My Personal Blog

Adventures With Your Dog - City Island and Old Salty Dog

Does your dog enjoy dining with you? Do you seek new ways to spend a day together? Take care of both when you go have lunch or dinner at Old Salty Dog at City Island. Enjoy stunning views of the water (and sunsets) and be reminded why we live in such a beautiful town. You can get there by car or boat. Located on South Longboat Key at 1601 Ken Thompson Parkway, across from Mote. 941-388-4311. Take a stroll with your dog along the water at City Island while you're there.

Best Dog Training Book

I've always been a fan of Cesar Millan, The Dog Whisperer. And Tanner's dog trainer, Gaby Urevitch, taught me many great things. Then I found a book that seems like it could have been written by either one. It's called, "Leader of the Pack," and it's by Nancy Baer and Steve Duno. It's a small book and a quick read, but it's full of extremely valuable information. And I'm not talking about tricks. It covers basic daily interactions and common problems. I've already recommended it to several of my pet sitting clients in Sarasota. I highly recommend it!

Beg Pet Bakery is Now Open!

We are pleased to announce that Beg Pet Bakery is now open! Check us out at www.BegPetBakery.com. If you're seeking wheat-free dog treats, corn-free dog treats, or treats without soy or dairy, then look no further! All of our treats are vegan and vegetarian and are free from common allergens. Right now, we only have dog treats. But we plan to expand to include cats, mice, rats, horses, and birds. Additionally, they contain organic ingredients, and exclude artificial colors, artificial flavors, trans fats, added salt, added sugar, and preservatives.

Have you checked out the ingredients in your dog's treats lately? Or food for that matter? For a list of what ingredients to avoid, and how to identify better ingredients, check out www.DogFoodProject.com.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Happy New Year to all current and potential clients! I hope everyone had a great holiday season with family, friends, and pets. We had a fabulous one, and we're ready to make 2009 the best year yet. We have big plans. Not only will we focus on being the best pet sitting company in town, but also we'll be opening a pet bakery featuring yummy, organic treats and birthday cakes for dogs. Tanner can't wait to begin his new job as taster! Later we'll add treats for cats, birds, horses, and rodents. Stay tuned....

TRANSFORMING TANNER AND TRAINING ME PART II

I'm happy to report that Tanner WAS transformed! He now waits at doors, especially when asked, instead of bolting out them. He HEELS when we're walking and I ask him to!!!! He no longer barks his head off when we're out and see other dogs. He already knew how to sit, but he now can do a "down" and a "stay," which is perfect when there are several people eating dinner at home or when we're dining at an outdoor cafe. He even has his own little cushion to rest on while he's staying and behaving! Friends who knew him before have said they can't believe the difference. Granted, as an improved alpha, I have to reinforce what he learned on a regular basis. And I still am not the best alpha or a natural trainer. But we both are doing so much better! Thanks to Gaby Urevitch of Complete K9 Academy!

Transforming Tanner and Training Me Part 1

Anyone who knows me knows that my life revolves around my three-year-old dog, Tanner. I’m over the moon in love with my little “child.” He’s always gone everywhere with me. He’s been to the Florida Keys, the Outer Banks, and Atlanta. He’s flown on airplanes, gone boating, to beaches, to outdoor festivals, and hiking in the mountains. He dines at outdoor cafes with me. He routinely goes to the dog park, and accompanies me on many pet sitting client visits (only those where he’s invited). Some of my clients even insist on his presence. He’s coddled and spoiled.

Anyone who has met Tanner also knows that he could use some obedience training, and that’s putting it mildly! While I socialized him from day one, and he is happy and friendly, he can be a bit much. He has endless energy. He’s a major watchdog. His bark is excruciatingly loud. He’s lightning fast. And he pulls on the leash when we walk. I call him “sled dog.” Many friends over the years have said, “He only gets away with all of this because he’s so tiny.” He’s six pounds. I realize most of his bad behavior is my fault, because I spoil him. I haven’t been a very good alpha.

I was forced into action a few weeks ago, when he bolted out the front door of someone’s house. He ran down the street at top speed, and then ran directly up to the face of a notoriously vicious Pit Bull who was in its front yard. Of course, Tanner ignored my shouting pleas for his return and my offers of treats. Luckily, the owner of the dog had run outside and wrapped his entire body around his dog to prevent him from getting Tanner. Had he not been there, I have no doubt that Tanner would have died that day.

I called a dog trainer I’d recently met and become friends with. She came over, evaluated Tanner, and we set up a plan. He was to go off to “obedience boot camp” at her home for a week. He would be returned completely off-leash trained, knowing voice and hand commands.

Tanner was picked up last night for boot camp. I miss him terribly already. But I can’t wait to see him when he returns next Friday, a well-behaved gentleman. Then the real training begins – training me!

Take Action to Prevent the Slaughter of Wild American Horses

The ASPCA reports that the Bureau of Land Management, the government agency responsible for having spent years rounding up and housing wild horses, now would like to euthanize the horses because of the cost to feed and care for them. Thousands of healthy horses would be killed. The ASPCA would like for the agency to consider other options, such as contraception programs or additional land.

