Rainy Days Don't Have to be Ruff!

With the right essentials, you can turn a gloomy stroll into a splashy adventure and keep tails wagging through every raindrop! 

We humans can easily throw on a raincoat and grab an umbrella, but it’s up to us to keep our furry pals protected when the downpour strikes. Grab your umbrella and let’s dive into the must haves for walking your furry friend in the rain!

Here are some essentials to pack for your rainy day walk: 

• Raincoat: Your dog will appreciate it! Not only will a waterproof raincoat help keep them dry, but it will also keep breeds with fur that mats easily (like poodles and bichons) safe from tangles. For smaller dogs, raincoats can keep them warm on chilly, rainy days. 

• Booties: Boots help keep your pup’s paws dry, and safe from bacteria, sharp objects and toxins that may be lurking in puddles. 

• Reflective Leash/Harness: Visibility can be compromised in rainy weather; therefore, a reflective leash adds an extra layer of safety on the sidewalk for passing cars. Any small glimpse of light will reflect on the leash and make the pup at the end of it more visible. 

• Absorbent Towels: Prepare absorbent towels at the door for when you return. It will help absorb as much moisture as possible compared to a regular towel! 

• Brush: After toweling off, a quick brush can help prevent knots and matting, especially for breeds with longer fur. Make sure to dry them thoroughly afterward! 

Remember, on a rainy day, your pup might need some extra love and attention if they can't get their usual outdoor time. Be sure to offer plenty of snuggles and playtime inside until those clouds clear! 

References:

The Dogington Post

11 Holiday Safety Tips For Your Pet

As the holiday season approaches, our homes transform into bustling hubs of celebration. Among the twinkling lights and festive feasts, it's essential to remember the well-being of our beloved pets. While they eagerly partake in the holiday excitement, their safety must remain a priority.

Mind the Decorations: Holiday decorations can be fascinating to our pets but can also be dangerous. Keep a close eye on tinsel, ribbon, and small ornaments that could be choking hazards. Opt for pet-friendly decorations and secure larger ones out of your pet's reach.

Create a Calm Retreat: Holiday gatherings can be overwhelming for pets with all the noise and commotion. Designate a quiet, safe space where your furry friend can retreat when they need a break. Provide comfortable bedding, water, and their favorite comfort items to make it an inviting, relaxing place.

Watch the Door: Holiday gatherings mean more people coming and going from your home. Keep an eye on your pets near the door, as they may try to slip outside, especially if they're anxious or curious about the guests.

Secure the Trash: The aroma of holiday leftovers can be irresistible to pets. Ensure trash cans are securely closed or kept in a pet-proof area to prevent scavenging, which can lead to digestive issues.

Pet-Proof Your Feast: Be cautious about what your pets consume while indulging in holiday feasts. Many human foods, such as chocolate, grapes, onions, and alcohol, can be toxic to pets. A trigger for pancreatitis in our furry friends often stems from the consumption of high-fat foods. During holiday seasons, this can include indulgences such as turkey (especially the skin), fatty leftovers, gravy, bacon, and dishes with butter. Keep festive foods out of their reach and discourage guests from feeding them table scraps. Never give your pet cooked bones. Bones can splinter into shards that injure your pet's mouth and digestive tract. They can also harden in their intestines, causing a blockage.

Be Cautious with Candles: If you're using candles for ambiance, place them out of your pet's reach. Curious pets can knock them over and cause fires or burns. Consider using flameless, battery-operated candles as a safer alternative.

Limit Access to Electrical Cords: Holiday lights and decorations often come with electrical cords that can attract pets. Use cord covers or secure them in a way that keeps your pets from chewing on them, which can lead to electrical shock.

Avoid Harmful Plants: Certain holiday plants, like poinsettias, mistletoe, and holly, can be toxic to pets if ingested. Keep them away, or consider using artificial alternatives to keep your pets safe and your home festive. Curious about which other plants are harmful to your pets? Click here to find out!

Introduce Your Pet to New Faces: If you're hosting guests, especially those with children or other pets, ensure proper introductions with your own pets. Some pets may be anxious around unfamiliar faces, so a gradual introduction can help ease tension. Remind guests, especially children, how to properly interact with your pet to avoid potential anxiety in your pet that may result in a reactive bite or scratch. If your pet isn't fond of company, escort them to their safe space and check on them during the event.

