Not All Pet Sitting Companies Are Alike

By:  Laurie Brzostowski, President, Snaggle Foot Dog Walks and Pet Care-Round Lake.


I understand, as a pet owner myself, what it takes to trust someone to come into your home and take care of your home and your pets.  All of our pet sitters are strictly screened to make sure they are the best of the best.  We do phone interviews, face to face interviews, reference checks, background checks and "field" training.  It takes a very long time to the find the right people to do this job.

However, as a pet owner it is your responsibility to also check and make sure you are hiring the right person to take care of your home and pets.  Here are some tips to help you make the right decision in choosing a pet sitter for your home and your pets:

• Make sure you call and compare different pet sitting businesses.  Don't just call around and base it all on cost.  The old adage "you get what you pay for" does go along way in who you hire.  The cheapest pet sitter out there may not be the best pet sitter out there.
• Are they bonded and insured?  This is very important, it protects you and it protects the pet sitter.
• Do they have a backup system, this means are they the only pet sitter or do they have a staff. This is also very important in case the primary sitter/walker goes on vacation, falls ill, etc., you can then have the backup put into place.
• If they do have a staff do they run background checks on the staff?  Also very important since these sitters will be entering your home.
• How do they schedule the visits and what is included in the visit.
• Ask for references from the pet sitting company, talk to their other clients. 
• Ask the pet sitter to text or email you every day while you are gone.  We text and send pictures after each visit or once per day based on what the client wants.
• Make sure you meet the pet sitter before you go away.  If you are not comfortable with that person then do not hire them.  If the pet sitting business has other pet sitters available, ask that you meet another sitter that does make you comfortable.  If none of them make you comfortable, then hire another pet sitting business.  It is your home and your pet and you should do what you think is right.  We understand.

If all of this still does not make you comfortable, then by all means, hire a friend, a neighbor or a family member, but make sure these people also don't mind coming to your house early in the morning, again in the afternoon, and again at night and on weekend or Holidays.

We are professional pet sitters, our business name and reputation are on the line so we all make sure we do what is right by making sure you and your pets are taken care of and loved while you are away.

Spring Safety Tips For Your Pets !

By: Laurie Brzostowsk, President, Snaggle Foot Dog Walks and Pet Care-Round Lake, IL

Woo Hoo !!  Spring is finally here.  We started seeing some awesome weather last week, however, today we are a bit chilly here in Northern Illinois.  But as far as I am concerned, Spring is now upon us and I am so happy.  It was a very long cold winter.

With Spring coming all of us are now "coming out of the woodwork"... LOL !  Going on walks with our doggies, starting to plant flowers and bushes and other spring time activities.

Spring is a glorious time but we always need to make sure our pets are safe.  Below are some Spring Safety Tips for your pets.  For more tips, please go to www.aspca.org.

• Easter Treats and Decorations Keep Easter lilies and candy bunnies in check—chocolate goodies are toxic to cats, dogs and ferrets, and lilies can be fatal if ingested by our furry friends. And be mindful, kitties love to nibble on colorful plastic grass, which can lead to an obstructed digestive tract, severe vomiting and dehydration. Moreover, while bunnies, chicks and other festive animals are adorable, resist the urge to buy—these cute babies grow up fast and often require specialized care!
    
• Screen Doors  Many pet parents welcome the breezy days of spring by opening their windows. Unfortunately, they also unknowingly put their pets at risk—especially cats, who are apt to jump or fall through unscreened windows. Be sure to install snug and sturdy screens in all of your windows. If you have adjustable screens, make sure they are tightly wedged into window frames.
    
• Car Rides  While every pet parent knows dogs love to feel the wind on their furry faces, allowing them to ride in the bed of pick-up trucks or stick their heads out of moving-car windows is dangerous. Flying debris and insects can cause inner ear or eye injuries and lung infections, and abrupt stops or turns can cause major injury, or worse! Pets in cars should always be secured in a crate or wearing a seat belt harness designed especially for them.
    
• Spring Cleaning Spring cleaning is a time-honored tradition in many households, but be sure to keep all cleaners and chemicals out of your pets’ way! Almost all commercially sold cleaning products contain chemicals that are harmful to pets. The key to using them safely is to read and follow label directions for proper use and storage.
    
