Your dog normally loves taking car rides, but the minute you have to take him to the vet, he knows. Don’t ask me how – but they always do. And he resists with the strength of a sumo wrestler, showing more agility in the moments that you are trying to wrangle them into your vehicle than he has since early puppyhood. You drive to the vet and wrestle him into the front door. You wait – and the minutes go by slower than molasses – in a room full of yipping, meowing, screeching, chirping, howling, wiggling, barking, jumping, equally-stressed-out, unhappy pets and owners, waiting for your turn.

Finally, you get to go back to your examination room, which at this point seems like a quiet sanctuary. Your vet gives your dog a thorough exam, followed by any necessary vaccinations. If you’re there for an extra special reason – say, your dog ate a pencil, followed by a dryer sheet, part of a towel and a giraffe toy (are my dogs really goats?), he gets “special” attention.

Finally, you get your prescriptions and medications and you’re out the door to the check-out desk. And just as you’re getting ready to breathe a sigh of relief, you’re handed a printout that tells how much that delightful trip just cost you, and you realize – again – why you can’t afford to buy yourself anything nice.

When did pet meds get so expensive? It seems that in the last 10 to 15 years, the cost of medications has skyrocketed. Just how much are pharmaceutical companies profiting off our pets’ medical needs? What exactly drives up the cost of our pets’ medications? Here is what I found:

It turns out that there is an enormous cost for research and development for pet medications. Many pet medications have the same active ingredients as their corresponding human drugs, only in much smaller amounts. But, even using familiar ingredients, it can take years (up to five years or more for dogs) to develop that particular medication and bring a safe, effective drug to market. The flea/tick/heartworm medication that you apply to your pet took nearly 10 years in research and millions of dollars before becoming available for pet use.

Pet medications must also be tested, studied and declared safe for your animals using the same standards as human medications. They also must be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before they’re available for prescription and pet use.

As owners, it is our responsibility to do the best we can for our pets, and even though the medications can be expensive, they really are an important part of our pets’ care. By making sure they are vaccinated and receive their preventative medications, we have the power to prevent our animals from being bitten by ticks, infested with fleas and having worms invade their lungs and hearts.

I’m guilty.

I purchased Riley, my first boxer, seven years ago from a breeder out on a farm. I found him in the local paper. And although I’m ashamed to admit it, I purchased my second boxer, Maddie, on Ebay. She was a Christmas gift to my husband (who, by the way, didn’t even want another dog). She was the last of the litter and they needed to “get rid” of her, so I got her for a “deal.” I actually made myself feel better by convincing myself that I rescued her from Ebay.

Because of our business, Paws Pet Care Pet Sitting & Dog Walking, we spend a large amount of time in the community networking with other businesses, rescue groups and non-profits. I had plenty of opportunities to foster or adopt, but out of true ignorance, even I had reservations about adopting a pet.

I mean, a shelter pet is obviously not a good pet or the owner wouldn’t have gotten rid of it, right? A shelter pet was probably abused, so it would never fit in with my family because I have children and it might turn out to be aggressive. You never know what you’re getting with a shelter/rescue pet, right? Shelter pets are usually sick or unhealthy, right?

WRONG. There are many misconceptions about the quality of animals found in rescue shelters. The stigma that shelter pets have been stuck with for many years is that they are “damaged goods.” I understand how ignorant I was now, because I decided to adopt my third dog, “Biscuit,” a pitbull mix.

“Biscuit” changed my perception of rescue and shelter animals forever. She came into my life through my relationship with an organization here in Louisville called “Saving Sunny.” They rescue, rehabilitate and re-home animal victims of abuse, neglect and those that are in danger of euthanasia. Most of their dogs are described as “bully breeds,” including a variety of American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, American Bulldogs, Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers and other misunderstood breeds or breed mixes. Biscuit is a pit-mix and the minute I saw her, I fell in love with her. I can’t even explain why, but there was a definite connection from the very start. I was still afraid to make the commitment to keep her, so I decided to foster her. After having her in our home for two months, getting her ready to be adopted by a good home, I couldn’t give her up. She had already
adopted me.

The facts about rescues and shelter animals are simple. Shelter pets aren’t there because they are “bad.” Perhaps their owner passed away or was irresponsible and didn’t get their pet spayed or neutered and found themselves with a litter of babies that they couldn’t keep. Perhaps the owner was abusive and the animal was removed or someone adopted a pet and didn’t take into consideration the responsibility that it would involve – and so decided to “get rid” of it.

