Dogwalking tips and etiquette

DOG WALKING TIPS AND ETIQUETTE

 

During my 10+ years of petsitting and dogwalking I have been pulled down, dragged through grass and trees, tripped over, jumped on, knocked down, and gotten skinned knees and bruises galore.  And now that I have an 80 lb. dog of my own that gets super excited when he sees another dog on a walk, I thought it was time to write about the proper etiquette of walking a dog and give some tips for when we walk with our dogs.

I have to do a few things to properly prepare for when another dog comes towards us when walking my dog or another dog.  I move completely off of the trail or sidewalk and as far away from the trail/sidewalk as possible, or I get my dog to sit while the other dog passes, or I have even gone behind a tree to use the tree for bracing myself when the dog pulls and/or lunges.  Since I have gotten my very hyper 80 lb. dog, I have become very hyperaware of what the other person and dog are doing.  And what I have noticed is that people don’t care or think about if I am struggling.  Is it their responsibility to do so?  No, but if their dog is friendly, then they just keep moving forward and this is the message that I want to get out.  Pay attention to your surroundings and think about all that could possibly occur.  Even though my dogs are friendly, I have a huge fear of being pulled down by my big dog and I have a huge fear of being hurt.

Now that I have gotten my experiences out of the way; here are some dog walking etiquette tips that are very common but need to be said none the less.

  1. Always pick up your dog’s poop.  This means that you have to remember to carry poop bags.  The best way to remember poop bags is to have them attached to your dog’s leash.  And teach your children how to use poop bags and to pick up the dog’s poop.  I know this sounds like common sense but a young child who is walking their dog is less likely to pick up their dog’s poop. I just think it is common courtesy to pick up your dog’s poop when walking your dog.
  2. Be safe! Always keep your dog on a leash while walking.  Your dog may be friendly but other dogs along the way may not be.  And keeping your dog on a leash also prevents the dog from going into people’s yards or out into the street.
  3. Another way to stay safe is to be very aware of your surroundings. Yes, hard to do when we have our eyes glued to our phones or our phones in our hand, but it is vital to stay very aware of your surroundings.  Be aware of other dogs and people.  Or notice potential hazards like broken glass or holes in the ground or a raised sidewalk (we have all tripped over a rise in a sidewalk before).
  4. If you see another dog coming towards you, do not just allow your dog to go up to the other dog. It is proper etiquette to ask the owner of the other dog if their dog is friendly and ask if they can meet.  Don’t be offended if they say no.  My dog LOVES other dogs, but will pull me down and drag me if I were to go up to another dog.
  5. This is a hard one, especially with small dogs. But don’t let your dog jump on other people.  Nobody likes a dog that jumps up on you especially when you don’t know the dog.  And don’t let your dog jump up on a dog that you go up to (with permission).  This can be a sign of dominance and shouldn’t be allowed.
  6. So I know it is very hard to fathom, but not everybody likes dogs. Some people may be afraid of dogs or just not like interacting with them.  Respect other people’s personal space and respect them when they tell you they are afraid of dogs.  Always ask before going up to another person (with or without a dog) and respect their answer.
  7. If you are going to an area that allows off leash dogs (not a dog park with barriers), then make sure that your dog is well trained and responds well with commands. If not well trained, they could run off and get lost or even worse get hit by a car, and they could also get into fights with other dogs, especially those that are on a leash.
  8. If you have a dog that barks at everything while on a walk, pay attention to the time of day so as not to be a nuisance to others while others are sleeping.
  9. And finally, just pay attention to your surroundings and be respectful of others and keep your dog under control. By following the dogwalking etiquette tips, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

 

 

 

 

 

