavior in the pet
• Eases chronic and acute pain in injured or geriatric animals

There are even Reiki practioners here in the Portland and surrounding areas. To find out more you can go to http://www.juliaspetcare.com/reiki.htm

Since I am all about trying to find natural remedies, after reading about Reiki energy, I would think it would be another alternative to giving your pets certain medications for aniexty and stress.

I also worry about next Friday, the 4TH of July, where fireworks rule the day. I know that two of my dogs are not bothered by the noises, but last fall I added two others to my four-legged family. I am not sure how all the noise is going to affect them. As I was waiting for the train yesterday I read an article about helping cats and dogs cope with all the fireworks.

One tip suggested conditioning your pet to cope with the sound of fireworks, by playing recordings of fireworks at a low volume during which your pet is engaged in a activity, such as eating or playing. As time goes on play the recordings a bit louder. When your pet stops exhibiting signs of stress, such as pacing or panting you know that they’re conditioned to the noise. (This is a great idea, one I am going to use)

Another option is taking your pet to a vet for mild sedatives. However, this is a personal choice. Some experts prefer exercises over sedatives.  A good work out can drain much of the pent up energy.

If your dog or cat does panic during the holiday, get them inside and try keeping them calm. They say to turn either the TV or radio up high to mask the noise. Even a fan or air conditioner would work. If the pets are inside try giving them a toy or something they can chew or lick. Anything that can relax them and let them have fun.

If your pet does get out during the 4TH and becomes lost be prepared.

Make sure they are up to date with their ID tags or microchips. Call your local shelters or vets and be careful how you describe your pet, some people may find them but give a different description. Ask neighbors or anyone near if they have seen your pet. Post signs that include a picture and contact information. Don’t forget the internet, use listservs and e-mail contacts.

Last but not least if you find a lost pet call a shelter to see if anyone has filed a lost report. This is especially important if the animal doesn’t have tags. Shelters and vet offices can also scan the animal to see if they have been micro chipped.

By taking precautions you and your pet can have a safe and fun 4TH of July.