When looking for a pet sitter you want to find someone who loves pets and is a very responsible person because they will be accessing your home and taking care of your pet while your away.  What can you do to be sure you’ve found this kind of person or pet sitting service

First ask your veterinarian, favorite pet store or pet-owning friends for a referral.

If you cannot get a refferal you can check outPet Sitters International (www.petsit.com) and the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (www.petsitters.org), for a list of member pet sitters in your area. As a last resort, check the Yellow Pages of your telephone directory under “pet sitters.” Call to set up appointments to interviews with potential pet sitters.

Questions you may want to consider on how to choose a good pet sitter

• What training has the pet sitter received to handle emergencies?
• Will the pet sitter record information about your pet, such as his likes, dislikes, fears, habits, medical conditions, medications, and routines? This is sometimes called a Pet Profile.
• Is the pet sitter associated with a veterinarian who can provide emergency services?
• What will happen if the pet sitter experiences car trouble or becomes ill? Does she have a backup?
• Ask if generally the same pet sitter will be coming to care for your pet each and every time you need service. Ideally the same person should be coming since pets adapt to changes less readily.
• Will the pet sitter provide a written service contract spelling out services and fees?
• If the pet sitter provides live-in services like overnights, what are the specific times she agrees to be with your pet? Is this detailed in the contract?
• How does your pet sitter make sure that you have returned home?
• Will the pet sitter provide you with the phone numbers of other clients who have agreed to serve as references? You should call at least one or two of the numbers they give you.

A great pet sitter is a valuable person to know for pet lovers who want the best for their furry friend while they are out of town.  Please add Nina to your list of pet sitters to interview.  Please email at topdog@stlpetwatch.com or call 314-766-2311.

Before you start bathing your pet make sure that the shampoo you are using is very mild. Shampoos that are specially formulated for your pet’s species are best because they wont strip your pets coat of the oils that they need for healthy skin. If you have to use a human shampoo try to use one that is meant for infant children. Make sure that the shampoo you are using to wash your pet is unscented. Washing your dog with shampoo that smells like lilacs is only going to encourage him to find a dead fish to use to cover the scent. Perfumed shampoos can also dry out your pets sensitive skin.

Before you begin bathing your pet, sit down and throughly brush its coat. This serves two purposes. First it helps relax your pet, and you. More importantly running a brush through your pets coat will rid it off all dead and loose hair. This is hair that will no longer be around to clog your plumbing system.

Try to use luke warm water. Hot water can burn your pet’s sensitive skin. Cold water can chill your pet. Both situations can make the bathing experince miserable. If you are bathing your pet in a tub, do not fill the tub full of water. To much water will make your pet nervous, and increase the amount of water that gets splashed on the floor and on you. Use a minimal amount of water when bathing your house pet.

When using a hose or sprayer to spray water over your pet be very careful not to spray water into thier ears. Also try to avoid spraying water in thier noses and mouths. Getting water in the ears, nose, and mouth will not give your pet pleasent memories of the bathing experince.

When rubbing the shampoo into your pet’s coat start just behind your pet’s ears and work your way towards the pet’s tail. Use a circular motion to rub the shampoo into the pet’s coat. When you are done massaging the shampoo into your pet’s coat use the sprayer or hose to rinse your pet. Make sure that you get all the soap out of your pets hair. Soap that doesn’t get rinsed off will irritate your pet’s skin and cause them to rub and scratch at thier skin. If the soap irritates the pet enough you could find yourself treating your pet for hot spots.

When you are done bathing your pet, use a large towel to dry them off.

After bath time is finsihed take some time to play with and cuddle with your pet. This will ensure them that you still love them, and confirm in both your minds that bath time doesn’t have to be a traumatic experince.

Pet Insurance for your pets

Your canine companion would not be young and in the pink of health forever. During times of financial difficulties like today, overall dog care is also compromised. Veterinary clinics in the United States have revealed that overall dog checkups and treatment procedures have been declining since the onset of the current economic crunch. Would you find it alright to know that your best friend would be suffering from an illness or an accident and you would not be able to give him proper treatment because it is just too expensive to do so? Your pet’s overall protection would be a pet insurance policy.

Experts assert that the best time to buy a pet insurance for your dog is the moment you purchase it. It would be cheaper if you would secure an insurance product while the dog is still a puppy than to secure one when the dog is already several years old. Premium costs would also be comparatively more affordable. Make sure the insurance policy you buy is something that would be best and most appropriate for the dog. For example, some insurance programs do not cover several pedigrees or cross breeds due to scientific reasons. But there certainly would be insurance products that fit those dogs.

