How To Find The "Right" Pet Sitter/Dog Walker

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

This is a topic I am well versed in.  I have owned Snaggle Foot Dog Walks & Pet Care in Round Lake Illinois for almost 7 years.

But, I remember when my dog (Sebastian) was just a puppy and I had to drive home every day at lunch to let him out because we all know in order to potty train a puppy they have to stay on a consistent schedule.  It was really hard.

I was working full time in Gurnee so every day I drove to Round Lake Beach to let my puppy out. Back then there really weren't a lot of "pet sitters" or "dog walkers" but if there were I would have jumped all over that service.

If you are in a situation where you need pet care there are now a lot of pet sitters, dog walkers, house sitters, out there that can help you.  Whether it be a daily dog walk, puppy care, senior pet care, overnight pet sitting, vacation sitting, etc.  Which is a good thing because as pet parents we may need help on occasion or every day.

If you are in this situation and are looking for a pet sitter or dog walker, there are a few things you should be looking at.

First, decide what type of you care you need.  If you need a daily dog walk or puppy care or vacation visits or cat care, you want to try and find a pet sitter who does all of the above.  This will make it easier if you have multiple species of animals and you may need all the services.  If the pet sitter can do it all you won't have to go searching for separate pet sitters who do separate activities.

Do an internet search in your town.  You will find there a lot of pet sitters like me out there.  Once you find a couple give them call or email them and ask them the following questions:

• 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.
• If they do have staff, are they Independent Contractors or actual Employees (Snaggle Foot Round Lake hires "employees").
• How do they schedule the visits and what is included in the visit.
• Cost.

You notice I put cost last that is because there are so many other things that are important in choosing a pet sitter "besides" the cost of hiring one.  For your peace of mine just don't look at who is the cheapest.

Once you decide on the sitter make sure they conduct a inhome consult. This is where you get meet the pet sitter and they can meet you and the animals they will be taking care of.  The logistics of the visit are also usually explained during this inhome consult (where are the food and water bowls, pet food, leashes, litter box etc.).  You may even ask if they provide other services, like bringing in your mail and newspapers and watering plants.

Once you are all done with that you now have your very own pet sitter/walker. Usually once you become a client they are there for you for however long you need them which is a wonderful service to have.  

So go ahead and do what you normally do during the day, it's okay because you now have someone to help you with your pets.

3 Disaster Planning Considerations for your Pet

BY: Laurie Brzostowski

Serious storms, earthquakes, floods, and power outages can be unpredictable.  Preparing a disaster plan for you and your pets can save a lot of unnecessary stress during a serious crisis.  Some things to consider include:

1. Identification

Frightened animals tend to exhibit the flight response and flee when scared.  Current identification is vital in case your pet becomes unexpectedly lost during a disaster.  All dogs and cats should possess identification tags with up to date contact information.

Permanent identification methods are also useful in case your pet loses their collar.  Microchip implants are painless and sit under your pet’s skin for life.  If your pet is found, they are scanned by workers at animal shelters or clinics to be traced back to you.  Make sure to keep contact information updated on the microchip register as well.

2. Retrieving your pet

If you are not at home with your dog or cat when a disaster occurs, you will need to go back and retrieve them.  If you are not able to make it back to your home safely, it is a good idea to establish a contingency plan with a family member, neighbour, or friend for someone to go and check on your pet.  This should be a person who your pet is familiar with and who you trust to gain emergency assess into your home.

Another useful tool is a pet alert sign.  Pet alert signs inform emergency workers who may be first on a disaster scene that there could be animals trapped inside your home.  The sign should be placed in a front window to be easily visible.

3. Evacuation kit

If evacuation of your home is necessary, you will be responsible for your pet’s food and supplies.  Your pet evacuation kit should be assembled in advance and should contain at least a one week supply of pet food and water as well as an extra stock of any medications your pet requires.  It is important to regularly check the expiry dates of food and medication.  Restock supplies when necessary.

Other essential items to include in the evacuation kit are first aid supplies, copies of medical and vaccination records, items for restraint, waste supplies, blankets, and towels.

Following a disaster, observe your pet for signs of stress including restlessness, vomiting or diarrhea.  If you have any concerns about their health, contact a veterinarian.

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.