On The Road Again: If the holiday takes you on a road trip, make sure your pet is wearing proper identification, a harness that is secured to a tether or doggy seat belt (do not attach any restraint directly to their collar), or place them in their crate (secured to the vehicle in the event of an accident). Bring food/treats, bowls, water, leash, potty supplies, blanket, medication, first-aid kit, toys, and vet documents. Create a list of emergency vets along your route in case of emergency or illness.

Exercise Your Pal: Be mindful of your pet's need for proper exercise during the busy season. Create a schedule that allows time to care for your pet, or call your local pet-sitting company for assistance!

Resources
VETSS

Hot Weather Safety Tips For Your Dog

Calling all dog lovers! As the scorching Florida sun beats down, it's essential to prioritize the well-being of your furry friends. While they may want to be by your side no matter the temperature, we must be aware of the impact hot weather can have on them. Get ready to discover some tips to make this summer a breeze for your four-legged family member!

The Most Susceptible: It's important to recognize which dog breeds are less tolerant of heat. While your furry friend's breed may not determine their ability to handle warmer weather entirely, some breeds, such as brachycephalic breeds, are more prone to discomfort. Keep an eye on Bernese, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Bulldog, Husky, Keeshond, Pekingese, Persian, Pug, Shih Tzu, Mastiff, St. Bernard, and Japanese Chin, among others. Additionally, remember that obese and senior pets, as well as those with heart and lung issues, require extra care during hot weather.

Warning Signs: Watch out for signs and symptoms associated with overheating and heatstroke. Increased heart rate, excessive panting, drooling, thirst, reddened gums, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle weakness, and uncoordinated movements indicate that your pup might be struggling with the heat. Stay vigilant to ensure their well-being.

Car Rides: On a warm day, never leave your pet alone in the car. Even at 70 degrees, the interior temperature can soar to a deadly 104 degrees within half an hour. Remember, this can lead to fatal heatstroke for your pet and serious legal consequences for you. Let's keep our furry friends safe and avoid any unnecessary risks (source: heatkills.com).

Coat Care: Contrary to popular belief, shaving your dog's coat doesn't actually keep them cooler. The guard hair (out layer) serves as natural protection against moisture, overheating and sunburn. Cutting the guard hair permanently damages their coat and rarely grows back. So, resist the urge to grab those clippers and let your pup rock their fabulous fur while staying comfortably cool.

HOT PAWS: Imagine walking on hot pavement barefoot—ouch! To spare your furry friend from burnt paws, follow this simple rule: test the pavement first. Place your bare foot or the back of your hand on the ground. If it's too hot to hold for a full 10 seconds, it's too hot for your pup's sensitive paws. Keep them safe and opt for shady or grassy areas instead.

Stay Hydrated: Dehydration is a real concern during hot weather. Ensure fresh water is always accessible to your pets, and remember that they should drink approximately one ounce of water per pound of body weight (source: petmd.com). Consider carrying a collapsible bowl and a water bottle during your outdoor adventures to provide refreshing mid-walk hydration for your furry companion.

Poisons and Picnics: Beware of potential hazards! Avoid areas treated with rodenticides and insecticides, as they can be toxic if ingested by dogs and cats. Keep citronella candles and torches out of reach, as they are also poisonous. Ensure any sunscreen or bug repellent used on your pet is labeled safe for animals. Finally, be mindful of picnic foods that can harm or kill your pet, including raisins, grapes, avocados, onions, chocolate, xylitol, alcohol, garlic, peaches, and plums.

Summer-Time Dangers: Fireworks and dogs don't mix well. The loud noises can be frightening and lead to your dog attempting to escape the noise by running away. Avoid bringing your dog to events where fireworks will be present, especially on July 4th—the top day for reported lost pets. Instead, keep them safe and secure at home during fireworks displays.

Splish-Splash: Supervision is key when your pet is around or in a pool, even if they're good swimmers. Remember that pool water, due to chlorine, is not suitable for drinking. After swimming, thoroughly rinse your dog's coat to remove any harmful chemicals. And if your furry friend is on a boat, always put a flotation device on them for their safety.

With these tips in your arsenal, you can make this summer an unforgettable, safe, and enjoyable experience for you and your furry companion. Don't forget to check out our Pet First Aid Kit blog to ensure you're fully prepared for any potential emergencies. Get ready for some summer fun in the sun with your beloved pooch!