• Home Improvement Projects  Products such as paints, mineral spirits and solvents can be toxic to your pets and cause severe irritation or chemical burns. Carefully read all labels to see if the product is safe to use around your furry friends. Also, be cautious of physical hazards, including nails, staples, insulation, blades and power tools. It may be wise to confine your dog or cat to a designated pet-friendly room during home improvement projects.
   
• Gardening  Pet parents, take care—fertilizers, insecticides and herbicides keep our plants and lawns healthy and green, but their ingredients aren't meant for four-legged consumption and can be fatal if your pet ingests them.  Always store these poisonous products in out-of-the-way places and follow label instructions carefully. 
    
• Poisonous Plants  Time to let your garden grow! But beware, many popular springtime plants—including Easter lilies, rhododendron and azaleas—are highly toxic to pets and can easily prove fatal if eaten. 
    
• Allergies  Like their sneezy human counterparts, pets can be allergic to foods, dust, plants and pollens. Allergic reactions in dogs and cats an cause minor sniffling and sneezing as well as life-threatening anaphylactic shock. If you suspect your pet has a springtime allergy, please visit your veterinarian as soon as possible.
    
• Insects  April showers bring May flowers—and an onslaught of bugs! Make sure your pet is on year-round heartworm preventive medication, as well as a flea and tick control program.
     
• Out and About  Warmer weather means more trips to the park, longer walks and more chances for your pet to wander off! Make sure your dog or cat has a microchip for identification and wears a tag imprinted with your home address, cell phone and any other relevant contact information. 

Spring is a wonderful time of year.  Let's just make sure that "everyone" enjoys it.

How to stop your dog biting the leash while walking

By: Laurie Brzostowski

 

At Snaggle Foot Dog Walks and Pet Care in Round Lake we walk A LOT of dogs.  A couple of our pet clients are really hard on a leash. They bite the leash, they tug on the leash and all of that takes away from focusing on the actual walk.  Here is some information to help if you have dogs that bite or tug on a leash.

Dogs can have a hard time controlling their excitement during walks and sometimes act out towards the leash.  The main reasons for leash biting include excitement, frustration, or boredom.  Quick behavioural correction is they key to changing unwanted leash biting habits.

1.  Begin the walk in a calm manner

Excited dogs are more likely to get distracted and start biting the leash.  Try to keep the preparation for a walk calm and controlled.  Ask your dog to ‘sit and wait’ and do not make a big deal of bringing out the leash.  Speak in soft, soothing tones. 

If dog starts to bite the leash, you should immediately remove the leash from the vicinity.  Wait several minutes until your dog has calmed down before approaching with the leash again.  This exercise should be repeated until your dog accepts the leash in a calm manner.  Dogs will quickly learn that leash biting prolongs walk time.

2.  Redirect your dog’s attention

Another technique is to redirect your dog’s attention onto something else when they bite the leash.  The best way is with a basic obedience command such as ‘sit’.   Provide positive reinforcement for each successful command to keep them focused on you instead of their leash.

Some dog’s will feel calmer if they have an object to carry during walking.  If this is the case, it can be helpful to provide a stick or toy for them to carry instead of the leash.

3.  Deter your dog from biting the leash

Directly hitting or punishing your dog may cause them to associate the punishment with you personally.  Indirect punishment tactics, however, can work well in some cases.  Indirect punishment refers to the use of a deterrent such as a spray bottle of water or shaking a can of stones (for dogs that don’t like the noise) whenever your dog bites the leash.

Another option is to make the leash undesirable for your dog.  Consider trailing a different type of leash, such as chain, which generally does not feel comfortable in a dog’s mouth.  A bitter tasting chewing deterrent can also be applied to the leash.

Walk time can be frustrating when you have a dog that bites the leash.  Though once the behaviour has been successfully corrected, you can look forward to many stress free and enjoyable walks with your dog.

PRESS RELEASE: Snaggle Foot Round Lake Adds Monthly Dog Walking Packages

 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Snaggle Foot Dog Walks and Pet Care-Round Lake Illinois has added Monthly Dog Walking Packages.

Round Lake Beach, IL,  March 15, 2016 --(PR.com)-- Today, Snaggle Foot Dog Walks and Pet Care, an Award Winning pet care provider in Round Lake, Illinois, announced today they are adding Monthly Dog Walking Packages to their outstanding menu of pet services they provide pet owners in the Lake County Illinois area.