It is also an absolute myth that all animals that have been mistreated or abused will not be good pets. Most animals coming from abusive homes will typically make a full emotional recovery – with the proper care and attention. In fact, many of them are so grateful to be rescued from their previous situation, they end up being more devoted and loyal than animals coming from non-abusive homes. And while it is true that some rescue/shelter pets may have some medical issues, most of them are perfectly healthy and just need a family to call their own.

There are several animal rescues and shelters here locally that are overflowing with adoptable pets, and are begging responsible potential pet-parents to adopt. Please make a responsible choice the next time you decide to add a pet to your family. Don’t shop –ADOPT!

While I’m still struggling every day to fully recover mentally, physically and emotionally from the trauma of all those events, hope has replaced despair and something akin to happiness has replaced the feelings of immense sadness and loss. Peace has replaced anger – and I owe much of it to my fur-kids, Riley, Maddie and Biscuit.

You see, animals (mine and all those that I care for with Paws Pet Care every day) give me a reason to get out of bed every morning. They need to be walked.  They need to be fed. They need to see the vet. They need to be cared for. They need ME.

But, to be perfectly honest, their need for me is not the only thing that has helped me cope and heal in the last few weeks. I need them. I need to see their wagging tails and their smiling faces (of COURSE they smile!), greeting me at the door every day.  I need to feel their unconditional love and their complete and total happiness at seeing me, no matter how bad I look, no matter how sad I am or what shape I’m in, emotionally or physically.

I can’t tell you how many times in the last four weeks I have held or stroked my own pets, and even my clients’ pets, and just sobbed. And you know what? They have let me. Without judgement. Without speaking. Without that awkward, “what do I say now to help this person” silence. Their eyes speak volumes. Their gentle nudges, their paws on my shoulder and their tongues licking away the tears say louder than any spoken words, “I understand, and I love you.”

We sometimes forget how much animals help people, and even when we greatly love the pets and animals we care for, it’s all too easy to take them for granted. We can forget that they, too, care for us. And even scientists know that our pets have actual healing powers. When you stroke a cat or pet a dog, you experience a surge of healing hormones and chemicals that produce feelings of peace and serenity.

Healing relationships come in many sizes. Some have two legs, some have four legs and some even have fins or feathers. Do you have a Riley, Maddie or Biscuit in your life?

The bad news is that the West Nile Virus CAN infect your animal. The good news is that it is rare in healthy pets, and studies show that many times if your pet has it, they will not show any symptoms and will often get over the virus without the owner ever knowing.

It’s always better to be safe than sorry. If you are concerned that your pet may have the virus (some of the symptoms are lethargy and loss off appetite)  you should get them to their veterinarian for testing.

There are other nasty diseases carried by mosquitoes that are even more of a threat to your pet. According to the American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA), there are millions of dogs in the United States that have been infected with heartworm disease – a potentially fatal infection transmitted by the mosquito. Heartworm disease can easily be prevented by eliminating mosquitoes around your house and using heartworm medications that have been approved or administered by your vet.

Personally, I don’t like putting unnecessary chemicals on myself, my kids or my pets, so I look for more natural options. If you research, there are many natural products available with different active ingredients. I did some research and according to Dogs Naturally Magazine, the most effective natural mosquito repellent for people is Repel Lemon Eucalyptus, which you can find online or at Target or Walmart. It has been backed by studies from the New England Journal of Medicine, the US Department of Agriculture and Consumer Reports.  Be warned – it does not smell great, but it works better than anything I have ever used.

Do NOT use “people” insect repellent on your pets! Most contain DEET and other chemicals that are toxic when ingested at high doses, and dogs and cats may lick it off and swallow it, potentially resulting in poisoning. If your pet has ingested DEET, they may exhibit the following symptoms:
• drooling
• wobbly gait
• seizures
• vomiting
• loss of appetite

If your animal has ingested DEET, please contact your veterinarian or emergency veterinary clinic for advice.

For animals, I found a pet-safe lemon, lavender and eucalyptus product that can be purchased from Daisy Paw. They also make cool collars specially made to hold the essential oils, keeping your pet protected longer without having to spray the product directly on his skin. There are also other insecticides that are available by prescription from your vet, like Advantix, Frontline, etc.

