the doggie store blog

If you are leaving your doggie with a pet sitter, even if they are a good friend, here’s some thoughtful advice from Pawnation- Josh Loposer August 31, 2010:

Fetch! Pet Care
When it comes to hiring a professional pet sitter are you a helicopter parent that leaves detailed pooping and walking spreadsheets? Or are you more of the hands-off type who feels perfectly comfortable letting your sitter do his or her own thing?

A well-prepared sitter can keep your pet happy and anxiety-free while you’re away, greatly reducing the number of chewing, scratching, and/or bathroom accidents occurring in your home. The question is: How do you ensure that you’ve given your pet sitter all the necessary tools to keep your animals relaxed and healthy?

To get a little expert guidance on the subject , we’ve enlisted the help of Paul Mann, founder of Fetch! Pet Care. Beyond the basics like emergency contact info, your vet’s phone number and a medicine and food schedule (all of which are obviously quite important), Mann encourages owners to focus a little bit on your pet’s psychology when preparing for a sitter.

Spell Out The Animal’s Daily Schedule: “Pets are truly creatures of habit,” Mann tells Paw Nation, “They get into liking their routine, so the idea is to figure out how to maintain that routine.” For example, if you take your pup for a walk every morning, ask your pet sitter to do the same. If your cat likes to chase the yarn around in the evening, tell your sitter.

Explain What Makes Your Pet Happy: “A good professional pet sitter should ask what your pet likes to do, then maybe over-satisfy them in that way,” Mann explains. In fact, he recommends that you schedule an in-home consultation with the sitter so they can interview you and meet your dog, cat, bird, etc.

Make Sure Favorite Items Are Handy: When it comes to the actual items to leave for the pet sitter, Mann recommends things like “an old t-shirt, bedding, and their favorite toys to keep the familiarity there for the pet.” Ideally, the pet sitter will be visiting your pet at your home, says Mann, but these items are even more important if you plan to board.

Keep Your Exit Low-Key: Mann recommends that a little exercise before you leave can help keep your pet’s mind at ease. They’ll be napping instead of worrying about where you are. Whatever you do, Mann cautions that you refrain from breaking into the tearful ‘I’m going to miss you so much’ routine. “Just exit like you usually do,” Mann explains, “Dogs pick up on those things and it creates anxiety.”

Find Out What Other Pet Parents Do: We asked some of Paw Nation’s Facebook friends to share what they leave for their pet sitter:

Donald MacMelville: “It’s a three-page document. Location numbers, cell numbers, feeding instructions, Vet numbers and address and MapQuest, emergency contacts, walking instructions, etc. People think we are crazy.”

Pamela Grant Goldman: “When I had three dogs, I started a journal for pet sitters: I’d leave detailed info and instructions, and they’d leave entries daily on who ate what, etc. These days, a friend stays with my dog and we text at least once a day and he sends me photos of my little guy playing outside.”

Tara Anderson: “I leave feeding instructions, emergency cash, along with phone numbers. I get daily texts. My cat sitter is great. She plays with my cat and cooks her a special shrimp dinner! When I return, I get a note from my cat detailing all of the fun she has.”

Lisa Faynor Bartine: “I have a friend of the family stay over, and I leave four pages of emergency and routine info, and call every other day.”

Readers, what do you do when you travel? Do you hire someone or ask a dependable friend? Please tell us in the comments below.

Tags: cat sitter, dog sitter, Fetch Pet Care, paul mann, pet dog, pet sitter, pet sitting, petsitters, travel

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Filed under: Specials, Uncategorized tagged cat sitter, dog sitter, fetch, Paul Mann, pet care, pet sitters, pet sitting, travel.

SPRINGER is often called “the third hand on your bike”, because it keeps your dog gently in place at your side, protected from traffic, pedals and wheels, and prevents it from getting entangled in the leash, while you may always have both your hands on the handlebars.

SPRINGER’s low-mounted coil spring absorbs and reduces as much as 90% of the force of your dog’s unexpected tugs when it lunges to the side, making it so much easier to keep your balance.

With SPRINGER you let your dog set the pace and never force it to run, you allow it to run -to its heart’s content! No pre-training is necessary, (except that you must know how to ride a bike, of course).

Dogs love SPRINGER from the very first moment, and from then on they look forward to every trip. One reason is that the flexibility of SPRINGER is just as gentle to your dog as it is to you and your bike. So running SPRINGER is actually more comfortable for your dog than if you were jogging with the leash in your hand. Besides, SPRINGER comes complete with a specially designed comfortable biking harness, to allow your dog to pull with its shoulders and chest, instead of with its neck.