"As a dog owner, I know how important it is to make sure that my animals are well cared for and adding Monthly Dog Walking Packages provides clients with affordable options for mid-day dog walks," says Laurie Brzostowski, owner of the Round Lake Beach franchise.

Pointing to the extended work hours, longer commutes and more business travel with which pet parents are struggling due to a challenged economy, Brzostowski holds great significance in being able to provide services which she believes help people relax and not worry as much about their beloved family members.

That attention features one-on-one interaction with a true pet lover, cheerful walks, long belly rubs, and superior care from a bonded and insured professional trained in animal first aid and CPR. The company's comprehensive offering of services and thoughtfully designed customer service embodies the commitment to extraordinary service.

You can give your puppy that extra potty break she needs, ensure that your pet gets their medicine in your absence, order a Snaggle Foot pet taxi, even arrange for plant care and mail retrieval, and then take care of the bill conveniently from your computer.

"Our pets are family members and I want to make sure that pet owners know that we care for their pets as much as we do ours."


You can read the online version of this press release at: http://www.pr.com/press-release/662571

Snaggle Foot Round Lake Adds Monthly Dog Walking Packages

By: Laurie Brzostowski

EXTRA EXTRA Read All About It !!!

We have some very exciting news to share with all of you!

Snaggle Foot Dog Walks and Pet Care-Round Lake is now adding Monthly Dog Walking Packages to our AWESOME menu of outstanding services we provide pet owners in the Lake County Illinois area.

These packages are structured for daily dog walking clients who consistently book anywhere from 3 visits per week up to 5 visits per week every single week.

These "prepaid packages" are now ready for purchase. There are a couple of rules attached to these packages and everything will be explained when you sign up.

If you are looking to hire an award winning pet care provider in your area for your dog walking needs, this is "right up your alley". Just give us a call at (847) 886-4648 or email us (Laurie@snagglefoot.com) to learn more.

If you are a current client and want to get "on board", just email me and we can get you set up and go over any details or questions you may have.

If you want to see the "package" details, please go to: http://roundlake.snagglefoot.com/services/dog-walking/

We are very excited to add these types of packages so we can continue to provide the very best pet care services to all of our current and future clients.

3 Tips to Manage Arthritis in Aging Pets

By: Laurie Brzostowski

Written By: Stacey Kalinnikova 

Arthritis due to degeneration of joints is a common condition in older pets.  Signs of arthritis include stiffness, difficulty with stairs or jumping, decreased flexibility, abnormal gait, lameness, and visible joint swelling.  Pets may also exhibit behavioural changes such as reluctance to play or exercise, and cats may develop aversion to their litter box.

Treatment for arthritis includes medications to control inflammation and pain, supplements for joint health, and complementary therapies.

Here are 3 tips to help manage arthritis at home: 

1.  Increase comfort 

Making daily life more comfortable for your arthritic pet can be easy to do.  Provide a well-padded sleeping area that is warm and free from drafts (cold can exacerbate arthritic pain).  Place food and water bowls at a manageable height on a non-slip surface.

If you live in a multi-story house, stairs can cause problems for arthritic pets.  Aim to keep your pet’s bed and food dishes on the same floor, ideally near the area where the family spends most of their time.  Ramps can help pets that have difficulty with stairs or getting up onto furniture.  They should be sturdy and non-slip. 

2.  Provide the right diet 

Animals with excess weight can suffer from added strain and compression of the joints.  The right diet and ideal body condition can do wonders for joint and overall health.  Talk to your veterinary team to formulate a controlled weight loss plan.

Older pets can benefit from specifically formulated ‘senior’ pet foods or diets formulated for arthritic control.  Such diets are made with lower calories and often contain added glucosamine and omega-3 fatty acids for joint health. 

3.  Physiotherapy 

Arthritic pets can benefit from physiotherapy in the home.  Muscle massages help to stimulate blood flow, range of motion exercises are beneficial to alleviate stiffness, and warm compresses help soothe sore joints.  Appropriate physical therapy techniques for massage and joint motion should be demonstrated by your veterinary care team.

Low impact exercise can help arthritic pets to maintain motility.  Exercises should be low-weight bearing and controlled such as swimming and short walks on the leash for dogs.

A whole-body care plan can significantly improve the quality of life in your aging and arthritic pet.  Speak to your veterinarian before implementing any drastic exercise and diet changes or attempting physiotherapy.