Top 3 Commands to Teach Your Dog Around Visitors

By:  Laurie Brzostowski, Owner, Snaggle Foot Dog Walks and Pet Care-Round Lake, IL

Written By: Stacey Kalinnikova

Dogs are naturally curious and excited when meeting new people.  Unfortunately guests may not always appreciate their enthusiasm, therefore it is important to teach your dog appropriate behavior around visitors.

1.     Quiet

The quiet command is especially important for dogs that go bark crazy whenever a stranger steps foot in the house or even just rings the doorbell. 

There are two main methods to teach your dog the quiet command.  The first involves letting your dog bark incessantly and waiting until they stop on their own.  As soon as they become silent, even if only for a few seconds, say “quiet” followed by positive reinforcement (praise and a treat).  The second method involves teaching your dog to bark on command.  Once your dog barks every time you say “speak”, you can then begin to say “quiet” and wait for them to stop barking followed by the treat.

2.  Down

Even if your guests like your dog, they generally won’t appreciate grubby paws on their nice outfits.  This is where the down command becomes useful.

It can be tempting to greet your dog in an excited manner whenever you arrive home to see them, but that is actually reinforcing their jumping behavior.  It is best to teach your dog to ‘sit’ or ‘lay down’.  Once they have learned these commands, you can then ask your dog to do those alternate actions instead of jumping.  Once again, reward the correct behavior with praise and a treat.

3.  Corner

Teaching your dog to go to their corner, crate, bed, or even just another room will prevent them from being an annoying distraction around visitors.

The first step is to choose a quiet, safe place for your dog which is in a corner or out of the way.  When your dog goes to this area on their own, say the command and reward them with a treat.  Another method is to call over or physically bring your dog to the safe area, followed by the word “corner” and positive reinforcement.  Once your dog associates this area with the command and positive rewards, you can begin to say the word and they should walk there on their own.

Commands should initially be practiced and achieved in a controlled environment before introducing your dog to guests in a calm manner.  Appropriate behavior from your dog will keep both them and visitors happy.

Winter Safety Tips for Your Pets

BY:  Laurie Brzostowski, President, Snaggle Foot Dog Walks and Pet Care-Round Lake, IL

Brrrrrr... it's cold outside.  At least where I live.  I live in Northern Illinois and we have had some severe cold weather recently.  And since we take care of animals for a living I decided to write a post about some winter safety tips for your pets.

Below are just tips to keep in mind during the winter months to keep your pets safe:

1. Ice Melt:  A lot of states put down ice melt on roads, driveways, sidewalks, etc.  This ice melt is actually a chemical and can cause severe chemical burns if it gets in between the pads of your dogs paws.  Best thing to do is rinse your dogs paws after each walk in a bowl of warm water making sure you get in between the pads.
2. Walking:  If you are walking your dog every day or a couple of times a day, make sure you keep an eye on the temperature.  Dogs can get hypothermia just like people do.  Their paws, eyes, ears, nose can all freeze when the temperatures drop.  Best thing to do is walk long enough to do their potty business and then bring them inside for extra playtime.
3. Outdoor Cats/Dogs: If you have outdoor dogs or cats you can make their lives a little more comfortable while outside in cold temperatures.  Try building them an outdoor shelter.  There are many links on Google to help you in determining the products required to build it.  Also make sure they have plenty of fresh water and food.  Make sure the food and water bowls are plastic and not metal.  Their tongues may stick to metal.
4. Lots of Fresh Water: All pets require a bit more water during the dry winter months.  You may already be noticing your dog or cat drinking more.  The dry heat from furnaces etc., tend to dry everyone out (dogs, cats, people).  Keep plenty of fresh drinking water out and on hand.
5. Car Engines: Be careful with outdoor cats and wildlife.  Warm engines in a parked car can attract cats and wildlife looking for a warm place to cozy up.  To avoid injury, bang on your car hood a few times to scare them out before getting in the car and starting the engine.
6. Antifreeze Poisoning: Avoid antifreeze poisoning by wiping up any spills and store antifreeze up and away from pets and children.

Remember.. if it is too cold for you, it is too cold for your pet.  Bring them inside.

3 Dental Hygiene Tips for Dogs

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

Written By:  Stacey Kalinnikova

Healthy teeth are essential for a happy dog and a big slobbery smile.  Neglecting to care for canine teeth can lead to bad breath and discomfort when eating.  Managing your dog’s oral hygiene can be a battle, but it can be conquered.

1.     Brush, brush, brush!

Just like humans, the best method to combat plaque build up on canine teeth is by brushing.  Children's toothbrushes work well because they are generally softer and smaller than adult types.  Dog toothbrushes are also available which are soft and fit over your fingertip for ease of use.  It is important to use a specifically formulated dog toothpaste as human ones are toxic to dogs.

Brushing should be introduced to puppies with lots of positive reinforcement.  Small treats can be given at first to associate brushing with praise and reward.  Older dogs can be introduced to brushing with the same technique.  If your dog completely detests the toothbrush approach, dental pads are available for wiping the teeth and gum line free of bacterial build up.