Another reason why dogs love SPRINGER is the simple fact, that dogs love to run! In an emergency (for instance if you look the other way, while your dog runs on the wrong side of a lamp post) a special, patented “safety release” will free your dog instantly, without any discomfort to either of you. SPRINGER installs on either side of most standard ladies’ and mens’ bikes, including mountain bikes and touring bikes. Between trips SPRINGER may be mounted or dismounted in two seconds, using only the tip of your finger.

No practice is necessary.
Reduces your dogs tugs by up to 90%
Mounted or dismounted in 2 sec. – using no tools.
Both your hands are on the handlebar at all times.
SPRINGER arm with spring can be mounted on either side of the bike.
Fits regular bikes, touring bikes and mountain bikes with the normal triangular shaped frames.
Keeps your dog gently, but firmly in place at your side, protected from traffic, pedals, and wheels.
The low mounted coil spring absorbs and reduces the dog’s sudden jerks and pulls, making it easier to keep your balance.
Safety release frees the dog instantly should it run on the wrong side of a tree, hydrant, pole, or similar obstacle.
Patent Pending.

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Canine distemper is a serious viral illness with no known cure. The disease affects dogs, and certain species of wildlife, such as raccoons, wolves, foxes, and skunks. A common house pet, the ferret, is also a carrier of this virus. Young, unvaccinated puppies and non-imunized older dogs tend to be more susceptible to the disease.
The virus, which is spread through the aid and by direct or indirect (ie. utensils, bedding) contact with an infected animal, initially attacts a dog’s tonsils and lymph nodes and replicates there for about a week. Then it attacks body systems (breathing, gastrointestinal, nervous system, etc).
The first symptoms may be a high fever -also, reddened, watery eyes, and a drippy nose. The dog may become tired, lethargic, and refuse to eat. Also coughing, vomiting, and diarrhea are possible. Then, as the virus attacks more body systems, the dog may start having seizures, paralysis and hysteria. This virus is extremely contagious to newborns and other non-imunized dogs.
There is no cure for this disease -treatment is focused on alleviating symptoms. Recovery is possible, if caught early and treated properly. Fully recovered dogs don’t or carry or spread the virus.
The best prevention is routine vaccinations and immediate isolation of any infected animals.
GET YOUR PET VACCINATED ON A REGULAR SCHEDULE

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Here is an article I found with great advice about doggies that get bored:
We do carry the Kong Toys……

Most dogs outgrow the need to chew as puppies, but some have an oral fixation that Freud would find noteworthy. If Fido has jaws of steel and has started eyeing your shoes, here are five of the most indestructible dog toys on the market.

1. Nylabones. Nylabones are dog bones made of durable plastic that is made to smell like bacon or chicken. They come in several different sizes and strengths. Be sure to check the rating on the package to ensure the Nylabone is made for heavy chewing. Nylabones can last for a year or more, although be warned that small pieces can flake off during use.
2. Buster Cubes. Buster Cubes are hard plastic cubes that trap dog treats inside. Dogs extract the treats by rolling the cube around the room with their noses and paws, or by picking it up with their teeth and tossing it down. Buster Cubes are often recommended by animal behaviorists because they are ideal for destructive dogs who may be bored in addition to having a strong need to chew. This is also a great toy to break out when company comes over. Fido will be so absorbed with the buster cube, he’ll forget to jump on the guests.
3. Kong. Kong brand name products are used by police K-9 units and are available in an assortment of indestructible dog toys. From heavy duty rubber bones to hollow cones that can be stuffed with treats, Kong dog toys are built to last. The cones are particularly useful because they not only exercise the jaws, but also provide intellectual stimulation since the dog has to work to get the treats out. For extra fun, stuff the Kong cone with a mixture of dog food and peanut butter. Kong products are rated for specific weight ranges, so know your dog’s weight and check the package for the weight range before buying.
4. Everlasting Treat Ball. This product is the winner of the 2007 New York Tails readers’ choice award, and is a ball that can be stuffed with treats. The manufacturer sells treats specifically made for the Everlasting Treat Ball, but dog owners can also use their own treats. The bonus with this product is that it can be used not just as a chew toy, but for games of fetch as well.
5. Pig ears and rawhide bones. If all else fails, go with a chew toy that is meant to be destroyed. Pig ears can be purchased in bulk at warehouse stores or pet retailers, and are good for about 15 minutes of entertainment. Rawhide bones will last longer. When purchasing rawhide bones, look for the ones made in the U.S., as imported rawhides are sometimes cured with arsenic which is poisonous for dogs. Supervise the use of rawhide bones, and ensure water is available to prevent choking.
For safety, always supervise dogs while chewing and inspect chew toys regularly for signs of wear and tear.

by: excerpt from: M Rasey /Pet Product Reviews/Pawnation

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Watch the lights flash on this beautiful twinkle collar and sparkly star!  Great for a Valentine Day Surprise!!  Sparkles

dont come off!  Elegant and flashy!gold twinkle multi star.jpg

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