<![CDATA[Zen Dog Pet Care - Zen Dog Pet Care Blog]]>

<![CDATA[Zen Dog Pet Care - Zen Dog Pet Care Blog]]>Wed, 15 May 2024 00:36:34 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Boarding Your Dog vs. Using a Professional Pet Sitter]]>Wed, 01 Oct 2014 14:50:58 GMThttp://zendogpetcare.com/zen-dog-pet-care-blog/boarding-your-dog-vs-using-a-professional-pet-sitter

Nowadays when making plans for your pets' care while you are out of town, there are a few different options to consider. Depending on the needs of your pets and your budget, you may consider boarding at a vet's office, boarding at a daycare facility, boarding at someone's home, or having a professional pet sitter visit your home and tend to your pets. Each of these options is discussed below. Keep in mind that these are generalizations: not all boarding places are the same, and not all pet sitting companies are the same.

Boarding at the Vet
Boarding your pet at a vet's office is the traditional, and usually most cost-effective option. When I was a kid, that was what we did with our dachshund when we traveled. And I distinctly remember him always coming back with kennel cough, for which we had to buy medicine from the vet. We had never heard of in-home pet sitting on a professional level. It just didn't exist. My parents never gave it a second thought that our little Hannibal might be stressed out in that little cage, not receiving the attention he deserves, and not knowing when or if he will see his family again.

Not all boarding facilities paint such a dismal picture, but boarding at a vet's office is usually the least desirable option for the comfort of the pet, mainly because veterinary staff do not have the time to devote to giving all of their boarders the attention they need. They may get a short potty break once or twice a day, but in most cases, they spend your whole vacation locked away in a cage and ignored for the most part. It may be your cheapest option, but do you really want to do that to a family member? The only pets that may require boarding at the vet would be pets that have an illness that requires veterinary-level care and monitoring. This may seem like the most cost-effective option at first, until you consider the illnesses they contract that you have to treat. Some may even develop behavioral problems, such as paw chewing, if left in a stressful situation for an extended period of time.

Boarding at a Day Care Facility
Another boarding option, which may be higher in cost but is much better for your dog. is boarding at a facility that provides dog day care. These businesses have staff that are hired to interact with your pet and ensure they get play time and attention every day. This option works very well for well-socialized dogs that love going places and playing with other dogs, but can be just as stressful as the vet's office for dogs who do not like leaving home or interacting with other members of their species. Again with boarding, the dog spends the majority of the time in an enclosure. At some facilities, you can pay a premium for a "suite" for your dogs, which is basically a small room with toys and beds for them to play and sleep. Some of these facilities also have activities you can pay for, such as swimming, extended group play time, or hiking. You will be paying extra for these services. Additionally, finding this type of boarding option for a cat will be much more difficult.

In-Home Boarding
Some pet sitting companies offer boarding of a limited amount of dogs in their home. They provide a "home environment" for your pup, as well as interaction and socialization with other dogs. This option can be pricey, but is not much more than what a boarding facility would charge, and your dog would get much more individualized attention, provided the caretaker was only accepting a few dogs at a time into his/her home. Like boarding at a day care, your dog needs to be well-socialized and good with other dogs to do well with this option.

When you are taking your pets to another place to board them, almost all of these places require that your pets be up-to-date on all vaccines, as well as on monthly heartworm, flea and tick preventative. If you go the natural route with raising your dogs, you may run into a problem getting accepted into these facilities, many of which do not accept titers (a blood test to check the levels of immunity to particular diseases) in lieu of vaccines. If you feed your animals a raw diet, you may also have some issue there with the facility's ability to store the food and their willingness to feed it.

If you decide that boarding is the best option for your pets, make sure you research any facility you are considering: read reviews, and call to schedule a time to take a tour and get a run-down of the services offered.