Meet My Family Continued…..The Price of Having a Pet

So the last blog was an introduction to my personal pets.  My 4 legged family members.  This time I wanted to share about the financial cost of owning pets.  It has gotten VERY expensive to own even one pet and I want to make sure that you are prepared for what may lie ahead in owning a pet.  I belonged (past tense, had to unjoin) to the group on Facebook called Pet Vet Corner.  Only veterinarians are allowed to respond to posts and questions.  It is an invaluable tool and I knew I could learn a lot and maybe even help my client’s with their pets or at the very least recognize what is going on with a pet.  What I mostly saw on this group were people asking questions and then following it up with that they had no funds to take their pet to the vet or the emergency vet.  I felt for these people that had emergencies with their pets and could not do anything for their pet because of the lack of money.  I have certainly been there before with past pets.  I can tell you that what really got to me though were the people that got puppies and had no money to take them to a regular vet for their initial check up and shots.  A lot, and I mean a lot, of people posted on the Facebook group symptoms that their puppy was having and it sounded like, and the vets said, it was parvo and inevitably the person said that the puppy had not had their parvo shot because they had no money to take the dog to the vet.  Now just like I understand that we all don’t have the money for emergencies, I also understand that puppies or dogs or cats or other animals can sometimes just show up in our lives.  Maybe we found a stray tiny kitten or puppy in our backyard looking all hungry or maybe even hurt.  And instantly we fall in love and want to keep the animal.  I SOOOOO get it!!  But if we don’t have the funds to properly take care of the pet, then we should do the right thing and find the pet a great home.  Parvo is a very painful and slow death.  It is horrible.  I would rather give up a pet that I have already fallen in love with if I know I cannot get the appropriate shots.

And of course I have just talked about the cost of vet care so far with owning a pet.  All of the shots that are required for the new pet.  Spaying or neutering your pet.  But then you have to add the food, the bowls for feeding, the crate, and the toys.  And adding on we have the training which has gotten very expensive.  The grooming if needed which has gotten very expensive.  And then what I do which is the petsitting.  You will have to take into consideration what you will do with your pet if and when you go out of town.  Will you board your dog?  Will you have someone come into your home to look after your pets?  Can you get the teenager next door to take care of your 4 legged family member to save money?  Sure.  Will they be reliable and trustworthy?  Well that is a little scary.  I have heard way too many stories of people needing last minute petcare because their teenage neighbor bailed on them or backed out last minute.  That is why I will ALWAYS recommend a professional petsitter like myself.

So below is what I have had to do for my pets in the last couple of years.  It is outrageous and you just never know what can or will come up with your pets.

Iddy, my 10 year old cat:

When he was around 7 years old, he got a blocked urethra.  It is very common in male cats under 2, so it was unusual for my Iddy to be blocked but nonetheless he was so I had to rush him to the emergency vet.  He is on prescription food very expensive and loves to eat and has not had any problems since being on the special diet.  $4000 for that emergency visit.

Oliver, my 10 year old cat:

At about age 6 almost 7, Oliver was diagnosed with diabetes.  At age 7, after Iddy’s mishap, he went into a diabetic crisis and had to be rushed to the emergency vet.  It has to do with the pancreas not being able to process the insulin and so the vet and I had to monitor his insulin very closely for the first 6 months after he got out of the emergency vet to see what worked for him and his pancreas in terms of managing his diabetes.  It turns out 6 units of insulin 2 times a day is the magic number and is what he is still on today.  That is a lot of insulin!  And then of course he is on special prescription food.  While he was at the emergency vet the doctor told me that this WILL happen again.  I think he was giving me an out because it was very expensive to save Oliver’s life.  It has been almost 3 years and Oliver has certainly proven the doctor wrong.  My Oliver is so healthy!  $7200 for that emergency visit.

Hawkeye, my 13 year old dog:

The first year that I got Hawkeye he tore his ACL running.  Not as expensive as Iddy and Oliver though.  $2400 for surgery.

Molly, my 5ish year old dog:

At the beginning of the summer of 2022, Molly had “bad” bloodwork and had to be seen by an oncologist.  We went to Triangle Referral Specialty Hospital in Durham which is awesome so shout out to them.  She had an over 5 cm tumor on her left lung.  She had major surgery to remove the tumor, had 4 chemo sessions at the vet, is on at home pill chemo and will be for the next 2 years, and has had numerous bloodwork done in between every chemo so about every 6 weeks or so.  So after it is all said and done, she will cost more than the first 3 of my four legged children combined.  Thank goodness for a couple of credit cards which I will be paying off for years to come but it has been worth every penny.  She is still so young and just full of energy.  To date:  $11,000.

