What to Ask A Potential Dog Walking Service
If you’re looking for a dog walker, you know that there are a lot of companies out there to choose from. So how can you decide which one is the best fit for you and your dog? In order to make the selection process a bit easier, be sure to ask the companies you’re considering a few questions—including these. How Expensive Are Your Services? Of course, price is not the only or even the most important aspect of choosing a dog walker, but it is a big part of the selection process, since you’ll need to make sure that a particular dog-walking company fits within your budget. You should also find out if the company charges for anything extra, like training, or charges any fines, such as if you need to cancel service. Will the Same Person Always Walk My Dog? For some pets, meeting new people is stressful. Some dog walking services send whomever is on staff that day, while others will make an effort to send the same person every time in order to make your dog more comfortable. Depending on your dog’s behavior and demeanor, this could be important. Do You Have Insurance? When it comes to dog walking, there’s always a risk of something happening that could possibly be covered by the dog walker’s insurance policy. For instance, if they break something valuable at your home that needs replacing. You should also ask about what happens if they accidentally lose your keys—will they pay to change the locks so that your home can remain secure? Do You Have References? Any company worth their salt should have at least a few customers willing to vouch for their quality. Ideally, look for a reference who has the same breed of dog as your dog, and also try to get a reference from someone who is no longer a customer. This way, you can get an honest answer about what you might be able to expect. How Many Dogs Do You Walk At Once? This is an especially helpful question if your dog isn’t the most sociable pooch out there. It’s helpful to know which dogs your dog will be walked with, if any, so that you can be aware of any potential for disaster.
How to Find the Best Dog Walker in Your Neighborhood
When you’re looking into different dog walking services in your area, you’ll probably find that there are a few different companies that will be able to provide you with the service you need and expect. When it comes down to narrowing your choices, there are a few different things to look for to ensure you make the best decision. The More References, the Better As with many other services—think hairdressers or doctors—the easiest way to find a great dog walker is to get references from someone you know. If someone is happy with their dog walker, they’ll want to offer up the information. If you don’t know anyone who uses a dog walking service, many companies are happy to provide you with a list of reviews, testimonials, and references. You can also check online reviews to learn more about certain companies. Security and Safety Concerns Ask a potential dog walking company about what their policies are about insurance, both for if they get bitten or scratched by the dog as well as if something happens to the dog when the dog is in their care. Make sure they have policies in place regarding what to do about lost keys—will they change the locks on your home if that happens, or is that expense passed on to you? Find out what their skills are regarding first aid—if they are trained for minor issues, this can save a trip to the vet. Friendliness Of course, it’s important to actually like the person who will be walking your dog—or at the very least, be able to trust them with both your pooch and your house keys. Make sure to meet with the walker or walkers who would be dealing with your pet, and see which person or company you like the most. It may also be possible for you to bring your dog along for a meet and greet. Your dog may warm up to one walker but not the other and if you’re given the choice between one or the other, you can choose the walker your dog likes more. Cost and Services Last but not least, you’ll want to weigh the cost of the dog walkers against the service they provide. For example, if they charge extra for training, you’ll want to verify that they are qualified or certified to train dogs. If they aren’t, they could just be trying to overcharge clients for a sub-par service. In general, it’s best to get referrals and also meet with a dog walker before you hire one, and also check out their prices, services, and certifications. By simply doing a bit of research, you’re sure to find the best dog walker for your pup.
The Importance of Your Dog’s Exercise Routine
It’s a well-known fact that a tired dog is a well-behaved dog, but unfortunately, a lot of owners don’t have enough time or enough motivation to keep their dogs properly exercised. A dog’s exercise routine is crucial to his or her overall well being, for several reasons. What Is Considered Exercise? Although you may consider a leashed walk to be exercise, the truth is your dog needs more than just a quick walk around the block for it to be considered proper exercise. Hikes or longer, 20- or 30-minute walks (2-3 times a day) are ideal for exercise. For variety, pet owners can also bike or jog with their dogs, take them swimming, or bring them to a dog park where they can run around and play with other dogs. Dog parks, provided your dog is friendly and gets along with other dogs, are great for both exercise and socialization. Keeping Dogs Entertained Exercising your dog is great for keeping them entertained. As previously mentioned, a tired dog is a well-behaved dog. It is easier to train your dog if he or she has had an adequate amount of exercise. If a dog is tired out, they’re better companions, as well, as they will be calmer. Since dogs don’t entertain themselves, it’s important for owners to provide their pets with entertainment—this could mean throwing a stick and playing fetch, providing an adequate amount of toys, or even giving them treats in treat-dispensing toys that keep their minds sharp. Exercise Helps Dogs Stay Healthy Unfortunately, since many people can’t or won’t dedicate enough time to exercising their pets, a lot of dogs are overweight. Since dogs are much smaller than humans (usually, anyway!), even a couple of pounds can be a big difference when it comes to whether they are truly as healthy as can be. While man dogs need at least an hour of exercise per day, there are some breeds that require much more. If you don’t have the time to dedicate to do that, you can hire a dog walking service to help meet you half way—even adding another 20-minute walk to your dog’s exercise routine can make a big difference for their overall health.
NOVEMBER Dog of the Month is
Haus! Breed: English Bulldog Age: 5 1/2 years young Joys in life: sleeping, snoring, laying on the couch or in his crate, his daily walk, playing the snow, and licking his 5 month old baby sister Mia Walker: Keith