Professional In-Home Pet Sitting
Professional pet sitting is an option that has really gained steam in recent years. We have started to realize this stress in our pets when we take them out of their homes and put them in a foreign place, locked in a cage. The vast majority of pets have much less stress (if any!) when they are allowed to stay in their homes. The whole point of hiring a professional pet sitter is so that your pets' routine doesn't change. They get to sleep in their bed, eat food out of their bowls, and go for walks in their neighborhood. There are many great pet sitting companies out there to choose from. Just make sure you do your due diligence and choose one that is insured, bonded, and has a good reputation.

Some people consider in-home pet sitting services to be too pricey. However, consider how much it costs to board several animals for several days versus scheduling someone to take care of them at your house. Chances are, it is pretty comparable in price, if boarding isn't more expensive! And with most pet sitting companies, you won't have all of the vaccine and preventative requirements that you would at a boarding facility. Most pet sitters are happy to feed your pets whatever they are used to eating, whether it be kibble or raw food. Some pet sitting companies even offer overnight service or 24-hour service, depending on your pet's needs. Some even have sitters who are vet techs and can provide services such as administering fluids and shots. You can have your pet sitter come several times per day to let your dogs out, scoop your kitty's litter box, and to hang out and play and love on your crew.

It is important to weigh the pros and cons of each of these options when considering pet care. Think about your pets and their personalities. How do they respond to leaving their home? Do they seem okay about it, or do they stress out? Finding the right option for you and your fur family can be the difference between spending your vacation worrying about your pets, or spending it relaxing, knowing they are in good hands!

]]><![CDATA[Important Tips for New Puppy Owners]]>Mon, 24 Feb 2014 15:08:50 GMThttp://zendogpetcare.com/zen-dog-pet-care-blog/important-tips-for-new-puppy-owners

You just saw the picture on Facebook a couple of days ago. That was it: instant love. You decided you had to have him. It has happened to all of us. So that cute, warm little ball of energy is going to be running all over your house soon (if he isn't already). Don't let the cute looks fool you - dogs are energetic and inquisitive animals that require both physical stimulation and mental stimulation on a daily basis in order to peacefully coexist with your family, hopefully without the destruction of the human stuff in the house like furniture, shoes, remotes, iPhones, etc. It IS possible to have a good puppy right off the bat if you set your puppy up for success by following the easy steps below.

1. Puppy Proof

Do a thorough search of the floors in each room in your house and pick up any items off the floor that either you would not like to see destroyed or may injure the pup if he were to find them. This includes shoes and clothes in your bedroom, toys in your kids' rooms (dogs cannot distinguish between human kid toys and fur kid toys until they are taught the difference), and stacks of books, papers, or other loose items in your office. Look under any furniture where the puppy can fit underneath or may be able to reach a stray item with a paw. Items small enough for the puppy to choke on, such as ballpoint pen caps, marbles, or other similarly sized objects are especially important to find and remove.

Make sure electrical cords are not in plain view and are covered, either by furniture or plastic cord covers available at any home supply store. Make sure all household cleaning items are safely stored away in a cabinet or on a shelf out of reach of your pets.

Restrict access to areas that are designated as "off-limits" by keeping doors closed or gating off areas with baby gates.

Instill the good habit within your family of closing the lid to the toilet after every use to discourage the bad habit of your dog drinking from the "human butt water bowl."

Keep trash cans out of reach behind closed doors or off of the floor in areas where your pup has access.

Do not let your puppy have access to any areas that have been sprayed with pesticides or other toxic chemicals, as that could make him very sick and result in heafty vet bills if you're lucky, or the death of your sweet pup if you're not.

2. Provide Appropriate Items to Chew

Most dogs have a strong desire to chew, although this varies with the dog's age and breed (or mix of breeds). Puppies tend to have a stronger desire to chew and higher energy levels than an adult dog, which is why so many household items are destroyed by young dogs. Providing appropriate and safe items to chew, such as bully sticks, can satisfy your pup's need to chew in a safe way. And it saves your shoes! Other good chew items include chew toys like Nylabones and Kongs, which can be filled with yummy treats.

