Happy Tails

Your dog is your best friend, so don’t leave them at home during your outdoor adventures! As long as dogs are allowed on the trail, hiking is a great way for dogs and their owners to stay in shape. Here are some tips to make hiking with your dog a safe and fun experience!

Make Sure Your Dog is Ready to Go

While you might be able to go on long hikes, your dog may not be. Some things you will want to take into consideration are your dogs age, current activity level, how well trained they are, if they are a breed that will want to bolt after wildlife, and if they are susceptible to heat.

A dog that is very young or elderly may not be capable of a difficult hike, even if their activity level is high. Overweight dogs may also become overheated, as could short nosed (brachycephalic) breeds, such as pugs or boxers.

Breeds that have a high prey drive, such as hounds, may ignore your commands or make it difficult to enjoy your hike. Likewise, any dog that is not well trained may be overwhelmed by the new sights and smells and may put you (or themselves) into a dangerous situation if they do not listen to commands.

Always check with your veterinarian to make sure your dog is able to go hiking with you, without putting them at a health risk, and make sure they are up to date on vaccinations, as well as flea and tick prevention.

Keep Your Dog on a Leash

Although you and your dog may enjoy having an off leash hike, it is usually not permitted, and is always a safety risk. Keep your dog on a leash to keep them from getting lost, and for their safety, as well as the safety of other dogs and hikers on the trail.

Preparation is Key

The most important thing you can do to make sure hiking with your dog is an enjoyable experience for you both is to prepare. Make sure you have enough water for your dog to cool off on the hike, and pack a collapsible bowl so that they are able to drink. Many dogs carry their own gear in a harness pack, but be sure they are physically able to do so before purchasing one.

You will also want to bring dog food in case of an emergency, poop bags, and a pet first aid kit. If the weather is warm, your dog is at risk of overheating and dehydration. Since they can’t sweat, a cooling harness or collar will make them much more comfortable on the trail. You may also want to invest in booties if your hike involves climbing over hot or sharp rocks, or if the terrain might hurt your dog’s feet.

If your dog is not used to hiking and you are planning a big weekend adventure, take them on smaller hikes leading up to it, to get them more prepared. Practice their obedience training with them often, so that they are safe on the trail. There are often poisonous plants, snakes, ticks, and contaminated water that they can get into off the beaten path, so make sure you can keep them close to you, even on a leash.

Pack it Out

Dogs are becoming less and less welcome on many trails, and every year more parks and trailheads are banning dogs from the area. This is largely due to dog owners leaving dog feces on the trail, which damages the local ecosystem. Don’t forget to bring your dog bags with you, and don’t leave it on the side of the trail to pick up later; you may forget. It is never okay to litter, so remember to pack it out – even if it’s poop.

Hiking with your dog is a great way for both of you to stay in shape and create new memories together, but it’s important to make sure you are both safe, healthy, and happy while doing so!

Dogs get stressed, just like humans. Being away from their parents, being in a new environment, moving, weather, strangers in their home – a dog’s life is filled with unknown events that are beyond their control. So, whether at home or in a foreign place, these tips will help reduce stress for dogs.

1. Exercise The best way to reduce stress for dogs is consistent exercise. Exercises like walking, swimming, or trips to the park are great ways to expose pups to different environments. Regular exercise will help your dog live a longer and healthier life, too.

2. Toys Toys have two purposes – mental stimulation and comfort. Mental stimulation is just as important as exercise, so toys such as Kongs are particularly beneficial. Plus, a toy can easily travel with your dog to provide comfort on-the-go.

3. Noise or Music If your dog gets anxious when you’re away from home, leave a radio on. Simple sounds like classical music or chatter from a TV can provide companionship. Spotify even has playlists made specifically for soothing anxious pups.

4. Create a safe space Crates are ideal, but if you don’t use a crate, a bed or other “safe space” for your pup can help him or her feel calm when weather, noises, or strangers get to be too much. Include items with your scent, such as a t-shirt, and your dog’s favorite toys. If you use a bed or crate, it can travel with you, too, to help with stress in new environments.

5. Keep a calm attitude Dogs pick up on our moods, so keeping calm can help keep our pups calm. Whether it’s during a storm or leaving the house before work, keep calm

In a perfect world, our beloved companion dogs would be able to accompany us just about anywhere without having the slightest display of anxiety, aggression, overly excited-ness, or any other type of “naughty dog” act. As dog owners, we all know how impossible that can sound, Not all hope is lost though! A well-socialized dog can keep his cool and keep you company or excel on his own in many situations. The question is are you doing the right things to socialize your dog, and are you aware of how important socialization is? Socializing your dog essentially means getting your dog used to life outside the house. When you socialize a dog you are introducing it to the sights and sounds off your world and helping them to see it as normal. There are simple ways to do this and the benefits are many for both you and your pup.

What is Socialization?

Socializing your dog is offering them the opportunity to explore the world on a regular basis so that they become accustomed to the sights, smells, and sounds around us. The more positive experiences and encounters we provide them with are other animals, people, or environmental elements, the more we as owners can predict their responses and therefore teach them the safest, most appropriate ways to behave.

When you have an under-socialized dog, you have a dog who has to be put away when guests visit, who act shy and co-dependent in new situations, who are difficult to walk, can’t be trusted around children or strangers, show fear, anxiety, aggression and/ or a lack of confidence. Dogs who are under-socialized are more likely to be disruptive, create problems in the home, and to be given away or dropped off at the shelter.

Most, if not all, behavioral issues can be avoided with proper and regular socialization. Socializing is easy to put into practice and can be a fun activity for your entire family. And, like learning a new subject should always be fun and positive!

A well-socialized dog is a calm, confident and happy one.

Dog walking is becoming highly in demand in most countries in the world because a lot of pet owners are busy with work and other social activities. No wonder why there are also a lot of people putting up dog walking services because of its rising demand. By hiring professional dog walkers or pet care specialists, you can be assured that your dog will be given the proper care all throughout the time you’re off to work or play.

PET SITTING

Pet sitter. The two words that bring joy to the hearts of dogs and dog trainers across the country. A relationship with a pet sitter is one of the most important relationships a dog owner will ever have.

What is a pet sitter?

Pet sitters are professional animal care providers who take care of your pets when you’re not home. I’m not referring to the neighbor who occasionally lets your dog out or the teenager with a part-time dog walking service. I’m talking about professional pet sitters, whose full-time business is taking care of their customers’ pets.

Why should I hire a pet sitter?

From a behavioral standpoint, there are several benefits to hiring a pet sitter. If you’re leaving town for vacation, boarding facilities are fine, but pets tend to be less stressed at home in their own environment. When you ask family, neighbors, or your own kids to watch your dogs, there are some risks. While these folks are always willing to help, they are typically don’t have the training, education, or experience required to handle an emergency or deal with dramatic pet behavior. A dog’s behavior does change when their “parents” are not present. Pet sitters are experienced dog handlers. They expect the unexpected and know exactly how to handle it. They know how to mitigate behaviors and situations. Hiring a professional will substantially decrease your worry while you are away.

We guarantee happy tails of all kinds.