2.  Oral care food and treats

The type of food that you feed your pooch makes a difference for their teeth.  Dry food diets are better for dental health than canned foods.  There are also specialised dental diets available.  They have a larger sized biscuit which helps to support clean teeth by facilitating the crunching action.

Dental treats and rawhide chews are widely available.  Chewing promotes clean teeth by helping to prevent plaque and tartar build up.  Care should be taken when giving rawhide chews to your dog to prevent accidental ingestion and choking.  Dogs should be supervised and chews should be taken away when they become small enough to swallow.

3.  Chew toys

All dogs love a variety of fun and safe toys.  Smooth rubber toys and nylon bones are good options that promote clean teeth and healthy gums.  Toys such as tennis balls and frisbees are good in moderation, but have abrasive surfaces which will have a negative impact on dental health.  Dogs that are allowed to chew excessively on abrasive toys will gradually wear down the enamel on the surface of the teeth.  It is best to limit your dog’s playing time with such toys.

Implementing a dental care plan for your dog will only take a short time each day.  Healthy teeth will keep your dog happy and smiling for years to come.

Do You Know When You Need To Schedule Your Pet Sitter For The Holidays?

BY:  Laurie Brzostowski, President, Snaggle Foot Dog Walks and Pet Care-Round Lake, IL

Well, it is that time of year.  We, in the pet sitting business, are now starting to get clients scheduling for Christmas, and New Year's.

But, there are always those new or even current clients who call us 3 days before a major Holiday asking us if we can take care of their pets.

Most of the time we cannot because we are already booked.  Because of this, it is important that you schedule your pet sitting needs as far in advance as you can.

I personally hate turning clients away but if I am already booked there is nothing I can do to help you. Even referring to another pet sitter probably won't help as they are in the same situation as I am.

So, here are 10 tips to get you on the pet sitters schedule in time to enjoy the Holidays:

1. If you have pets, and you are planning on going away for the Holidays, call a pet sitter immediately and make arrangements.  Do not wait until the hotel and flight is booked.. that may be too late. If you are a new client, most pet sitters need to meet with you in advance to go over any and all logistics of the visit and get you on the schedule.
2. Don't forget when planning your vacation budget, you must also plan the pet sitting costs.  Most pet sitters also charge holiday fees in addition to the standard visit fees and some pet sitters require payment up front or require a down payment before the visits begin.
3. If your pets require vaccinations right around the holidays, make sure all pets are vaccinated before your pet visits begin.  Most pet sitters require pets to be vaccinated and may require proof of vaccination.
4. Make sure you read your pet sitters cancellation policies.  Right around the Holidays, pet sitters may require payment up front or a down payment and cancellations too close to the actual visit dates may forfeit some or all of your payment.
5. When going away on long holidays, make sure you give your pet sitters emergency contact information and give YOUR contact information, whether that be your cell phone number and the hotel or friend you will staying at/with.  
6. If you are going overseas, it is even more important to give your pet sitter contact information in case of an emergency, preferably a friend or family member who is still in the area of where you live.
7. Make sure you notify your veterinarian that your pet sitter will act as proctor for any pet care should it be needed, this includes medications.
8. Make sure that if you come home early from your Holiday, notify your pet sitter immediately.  If you do not contact them they could already be on the way to complete their visit and you may still be charged for that visit.  Again, read any and all cancellation policies.
9. If you are going away for a long period of time, make sure you leave phone numbers for any repairmen including heating/air conditioning, water heaters, etc.  Things tend to happen when homeowners are away and pet sitters will need those numbers to get any major issues taken care of.
10. Best tip yet.. If you schedule in advance, now you can relax, pack and enjoy your Holiday with your friends and family !!!!!!

Kong Recipes For Your Dog !

BY:  Laurie Brzostowski, President, Snaggle Foot Dog Walks and Pet Care-Round Lake, IL

My beloved Lab Sebastian passed away in April so in May I rescued and adopted a puppy named Bandit.  Now that we are back into the crate training aspect I decided to start using kongs in the crate to help keep him occupied.

Because he is such a small doggie I bought 5 puppy kongs and I stuff them and put them in the freezer so I can put one in his crate when I have to leave him alone.

That got me thinking about what kinds of things can I stuff into these little kongs.  So far, I have stuffed non fat plain yogurt, fresh fruit, organic no salt peanut butter, organic sweet potato and organic pumpkin.

But, here on this post I decided to add some recipes so everyone who does use the Kongs for their dogs can get some ideas on what to stuff the kongs with.  It is kind of fun to try each of these different recipes and it gives the doggies something different from time to time.

Below are some recipes I have found that we all can use.  I have also put a link here if you would like more recipes.  http://www.kongcompany.com/recipes/

Just make sure all the foods you purchase are non fat, no sugar, no sugar substitutes, organic and good for your pets.