FICTION: Dog waste is a good fertilizer for my yard.
Wrong! Dog waste is toxic to your lawn. It will discolor or even burn your grass. This misconception confuses pet waste with cow manure, which could be beneficial to one’s lawn. Cow manure is good for lawns and gardens because it started out as a form of vegetation. Dogs are carnivores. Most dog foods today are composed of beef, chicken and/or pork. This creates a highly acidic waste product that is bad for your grass and can leave your backyard a mess. Contrary to popular opinion, not all poop is created equal.

FACT: Dog waste is terrible for the environment.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies pet waste as a dangerous pollutant which falls into the same category as toxic chemicals and oil. Yes, your dog’s poo is just as dangerous as those deadly gases.

FICTION: Dog waste will go away on its own.
Many dog owners think that dog poop will eventually fade into the ground and go away. Due to weather conditions, dog poo does clean itself up, but its lasting effects stay. Did you know that pet waste can spread parasites such as hookworms, ringworms and tapeworms, as well as the bacteria that causes Salmonella? Yes, the poop will disappear from your yard, but the parasite eggs can linger for years!

FACT: Not picking up waste results in fines and eviction.
Your neighbors don’t want to smell your dog’s poop, and they definitely don’t want to have those moments when they accidentally step in it. Your dog’s waste plays a large role in your community. When walking your dog, be sure to clean up after him. Remember, dog poop has tons of bacteria that may cause diseases, particularly in children.

Fortunately, there is help. If you don’t have time to clean waste from your yard or outside living space, there are many companies that will come and do it for you. Paws Pet Care is one! How does a “Poop-Scoop” service work? Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding our Poop

Scoop services:

How often do you clean my yard?
Whenever you wish! The most popular are the weekly and twice per week service. We also offer every other week, monthly and one-time cleanups.

Where do you clean?
We check the entire yard and remove any dog waste we come across. Basically, if a dog can poop there, we can go there and pick it up.

How do you clean my yard?
All waste is bagged and placed in your outside trash container, or, if you would rather, we can take it away.

Do I have to sign a long-term contract?
At Paws Pet Care we never require contracts.

Can I skip a day or suspend service for a while?
Yes! You will not be billed for days you want to skip, or for missed calls due to weather.

Can I choose just a one-time cleaning?
Of course! Whether you need to get ready for a party or to sell your house we can provide 1-time
only cleaning.

Give us a call at 502.802.5052 or email us at info@pawspetcareathome.com to chat about how we can help you keep your yard safe and clean, the rest of the summer and into the fall!

Wrong. Personally, I would apply a lot of the same principles for hiring someone to care for my pets as I would finding someone to watch my children. But then again, my pets are just like my children to me, and in this article I’ll be speaking to like-minded individuals.

The first thing that most people consider when looking for a pet sitter is, unfortunately, price. Now, don’t get me wrong – I can appreciate and understand the fact that most people are working within a budget when looking to hire a pet sitter. My father always told me, “you get what you pay for.” This is certainly true when you are looking for a professional pet sitter.

As far as rates go, you can pay that college kid, next-door-neighbor or “cheap” pet sitter $10 per visit. But be prepared to be lucky if they show up on time, or at all. I can’t tell you how many horror stories I heard from clients who hired “discount” pet sitters, only to find out that their pets weren’t cared for as promised, and some that discovered their pets were not cared for at all. I recently read a story in the news about a poor family in Arizona who hired a “discount” pet sitter for overnight care of their three dogs. When they got home, two of their three dogs were dead in the back yard. The pet sitter had come over once, let the dogs out in the back yard and left them out so she wouldn’t have to stay overnight. A bobcat came into the yard and killed their poor pets. Turns out she was also a convicted felon, and was still on probation for theft! It’s important to realize that you aren’t just paying for a pet sitter, you are paying for safety, security and peace of mind. Can you place a price on your peace of mind?

On the flip side, watch out for pet sitters who want to nickel and dime you for every little service – like the ones who charge you $2 to rotate the blinds, $1 per pill they have to administer to your pet, $3 to take out the trash, etc. At Paws Pet Care, you are charged one price and receive full service. All the little extras are included at no charge to our clients, with no extra hidden charges and fees.