Beckham, my 7 year old dog:

Beckham had been throwing up almost on a daily basis with the previous owners and had digestive issues ever since they got him at 3 months old.  According to his vet records they did not even bring it up as a concern.  I had him for about a week and I looked his symptoms up and immediately determined that he had IBD (irritable bowel disease).  So unfortunately he had to suffer and be in discomfort or even pain for the first 6 years of his life.  Not sure why the previous owners did not address it.  Maybe worried about the treatment being expensive??  Not sure.  But the vet confirmed my suspicions and said that he had IBD.  He was put on a special digestive precription food and has had no problems since being put on the food.  He does like to eat and drink everything in sight so when we go on an off leash hike sometimes 24 hours later he will throw up and it is always a clump of grass.  But that is rare.  I have decided to purchase a muzzle for him to wear so he can still be off leash and splash around in the water without eating and drinking everything in sight.  But so far (knock on wood) he has not needed anything major like the other 4.  But his food is mega expensive at $110 for a 27lb. bag.  Ouch!

So 3 out of my 5 pets as described above are on special food because of their special needs.  Around spring 2022, all 3 of my dogs had diarrhea and were throwing up.  The vet insisted that they did not have a virus and give it to each other.  The vet said that they all must have gotten into something.  After that craziness, and because Hawkeye and Molly seemed to be so picky about their food, the vet recommended that I just feed all 3 the Hills Prescription Diet digestive care I/D food that Beckham already eats.  So all 5 of my pets are on special food.

All 3 of my dogs require grooming.  Grooming plus tip: $330 every 6 weeks.

And finally, because I am determined to do the best job I can at being a parent to my pets, I have them all on the wellness plan at Banfield.  I love the wellness plan and I love Banfield!!  Each month the plans for all 5 of my pets equals about $200.  It is a lot of money but it gives me such great peace of mind and I get a discount on medication which helps.  I get Oliver’s insulin at a discount and I get Hawkeye and Molly’s Apoquel at a discount which as a lot of you probably know, is already expensive.

Some of you reading this may be thinking, “wow she must be very rich”.  Not even at all.  I did lose my dad in 2020 and that helped with the cats.  Like I said above, credit cards are paying for Molly.  And literally everything I make each month all goes to my pets.  I work for them!  Luckily I do not have a lot of other bills at this time too which helps.

So whew!  As great as it is to have a pet and I would not trade my family for anything, they can be very expensive and a lot of time and money is needed for a pet, especially a puppy.  Not just for vet care but for all of the tools and toys and grooming and training and petsitting and/or dogwalking.  So I hope this helps to put things in perspective for what a pet costs these days for those that are thinking about getting a pet.

 

 

 

Introduction to my family

Hi everyone!  I thought I would take this opportunity to introduce you to my current 4 legged family.   I want to say first that I have never sought out a pet.  I haven’t needed to.  Dogs and cats (so far no other species of animals) just sort of show up in my life in one way or another, as you will soon see.

First up, my cat Iddy.  He was about 8 weeks old when I got him and he will be 10 years old in March 2023. My friend showed up at my house with him one day and I instantly fell in love.  My friend wanted to name him Chris Jr. (Chris is the friend’s name who brought me the kitten), and instead of saying heck no, I just gave him a nickname, and because he was so small, I nicknamed him Iddy for iddy biddy (or itty bitty) and it just stuck.  He is a beautiful cat and I just adore him. He is loving and affectionate.

Second is my cat Oliver.  When Iddy was about 8 months old, I had a petsitting client who did not want their cat.  They had gotten the cat as a gift from a boyfriend and did not even like cats that much or was not even looking for a pet.  **Do not give a pet as a gift!  It rarely works out.**  I could tell that this client did not want the cat so I offered to take him.  I named him Oliver because she had named him Blue and I did not like that.  Oliver was 9 months old when he moved in with me so he will be 10 years old in February 2023.  He is loving and affectionate and loves to lay around and look out the window.  Oliver and Iddy are best friends and have spent a lifetime playing and loving on each other.