How To Dog Proof Your Home While You're Away

Whether your dog is a puppy, a newly adopted pup, or a dog that’s been part of the family for years, be sure to add, “dog proof the house” to your to-do list before you’re off on your next vacation. Doing so can save you money on household damages or even more importantly, a trip to the vet when you buddy “got into something.

No worries, we’ve got you covered:

Sweet pup anxiously awaiting his treat from his Glad Wags’ sitter.

Nom-noms: Stash away all food, including their own, so they aren’t tempted to counter-surf. Pay close attention to hiding away toxic foods such as chocolate, avocados, grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, onions, and garlic. For a more complete list of toxic foods, visit the ASPCA website by clicking here .

PRO TIP: If you are the parent to an expert counter-surfer, consider putting foil on your countertops. Once Buddy places his paws on the loud material he will be less inclined to continue. You might also try lining your countertop with double-stick tape. Pups don’t like the sticky tape and are likely to stay away.

Get to the point: Securely put away anything sharp that your little rascal may snatch up such as knives, scissors, razors, blades from a blender or food processor, box cutters, and pins.

Sweat the small stuff: Twist ties, bread clips, rubber bands, batteries, buttons, hair-ties, jewelry, thread, crafts, or anything tiny can be enticing to a doggo who is left unattended. Although these things seem harmless, they can get lodged in your pup’s throat or digestive tract.

Lakewood Ranch is full of beauty, even on the side of a neighbor’s recycling bin!

A load of rubbish: Secure your trash cans! Take the trash out before you leave or figure out a way to keep Buddy’s nose out of the trash’s business. Some common solutions are putting it in a pantry/cabinet or placing a gate around it.

PRO TIP: Don’t forget about the small trash bins in bathrooms and offices; these can be even more dangerous because they don’t often have a lid and can contain dangerous items such as floss or old razors!

Down to the wire: Cords, wires, and chargers are popular items for pups to chew on and can be very dangerous as they can electrocute and burn your fur-friend. If possible, unplug any devices that your pup will have access to. Consider tucking the cords under cord concealers or completely removing the items from the room. It may be a time consuming task but this is a very important one!

PRO TIP: If you think your pup will mess with the outlets, try using outlet covers.

Comfy cozy: Pups can look at blankets, rugs, and fabric armrest coverings as big toys. If you think Buddy will go after the couch cushions and pillows, block off couches with dining chairs or limit their access to rooms with these pieces.

Dapper boy is always stylin’ in one of his bow-ties!

Best dressed: Depending on what type of packer you are, you might leave your clothes spread out on the floor or leave behind a pile of dirty laundry in your hamper. We won’t add “do laundry” to your to-do-list but at least put all your clothing out of reach from your pup, particularly dirty laundry. They enjoy working on (aka chewing on) buttons, strings, and zippers, stinky socks, and the all-time favorite….shoes! Save your clothes, shoes, and your dog’s intestines and stow these types of things far from reach.

Pick your poison: Our homes are filled with toxic hazards such as cleaners, detergents, bleach, moth balls, pesticides, medications, cosmetics, perfumes, and toiletries. Keep these types of items far, far away from your solo pup. Put them in a closet they do not have access to or a high cabinet that has some type of lock on it. Check out these child-proof cabinet locks that can also be used for nosey noses snooping around.

Fast friends: If you have small critters in the house, such as fish or hamsters, think about moving them to a new location if you aren’t sure how your pup might do alone with them.

Having a snooze after her outside time.

Beauty sleep: Some owners like leaving their bedroom open for access during their time away because Buddy likes having a snooze on their bed. Some canines love to tear up anything soft (uh, have you seen what they can do to a stuffie toy) so not granting them access to your bedroom would be ideal. But, if you are still adamant about having them keep your bunk warm, remove your pillows, quilts, comforters, sheets to spare them from becoming the next casualty!

Potty mouth: Shut your toilet lids! Although your pup doesn't care about manners, the latrine lid should stay closed. The chemicals used to clean the toilet can make a thirsty pup very sick. Tiny pups could even drown in the bowl! If your headstrong bud knows how to lift the seat, try one of these nifty devices.

PRO TIP: As gross as it is, Buddy might raid the cat’s litter box. If this is on your dog’s favorite foods list, find a home for the box that Buddy can’t get to.

Blind spot: Vertical blinds, particularly ones made of fabric, sway side to side and can become quite a tempting toy! Block these strips with chairs if possible.

Playtime with one of his favorite toys!