Fido’s Fruit Salad
You’ll need:

• Cottage cheese or yogurt (only use plain or naturally sweetened yogurt—not yogurt with artificial sweeteners, which can be toxic to dogs)
• Apples, banana and melon (any kind)
• One small marshmallow

Cut the fruit into chunks and put them into a KONG until the toy is about two-thirds of the way full. Holding the KONG upside down, spoon cottage cheese or yogurt into the remaining space. Finally, finish by putting a small marshmallow into the KONG. Serve at room temperature or frozen.

“Pupkin” Pie
You’ll need:

• Canned or freshly cooked pureed pumpkin
• Yogurt or cottage cheese (only use plain or naturally sweetened yogurt—not yogurt with artificial sweeteners, which can be toxic to dogs)
• Cooked oatmeal
• Low-fat graham cracker

Put a spoonful of cooked oatmeal at the bottom of the KONG to seal the small hole. Then put two spoonfuls of pumpkin into the KONG. Follow with a spoonful of yogurt or cottage cheese. Repeat, layering the pumpkin and yogurt or cottage cheese until the KONG is almost full. Then cram a few pieces of graham cracker into the end of the KONG. Serve warm or frozen.

The Nutty Monkey
You’ll need:

• Half a banana, cut into slices
• Peanut butter
• Roasted peanuts
• Plain, vanilla or strawberry yogurt (only use plain or naturally sweetened yogurt—not yogurt with artificial sweeteners, which can be toxic to dogs)
• A spoonful of wheat germ

Put a blob of peanut butter into an empty KONG to seal the small hole at the bottom. Add a few roasted peanuts. Mix the banana slices with a few spoonfuls of yogurt and the wheat germ. Then spoon the mixture into the KONG. Seal the KONG at the top with another blob of peanut butter. Serve at room temperature or frozen.

Late-for-Work KONGs (As Easy As It Gets)
Running late? If you’re busy and don’t have time to create culinary works of art, you can simply take a few seconds to try the following ideas. This is KONG stuffing at its fastest!

• Keep a stash of halved bananas in your freezer. When you’re on the run, just grab a banana half and slide it into a KONG. Or slice an apple into wedges and insert one or two of those into a KONG.
• Cram a large dog biscuit or two into a KONG. If necessary, squeeze the KONG when inserting the biscuits to change the shape of the hole and fit them in.
• If you feed your dog raw food, try purchasing frozen raw medallions, which easily pop into a KONG. Just turn the KONG upside down on a counter, large hole facing up, and push the medallion into the KONG using the heel of your palm.
• Use a squirt of Cheez Whiz®. Just insert the nozzle into the small end of the KONG and squeeze in some cheese. You can also use a similar product made by the KONG Company, called KONG Stuff’N™ Paste, which comes in liver and peanut butter flavors.
• Smear a spoonful of peanut butter or cream cheese (preferably low-fat) on the inside walls of a KONG. If you think that your dog might finish licking out the KONG too quickly, consider preparing a few peanut butter or cream cheese KONGs in advance and leaving them in your freezer for quick use when you’re in a hurry.

Have fun everyone !

Keep Your Pets Food And Water Bowls Clean. Here's Why !

BY:  Laurie Brzostowski, President, Snaggle Foot Dog Walks and Pet Care-Round Lake, IL

As a pet care business owner, every time we provide vacation visits for our clients, we always clean and refresh water and food bowls.

A lot of pet owners only refill the water and food bowls but rarely clean them out.

Here is some information on why it is important to clean them out and not just fill them up.

Most of us are guilty of “topping” off the water bowl when it gets close to empty but it’s important to wash the bowl and fill it with new water. Water that sits around will form a slimy residue along the inside of the bowl. Bacteria and fungus will begin to grow. Pets will also eat their food and then go to their water bowl, depositing food in the bowl while they drink.

Cleaning water and food bowls every day is the best.  If you’re feeding them wet food, clean the bowls every day. If you are giving your pets dry food, at least a warm water rinse every day and clean the bowls with soap and water at least every few days.

There are several ways you can keep up with the cleaning. Most people will find using the dishwasher the easiest way to clean the bowls, but remember if the bowls are plastic to put them on the top part of the dishwasher to prevent melting. If you’re washing them by hand, use a mild detergent and warm/hot water. Rinse the bores thoroughly to make sure there is no soap residue left behind when you fill the bowls with water again because that could upset your pet’s stomach. Another option is to use disposable plastic inserts for your pets bowl which can be found at most pet food stores.

The best bowls to buy are stainless or porcelain bowls. Ceramic and plastic should be avoided as the nature of these materials provide a breeding ground for bacteria and other germs. Plastic bowls should also be avoided because dogs have a tendency to chew on them.

Another option to give your pet water is the electric or battery operated water fountain. These fountains have water circulating through a pump so the water is always moving. It encourages pets to drink more often and the circulating water will keep it much fresher. However, they will still be needed to be cleaned about twice a week as pet hair, dust and lint will collect in the system.

Cleaning your pets food and water bowls keep your pets happy and healthy !