Hawkeye…as a petsitter, I was not going to adopt or take any dog in because I was not home enough to take on a dog.  I was perfectly content with my 2 cats and getting to hang out with all of my dog clients.  One day, back in 2019, I saw a post on Facebook that someone had found a loose dog.  She said that the dog looked in pretty bad shape and this person was hoping to find the owner.  On the FB post, the owner was found and it somehow was communicated that she was willing to give up the dog.  She didn’t even know the dog had gone missing.  Something compelled me to say that I would take the dog and so the owner and Hawkeye came to my house; not for a trial run, but for me to take him.  Hawkeye is his original name but who doesn’t love MASH so I didn’t change it.  But I cannot believe that I got him sight unseen!  What if he went aggressively after my cats?  He was 10 when I got him and that was 3 years ago (as of 2022).  According to his previous owner, he was a 100% outdoor dog.  He was highly medically neglected.  Half his body had no fur and his skin was infected.  It was determined after an immediate vet visit that it was from fleas.  His skin was oozing from infection.  I can’t even imagine.  He had 2 ear infections.  He had an abscessed tooth that was leaking out of a hole below his eye.  And he had some other minor problems but can’t remember them now.  Hawkeye and I have a special connection that is hard to explain.  He is spoiled rotten, is very demanding, and is very healthy.  He is 13 but he acts like he is 5.  He plays with my other dog (Molly) and he loves to go on off leash hikes and walks.

Molly…a friend (same friend that brought me Iddy) said that a friend of his picked up a dog that was walking down the side of a highway.  His friend had her for a few months but my friend was concerned that they were not taking care of her.  While they had good intentions by saving her from being hit by a car, they couldn’t afford anything for the dog.  No food or flea medicine.  They gave her scraps of people food and she was infested with fleas.  I said yes immediately to taking her.  Probably because she was/is a 15 lb. poodle.  She couldn’t be that much work right?  Before I picked her up we gave her a capstar and the fleas were flying off of her.  Poor girl.  The vet guessed her between 3 and 5 although she acts like she is a puppy.  Just full of energy!  She came into my life in September of 2020 and she is just an absolute joy!  Just a happy girl!  She hadn’t been spayed (I got her spayed) and so I always wonder what her life was like before she was found wandering down a highway.  Was she a puppy mill dog?  I think she was well cared for and I feel bad that someone was probably missing her.  Miss Molly is deaf but that doesn’t slow her down a bit!

And last…Beckham.  Beckham is my 7 year old 80 pound labradoodle that I adopted in October of 2021 when he was 6.  I had been taking care of Beckham as his dogwalker since he was 4 months old and so when his family didn’t want him anymore, it was a no brainer that I take him.  He is very high energy and very high maintenance.  I feel like I say his name or tell him to sit or tell him no or do all 3 like 100 times a day!!! But my life would not be complete without him in my life.  He is so sweet and loving.

So you got a pandemic puppy and now have to go back to work and the kids are back in school

A lot of people got a puppy or a dog during 2020.  That was the one good thing that came out of the pandemic.  Some people got a pup because they had a lot of extra time on their hands and so therefore had time for a puppy.  Some people sought out a puppy because they were lonely in isolation and wanted a companion.  Others got a puppy as a way of coping during the pandemic.  Whatever the reason, good for you!  The shelters and the rescues are very grateful for this.

But now you are going back to work and the kids are back in school and you are worried about leaving your new companion at home for long hours when they were use to having you home all of the time.  Separation anxiety is real!  Both for the dog, but also for you as the owner.  Some of the behaviors that you might start to see as you stay gone longer are your pup may whine or howl.  They may start to pee or poop in the house.  They may tear up stuff such as papers or pillows or scratch obsessively at the door.  They may pace constantly or try to escape. They may drool or pant excessively.

So what can you do to help your pup with the transition of going back to work? There are several things that you can do.  A few weeks before you go back to work you can start to leave the house longer and longer.  So at first leave for a few minutes, then make it longer each time.  Give a puzzle or a long lasting treat to your dog to occupy him or her while you leave.  Don’t make a big deal out of leaving.  Don’t make it a production. Your pup may start to get nervous when they see signs you’re about to leave, like putting on your shoes or picking up your keys. So do those things, but then don’t leave. For example, put on your shoes but then sit down at the table, or pick up your keys and then go do something else like watch tv. Do this over and over many times before you head back to work.  Make sure that your pup gets plenty of exercise.  A tired pup will be a less anxious pup. Leave a piece of clothing around so that your pup can smell you while you are gone.  There are calming treats available that you can give your pup.  And along with all of the things above, the most important thing you can do is hire a professional dogwalker!!  When a dogwalker comes to your house in the middle of the work day, your dog will get socialization with other people and other dogs, they will get good exercise which will help them feel more relaxed, and they will get some good TLC to help them get through the day until you get home.  And finally, ask your vet for more suggestions that pertain specifically to your dog.