Also be wary of pet sitters that charge by time. At Paws Pet Care, we would rather concentrate on providing care to your pets than watch an egg-timer or stop-watch. Would I charge a client extra for time and a trip fee if something happened and their pet needed emergency care? No, and you shouldn’t settle for someone who would. You can expect us to make sure your pet gets to the vet, notify you of the situation and stay with them until you’re able to get there. A babysitter wouldn’t charge you extra to provide emergency care for your children, and we don’t think it should be any different for your pets. This is why, at Paws Pet Care, we only charge by the service. We believe in quality and not quantity.

Make sure you do your homework before you invite a stranger into your home, to work with your pets and to have access to your most precious possessions. There are several things that you should consider before you hire a professional pet sitter. Here’s a list of general recommendations from several websites, including NAPPS (National Association of Professional Pet Sitters), PetSitUSA and some of my very own, that you can print out and use when you are interviewing professional pet sitters.

1. Do they answer or respond to your calls in a prompt manner?
2. How long has this pet sitter been in business? Make sure they have been in business for at least two to three years, and plan on staying in business and servicing your area. That way, you don’t establish a trusting relationship with someone who is going to disappear.
3. Are they licensed to do business in the state in which they are providing services?
4. Are they accredited through the Better Business Bureau?
5. Are they Pet CPR/First Aid Certified or do they have any other type of certifications?
6. Are they properly insured and bonded (if they have employees)? Are they willing to show you their certificate of insurance?
7. Do they offer to visit your home before the first assignment to meet you and your pet(s) so you can make sure that they are a good fit for you and your needs? We offer a free “Get Acquainted” visit to our clients, which lasts as long as the animal needs for us to be there in order to feel comfortable with us.
8. If you do meet them, do they present themselves in a professional manner? I would never hire a pet sitter that didn’t give me their undivided attention at our “meet and greet” and who didn’t act interested in my pets or what I had to say about them.
9. Do they provide a professional service contract, and go over and clearly explain specific services and their fees
10. Are they available when you need them? Make sure that you check your pet sitter’s availability. Most people travel on holidays and weekends. Do they provide services during those times? What about peak times, like summer vacations? What times of the day do they provide services? Do they charge extra for early or late visits?
11. Are they qualified? I suggest asking questions like: What would the sitter do if they arrived and couldn’t find the cat? What would the sitter do if there was a storm and they couldn’t get to the house right away? What if the pet was injured and required veterinary care?
12. Do they have an emergency back-up plan? If your pet sitter has employees, what is the plan if one of their employees has a car accident on the way to care for your pet? What if their car breaks down, or a tree is in the roadway blocking their way? Does the owner have a follow-up method to make sure that their employee has actually provided care?
13. Do they provide complimentary pictures or texts of your pet when they visit? Paws Pet Care does, at least once a day, so you know we’ve been with your pet.
14. Do they confirm that you arrived home, or ask you to call or text them? At Paws Pet Care, we continue service until our clients call us and let them know they are home with their pet. Ask what kind of confirmation procedure he or she uses.
15. Do they offer an online profile management system? How do they keep information about your pet updated? Do they offer any kind of online scheduling or bill-pay?
16. If they offer a client profile management system, is it secure and confidential?
17. What are their requirements regarding payment? Up front? Half before and half after?
18. Do they have an active web presence (website) and social media presence? A website can speak volumes about how professional a company is. Also, check out their Facebook Fan Page, Twitter feed or other social media profiles to see what others are saying about them and to see what kind of posts they are making.
19. Are they active in the community? Do they volunteer or work with other like-minded businesses? Do they write a column, teach a pet-related class? Network in the community?
20. Are they willing to leave you feedback forms? We call them “Care-Notes” and leave them for every client, every time.

Have you ever hired a professional pet sitter? Beth would love to hear from you regarding your experiences. If you have never used a professional pet sitter but have questions about how one can benefit your family, feel free to give Paws Pet Care a call at 502.802.5052, email them at info@pawspetcareathome.com or visit their website at www.pawspetcareathome.com for more information. 

No matter how many vaccinations he was given, or how excellent the care he wouldn’t eat (so no poop either) for a week, he would inevitably get the dreaded “kennel cough” or some other respiratory illness, chew his hair out of his paws, scratch himself until he bled and shed for a week after we brought him home (among a myriad of other things, including a flea infestation).

