2019: A Year in Review

Last year was such a crazy, fun, exciting year for Doggie Dreamz. We welcomed some new clients, as well as welcoming new dog walkers to our team and several of our clients added a second doggie to the family. Overall 2019 was a good year for us as a business, however the year ended in sadness for me personally. 

In December my mother passed away. This was, as you could imagine, extremely difficult to deal with the death of my mom as well as trying to serve my clients as best I could. I am incredible grateful for all of my wonderful clients who were graciously understanding and sympathetic to my situation. I would not have been able to get through this difficult time without all of them and their kindness. From the bottom of my heart I am eternally grateful for all of you.

Even though 2019 ended on a sad note I am optimistic for what 2020 will bring. Thank you for allowing me to continue to do what I love every day, and allowing me to care for your precious animals. I love each and every one of them and looking forward to caring for them in 2020.

Lovingly,

Mia

If an unleashed dog or coyote approached your dog, would you know what to do?

Have you ever been on a walk with Sparky, when suddenly there is a bark or a growl that isn’t Sparky? Before you know it, the two of you are about to cross paths with a medium sized dog you’ve never seen before who is bounding at you with a ton of energy. 

In my 13 years of experience, I have encountered stray and loose dogs, and even coyotes approaching me and the animal(s) I am walking. For those who have not had this experience, it can be both unnerving and scary! You're instinct may be to run away, or to try and confront the animal. But what is really the best thing to do? You don’t know if the other animal is aggressive, and if it’s a coyote, that chance is high. Living in California, I felt it was imperative to share with you some tips that have worked for me when put in these situations.

1.     Try and remain calm: Often, our first reaction is to tense up and become anxious. However, the animal you are walking will sense that and will more likely become anxious as well. This can increase stress for the animal (and you!) and your animal can become harder to control. The best way to stay calm is to take a deep breath or two and know that you are prepared for what may happen next…

2.      Don’t run: Many animals, especially pets, will take that as a clue to play (or attack) and start chasing you. Instead, avoid sudden fast or large movements and back away slowly from the oncoming animal so as not to alarm it.

3.      Step in between your pet and the approaching animal: You can square your hips and shoulders toward the oncoming animal and place your body between the two. This body language reinforces your self as a dominant figure.

4. Make loud noises: Or give out commands such as,  “No!” “Sit!” or  ‘Stay." A loose dog may recognize those commands and stop from approaching you.

5.     Carry SprayShield, and use it if necessary: SprayShield is a pet deterrent spray.  The active ingredient (citronella) is a natural essential oil that has been used in human, animal, and environmental applications for thousands of years. Although it can cause discomfort in certain individuals with allergies to citronella, it is considered safe for the vast majority of people and animals.

6.      Get your animal to safety as fast as possible: This is if you have encountered an extremely aggressive dog or coyote.  If you have a smaller dog, pick them up and try to find a safe place to put them (the bed of a nearby truck, behind the fence of a neighbors yard) If you have a big dog sometimes it is best to let go of the leash to have them try to run to safety.

7.      Protect yourself: Once you know your animal is safe, protect your throat and neck area. You can use your arm to be a shield to protect those vital areas of your body.

For all intents and purposes, the information here does not serve as any guarantee. These are just some tips that have worked for me over the years. I strongly encourage you to do your own research on these concerns, so you can also be prepared for the unexpected! Let me know in the comments what has worked for you! 

Edited by Tara Rico

How to choose the right Pet Sitter for you

In our fast paced world where we can now request dog sitters and dog walkers on demand there are some important things to look at when choosing a company and caretaker that will best fit you and your pet's needs. The consequences of not considering who is providing care for your pet can be tremendous. Below are 5 of the most important questions to ask yourself when looking for a pet sitter or dog walker.

1. Does this person require a Meet and Greet before taking me on as a client?

Meet and Greets are essential for all pet sitters to do when taking on a new client. At the meet and greet the pet sitter will ask you important questions about your animal to better serve and take care of them. Some questions they may ask are; has your animal ever bitten anyone? Are they friendly with other people and animals? Do they have a specific diet? Are they allergic to any foods? Do they take any medications? A professional pet sitter and dog walker needs to know these answers to give your animal the best possible care.

2. Is this person caring for my pet trained in Pet CPR and First Aid? 

Just like you would feel more comfortable with someone who is CPR trained to watch your child, having someone trained in emergency care for your animal will give you the same peace of mind.  If your animal gets a cut or accidently chokes on an item, you should have someone who is trained in emergency care.

3. Are they Insured and Bonded?

A professional Pet Sitter will be insured and bonded with a reliable company, because they know that sometimes things happen that are out of our control. For example, a dog could be bitten while on a walk, or your pet sitter could accidently loose your keys. In these cases, if your pet sitter has insurance and is bonded, those costs would be covered by their insurance.

4. Are they members of any Professional Pet Sitting Organizations?

In any profession when someone is a member of a larger organization that supports their profession, that shows dedication and continued education in their field. This holds true with Pet Sitters and Dog Walkers.  There are a number of Professional Pet Sitting Organizations such as National Association of Professional Pet Sitters, Pet Sitters International and Professional United Pet Sitters.

5. How does my animal interact with this person?

You always want to trust your animal when introducing them to someone new. Especially, someone that will be looking after them while you are away.  Your animal will let you know if they are excited to see this person, if they are scared of them, or if they trust this person. If you have a shy or skiddish animal, I would recommend having the potential Pet Sitter stay longer than 30 minutes so your animal can have extended time to adjust and get comfortable with them. You can also try having the potential Pet Sitter give your animal a treat, and see how your pet reacts. 

In my experience, these 5 questions will help provide you and your pet with the safest and lasting care. When we consider our pets as our family, we want to give them the best. Some other important questions to consider may be: Does this person or company have references? Discussing their services with other clients is your right to know. A responsible and quality Pet Sitter will have references available. 

Edited by Tara Rico