Aside from the costs and the type of insurance, it is also important that you check the terms and conditions of the product. Is there an expiration period? What is the method of filing for claims? Are there additional charges? Find an insurance product that would cover third-party damages your dog could incur to other people.

For instance, if your dog accidentally bites an individual, you must cover the medical expenses. If your pet has incurred damages to properties, it would also be your responsibility to cover the damage costs. Some insurance products are extensive to also cover such provisions. Find such products and prefer them over others as much as possible.

Check the overall coverage of the pet insurance. In most cases, pet insurance policies only cover illness and accident recoveries. Some include coverage for hospitalization, while others until death. Usually, regular and periodic checkups of the dog are not covered. Basic health and physical care is not also covered like fur trimming or nail clipping. Vaccination against viral infections and diseases are also not usually included in the pet insurance coverage as well as food supplementation.

However, medicines and other treatment materials that are prescribed for recovery against ailment or accident could very well be included in your filing for claims. It is important that you know which items and health actions are covered and which are not.

Liver Treats

1 pound beef liver

All you need are beef livers. Try your local meat packers; they often throw them away. Or you can buy fresh liver from the supermarket. Cut the liver into approximately 1 inch slices.

Place in your food dehydrator for 24 hours*. Use Pam or the equivalent on the drying racks, so the liver won’t stick. Let dry for 24 hours.

*Or you could place them on a cookie sheet and bake in a 325 degree oven for about 45 minutes to help dry them out.

Homemade Dog  Treats  (Liver)

1 pound beef liver

2 garlic cloves

1 Box corn muffin mix

Preheat oven to temperature in corn muffin directions.

Mix liver and garlic in a blender or food processor, then process till liquid. Stir in muffin mix, then scrape onto a baking sheet and pat to app. 1/2-1″ thickness. Bake till very firm, but not burned.

Cut into squares, then store in refrigerator or freezer.

Homemade Dog Treats (Lucy’s Liver Slivers)

1/2 pound chicken livers — cooked

1 cup chicken stock

1/2 cup corn oil

1 tablespoon chopped parsley

1 cup powdered milk

1 cup rolled oats

1/2 cup brewer’s yeast

1 cup soy flour

1 cup cornmeal

3 cups whole wheat flour

Preheat oven to 350°. In food processor or blender, process chicken livers, chicken stock, corn oil and parsley until smooth. Transfer to large bowl. Add powdered milk, rolled oats, brewer’s yeast, soy flour and cornmeal. Mix well. Gradually add whole wheat flour. You’ll have to use your hands here, kneading in as much of the flour as it takes to create a very stiff dough.

Roll dough out to 1/4″ thick and cut into stick shapes, about 1/2″ by 4″ (depending on the size of your dog). A pizza cutter works great!Bake on ungreased cookie sheet for 20 to 25 minutes until lightly browned and crisp. Turn off heat and let biscuits dry out in oven for several hours. Store in the refrigerator.

Homemade Dog Treats (Massive Mastiff Munchy Muffins)

2 carrots

2 3/4 cups water

1 egg

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 tablespoons honey

1 1/2 banana — *see Note

4 cups whole wheat flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 tablespoon cinnamon

1 tablespoon nutmeg

Shred the carrot with a hand shredder or in a blender. Mix all wet ingredients together in a bowl, then add the pureed banana. Mix together thoroughly. Set aside. Combine the dry ingredients. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix thoroughly, leaving no dry mixture on the bottom. Coat a 12 muffin pan with nonstick spray. Fill each muffin hole 3/4 full. Bake about 1 hour at 350 degrees.

Note: over ripe. Try replacing the banana with one apple for a different flavor!

Pets have been known to improve the lives of pet owners, significantly benefiting health, not only for the young and families, but also for the elderly. Pets may help elderly owners live longer, healthier and ultimately, more enjoyable lives. The Journal of the American Geriartics Society published an article in May 1999 showing how independently living seniors with pets, tend to have better physical strength and overall mental health and wellbeing than seniors that do not have pets. They are more active, generally happier, cope better with stress, and have significantly lower blood pressure.

It would seem that taking care of a pet would be a lot of work. In fact, it is that work, that maintenance – walking, feeding, grooming, fresh water, playing and petting, that lowers the heart rate, decreases anxiety and stress levels, increases serotonin and the release of beta-endorphins in pet owners. Even just getting up to open the door for a dog to be let in or out, or changing the water for the kitty, require some cardiovascular exercise, and increase joint flexibility and keep joints limber and agile. Consistent minor exercise like this, ensures healthier bodies for pet owners.