You can quickly and easily e-mail a form letter (that you can customize if you’d like) to your Senators and Representative in Congress by going to the ASPCA Web site (www.aspca.org). Then click on “ways to help” and then “lobby for animals.” While there, feel free to explore the other pieces of legislation requiring action. It only takes a few minutes!

Instant Solution for Dogs That Pull While Walking!

Does your dog pull when you walk? Then you MUST try the Premier Gentle Leader Easy Walk Harness. A few weeks ago, I was pulled onto the ground by a client’s two large dogs as we walked. The dogs already routinely pulled, but this time, they lunged to get to two other dogs walking nearby. I was skinned and bruised, and knew there had to be a better way. While contemplating my options over coffee, I saw a Labrador Retriever in a nearby park wearing a harness and a leash that attached at his breastbone. I rushed to the store and bought a couple of the Premier Easy Walk harnesses to try on the two dogs, and could not believe the difference. From the second we walked out the front door with them, they both pretty much walked right beside me, with slack in the leash. I tried the harnesses on several other clients’ large dogs, with the same results. I can’t tell enough people about the harness! You have to use them with a regular leash (not a retractable one). The leash attaches at the breastbone, and redirects the dog sideways, or towards you, when he/she tries to pull forward. And you should praise the dog for walking so politely. Now, when I walk dogs, I don’t dread seeing dogs, squirrels or cats. The dog simply cannot take off after something while wearing this harness. It’s life changing! I even bought one for my tiny little six-pound dog, whom I previously called “sled dog” when we walked. I bought mine at PetSmart and Holistic for Pets for approximately $25 each. A client of mine found hers online cheaper. The company also makes the harnesses that go around a dog’s snout (Gentle Leader Headcollar), and those require a little training on the owner’s part. I walked another client’s two dogs with those. To see the difference, I briefly removed the part around their snouts, and the difference was like night and day. Those harnesses are for dogs who require a bit more control than the Easy Walk Harness can provide. It’s also good for dogs who are nervous. Anyway, as a professional pet sitter and dog walker in Sarasota, my quality of life has improved because of these harnesses. As a dog owner, yours can too!

Earth Day For You and Your Pets

Today is Earth Day. While information abounds about how to do things such as use different light bulbs (which, by the way, those new light bulbs contain mercury and have to be thrown away in a special place for safety – don’t break them!!), there’s not as much information about the everyday products you, your family, and your pets use that are harmful to both the environment and yourselves. I personally only use toiletries and cleaning products that are not tested on animals, do not contain animal ingredients, and do not contain harmful and carcinogenic chemicals. This goes for me and my dog. To see the latest research on the story that made national news this week – that there were 48 industrial chemicals found in pets’ bodies and the levels are higher than those found in humans – visit www.petsfortheenvironment.org. It includes healthy pet tips. To see which foods contain the most pesticides (so you can decide which fruits and vegetables to buy organic and which you don’t have to), visit www.foodnews.org. To see how your own shampoos, deodorants, lotions, cosmetics, baby products and such fare, visit www.cosmeticsdatabase.org. All of the sites are under www.ewg.org, the Environmental Working Group, which seeks to protect public health and the environment. They educate consumers and promote legislation.

I like to support “mom and pop businesses” whenever possible. My favorite cleaning line comes from Seventh Generation. There are many other great ones. My favorite toiletries come from Alba Botanica, Kiss My Face, Giovanni, Tom’s of Maine (which unfortunately was purchased by a large company, and I know some of the others have been partially purchased by large companies), Jason, and Avalon Organics. Again, there are many great ones. For those of who are interested in more high-profile lines, today I was made aware of a hair products line Kate Hudson promotes, which meets my standards and seeks to protect wildlife habitats worldwide. It’s David Babaii for Wildaid (www.db4wildaid.com). I wash my dog with Nature’s Embrace (www.naturesembracearomatherapy.com), which contains only essential oils and was created by a former cancer researcher. I also use Buddy Wash from Cloud Star. My dog eats super premium food (I will have another blog entry on food another day. I have a lot to say about that!), supplemented with mostly organic fruits, veggies, and snacks. I give him spring water or filtered water. My point is, take a step back from the glossy tv and magazine ads. Educate yourself. Like I said, for me, what’s most important are products that don’t test on animals, don’t contain animal ingredients, and don’t contain harmful ingredients. What’s most important to you? Decide, and then find those items and support those companies!

Help Animals When You Search the Internet

Next time you want to search for something online, consider doing it through http://www.goodsearch.com/. It works the same way as the major search engines, but you can specify which charity receives a small donation for each search you conduct. It costs you nothing. I’ve been giving to the Humane Society of Sarasota County.

New Blog for Beg Pet Services

I'm pleased to announce that Beg Pet Services now has a blog! Do I know what I'm doing? Not really. So I'll just figure it out as I go. I'll be including information helpful to pet owners first and foremost. I'll feature information on finding and caring for pets, as well as animal welfare in general. I'll track legislation from time to time (don't yawn -- these things might affect you!). I'll promote Sarasota area pet charities and their events. And when I'm not feeling particularly verbose, I'll just post cute pictures of my dog and my pet sitting clients' pets. I would love to hear from you on what topics interest you and if you have comments on what I have to say. This is for you, my clients, and for anyone interested in pets.