If you catch your pup with a shoe or other item he is not supposed to have, offer to trade by handing your pup a favorite toy or bully stick, but he can only have it if he gives you the item you want. Teaching your puppy to "drop it" is an important command to learn early on.

3. Crate Training

Even if you haven't thought about crate training your pup, or even if you think crating a pup is cruel, consider that your dog descended from den animals (wolves), and a large percentage of dogs of all ages, such as the young one pictured to the right, LOVE the comfort and safety of a crate. Purchase a crate that is large enough in which your puppy can comfortably stand and turn around. You can easily teach your pup to love his crate by only offering him an extra special treat when he is in his crate. Offer this particular treat at no other time other than crate time. I like using Kongs filled with treats and capped with creamy peanut butter, then frozen. Be consistent with only delivering this treat (which the dog must LOVE - that is the motivation!) in the crate, and pretty soon, you will have a dog that will race into his crate with a wagging tail, waiting for his yummy treat! You can then simply hand him the treat, then close the door and walk away. If your dog starts to cry (or cries once he's finished with his treat), ignore him. He can only be let out again if he is calm and quiet, otherwise you are rewarding him for making a scene in his crate, and he will keep doing it because he is getting rewarded for it.

4. Offer a Wide Variety of Toys

Since you won't know right away what kinds of toys your dog will like, get a wide variety of toys, including stuffed, squeeky, durable/chew, and interactive games like the one in the middle picture above. Put them all in a toy basket or other designated area that is within his reach. The more cool toys you have to distract your dog, the less likely he is to go find an item with which to play that you do NOT consider a toy!

5. Exercise!

Most common behavioral problems in dogs can be solved through daily physical exercise and mental stimulation. As stated above, dogs desperately need exercise in some form every day in order to be calm, functioning, well-adjusted members of your household.

At the very least, your dog should be walked every day, and not just a trip to the mailbox to poop. This is an activity that the whole family can enjoy together, as this form of exercise benefits everyone. If you've heard the phrase, "A tired dog is a happy dog," that is no joke! If you cannot find the time to give your dog daily exercise, hire an insured and bonded professional dog walker to do it for you. Getting your dog into a day care program is also an option if your dog enjoys playing with other dogs outside of his home. Please note however, that doggie day care is not a viable option for every dog and can actually stress some dogs out, so make sure you talk to the day care owners and inquire about the status of your dog and whether he is really enjoying himself in that environment.

Some dogs really enjoy competitive dog activities like competitive obedience, agility, Frisbee, or flyball - all of which are good ways for you and your dog to increase your bond, and it helps to release his energy in a healthy and constructive way.

Physical exercise is only part of the equation to a happy, healthy pup. Mental stimulation in the form of training and active training games that require your dog to think can actually tire a dog out more quickly than an hour of running! Work with a professional trainer on basic obedience and set aside 10 minutes per day to focus on nothing else but training your pup. Make it fun, ask your trainer what games you can play to make learning fun for him - he will learn very quickly if it is always a positive experience.

6. Supervise at All Times

Last, but not least, supervise your pup at all times when he is running free in your house; accidents and bad behaviors can be stopped before they start if you are always watching your pup's every move. Puppies (and adult dogs too) can get into things you never thought possible, so always be aware of where they are in your house and what they are doing. This is very important, because you can't tell a dog, "No! Bad dog!" if you find something torn up or pee on the rug, but the dog is long-gone from the scene. If you don't catch them in the act, they do not understand your reaction to what they've done. If you catch them doing something right, lavish love and praise on them for being a good dog. On the contrary, if they are doing something wrong, like chewing a shoe, grab one of their toys or chews and offer a trade, rewarding them for making the correct choice and taking the toy.

Following these simple steps above will get you well on your way to keeping the peace in your household with the addition of your new furry friend, without sacrificing the human items within it.