Many of the benefits of having a pet are less tangible. Pets allow for physical contact and offer consistent companionship, as well as unconditional love. They act as a support system for older people without homes or families or close friends. People with pets generally remain more stable emotionally during crises than people without pets. Pets also offer protection socially from isolation, separation anxiety for people in nursing homes, and for people whodon’t have as much opportunity to interact with other people.

Pets help elders perform daily functions and stick to regular routines such as getting up every day, buying groceries and going outside of their homes – all necessary physical, emotional, and social activities, that help elderly people active, motivated to eat and sleep, and comfortable in their environments and with themselves. Through these interactions, pets enable elders to interact with others more frequently, which lowers depression and anxiety, both frequent medical problems facing elders today.

You have welcomed your new puppy home. Your new fuzzy family member is a little confused, a lot excited, and not one bit obedient. Of course, that’s to be expected. Your puppy will be spending a lot of time doing whatever comes natural, including going potty, chewing, digging, jumping, running, biting, and barking.

How do you help your puppy become a well-adjusted member of the family? With training, of course. There are many tools available today to help you train your puppy. The following are some of the most common training tools for puppies.

Treats

A well-known favorite in puppy training is puppy treats. Have treats handy at all times in order to get your puppy to respond quickly to commands. Puppies love treats and most respond very well when they know they’ll receive one as a reward for doing as you ask. Treats are good positive reinforcement for puppy potty training. Give puppy a treat when the right potty spot is used. As with all training, keep consistent for this to pay off. You can tell a person is training a puppy or dog by the pockets full of treats. In other words, be prepared to be consistent.

Clicker

A newer form of training that has caught on is the clicker method of training. The clicker is typically a mechanical device (although some people just use vocalization) which emits a pleasant, you guessed it, ‘click’ sound to reinforce a puppy’s good behavior. People will use this training tool for many reasons. For instance, if you don’t want your puppy to have a lot of treats, you can train your puppy very effectively without them using the clicker method. The thing to remember is the ‘click’ sound must be associated with good things, like a pat on the head, a hug, a belly scratch, or whatever your puppy wants for a job well done.

Crate

If you are potty training your new puppy a crate is a very useful tool. Dogs are den animals, and if you introduce them to a crate early enough they will consider it their den. Dogs don’t like to mess in their dens, so your puppy will hold their potty time as long as they possibly can in order to keep their ‘home’ clean. They will learn to wait for you to let them out to go potty. This helps with potty training as you can reward puppy for going outside when you let him out of the crate. Of course, puppy will need play and cuddle time, too, so be sure to reward puppy after a successful potty trip with time out of the crate playing with you.

Newspaper

When potty training puppy, there are bound to be accidents at first. Newspaper or puppy training pads can be used to transition puppy from inside the house to outside. This will keep the inevitable mess to one location. This may also be necessary if you live in an apartment or other location where it’s not possible to run outside each time a puppy needs to go potty. In the middle of a dark winter night, you may also consider paper-training necessary for a young puppy who hasn’t quite gotten big enough to hold his potty urge for very long.

Chew Toys

This is a big deal. Your new puppy needs chew toys so you can train him not to chew and bite your furniture, your shoes, or YOU! There are many choices when it comes to chew toys. You can buy hard plastic bones for puppy to chew on, soft squeaky toys, balls, ropes, and more. It’s best to try out a variety of toys and see what your puppy likes. Make sure to give the toys to your puppy quickly when you see him or her trying to bite something inappropriate. Distraction and expediency is key. Keep the chew toys handy and interrupt any bad behavior quickly. Then, praise puppy when chewing on the toy you presented. Be prepared to have chew bones devoured quickly. Stock up so you are always ready when puppy is.

Collar and Leash

Using a collar and leash is something most dog owners will need to do. To walk your dog, you’ll want to start training your puppy by first having him or her get used to having a collar and leash on. Just having puppy wear them around the house will help, even before puppy is able to walk properly with a lead. Then, when you are ready to start training puppy to walk alongside you, the collar and leash won’t be foreign.  Be prepared for some resistance at first while your puppy tries to understand how it all works and what you expect. And, don’t plan to go very far in the beginning. A walk down the driveway may be all your little puppy, or you, can handle at first.

Training a new puppy can be a rewarding experience, especially if you have the right tools for the job. These basic training tools can help you and your puppy get started on the right foot – or paw!

Now that you’ve built up a lot of vacation time from work or you’ve retired, you may find yourself traveling more and more.  For you, this is great!  You finally have time to take those trips you’ve been wanting to take.  For your pooch, this presents a dilemma.  Your dog may love being at home, even when you’re not, but if you’re gone often or take long trips he might get very lonely.  Of course, you would bring him along if you could, but that’s not always feasible.