We tried leaving Riley with family and friends, but many times it felt like we were burdening them with his care (they all have their own pets and their own lives). We got phone calls from neighbors saying they could hear our Riley barking in the house all night long, leading to a guilt-trip for leaving him alone. There were times when we weren’t sure he was being cared for as we would care for him if we were home. Did the neighbor kids really let him out like they said? Finally, we got to a point at which we didn’t want to leave him at all.
Now, my husband and I “pet-sat” for our own friends and family over the years while they were away, and our standard of care always seemed higher than anything we had ever personally experienced ourselves. We took the time to send pictures of their pets to them. We left them notes. We provided house-keeping duties, made sure their yard was picked up and their trash taken out. We watered plants, played “fetch” and gave lots of belly-rubs. We cleaned up messes and scooped litter. This was before we even knew that professional pet sitters existed! Finally, we decided that there were plenty of other people who shared our same predicament and our pet-sitting company, “Paws Pet Care Pet Sitting & Dog Walking,” was born.

Today, having worked with over 125 clients as a professional in the pet sitting industry, I can tell you that we were right: while there are many people who do board and kennel with no issues, there are many, many people who cannot or do not want to board their pets, for many reasons ranging from vacations, full-time workdays, ill or injured animals, pets that suffer from separation anxiety, ill or injured owners and animals that are attention-cravers.

There are several reasons why a family may want to hire a pet sitter for their beloved four-legged family member. Insert your own pet’s name into any or all of the scenarios below:

1. “Fido” can’t be left home alone for more than eight hours or he will use the brand-new flooring as a personal toilet – no less than 15 times.
2. “Fluffy” has separation anxiety or boredom issues.  If Fluffy is left alone too long, she will most certainly let you know what a terrible pet-parent you are, by tearing your furniture, blinds, trash, bedding or, as in my case, the most expensive item in your home to shreds, and then give you “that look” when you get home.
3. “Duke” needs timed medication throughout the day. Maybe he has to be given pills every four hours, or needs an insulin injection on time, and should be watched closely for a period of time after.
4. “Rufus” needs his daily walk, because he most definitely will bounce off the walls or try to tear through bars of solid steel if he is crated. But his owners have a late meeting, have suffered an injury or for any other reason they are temporarily unable to walk him.
5. The whole family is out of town for several days on a much-needed and deserved vacation, which is not pet-friendly.

There are several ways that a professional pet sitter can benefit your pet:

1. Your pet likes life to be the same way every day.  He or she is a creature of habit. When you hire a pet sitter, your pet remains in his or her own home with all the sights, sounds and smells that are familiar.
2. Your pet’s diet routines are uninterrupted. Some animals will not eat while boarded or kenneled because they are too stressed.
3. When you board or kennel, your pet may not get the amount of exercise to which he or she is accustomed, in order to be happy.
4. When you hire a professional pet sitter, your pet does not have to have extra vaccinations.
5. When your pet gets to stay in your home, the animal’s exposure to disease and stress is minimized. In boarding kennels there is a greater chance of contracting germs that can cause illness and there is constant exposure to other animals, which can be very stressful.
6. Sometimes the trip alone to a boarding facility is stressful for your pet.
7. Your pet will benefit from the personalized attention given by a professional he or she will come to know and trust. A professional pet sitter can offer attention, mental stimulation, love, playtime and even treats if permitted.
8. Kennels may not accept the breed of animal that you have. While I can’t speak for other pet sitters, our own company – Paws Pet Care – never has and never will discriminate against breed.

A truly professional pet sitter will benefit your family in so many ways. You will experience peace of mind knowing that your pet is being cared for in the comfort and security of his or her own environment. You don’t have to transport your pet anywhere, which creates fewer logistical challenges – no packing a bunch of supplies for Max, no taking him to the kennel and dealing with the guilt and worry of leaving him there, no diseases to come home to, etc. And many pet sitters, like our own company, Paws Pet Care, do other little things like bring in the paper and mail, water plants, clean up accidents, pick up after your pet, and other basic household chores.

Next week we’ll tell you what to look for when you are considering hiring a professional pet sitter!

Since many of our kitty-cat clients want more than just a spotlessly clean litter box, their cat-grass watered and their breakfast or dinner delivered on time (and kitty says not a minute late, mind you) we always incorporate “socialization” into our pet care. We go the extra mile to scratch, pet, brush or play with our cat clients when their pet-parents can’t be with them (if they aren’t hiding out under the bed). Sometimes that mile is a painful journey.

