The Crate Escape

10/05/2012

For those who take dogs in the car:

Today’s news story comes to us courtesy of the great state of New Jersey, where lawmakers are currently debating a new animal (and human!) safety law that would require pet owners to buckle up Spar...

09/20/2012

Good afternoon, Great Escapers! How many dogs have you had over the years? Was there a particular one that you enjoyed walking the most?

09/08/2012

"Dogs need their walks!"

Any dog trainer will tell you that daily evercise is a must for all dogs. For some, 30 minutes to an hour may be enough, for others 2 hours will just be getting started. But the point is they all need exercise, and walking should be the core component of that.

But there's more to dog walking than just putting on a leash and setting off. A few basic guidelines will make it much easier on you and more enjoyable for your dog.

Here are some best practices you can follow;

* Choose walk times carefully, avoiding the heat of the day. If you do have to walk when it's hot, be sure to take water along for your dog, because dogs can overheat quite easily.

* Don't allow your dog to walk in front of you or he may get the idea that he is the pack leader and this will encourage him to pull. Always walk with the dog by your side.

* Always keep slack on the lead. Every time you pull the dog back you just encourage him to pull in the opposite direction. Rather stop, wait for the dog to calm down, then continue.

* Maintain control of the walk. Don't allow you dog to dicate direction and particularly when to stop. Sniffing around and marking should only happen when you allow it.

* Stay away from other dogs if you can help it. You have no idea how dogs are going to respond to each other. These situations can quite often end in a fight, so rather turn away and walk a different route.

You also don't know if a strange dog has been vaccinated and if it is carrying any diseases that may be passed to your dog.

* Choose a collar and leash (or a harness) that is comfortable for your dog, but that also gives you complete control over the dog. Also make sure that your dog is wearing an id tag, just in case he gets away from you.

In the unlikely even that the dog does escape, the id tag will identify you as the owner and hopefully see the dog returned safely to you. You may also want to have your dog micro-chipped for extra peace of mind.

* Lastly, enjoy yourself! Hanging out with your dog is one of the funnest things you can do, two buddies working out together and enjoying the pleasure of each others company. What could be better.

09/06/2012

GA - Do your plans for this weekend include walking with your best friend?

08/29/2012

A truly happy dog

08/29/2012

The Traits of a Good Dog Walker:

Engaged with their dogs: A good dog walker makes eye contact with their dogs and speaks to their dogs periodically through the walk. They speak to a dog in a high pitch voice. Dogs find a high-pitched voice to be welcoming.

Avoids danger ahead of time: A good dog walker doesn’t continue to walk into danger areas over and over again without noticing. They direct most of their attention to what is in front of the dogs. A good dog walker sees a problem way ahead of time and avoids it with plenty of space to spare.

Carries backup equipment: You never know if you’ll need a backup leash, collar, etc. and you should carry extra equipment with you at all times.

Walks dogs on the left side of their body: Nothing looks more professional than a dog walking short and on the left side of your body.

Not on their cell phone through the walks: Have you ever seen someone walking a dog while talking on their cell phones? If so they were probably not engaged with the dogs they were walking. A dog walker can not give a dog their full attention while yapping on the phone all day.

Not dragging or yanking dogs: You should never drag a dog down the street. It looks terrible, it’s mean and there are many other solutions to get a dog to walk.

Wears a cell phone earpiece: Of course you’ll need to take some phone calls during your walks but they should be short, you should stop walking the dog while you speak and/or you should use a wired earpiece. Using a wired earpiece allows you to still use both of your hands while you walk the dogs and on a side note I don’t think wireless/Bluetooth earpieces are safe to use (based on the radiation they emit).

Notices the problems their dogs are having: A good dog walker should notice if a dog is limping, has a loose stool, throws up and/or has low energy, among other things.

Carries waste bags: It might sound silly but it looks pretty unprofessional to see someone searching for a way to pickup a dog’s stool. It looks even more unprofessional to see a dog walker not pickup a dog’s stool at all (and in some areas it’s against the law not to pickup after a dog).

Can use and recommend the most proper equipment: A good dog walker should know how to use all the main equipments made for dogs. They should also be able to recommend equipment to a client if they think it will improve the experience of walking the dog.