Some people will unfortunately rehome their dog once they go back to work.  They may find that they cannot have a dog and be at work and have the kids at school.  It has been reported that the shelters are once again filling up.  But most people are seeking out professional dogwalkers or even doggie day care.  I recommend having a professional dogwalker come to your house while you are at work.  It does not have to be every day.  It can be two or three times a week.  It is a nice break for your dog to get out of the house and get some exercise and some socialization, and it may keep you from having to rehome your beloved family member.

In summary, now that we are going back to work, what do we do with our beloved pet?  Especially if they are showing signs of separation anxiety.  Start early in getting your pup use to you leaving.  Get some toys or puzzles to keep your dog occupied while you are gone.  And finally HIRE A PROFESSIONAL DOGWALKER!!

 

Covid-19 and Your Pet

Okay, so we have all heard about a few cases of pets having Covid-19.  Pets are not spreading the virus to other humans, however we still need to take the same precautions that we do with other humans with our pets.  Below are some of the things that we can do to keep us and out pets safe and healthy.

  • Limit your pet’s interactions with other people and large groups.
  • Keep your dog on a maximum 6 feet leash when walking them.
  • Keep cats indoors.
  • Do NOT put a mask on your pet, and do NOT put disinfectant or alcohol or hydrogen peroxide on your pets fur or skin.

If you (the human) are sick with Covid-19:

  • Restrict or avoid direct contact with your pet. This includes petting, licking, kissing and snuggling!
  • If possible, have another person take care of your pets while you are sick.
  • If you have to take care of your pet while you are sick, always wear a mask when dealing with your pet, and wash your hands before and after your interaction with your pet.

If you are sick and you suspect that your pet might be sick:

  • Avoid contact with other humans and other pets.
  • Call your vet. Do NOT go to your vet!  Most vets are not even letting people and their pets into the facility.  Most vets are coming out to your car to get the pet.  But if you are sick with Covid-19, the vet may be able to help you over the phone or with a telehealth “visit”.
  • If you must have direct contact with your pet, wash your hands after touching pets, their food, their waste, or other things your pet may be in contact with.
  • Definitely keep sick pets away from vulnerable people such as young children and people with weakened immune systems, and people 65 years of age and older.

The research so far shows that there is a small risk that humans can spread Covid-19 to animals, but a very low risk of pets passing Covid-19 to humans.  It is still important to practice all of the recommendations that we have for human to human interaction with our pets as well.

Comfy Critters will take all of the precautions that is suggested and/or required by the CDC and the Governor.  We will always wear a mask during a meet and greet.  We will always wear gloves and/or use baby wipes.  We will wipe down every place we touched in your home with Lysol or something similar to Lysol.  I myself took a Covid-19 Certification Course for Petsitters and Dogwalkers through Petsitters International (PSI) and me and my staff will be implementing safety protocols with new clients as well as current clients.

 

 

 

The Importance of Socializing Your Pet

One of the reasons that I decided to research and write about this topic is because I think socialization is absolutely vital to a pet’s physical and mental wellbeing. And as a petsitter and dog walker, I also don’t like seeing dogs and cats that have not been socialized. It makes it very difficult to do my job. I don’t like it when I see a person coming towards me with their dog and as soon as they see me they turn around because they don’t think it is right for their dog to interact or they are afraid of the dogs that I am walking. I especially don’t like it when I see a puppy wanting to meet the dogs that I am walking so bad and their owners won’t let them. So here are some important points to think about when getting a dog or cat.

Some people chose to adopt an older dog or cat and that pet may have issues that do not allow it to be as social with other animals or humans. For a dog or cat, the optimum age for socialization is 3-12 weeks of age. It is important for them to be around other people, other puppies and dogs, different social situations, and even car rides as often as possible. Exposing the pup or kitty to as many different social situations up to 12 weeks of age is vital because it can quell their fears and stop social anxieties.

The positive reasons for socializing your pets are:

  • They will be less stressed around new situations.
  • Their attitude is better.
  • Their behaviors are much better in different settings.
  • It teaches them to have self-confidence and acceptance of other people and other pets.