Here’s why:

We sit in the “favorite” chair. Kitty stares imploringly at us at our feet and meows as if to say, “Hey, you have a job to do.” We invite her up into our laps and commence to gently stroking, petting or doing whatever else her pet-parent has told us that Kitty enjoys. Enter the jet-engine purr.

And then…

The purr stops abruptly and the next second we’re left yowling in pain and staring with confusion at puncture holes in our hands, arms or both as Kitty launches herself off our laps and stares at us from across the room with what can only be described as disdain. The indignant tail-flick quickly follows.

Yep. Kitty goes from friendly to feral in a nanosecond.

It turns out that there is actually a scientific term for this conundrum – Petting-induced aggression – and after trying to research why we receive those puncture wounds, it turns out that this is not a very well-understood behavior at all.

Experts don’t exactly agree on the reasons why some cats enjoy being petted, but end up biting. They do all agree that when kitty bites at you, it’s a sure sign that she has decided she’s had enough stroking.

Really? Thank you, scientific cat-behavior trailblazer, for the deep insight.

A couple of possibilities have been proposed to explain why cats might react violently when they appear to be perfectly content.

1. It may be a manifestation of so-called status-induced aggression, in which cats seek to control a situation. Why can’t they just jump down? It would be too predictable, like dog behavior.
2. There may be some neurologically significant negative stimulus associated with being petted at length that affects cats in particular.
3. Cats may be especially subtle at letting humans know when they’re unhappy, so that their change in attitude appears more sudden than it truly is. Basically, Kitty thinks we should be able to read her mind and stop before we can actually tell she doesn’t want to be petted anymore.

The good news is that there may be warning signs that your cat is getting ready to bite you:

If Kitty’s tail begins to twitch in a rolling little flick, watch out! You’re about to be chomped.

If Kitty’s ears start turning towards the back of her head, or flatten against her head, puncture wounds are in your very near future.

If Kitty suddenly becomes restless, or stiffens and stares at your hand, take heed. Don’t. Move. A. Muscle.

My scientific analogy of this behavioral pattern – and all cat behaviors – is that cats act this way “because they can.” After all, they’re cats, and most cats think, or rather know, that they rule the world.

As the parent of my own three pets and the owner of a business in which we deal with pets who suffer anxiety issues every day, I can tell you that for an animal affected by loud noises, the sounds of fireworks and thunderstorms can be terrifying. Just like a small child, your pet has no control over his or her reaction to loud noises.

Signs induced by fear of loud noises like fireworks, thunderstorms, etc. include shaking or trembling, excessive drooling, barking, howling, refusing to eat and trying to hide or get into/out of the house, fence, or other enclosure. Some animals may lose bladder or bowel control, or experience temporary diarrhea from prolonged stress.

When we went to visit clients’ homes to care for their pets on July fifth, there were some poor animals that were still hiding underneath beds and furniture because they were terrified of the noises that had occurred the evening before. They couldn’t be coaxed out, even with treats.

Years ago I rescued a boxer who had gone through a plate-glass window during a fourth of July celebration, resulting in severe lacerations to her feet and legs. I’ve seen torn fencing, foot pad injuries and broken teeth in animals who have tried to chew their way out of metal crates. I have a client who owns a large-breed dog who was out of town for a day. There was a thunderstorm in her absence, and she came back to a bedroom door that was chewed almost entirely in half – I saw this with my own eyes. Can you imagine how terrified and frantic an animal must be to want to escape that badly? Sadly, many pets get loose and are lost forever, which is another important reason why you should always have your pet microchipped.

Our furry kids, much like our children, do not have the ability to “rationalize” their fears. So “disciplining” your pet by yelling at him or striking him does not work, and will only make his fear worse. Would you hit your child for being scared? Me either.

Here are a few things you can do to help your pet during a storm or fireworks display:

Get him a Thundershirt. A Thundershirt is an actual jacket-type shirt that fits snugly around your dog, applying a gentle, constant pressure that has been proven to have a dramatic calming effect on most dogs if they are anxious, fearful or over-excited. Thundershirt is recommended by thousands of veterinarians and dog trainers.

Keep pets home. It may be tempting to bring along your dog so everyone can enjoy the fun of events like Fourth
of July celebrations, but the loud noises aren’t usually fun for pets.

