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

Posts Tagged ‘dogs’

Taken fromthe www.queenanneview.com website. Please visit Nancys blog at: http://sammysbigheart.wordpress.com/2010/11/27/goodbye-sammy/

Pet tragically electrocuted on Thanksgiving Day

November 27th, 2010 by Thea

Solution for dog owners with long work days.
I was on Craigslist today looking for a pet barrier for my car…I stumbled on a listing from a guy that was getting rid of his dog because he worked all day and felt bad about his dog being home alone.
I emailed him this solution.. hire a Seattle dog walker!
If you work all day and have a dog..a pet sitter is an awesome help! I can come to your home,pick up your dog and take them for a 3-4 hour outing. They will have fun, socialize, go potty and be tired out.
They wont care that you’ve been gone all day. And better yet, I am affordable!
The first step in hiring your Fremont dog walker is to call or email me for your FREE consult! 206-777-5327

Its getting cold outside! This is when people dont want to walk their own dogs because its cold outside. Dogs still need their walks and dog park trips so make sure you hire your Seattle dog walker to get your dog outside and exercised!

Come to Petapoluza for some doggy howl-o-ween fun! Youre seattle dog walker presents Howl-O-ween!

If you have a dog that never seems to get tired even though they go to the dog park or for runs….try a doggy backpack.

Dog backpacks add weight to the dogs and makes them work harder on their seattle dog walk.
The dog pack also makes them feel like they are working and helping you out so they feel important!
They focus more on the backpack and keeping it balanced then to their surroundings. Its harder to chase a squirrel with a heavy pack on!

Its a win win. Being a Ballard dog walker I actually have a few dogs that I pack on our walks, its great!!!

As a Seattle/Ballard area dog walker I see some random things during my dog walks.

Yesterday I was walking a puppy and we came across 3 squirrels. I have come to find that dogs don’t like squirrels. Every dog I walk in Seattle wants to chase them! Even dogs that dont try to chase cats want to chase them.

So the puppy scared the squirrels which got them over excited and made them mad at
each other. Two of the squirels ran up the tree, argued about 3 stories up in the tree and one fell.

All the way to the ground. It seemed like he was in free fall for 30seconds, but I am sure it was faster them that.  I couldnt look away and way expecting to have to take the squirrel to the vet!
The squirel landed on its feet, and ran away like it was no big deal that it just fell about 25 feet onto the sidewalk!
I was so relieved. I was also relieved that it didnt come confront the puppy and me!

So if anyone was wondering….cats and squirrels land on their feet!

Merrick Pet Care Recalls Texas Hold’ems 10 oz. Bag (Item# 60016 Lot 10127 Best By May 6, 2010) Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk

08.03.2010

Merrick Pet Care, Inc. of Amarillo, Texas is extending its July 2, 2010 recall of 10oz “Beef Filet Squares for Dogs (Texas Hold’Ems)” pet treat (ITEM # 60016 LOT # 10084TL7 BEST BY MARCH 24, 2012) to also include 83 cases of “Texas Hold’ems” (ITEM # 60016 LOT # 10127 BEST BY MAY 6, 2012) because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella can affect animals and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products. People handling the treats can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the chews or any surfaces exposed to these products. Consumers should dispose of these products in a safe manner by securing them in a covered trash receptacle.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers immediately.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian immediately.

The Beef Filet Squares (Texas Hold ‘Ems) were shipped to distributors and retailers throughout the US. These individuals have been notified and have activated their recall procedures.

The treats are sold in 10oz plastic bags marked with “Lot # 10127 Best By May 6, 2012” on the top of the bag and on a sticker applied to the bottom.

No illnesses have been reported to date for either lot of product. A sample tested positive for Salmonella.

Consumers who have purchased 10 ounce packages of “Texas Hold’ems” are urged to return the unused portion to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-800-664-7387 M-F 8:00 – 5:00 CDT.
Info from: http://www.merrickpetcare.com/about_us/news_article.php?tid=434

Walking your dog is crucial to its health. Sometimes walking your dog around the block isn’t enough. Sometimes walking your dog for an hour isn’t enough. You know the types, those that will play fetch til they keel over, those that are always looking for a toy to play with. There are some dogs that need more then a walk around the block to tire them out physically and mentally.

Keeping up on your dogs walking routine will also help with your dog training. A tired balanced dog is a well behaved dog! So whether you hire a Seattle dog walker, or do it yourself, make sure your dog is walked daily!

For those crunched on time, one way that I have found to tire dogs out faster is with a dog back pack. These are packs that the dogs carry, great idea, I know! The packs give the dog a “job” and make it feel important.  When you put water bottles in the sides, it also adds weight, making the dogs work a little bit harder on their walks/hikes, thus tiring them out faster. This is great because while the dogs have crazy energy, we as their dog walkers don’t!

Note the walking collar as well as the back pack.

Dog walking gear is sold at pet supply stores. Or online. Shop around for prices as they seem to vary from store to store.
I use the Outward Hound pack for my large dog clients, this website has amazing prices:
http://www.myoutwardhound.com/backpacks-for-dogs-dog-backpacks.html
And I recently bought a small outward hound dog pack from Bark! in Ballard,
http://www.barknaturalpet.com/

There are dog booties if you are going on rocky trails, icy or hot pavement:
http://www.ruffwear.com/Barkn-Boots-Grip-Trex?sc=2&category=7853

And always make sure you bring a light snack for them for energy and plenty of water.
Elite Pet Care offers 3 hour dog excursions and will back pack your dog upon request.

Happy trails!

As a professional dog walker in Seattle, I often am asked the question “what dog food should I feed”
Well the answer is easy. Natures Variety, Wellness, Natural Balance, Canidae, Solid Gold or other all natural filler free foods.

The  pet food industry is a million dollar industry and there are some companies out there that dont care about your pet. As a pet care professional that works closely with your pets, I do care.

So I am going to give you tips on feeding your dogs!

Don’t buy something cuz the commercial said to, do it because you are a smart consumer and know what is good for your dog.

There are dog food companies that are small and focus on dog food.  You don’t hear about them on TV because they take that money and put it into the food, not their advertising budget.
They care about QUALITY. They rely on word of mouth to help spread the news. These companies are Natures variety, Wellness, Natural Balance, Canidae, Solid Gold, etc.

Do not buy dog food that you can buy in a normal grocery store.
Do not buy food you can buy at Target or Walmart.

Look at the ingredients, pick food with NO cheap filler like corn, wheat and soy
No byproducts. No cancerous preservatives like BHT/BHA and ethoxyquin
I feed Natures variety. I feed the kibble, canned and raw! Its amazing food.
Its built for rotation so I can feed salmon kibble, then when that runs out..beef.

Read the labels, do not fall for gimmicks.  Your dogs health depends on it! And your dog has to eat what you feed, so your dogs really depend on you!

Keep an eye on your dogs treats too!

In Seattle there are a ton of pet supply stores that sell great food.

I really likeand recommend:

Bark!: http://www.barknaturalpet.com/

and

Petapoluza: http://www.petapoluza.com/

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!