Educated on the basics of house training, leash training and puppy training: A good dog walker ideally knows more about dog training and psychology than their clients do.

Doesn’t force their views on their clients: Some clients will want you to decide everything for them while others will not want any advice on how to care for their dogs. Make sure that you don’t become too pushy with clients when it comes to advice on their pets.

Leaves polite and upbeat messages for their clients: A good dog walker should be polite and upbeat in their messages even on day they are not in a good mood. Be extra careful not to write your messages in a way that could be misunderstood. What client wants to come home to read a message that sounds passive, aggressive, blunt or bossy? Speak clearly, positively, with optimism and use lots of smiley faces and in your messages!

Doesn’t walk more then 3-4 dogs at a time: Personally I prefer individual dog walks, or 2 dogs walked at a time only but I do feel you can have a positive walk with 3-4 dogs at a time. Walking anything more than 3-4 dogs at a time looks unprofessional and can be chaotic and dangerous.

Sit stays: At certain times you will need to be able to control the dog you are walking. A good dog walker can put a dog in a sit stay at will because they have practiced putting the dogs into a sit stay (explained later).

Give their dogs lots of love: I’m amazed how I see some dog walkers never give love to the dogs they walk. Make a point of rubbing your dog’s chests periodically through your walks.

08/26/2012

Ah the importance of cuddling should never be underestimated! Matzah and I spending some time together while his mom is away on business!

08/24/2012

Why choose a professional pet sitter to care for my pets?

Most pets, especially cats and dogs, like routine. Using the services of a professional pet sitter will enable your pets to keep their normal eating, playtime, exercise, and sleep routines.

When your pet stays in his own home, he won't be stressed from being transported to a strange place.

Your pet will be able to stay in his own home where he is most comfortable, with the sights, sounds, and smells to which he is accustomed.

If your pet is on medication, or other medical treatment, your pet sitter will be able to keep him on his regular schedule.

Your pet will not be exposed to illnesses that may be contracted at a kennel.

Having a pet sitter come to your home also works as a crime deterrent. Most pet sitters will bring in the mail, turn lights off/on, open/close draperies, etc. to help give your home a lived in look. And, in the event of an emergency, they will be able to contact you immediately rather than you coming home to find a problem with your home.

Your pet will get consistent and personalized care from one person who knows your pet well. Most pet sitters will become quite fond of your pets and will give them excellent care!

It's more convenient for you. You won't have to carve time out of your busy schedule to drop off or pick up your pet from a kennel.

08/23/2012

Try this little experiment: Ask a four-year-old to lie very still in a room by himself for six to nine hours, with no games, no books and no human interaction. Sure, he can look outside and watch other kids play – but he has to stay indoors.

When you return home, tell that child he can walk outside for 10 minutes, but then it’s back in for the night. Repeat this routine daily.

Ridiculous, you say? Of course it is. Yet this is often exactly what we ask of our pets, causing them undue emotional stress in the process.

08/20/2012

While letting your dog run around the backyard or taking him to the dog park can be good exercise, it isn't a substitute for walking. These activities don't offer the same mental stimulation your dog gets by investigating every smell, sight, and sound when you take him for a stroll. As you and your dog walk, he's gathering information about how his territory has changed since the last time he was on that same route.

08/19/2012

Walking your dog each day is Canine Care 101. A walk provides your pooch with exercise and, of course, a potty break. But there's another reason why that daily stroll is so important—and it has to do with instinct.
Just as fish need to swim and birds need to fly, dogs need to walk. In the wild, packs of dogs get up in the morning and walk to find food. The pack's Alpha Dog leads the way, and the lower pack mates dutifully follow. For a dog, walking fulfills a migration instinct.

08/18/2012

SOME REASONS WHY YOUR DOG NEEDS EXERCISE AND WALKS
Walking your dog for 30-60 minutes every day provides your dog with mental stimulation essential for your dog’s emotional wellbeing and also ensures your dog gets out of the house.
Your dog is less likely to develop annoying, continuous barking because of separation-related distress and other boredom-killing habits like digging.
Digging holes in the garden, wrecking plants are all symptoms of frustrated and bored dogs.