]]><![CDATA[Daily Dog Walks - Seriously Beneficial or Overrated?]]>Sun, 16 Jun 2013 22:44:33 GMThttp://zendogpetcare.com/zen-dog-pet-care-blog/daily-dog-walks-seriously-beneficial-or-overrated

You love your dog. I know you do. You wouldn't be reading this if you didn't. He is wonderful - he's always there for you, he never talks back, and he knows just what to do to make you laugh when you're feeling down. The only problem is that sometimes, he drives you up the wall with his relentless energy. Or maybe, he is destructive while you're gone, getting into the trash, or destroying everything in his path as soon as you leave the house. You're thinking, "I don't get it! He's got a backyard to run around in ALL DAY! He's got toys in the house to play with ALL DAY! Why is he bouncing off the walls when I get home?"

Most likely, your dog exhibits destructive behaviors or runs around like a crazy man because he is bored and has energy to burn. Dogs of every breed and size require daily exercise. Most dogs, when left alone, will not exercise themselves in a healthy, non-destructive way. Instead, they release their boredom on the nearest couch, TV stand, shoe, etc. (fill in the blank). As a pet sitter and dog walker, I hear people saying all the time, "Oh, you don't have to walk our dogs. They have a backyard." I've got news for you, folks. The dog is probably not using that backyard for exercise, even if he is in it all day long. For instance, mine lay on the deck all day.

Scarlet, Lucy, and Minkey (the cat), laying out on the deck.

Daily dog walks are not only good for your health as well as your dog's. They go along way in burning his excess energy - energy that otherwise would be directed toward your favorite chair or the laundry room door! The ASPCA agrees that walking your dog can help curb many destructive behaviors, such as digging or chewing; investigative behaviors, such as rummaging through the trash; and excessive hyperactivity during the day, or even worse, at night. Walking your dog for 30-minutes to an hour per day can lead to a reduction in destructive behaviors and just an all-around better behaved dog.

Have you ever heard the phrase, "A tired dog is a happy dog?" It's true! Take my dogs for instance. I have three dogs: a 9-year-old female pit bull (Scarlet), an 8.5-year-old female Labrador Retriever (Lucy), and an 11-month-old male pit bull mix (Ripple). I get compliments almost daily while walking them on how well-behaved they are. The two older ones are so calm and mellow, I am lucky if they even greet me when I get home from work. Did I do any kind of special, complicated, rigorous training with them? No. But I do walk them at least 2 miles EVERY DAY. They also get to run off-leash once a week in the woods near our house. At first, I thought it I just had great dogs. However, after getting the puppy recently, it has come to my attention how beneficial the daily exercise they get is for their physical and mental health. The puppy, whom I've had for almost three months now, has not yet chewed anything he is not supposed to chew. He also sleeps through the night, every night. I have to attribute that, at least partially, to the daily exercise. It is also important for dogs to get mental stimulation as well, but that is for another blog!

Not only does it do your dog good to get out there and move every day, it provides many health benefits to you as well, such as an elevated mood, improved blood pressure, better digestion, and a decrease in weight to name a few. I know many people who wouldn't exercise at all if they weren't walking their dog. Their dog motivates them to get up off of the couch, grab the leashes and go! This is just one of the many ways that dogs improve our lives.

Now, you may be saying, "I understand the benefits of daily exercise for my dog, but I don't have time to walk my dog every day!" No problem. Nowadays, you can hire someone to walk your dog for you! Many professional pet sitting/dog walking organizations exist in most major cities in the U.S., as well as several locations in the U.K. and throughout Europe. They will gladly give your dog the exercise he needs, and most have very reasonable pricing. You can even find someone to run with your dog if he is more energetic than most. In Georgia, where I live, The Georgia Network of Petsitting Professionals (GNPP) is an organization of fully insured and bonded pet sitting companies throughout the state that provide pet sitting, dog walking, and pet boarding services. My company, Zen Dog, services Peachtree Corners, Norcross, Duluth, Johns Creek, and portions of Alpharetta, Roswell, Dunwoody, and Sandy Springs.

Bottom line - your dog wants and NEEDS the exercise, and it would benefit you as well, so get out there and walk your dog!

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