Elite Pet Care- Seattle Dog Walker 206-777-5327

Posts Tagged ‘dog training Seattle’

I own a pug and since he has a smooshy face and pug eyes, I do not have a collar for him, but a harness.

If a pug wears a collar and stops suddenly so the collar pushes up againt the ears and towards the face, , the pugs eyes can pop out!

And  pulling on a collar can damage a pugs already sensitive esophagus.

Harnesses are great for small dogs but I do not recommend them for large dogs that pull as a harness gives them leverage…like a sled dog. mush!

As a Seattle dog walker, I come across many dogs that wear harnesses and I have to remind people that harnesses can rub on the dogs skin so it is important to take your dogs harness off at night when they are safe and sound in the house for the night. This gives your dogs skin a chance to rebound.

If you must leave your dogs harness on all the time, make sure you take it off every few days and check the skin. A loose piece of fabric, dirt, etc that gets trapped under the harness can cause a huge irritation on your dogs skin.

I had a foster pug that I put a brand new harness on. A few days later I took it off to give her a bath and there was a huge sore under the harness where a bad seam started to dig into her skin. I felt so awful because she didnt even complain.

Buddy has a soft Puppia harness and it still rubs against his skin when he lays down,so even though I take it off every night, his skin still gets  irritated.

buddy in his harness

This Seattle pet sitter is looking for a new harness for him. Any ideas?

Seattle is a city where dogs are definitely a part of the family.
As a Seattle dog walker, I drive around and it makes me so happy to see owners driving with their dogs,
eating on the patio at a restaurant with them, etc

When you have a long day at work or need to go out of town, what do you do with your best friend.

Let your pets stay in the comfort and safety of their own home! Pet sitters are a great alternative to boarding and doggy daycare.

Pet sitters are like an extended family member that is always there for your pet siting questions and needs.

Pet sitters keep in touch with you via text messages, emails and picture messages. They leave care notes about
their visits with your pet. Each dog gets one on one attention and love. They arent just a number like they are in a kennel.

Pet sitters customize visits to each pet/owners needs. The dogs are exercised according to their needs, not just thrown in a room and left to do whatever they would like.
(Potty inside is 1 bad habit learned at kennels and doggy daycare).

Some pet sitters are also dog traners so they can work on dog training with your dogs while they are taking care of them.

What to look for in a pet sitter. If you have found my website, you already found a great one!
If I do not service your area, you can google pet sitter and “your zipcode”

Pet sitters should be experts at pet care and should not only be able to watch your pets, but they
should be able to give you tips on toys and food. Tell you what vets, groomers, etc are great.
You will be able to tell a pet sitter that loves their job, is respectable, responsible, etc at your free consultation.
Make sure your pet sitter is insured, bonded, has references, has experience, etc.
The relationship you have with your petsitter is a long lasting one, enjoy it!

One of the most common bad behaviors that I see when I am on my pet sitting rounds is door charging.
Dogs that try to get out of the door when ever it is open is dangerous and rude! Alphas always go through a door first
so it is important that you teach your dog to only go through when you say so.
This training is easy! This blog will just focus on dogs that are going to go for a walk.
Your dog is probably going to get to the door before you like Roxie pictured below.  She wants to go and she wants to lead.  No can do Roxie!   (ps she actually knows better and i had to make her misbehave to get this example picture)

Reel her back and stand in between her and the door. If needed back up the dog so she isnt crowding the door. Have confidence and be the leader. Your dog just needs you to tell her what to do. They dont know how to act unless you tell them!

Have your dog sit and stay.Face her and open the door with your free hand.
If she moves a muscle say  “eghttt” deep and stern and take a step forward and make her sit again.
With the door open, keep your dog in a sit and stay. If needed, put your free hand up in the universal “stay” sign.
Give the leash some slack and walk backwards out the door, keeping an eye on the dog and keeping her
in a sit. If she budges, repeat the process of “egth. sit.stay”

You can have your dog sit like this as long as you like. Sometimes I go in a second. Sometimes I make the dogs sit for a minute. This gets them to respect me as a leader and learn that they follow me. We  go when the alpha wants to go… we make the rules. Being PACK LEADER rules!!! And our dogs need and respect the structure and discipline!

Once you are out of the door, you can lighten your voice and give a playful”ok!” and encourage the dog outside.
Once outside, have the dog sit and stay while you close the door and lock up.

Enjoy your walk!