Toy story: Leaving Buddy’s toys out is very important but if your pup is likely to rip up their toys (which is fine) first remove any squeakers, strings, and stuffing, if you believe your pup will consume it after it’s ripped up.

Reality TV: Hide your remotes!! You’ll thank us.

Pretty as a picture: Figurines, vases, and any decor that is within reach (even as high as your dog can reach on his hind legs) should find a new home while you’re away.

Arts & crafts: Have you ever seen what a pup can do with newspapers, magazines, books, cash money, paper towels, napkins, or toilet paper? They can create homemade confetti in seconds flat! Double check that you put away all these tempting paper products.

Fresh Air: Air fresheners & candles are a big “no-no” for pets when home alone. Your pup is more important than a nice smelling house.

Handsome Havanese posing during a Glad Wags’ walk.

Green thumb: Many pet owners are the parents to indoor house plants too but you will be disappointed to find your plants dug up and even consumed. Move these plants to an off-limits room, even succulents are fair game to Buddy! Non-toxic plants can still cause lesions in the digestive tract. For a full list of toxic plants, check out our Toxic Plants and Flowers To Avoid For Dogs And Cats blog.

Off limits: If doggie proofing your home is still not enough to save your stuff, try limiting the space in which your dog is allowed to roam. Close doors and only allow access to the main living area. If you need to limit space even further, put your pup in a large penned area of the house.

PRO TIP: Remember that a tired dog is a good dog so be sure to use a sitter who can tire your dog out physically and mentally.

Toxic Plants and Flowers To Avoid For Dogs And Cats

As a pet parent, it’s very important to be knowledgeable about which plants and flowers could be dangerous to your puppy pals and feline friends. Below is a list of the most common toxic plants that are dangerous for pets to consume.

Please note, this is not a complete list of all poisonous plants.

Adam-and-Eve
Aloe
Amaryllis
Andromeda
Apple 
Apricot
Arrow-Head Vine
Arum
Arum Lily
Australian Nut
Autumn Crocus
Azalea
Barbados
Basil
Bay Laurel
Bead Tree
Begonia
Bird of Paradise
Bittersweets
Brazilwood
Boxwood
Brunfelsia
Buckeye
Buckwheat
Buddhist Pine
Burning Bush
Buttercup
Calla Lily
Caladium
Cape Jasmine
Cardinal Flower
Carnation
Castor Bean
Ceriman
Chamomile
Cherry
Chinaberry
Chives
Chrysanthemum
Cilantro
Clematis

Coffee
Coontie Palm
Creeping Charlie
Cycads
Cyclamen
Daffodil
Daisy
Dieffenbachia
Dracaena
Dumbcane
Easter Rose
Eastern Star
Elephant Ears
Epazote
Eucalyptus
Exotica
Fern Palm
Fig
Figwort
Flag
Flamingo Flower
Foxglove
Gardenia
Garlic
Geranium
Gladiola
Grapefruit
Heavenly Bamboo
Holly
Hops
Horse Chestnut
Horseweed
Hosta
Hyacinth
Hydrangea
Indian Hemp
Iris
Ivy
Jack-in-the-Pulpit

Jonquil
Kalanchoe
Kiss-me-Quick
Klamath Weed
Lambkill
Lantana
Larkspur
Laurels
Lavender
Leek
Lemon
Lemon Grass
Lenten Rose
Lillies
Lime
Lobelia
Maidens Breath
Marijuana
Milkweed
Mint
Mistletoe
Morning Glory
Mother-in-Law
Mum
Nandina
Narcissus
Nightshade
Oleander
Onion
Orange
Oregano
Parsley
Peach
Peony
Perennial Pea
Periwinkle
Pieris
Plum
Poinsettia
Poison Daisy
Poison Hemlock

Poison Parsnip
Portulaca
Prayer Bean
Primrose
Privet
Purslane
Ragwort
Ranger's Button
Red Emerald
Red Maple
Rhododendron
Rhubarb
Ribbon Plant
Rock Moss
Rosebay
Running Myrtle
Sabi Star
Sago Palm
Silver Dollar
Snake Lily
Sorrel
SowBread
Spanish Thyme
Spindle Tree
Spring Parsley
Staggerbush
Starch Root
Starleaf
Sweet Pea
Taro
Tobacco
Tomato
Tulip
Weeping Fig
White Heads
Wild Arum
Winterberry
Wisteria
Yarrow
Yew
Yucca

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Phone Number: 888-426-4435

What To Do When Your Dog Jumps On You

Family of four with all four paws on the floor, waiting patiently for attention

Knowing how to react to your dog jumping on you is super important because our initial response tends to be the incorrect one. Whether you are the owner of a jumping pup or you have a friend who is trying to break their pooch of a hopping habit, it’s important to know how to react when the pup turns into a jumping bean.