The negative consequences of not socializing your pets are:

  • If you do not socialize your pet as a baby, you will not be able to change the behavior as they become adults (as those of us know who have adopted older pets).
  • They may not get the best vet care because they will act out at the vet and the doctor may not be able to get accurate readings or accurate testing done because of the pet misbehaving.
  • They may be scary to house guests, children, or other pets.
  • When a dog or cat is unsocialized, they may respond out of fear causing damage to something or someone.
  • The places that an owner can take their pet are limited and the activities that you might want to do with your pet are also limited.

Puppies and kittens are so adorable and can be a lot of fun. These pets are very trusting when they are young. In order to keep that trust and not have them become fearful, they should be exposed to as many pleasant and positive experiences as possible and to as many people and places as possible. So if you are going to get a puppy or kitten, investing time and energy into the socialization of your pet is one of the many ways to take care of your pet. Plan exposures to the various animals, people, places and activities that will be part of your pup or kitten’s new life. Providing positive and diverse experiences for your dog or cat will help them grow into adulthood without becoming fearful or aggressive.

The Benefits Of Hiring A Team For Your Petsitting Needs

Hi everybody! Welcome to my first ever blog!!! Today I want to talk about the benefits of having a team to take care of your furry loved ones.

It’s hard to believe that it’s been more than 7 years since I decided to start my own petsitting and dogwalking business! It was a perfect way for me to make a career out of my love of animals (I tell everyone that I have the best job on earth!). I am so grateful for my more than 70 amazing clients from Cary, Apex, Raleigh, Holly Springs, Fuquay Varina, Willow Springs, and Angier who have welcomed me into their lives and homes and trusted me with their over 100 amazing pets.

With my expanding client base I am very excited to announce that Comfy Critters is growing too as we welcome Marianne, Kelley, and Kim to our pet-sitting staff! When I started Comfy Critters, I set out to offer nothing short of the highest quality service. During every visit I try to cater to your pet’s every need and I want to be able to offer the same level of care to all of your pets.

Our new caregivers all share my passion for animals. I have personally trained each of them, and they all bring their own unique skillset to care for your pets, so you can be sure that your pets will get the Comfy Critter care that you have come to expect. Each went through an extensive hiring process, which included both phone and face-to-face interviews, and they have all been cleared through an ACUTRAQ background check. You can rest assured that our sitters are all professional, trustworthy, and compassionate.

Additional benefits to the client:

It’s been a busy year for Comfy Critters. My new team members are shadowing me to learn how to properly care for your pets. Especially for our new clients, me and a team member will come to your house for an initial meet-and-greet so that we will both be familiar with your home, your pets, and their routines. This insures that you are comfortable with your caregiver, but especially that your pets are too! While you are away, we take extra care to look out for any changes in behavior, eating, drinking, or play habits and will alert the owner immediately. We can also help out with other items around the house like bringing in the mail or taking care of plants. In my 7 years as a professional petsitter, I’ve experienced just about everything you can imagine, and I am confident that the team I’ve assembled will do everything they can to make sure your precious family members are safe and cared for in the best way possible. My hope is that our expansion can bring you extra peace of mind that should an emergency occur while you are away, there will be a team of trustworthy, qualified pet sitters to handle just about any situation. Our goal, as always, is to far exceed your expectations.

Additional benefits to the pets:

I’ve always been committed to visits that last at least 30 minutes to give your pets the love and attention that they deserve. While I am so excited to expand my client base, I would never want to feel like I need to “rush” through a visit in order to attend to all my pets. The benefit of having a petsitting team is that you can be sure your pets will still receive the same amount of time and attention that you expect from Comfy Critters – even during our busiest times of the year! We will also be able to provide you with more options for scheduled visits, so as to best cater to your pets’ routines and schedules to limit any stress that may come from having someone other than you caring for them. We will also do our best to prioritize consistency for visits (having the same team member come to your house). This should give you extra peace of mind that your pets will have a familiar face who knows their personalities, preferences, and any specialized health issues. As always, we maintain detailed records for each of our pet clients detailing their preferences and particular instructions regarding about your pet’s care.

Comfy Critters Pet Sitting and Dog Walking