Why Hire a Dog Walker?

You might be thinking, "My dog has the whole back yard to play around in, I don't need a dog walker." Well, the back yard may entertain your dog for a short while but, that is not what our furry friends were born to do. Dogs were born to work! Each and every dog has special qualities about them based on their breed and what they were bred to do. Some were bred to herd livestock, hunt or protect.

Dogs like humans, are social animals and need daily exercise and stimulation. Since I have become a dog walker and owner of my own dog walking and pet sitting business, I have seen how the lack of daily exercise and stimulation has adversely affected our furry best friends. Yesterday, I took our dog Addison, who is a 7 year old labradoodle, to the vet for a checkup and saw a great example of a dog that could greatly benefit from a dog walker.

I was sitting in the waiting area at the vet clinic while listening to the vet tech telling an older couple about their dachshund that it had gained weight. Now, dachshunds have small little legs and excess weight for this type of breed is extremely hard on them. The vet tech then proceeded to tell them that their dog weighed 26 pounds. They both looked at one another and blamed each other for not exercising the dog and feeding the dog chicken and other scraps from the dinner table. Just looking at this little dog broke my heart because its stomach was almost dragging on the floor and it was panting.

This was an extreme example of how lack of exercise, over-feeding, and lack of mental stimulation can lead to your dog being bored and over-weight. Being a dog owner and dog walker myself, I realize the huge responsibility of keeping a dog healthy and happy.

All of us live very busy lives and usually mean well but, if you work long hours or can not give your dog the attention he deserves then, it is wise to look into a professional, bonded & insured dog walking company in your area. A lot of companies offering dog walking services give discounts if you have your dog walked 4 or more times a week. You just have to call and discuss your situation to see if they can suit your needs.

Source:https://ezinearticles.com/?Why-Hire-a-Dog-Walker?&id=9069469

Dealing With a Dog's Destructive Chewing

It is one of life's greatest joys to know the love and companionship of a dog. They follow you around with deep admiration in their eyes. They get excited when you come home. A lick on the face and the wagging of their tail confirms that you are everything good in the world to them. Such a simple and complete love.

At times, however, living with a dog can also be one of life's greatest frustrations. Dogs chew. It's instinctive to their nature, and until you teach them otherwise, they see no difference between your couch and a chew toy. To them, it all looks like fair game for a chew session.

There are several reasons a dog will chew. You have to understand first why he's chewing before you can determine how best to handle it. A young dog will chew to relieve the pain caused by incoming teeth. This teething phase is usually complete by the age of six months.

But your dog's chewing behavior will not necessarily end once your dog passes the age of six months. A dog's mouth and whiskers are, for all intents and purposes, his hands and fingers. He will use them to explore and understand the world around him. He must have some way to find out what tastes good, what stings, and what bites back.

Grannick's Bitter Apple

You can use deterrent sprays on objects you do not want your dog to chew, but it cannot be your sole means of addressing destructive chewing. Your dog will also need to learn what it is okay to chew. When you catch him chewing something he is not allowed to chew, intervene with a sharp "no" and give him a bone, rawhide or toy that he is allowed to chew. Then praise him. Eventually, he will make the connection that it is okay to choose some things, but not others.

Adult dogs instinctively chew to keep their teeth clean and jaws strong. But sometimes, chewing can become excessive. Some of the top reasons for excessive chewing in dogs are:

Boredom

Lack of exercise

Separation anxiety

Many dogs will chew excessively when they are bored or have pent-up energy. The quickest and most effective defense against chewing from boredom is to give them plenty of exercise. Get outside and take long walks. Let them enjoy playtime with other dogs. Keep your dog's mind engaged through training exercises. Playing fetch and tug with him will help burn off excess energy.

Chewing can be a sign of separation anxiety. One of the best ways to help deal with it is to make sure your dog has plenty of chew toys, bones or rawhide available to him whenever you must leave him. 

We might wish otherwise, but sometimes we must leave our dogs at home for extended periods of time. At least until you get his destructive chewing under control, use a crate or confine him to a small area like a bedroom when you leave. The laundry room is not recommended because there are too many tempting smells to try to taste in there.

Whether he's home alone or you are with him, make sure any shoes and clothing are put away. Shut the closet and bathroom doors. And, most importantly, give him things that he is allowed to chew. You can find many great toys and treats online. By reading buyer reviews, you can determine which toys stand up to aggressive chewing.

Do not give your dog cooked bones or any bones from fowl, such as chicken. These bones are dangerous. They have a tendency to splinter, which can cause harm to your dog's mouth, throat and entire digestive system.

If your dog is eating strange things and nothing you do works to divert his behavior, see your vet. He may be suffering from a nutritional deficiency or a gastrointestinal issue.

If you take care of your dog by giving him lots of exercise and long-lasting, durable toys to chew, you will spend many more of your days enjoying his love and adoration rather than suffering through the frustration of inappropriate chewing.

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?Dealing-With-a-Dogs-Destructive-Chewing&id=9503056

Top 4 Most Common Dog Parenting Mistakes Revealed

Raising a dog is very similar to raising a child. How you treat, train and what you instill in your pet early on greatly affects how they would turn out later on in life. While there is no exact "right" way to raise a dog, there are some wrong practices that owners make that may contribute or cause a pet's negative attitude, health problems or even put them in danger.

Here are the 4 most common dog parenting mistakes that you should avoid:

Lack of socialization

The first year of a dog's life is crucial - it is when he learns the most of everything that you teach him. That is why socializing your dog, especially during the early months, is important. When a dog isn't comfortable around people or other pets, it will be hard for him to trust and can be difficult and even dangerous. Play with your dog daily, bring him out so that he'll be familiar with the people in your surroundings and allow him to play with other dogs.

Lack of exercise

Eating without burning the calories off results to weight gain. This does not only apply to us but to our pets as well. According to statistics, obesity in dogs is now up to 52.5 percent due to lack of exercise. Consult your vet how much exercise your dog needs (depending on his age and size) and be sure to reach it through daily walks and keeping him active.

Lack of company

Leaving a dog alone for several hours is not healthy, especially when they are cooped up in a cage. This will lead to them feeling sad and eventually become aggressive - chewing on things, making a mess around the house and the like. If you're going to be away for more than 7 hours each day, be sure to have someone check your pet or have a sitter to walk your dog and keep him company.

Lack of supervision

Dogs are known to be curious and will eat anything. One common mistake that dog parents make is not being extra careful about what their pet eats. Small, sharp bones, spoiled food and chocolate are among the dangerous food that your pet will usually encounter and put in their mouth. This will lead to choking, poisoning and other problems.

Avoid these mistakes when raising your pup and you and he will have a continuous harmonious relationship.

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?Top-4-Most-Common-Dog-Parenting-Mistakes-Revealed&id=9703551