Why do dogs jump in the first place? The main reason unwanted jumping occurs is simple: human attention. At some point in your pup’s life, they jumped on a human to catch their attention, and guess what, it worked! They get the attention in many ways, pets, ear scratches, all the things they love the most. So naturally, the dog made the association.

Dog thought: “Jump on human = get attention. I’m always going to jump on humans because I LOVE attention!”

Small, medium, or large, all sizes can learn to keep their paws to themselves

Then as the puppy gets bigger, it is deemed unwanted behavior by the owner, but the dog thinks everything is just fine the way it is because he still receives the attention he’s seeking.

Read on for tips on fixing this problem behavior.

IGNORE

Sweet sibling pups demonstrating “all-four-on-the-floor”

The best thing you can do while a pup is jumping on you is to completely ignore them! As cute as they are when looking up at you, you must resist the urge to pet and talk or give any type of positive attention to them until they have “all-four-on-the-floor”! Do not touch them, talk to them, or even look at them. Stand still, arms folded, staring in the distance. Essentially, become boring. Your calm and quiet energy is vital. If your pup jumps on you while you are sitting, stand up and ignore them.

IMPORTANT! Avoid giving them negative attention, too. A pup, much like some humans, value any type of attention. If you are reprimanding or pushing them off, the result is the same - they got your attention and will continue the behavior.

THE COLD SHOULDER

This rottie gal is the queen of the polite sit

If standing silently without eye contact and interaction is still not working, turn your back to them. A quiet, still, disengaged human is very boring to a dog (insert big dog yawwwwn) and they will eventually lose interest in you or at least calm down enough to stop jumping on you.

Let your guests know that you are training your dog and to please not give them any attention until they are calm. This is hard for humans to do because we’re thinking like a human and think it might be rude to ignore the dog, just as it’s rude to ignore a person, especially when you’re a guest. That’s why giving your guest permission to ignore your dog is so important.

RE-ENTER

In some cases, ignoring them and giving them the cold shoulder may not work if the dog has been conditioned to jump for attention. Take the training to the next level by completely leaving the room or the house when your pup pounces. If he jumps, go out the door. Then, re-enter. If he jumps again, leave through the door again. You might have to do this many, many times before he learns that he’ll receive no attention from anyone that comes through the door if he jumps on them. Consistency and patience will pay off!

GIVE ATTENTION

Not only is it important to know when not to give attention, it is equally important to know when to reward your pup with attention. Once he has all four paws on the floor, preferably in a sit, you can and should give attention immediately to reinforce the wanted behavior. But, be prepared to go back to step 1 if they start to jump again.

Boston siblings showing off how well-mannered they are!

BE CONSISTENT

This type of training is only effective if the owner puts in consistent effort. Everyone in the household, including friends, family members, and even acquaintances and service providers, should be told by the owner the steps to take once your pup starts springing up like a pogo stick. Insist that your pals (and you) follow the protocol, which is to ignore the dog if they jump. Soon your pup won’t be tempted to give an airborne greeting, and you won’t be embarrassed by their behavior.

The Best Pet Care In The Industry

Company Employee - Independent Contractor
Solo Sitter - App Sitter - Boarding Facility

Choosing the appropriate care for your pet is essential and can become a stressful undertaking once you start reviewing all of the options available. It’s a given that the pet sitter you choose should possess a love for animals, but there are many other important considerations when hiring a pet sitter.

PROFESSIONAL IN-HOME PET CARE BUSINESS (that hires “employees”) - The Gold Standard

Professional pet care businesses, like Glad Wags, are owned and operated by a certified professional pet sitter through Pet Sitter’s International (PSI). PSI is the world’s largest and most respected authority on pet sitting and the leading association for professional pet sitters. They provide their members with the most up-to-date, on-going education and resources. This knowledge translates to exceptional, 5-star care for your pet. Benefits to hiring a professional pet care business, include:

• The ability to leave your pet in the comfort of their own home without interrupting their routine, and where they feel safest.