What’s your next choice then?  The answer may be to board him at a kennel where he can get fresh air and exercise, and be among people and other dogs.  Just think, if he’s at a kennel you don’t have to worry that he’s chewing up the leg of your favorite chair or if the neighbor kid is remembering to feed him.

 Choosing the Right Boarding Facility for your Pet While You’re Away

Choosing the right boarding facility for your precious pet means checking it out thoroughly and asking questions.  Here are some things you’ll want to cover:

Cleanliness

Check out the kennel in person and take a look around.  Do they clean up after the animals on a regular basis?  Are the dogs at the kennel doing a lot of scratching at fleas?  Do all the areas, for the animals and humans look clean?  Most facilities require dogs to have their Rabies and Bordatella shots up to date.  This is a good thing as it’s for your pet’s protection.

Availability

If the kennel is popular then you might have to book your pet’s stay a long time in advance.  This doesn’t work so well for you if you’re a spontaneous vacation taker.  Keep this in mind and have a back up kennel if your first choice isn’t available, or start planning your trips far enough in advance.

Hours of Operation

It’s important to know the boarding kennel’s hours of operation as this can affect your planning as well as your wallet.  Check to see if the kennel is closed for picking up or dropping off on any of the days, such as Sunday.  If this is the case, you can’t pick up your dog or cat until Monday and you’ll have to pay for an extra day.  This could actually tack an extra day on the front and back ends of your trip and you need to decide if your pet will be okay with that extra time away from home.

Exercise

Check to see if there is a set exercise schedule.  Do the employees exercise the dogs or give them a chance to run in an outside exercise area with other dogs?  Will your dog’s kennel be both inside and outside so they can sit out and enjoy the world?  Ask questions and get answers.

Mealtime
Find out if they feed pets a high quality food or if they allow you to bring along your own pet food.  Also, will they be feeding your pet twice a day or will they allow her to graze if she’s a grazer at home?  Can you bring along her favorite blankie or an article of clothing with your smells?  If your pet is on medication, will they be able to administer it?

Boarding your pet may not always be the best solution; it depends on your pet’s temperament, health, and other factors.  But when you can’t bring your pet with you on your trip, a well-run, clean kennel can be a great option.

Basically bred for hunting and killing vermin, Terrier dogs are now known to offer wide spectrum of features and qualities that you might find lovable. They are not as cuddly as toy dogs (while there are some terrier dogs in the toy and companion dog brackets) and they may not be as intelligent like other breeds but they set off these lacks with various things that only they can offer.

Let us discuss in brief some of the terrier dog types that you may find interesting:

Less aggressive but definitely not timid. This best describes Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers. They are definitely alert and very spirited, but when the call for steadiness arrives, they are sure to show you some air of confidence and steady disposition.

This dog type too is gifted with intelligence which makes them very responsive with obedience training.

Parson Russell Terrier is a dog type that exhibits boldness, cleverness, affection and exuberant disposition. While many may find this a playful pal, it is still not advisable for everyone to take Parson Russell home. In fact, formal obedience training is a must for owners since this dog type is more likely to display mischievousness and too much playfulness that make this a very independent pet. For people with active lifestyles and those who can tolerate explorative disposition, this scamp is the best for you.

The Norwich Terrier, on the other hand, is a type of dog that resulted from breeding small Terriers with other smaller breeds, possibly Yorkshire Terriers. Maintenance of Norwich Terrier is minimal and they are content with modest living quarters. They have active disposition though and can be affectionate and fearless. Additionally, they are also known to display stocky and happy personalities which make them ideal pals.

Much like the Norwich Terriers, Norfolk Terriers are also well-spirited, fearless, charming and always ready for game. While both may have some similar physical characteristics, Norfolks can still be distinguished through their folds in the ears.

Basically workman-like dogs, Kerry Blue Terriers are excellent watchdogs and work well in farm settings. This dog got its name from its blue-shade coat color which was originally black during puppyhood.

Wire Fox Terriers are of great interest since they display power through its excellent endurance capabilities and speed. Alertness and quick movements are the dominant expressions of this dog type. It is advisable though that the owner trains this dog and should be given enough doses of daily exercises.

Meanwhile, Smooth Fox Terriers are the frolic and lively types of dogs that are ideal in both country and city living. Displaying intelligence and cleverness, this dog makes good trainees and must be well credited by that. They are also likely to show great affection towards their owners.