Keep pets indoors if possible. Close blinds and turn on the TV or radio, making the volume loud enough to drown out the noise outside.

Provide a safe “escape” place. Many times, pets will seek out a small, den-like place (like underneath your bed, furniture or in a crate) if they are fearful or stressed. If you do not already have a crate or similar place that your pet can call his own, create a safe place and get your pet familiar with it. I have found that a blanket thrown over the crate can be very calming as well.

Use a leash or carrier. If you must be outside with your pet, keep him on a leash or in a carrier at all times. If he is on a leash, make sure he cannot slip out of his collar.

Practice fire safety. Keep your pets away from matches, lighter fuel, open fires and fireworks – especially ones that are lit on the ground. Animals may try to sniff (or eat) fireworks, and pet hair can easily catch fire if it gets too close to the fireworks.

Take your pet for a potty-break first. Make sure that he has time to relieve himself before the fireworks start. Some animals are too frightened to go once a thunderstorm or fireworks begin, and this may lead to accidents in the house.

Make sure your pet’s ID is current. I can’t shout this from the rooftops loud enough! Make sure that your pet has been microchipped, or at least has identification tags on him that contain your current contact information, in case he gets away. This will help the local authorities (who are quite busy this time of year handling frightened runaways).

I sincerely hope that everyone who may have lost their pet due to fireworks or storms is reunited with them safely. If not, please feel free to post a picture of your furry kid along with your contact information on our Facebook wall at www.facebook.com/PawsPetCareAtHome.com, for all our friends to be able to see and share.

Chances are you know exactly what I’m talking about. This “bad” behavior may have even kept you from walking your dog and giving him/her the exercise that you and your pet both deserve.

In the wild, dogs walk for hours every day. They have an instinctive and even primal need to walk. When you are not able to walk your dog, he does not get the physical and mental stimulation that he needs, and that leads to all kinds of behavior issues. Ever notice your dog running laps around your house or yard? That’s a pretty good indication that he isn’t getting enough exercise. This type of behavior is not good for either of you. Besides the obvious reasons (your shoulders pulled out of their sockets and valuables broken around the house) here’s why (and how) you should walk your pet:

Dogs – yes, even domesticated ones – are instinctively pack animals. In a pack (and whether or not you realize it, you and your family are part of your dog’s pack) the leader, or “Alpha,” always goes first. So if Fido is leading you on the leash, who do you think he considers the “Alpha” in his pack? Not you. You are actually reinforcing the fact that Fido is the “Alpha” dog. We joke that our pets own us, when in fact, many times they really think they do.

Getting a dog – or multiple dogs – to walk properly on a lead is not as hard as it may seem. All it takes is a little time, patience and proper training.

When you get ready to walk your dog, make sure that you call him/her to you, do not go to the dog. Give the “sit” command. If your dog does not know the “sit” command, teach him that one first. Make your dog sit calmly before snapping on the lead or slipping on the collar. I do not use retractable leashes in my dog-walking business, and I carry my own regular leash if the owners of my furry clients do not have one. I find that retractable leashes give the walker less control.

You need to lead the walk by going out the door first, with your dog following. You’re the “Alpha” and your pet needs to know that you are the one who gets to decide when it’s time to leave. Make your dog “sit” and “stay” until you walk out the door, only following you out once you’ve given him permission.

Your dog’s collar is an important part of the walking process. If you don’t have the right equipment, you aren’t going to be able to keep control over him. The collar should fit far up on the neck, which gives you greater control. It’s for this precise reason that they keep the lead way up on the dog’s neck at dog shows. Additionally, I do not recommend harnesses, as those fit around the strongest part of your pet’s body and they were designed for – you guessed it – pulling.

When you walk with your dog, there should be no tension in the lead. Do not allow your pet to pull, and don’t constantly pull on him. Your dog should walk beside or behind you. If he starts pulling, you need to correct the behavior instantly with a gentle, sideways tug on the lead. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen people jerking their pets’ leashes, snapping them backwards. Never jerk the leash backwards. You could do irreparable damage to your dog’s trachea.

Research shows that dogs of all breeds and types that are taken for daily walks, and are made to walk beside or behind their owner, are less likely to be destructive, obsessive, have separation anxiety or dominancy issues. If you don’t have time to walk your dog, give Paws Pet Care Pet Sitting & Dog Walking a call and we’ll be happy to walk your pet for you!