• In-home care means that your pet is not exposed to potential viruses often found in boarding facilities, such as kennel cough or influenza, nor the possibility of injuries associated with a group setting while boarding.

• This type of premium care also includes one-on-one companionship for your pet and the ability to tend to their unique needs, such as administering medications or preparing their special meal.

• A pet sitting company’s team of sitters are insured, bonded, background-checked, trained by field management staff, and accountable to the company for each visit provided.

• A team of sitters allows for pet care 365-days a year. If one sitter is on vacation, or ill, or has a personal emergency, other sitters on the team who know and love your pet are able to continue care without interruption. Back-ups are key in finding reliable pet care; something a solo sitter cannot provide.

• Long-term relationships are built between the company’s owner, sitters, the client, and their pet that are built on communication, accessibility, reliability, and trust.

• Pet owners will enjoy the convenience and efficiency of sophisticated technology that enables online scheduling, payments by credit card, text-like communication feeds, real-time visit reports with engaging, quality photos through a pet sitting software program and mobile app.

• While you’re away, your home will never appear that you’re not home. We will collect mail/packages/newspapers, maintain trash, water plants, rotate lights, and keep your home secure.

EMPLOYEE -VS- INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR

Hire a company with employees versus independent contractors. There is a major difference between companies that hire employees as pet sitters versus independent contractors as pet sitters. Namely, a business with employees is able to control the way their sitters perform their job, meaning the type of care they provide.

EMPLOYEES

Glad Wags hires employees only. We work closely together as a team when caring for all of our clients’ pets.

Lead sitter, Amanda, taking a play break with a wild pup.

• We provide Workers Compensation to our employees in case of an injury on the job. This type of insurance cannot be provided to independent contractors, the contractor may elect to obtain it themselves, but most do not.

• We contribute to social security, medicare, and unemployment.

• We carry liability insurance and bonding.

• We manage, train, coach, and mentor our employees for consistency of care. By law, this type of guidance cannot be provided to or required of independent contractors as they are essentially a hired 3rd party company.

• Glad Wags field management is always available to our employee team for back up and emergency care should it be needed.

• Pet sitting companies with employees show integrity. By law, a pet sitting company that contracts their pet sitting services is illegally misclassifying their workers as independent contractors when in fact they should be classified as employees, and the company is then required to contribute to social security, medicare, and unemployment taxes.

INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS

An independent contractor hired by a pet sitting company essentially has their own pet care business. They are then hired to care for a pet sitting company’s clientele. Why is this an issue?:

Glad Wags sitter, Ann, giving love to a puppy client.

• According to the IRS classification of independent contractors, they are not legally allowed to be trained or managed by a company hiring them. They can establish their own “standard”.

• They are not required, by law, to follow the pet sitting company’s policies and procedures and are legally free to care for your pet however they please and whenever they please.

• Contractors have little supervision and cannot be told how to handle your pet. They are not required to report to a visit at a certain time and can shorten or change visits that you have requested. They can even subcontract the visits and send another person into your house without notifying you or the company you hired!

BOARDING AT A KENNEL

When a pet owner considers going out of town, boarding at a kennel is a popular option they consider. At a kennel, pets are fed and housed (crated), looked after in a facility by various staff members that your pet does not know. Potential issues that arise from this type of care, include:

Parrot client calm and happy in his cozy home.

• Various required vaccinations in order to stay at the facility. In-home care eliminates this requirement, owners can choose to vaccinate as they choose.

• Even with vaccinations, an increased possibility that viruses and bacteria, such as kennel cough and influenza, may be transmitted to your pet.

• There is an increased possibility that your pet will experience an injury due to exposure to many other dogs with free rein in an enclosed space with little supervision. Depending on the facility, there could be as many as 80-100 dogs with free rein on any given day, particularly during the holidays.

• Increased anxiety for your pet is likely, and the possibility of a lifelong fear of other dogs is also possible due to exposure to so many dogs day after day. This is a particularly unpleasant environment for puppies and senior dogs.

• The stress of a pet being away from their family, home, and daily routine often has a lasting effect.

• Pet owners will be charged for “additional services” such as medication administration, a solo walk, late pick-up, and much more. In most facilities, you will even have to pay extra to have your dog petted.

• Owners have the burden of transporting their pet and their supplies to and from the facility and are tied to the facility’s drop-off and pick-up times, as opposed to having their calm pet waiting for them at home when they return.