These are just some of the many terrier dog types that can be considered as your next pets. In general, this dog type has good dispositions and makes ideal home pets. While some may display obscure aggressiveness, this still does not negate the fact that most types have the capacity to develop affection and keen expression of their attachment to their owners. Be warned though that some dog types in this breed can be very playful and should be given enough amount of attention and time during obedience training and exercises.

Some diseases lizards can get will result in seizures, or a similar condition. It is imperative not to feed them during an incident like this. They will most likely not be able to swallow the food. It is best to seek the help of a veterinarian at this point. The animal will need to have a tube placed into their stomach to feed. If the animal shows no signs of seizures, they can be fed using a syringe. It is tricky to get their mouth open, but should be possible using the syringe itself.

Using the syringe, squeeze the processed food into the back of the throat, taking great care to avoid the trachea at the back of the tongue. Make sure to only offer as much food as the animal can handle. Larger lizards can obviously handle more food. It may also be possible to force-feed feeder insects. If the lizard is having digestive problems however, the liquid substitute is much easier to digest, as much of the work is already done. Another advantage of liquid feeding is the fact that you control exactly what the lizard is getting into its diet.

For the vegetable part of the liquid diet, vegetable baby food works very well. This food is high in vitamins and can easily be digested by the lizard. Make sure to add in a calcium supplement to the food. Younger lizards need to be fed more often but in smaller quantities, while larger lizards will need to be fed less often, but with higher quantities per feeding. You have to follow the natural way your lizard eats its food, as not to upset their natural metabolism. If your lizard eats both insects and vegetables, you can use a type of cat food (used for sick cats) if they will eat it. You can also try to add insect matter (use fresh insects) into the liquid mix.

So you’ve decided to bring a puppy into your family. Congratulations! Now that the celebration is out of the way… do you really know what you are getting into? Are you prepared for the lack of sleep, the constant attention, the misunderstandings, the persistent chewing, the messes on the floor, and all that goes with having a new little out-of-control furry creature in your life?

Don’t worry! It’s not all bad.

Keeping Your Sanity with your new puppy

Actually it’s all very good, and puppy parenting can be extremely rewarding. However, it can also be mentally and physically draining if you don’t take time for yourself while raising a puppy. Here are a few tips on how to get your breaks and keep your sanity.

Routine with your new puppy is vital

Life might seem chaotic right now with your puppy going a mile a minute, around and around in circles, up and over in a whirlwind of activity. In reality, your puppy really wants and needs routine. In many ways, puppies are like children.
Children need rules and routine in order to feel safe. Puppies need rules and routine for the very same reason. Getting puppy on a routine is going to help you both. Start by creating a schedule. Choose feeding times, potty times, play times, nap times, and bed time. Then stick to it.

Of course, you may need to adjust the schedules in order to keep puppy on track, especially with potty training. But, as you work this out, puppy will quickly learn the schedule and you’ll be able to relax a bit.

Remove things you do not want your new puppy to destroy

If you have things you don’t want destroyed, do yourself a favor and save your sanity by putting them out of reach. Puppy is too young to understand all the things that can and cannot be chewed on or played with. And, if you have to be constantly vigilant and always yelling ‘no!’ you are not going to remain sane for long, or enjoy your puppy.

As a reminder, shoes make wonderful chew toys, in the eyes of a puppy. Keep all shoes hidden behind closet doors. This will remove the temptation and frustration. Safety issues also come into play here. Tape up or otherwise corral electrical cords. Plants can be either a mess waiting to happen or worse; there are many poisonous plants to be aware of. To be safe, remove them all out of puppy’s reach. Also, put breakables away. In other words, clear the decks! You have a puppy on board.

Distract Your New Puppy

There are so many great toys on the market today for puppies. Look for appropriate squeaky toys, chew toys, rawhide bones, ropes, and more. Use these to distract and keep puppy busy while you go about your day.

Be sure to keep a bucket of these ‘distractions’ handy at all times. Anytime puppy goes after something to chew on that you would prefer puppy leave alone, like your arm or the sofa, pull out a distraction. Puppies need to chew and they need to play, so make a good toy available at all times.

Help
Of course there are going to be times when you just need a break. Maybe you want to get away, or maybe you just want to stay home and take a nice, long, completely uninterrupted nap.

Ask for help! Maybe a family member or friend can help. If this is not an option, schedule time to get out and about to local dog parks or pet clubs where you can meet other pet owners. You may be able to make some mutually beneficial relationships where you both help each other out with your energetic puppies.

Puppies might just be the cutest little things on earth. With all the power their cuteness holds, you may be tempted to forget to take care of yourself. Don’t do it!  Find ways to make puppy happy while taking little breaks so you can be the very best puppy parent you can be. Then you’ll both be happy, healthy and ready to enjoy each oth