community |

6 Steps To Find The Perfect Dog Sitter

Posted on February 14, 2011 by admin

Choosing a pet sitter is a big decision. You will be leaving your beloved dog in the hands of someone else and trusting them to visit your home, feed your dog, play with him, and know what to do if there should be an emergency. How do you find the perfect pet sitter?

There are some basic approaches to finding a good pet sitter:

1. Ask around. If you have friends or family who have used a pet sitter in the past, find out who they used and if they would recommend them. The advantage of using someone that is known to your friends and family is that this person comes with a built-in recommendation.

2. Check with your vet. Your vet sees a wide assortment of pets in your community. They also know many pet professionals. They may be able to recommend a good pet sitter. The same is true of your pet groomer and other people you see regularly for your dog’s care.

3. Check bulletin boards. Many pet sitters advertise on the bulletin boards at vet offices, pet groomers’ shops, dog supply stores and other pet-related businesses. This is a good way to make a connection with a pet sitter but it does not provide you with a recommendation about the pet sitter’s abilities.

4. Check your phone book for local pet sitters.

5. Check online for local pet sitters. Superpages.com often lists pet sitters (and other pet professionals) in local areas.

6. You can check with Professional United Pet Sitters , the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters , and Pet Sitters International to find professional pet sitters in your area. Simply type in your area code or other information about your locality and they should be able to offer suggestions.

Once you have found some likely pet sitting candidates there are some things you should ask them before you hire them. You need to discuss the following subjects with your potential pet sitters:

– Is the pet sitter insured?

– Can they provide references?

– You should check with other local pet professional businesses in your area to find out about the pet sitters reputation.

– You should ask to see the contract for pet sitting services.

– Make sure that you understand the costs and what services are included.

– Ask the pet sitter about their pet education and if they have and certification or accreditation.

– Do they know first aid for pets?

– Do they belong to any professional organizations such as a professional pet sitting group or other pet care group?

– Is there a backup plan in case the pet sitter has a personal emergency? Who will take care of your dog?

– Is the pet sitter properly licensed?

You should also ask questions about how the pet sitter interacts with your particular dog. Have they cared for a Greater Shantung Westheimer before? (Insert your breed.) Do they know how to care for them? How many times per day will they be coming to your house? Will they be staying at your house? And so on. Make sure you cover all of the details of their care of your dog, especially if your dog has any special needs.

Whew! It’s a lot of information to cover but you will be gone and you will be asking someone else to take care of your dog — you can’t be too careful. You should interview a pet sitter just as you would interview a baby sitter or anyone applying for an important job.

It’s best if you start trying to find a pet sitter far in advance. Not only will it take you some time to choose a pet sitter but good pet sitters can be hard to find. Good pet sitters can book up early.

If you follow these suggestions you should be able to find a good pet sitter in your area. Make sure you have several phone numbers so you can reach them at various times. No matter how much confidence you have in them you will probably want to check in frequently.

6 Steps To Find The Perfect Dog Sitter courtesy Dog Articles.

Looking for a great gift idea? Who wouldn’t love a cutting board showcasing their favorite breed? Check out all of the great doggie gift ideas on Amazon.com –doggieoftheday@amazon.com

Who’s A Canine Good Citizen?

Posted on February 13, 2011 by admin

The Canine Good Citizen program is an American Kennel Club program open to all dogs, mixed breed and purebred. Its purpose is to reward dogs and their owners who can show that they have good manners both in the community and at home. It fundamentally stresses responsible dog ownership and good social skills. Dogs who take part in the program go through a 10-part test and, if they pass, receive a certificate from the AKC and the CGC title.

The Canine Good Citizen program is often the first step for an owner and their dog in obedience training. They may go on to participate in obedience competitions, agility or rally events. However, many people earn the CGC title just to prove that their dogs have basic obedience skills. The CGC title is often accepted as proof by landlords and others that a dog has basic obedience skills. Forty-two state legislatures have already passed resolutions endorsing the Canine Good Citizen program at the state level.

Before taking the CGC test (sometimes at a dog show or other AKC event, sometimes at a dog training center with a certified tester), an owner will sign a Responsible Dog Owners Pledge. After that, he/she and their dog will go through the 10-step test:

Test 1: Accepting a friendly stranger
This test shows that the dog will allow a friendly stranger to approach and greet the handler. The evaluator comes up to the owner and speaks to him/her while ignoring the dog.

Test 2: Sitting politely for petting
In this test the dog should allow a friendly stranger to touch him while he’s out with his owner. The owner may talk to the dog throughout the test.

Test 3: Appearance and grooming
In this test the dog should welcome being groomed and examined. He should allow someone, such as a vet, groomer or friendly stranger to go over him. The evaluator will look over the dog to see that he/she is clean and groomed. The dog should appear to be in good condition. The evaluator then combs or brushes the dog, checks the ears and picks up the front paws. This simulates a vet exam — dogs should be well-behaved during vet exams.

Test 4: Out for a walk (walking on a loose lead)

This test shows that the owner is in control of the dog on a loose leash. The dog may walk on either side of the owner. The dog should appear to be attentive and responsive to the owner’s changes of direction. There are several turns on a course in this test. The owner can talk to the dog, praise the dog, and give commands.

Test 5: Walking through a crowd
The test shows that the dog can move calmly and politely in foot traffic and be controlled in public places. The dog and owner walk around and pass close to several people. There should be no over-excitement, shyness or resentment.

Test 6: Sit and down on command and Staying in place
This test shows the dog’s training and that he will respond to his owner’s commands to sit and lie down. He should also remain in the place commanded by his owner. The leash is replaced with a 20-foot line during this test.

Test 7: Coming when called
During this test the owner walks 10 feet from the dog, faces the dog and calls.

Test 8: Reaction to another dog
This test shows that the dog can behave well around other dogs.

Test 9: Reaction to distraction
During this test the evaluator chooses two distractions. These can be dropping a chair, having a jogger go by, dropping a cane, etc. The dog should not show any panic or try to run away or otherwise misbehave.

Test 10: Supervised separation
This final test shows that the dog can be left with someone and still maintain his good manners. The owner is out of sight for three minutes. The dog shouldn’t bark the whole time, whine or show more than mild agitation.

All of the exercises are performed on leash. Your dog should wear a buckle or slip collar. Leather, fabric or chain collars are fine. You should bring your dog’s comb or brush with you to the test.

Kennel clubs and dog training centers offer classes for the Canine Good Citizen test but it is possible to pass the test without taking any classes. You can prepare for it with your dog at home.

The Canine Good Citizen test is a good test for dogs and their owners. It’s good for your dog to learn some basic manners and for you to work with your dog on simple obedience lessons. These lessons will come in handy again and again for your dog and make him a more desirable dog in the community.

Who’s A Canine Good Citizen courtesy Dog Articles.

Looking for a great gift idea? Who wouldn’t love a cutting board showcasing their favorite breed? Check out all of the great doggie gift ideas on Amazon.com –doggieoftheday@amazon.com