HOBBY SITTER/SOLO SITTER/FRIEND/NEIGHBOR

Known by many names, “hobby-sitter”, “solo-sitter”, “gig worker”, or even a friend or neighbor is a person who provides pet sitting services either in your house, or their home as a side job or for a little additional income. Although you might find comfort in choosing a person who you know well, there are many issues that arise when using this type of pet care, such as:

Senior client enjoying his walk through his neighborhood.

• Likely that the sitter does not carry liability insurance, bonding or workman’s comp insurance.

• The sitter may not be educated in pet care, and have little pet experience.

• Sitters tend to have other jobs or obligations (i.e., husband, kids, parents), making your pet’s care not their top priority.

• Sitter is often unavailable, especially for last-minute requests and holidays, because they are already booked with another pet or they are tied up with their own personal obligations, work schedule, or most likely they “don’t work holidays”.

• In the event of a sitter emergency, injury, or illness, sitter does not have a back-up sitter to continue care for your pet if they are suddenly out-of-commission. This is particularly bad when you are out of town, or out of the country.

• Sitters tend not to follow professional procedures, policies, and protocols that keep your pet healthy and safe and ensure the care that is being provided to them is exactly what you wanted.

• Owner is unable to use professional pet sitting software, to schedule, communicate through a portal, and pay with a credit card if desired.

APP SITTERS

Perky Westies taking a post-walk rest on their favorite couch!

App companies such as Rover and Wag are well-known because of their marketing but they are not professional pet sitting companies. They are e-commerce websites where services are provided by multiple third parties (“Sitters”). These referral-type websites do not meet the actual “sitters”, they are independent contractors (not employees) and the App cannot control a standard of care. It is up to the pet owner to do due diligence for the safety and well-being of their pet and the security of their home, but sadly many do not.

The Best Dog Harness For Pullers

With so many dog walking products on the market, it can be overwhelming when deciding what to use to walk your dog, particularly if you have a pup that pulls. Glad Wags’ dog walkers have hands-on experience using just about every style on the market and we are going to share with you our #1 pick, especially if you have an extreme puller of any size or breed.

Parents of pullers should skip putting anything around their dog’s neck, such as a traditional clip collar, a prong collar, a martingale, or a slip lead. These types of collars are not effective for pullers. More importantly, when a collar of any kind is used on a dog that pulls, the pressure is put onto their throat and over time this may cause serious illnesses, such as a collapsed trachea. This is an irreversible injury and will leave your dog with a harsh, dry cough that will last the rest of their life. A collapsed trachea may also cause labored breathing, fainting, wheezing, and exercise intolerance. This does not make for a fun walk for your dog or the owner. This is why it is so important to have the correct equipment!

A harness is a good option for pullers, and popular amongst many pet parents. But the type of harness is critical. Using a harness where the leash attaches on the back is a mistake. With the hind legs and chest being the strongest part of a dog, attaching the leash to their back will give them endless, uninhibited pulling power. There is a reason sled dogs have their leashes attached to their backs!

So, which harness is the best? Choose a harness where the leash attaches at the chest. This will give you all the control you need to handle your pet during a walk.. no matter what their size or breed! Why? By having the leash attached at the chest it works similar to a horse rein. If the dog pulls forward to the end of the lead, they will automatically be slightly turned left or right depending on which side the leash is on, resulting in them slowing down or even stopping. Many clients have come to us to ask for help to control their extreme puller. We show them how they can walk their dog with one hand using the correct harness. They tell us that they can finally enjoy walking their dog again!

There are plenty of front attaching harnesses on the market, but the easiest to use, due to its simple design and lightweight construction, is the harness made by the company, Walk Your Dog With Love.

Walk Your Dog With Love carries seven different styles of harnesses, yet all of them are designed with simple straps, one clip, and the leash attachment is always at the chest. They offer a variety of colors, embroidery options, and sizes to fit a tiny chihuahua or a hefty St Bernard. Their website provides you with information on their products, how they work, and even contains a video on how to properly fit the harness to your dog. The correct size and fit is critical! It will not work effectively without a proper fit, so we encourage our clients to allow the Glad Wags team to fit the harness on their dog or watch the video provided on the Walk Your Dog With Love website before hitting the sidewalk for their first walk.

Check out the photos below of our happy doggy clients modeling their harnesses while on their walks.

Enjoy walking your dog again and keep them injury-free!