Important Items to Bring When Hiking with Your Dog

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I don’t know about you, but disconnecting from the world and getting out into nature is one of my favorite things. However much fun it can be, it does have the potential to be dangerous if you’re not prepared. This is even more true if you decided to bring your canine companion with you. Luckily, with a few important items hiking with your dog can be one of the best ways to spend the day.

 

Doggy Backpack

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Hiking with your dog does mean extra supplies, so make them carry their own backpack with an extra leash and other supplies. Make sure not to overload it, the general rule is for the pack to weigh one pound to every 20 lbs of pup.

Collapsible Food and Water Bowls

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A perfect item for you dog’s backpack is a collapsible bowl set for their food and water. This way no matter where on the trail you are, both of you can take a break for hydration and trail mix.

Paw Protecting Dog Booties

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If you’re navigating particularly rocky terrain or if your dog is somewhat new to being outside on rough ground you may want to pack a pair of these puppy paw protecting boots. These are also perfect for hot pavement or sand.

 

Heavy Duty Waste Bags

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The rule of the trail is what you pack in, you pack out. This is the same for waste unless your on a trail that allows you to scoop and bury someone off the main path. Either way packing heavy duty scent eliminating bags is essential. You may also want to bring a compact bag dispenser for them as well.

 

Me & My Dog Medical Kit

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Bring a first aid kit is a hiking must, but having one made for both you and your dog is helpful and saves space of bringing extra doggy necessities on top of your own first aid kit.

 

Other things to consider

  • Make sure your dog is trained well enough to obey commands while hiking
  • Bring bug spray and sunscreen for both of you (baby/kid friendly products work well for dogs)
  • Update ID’s and/or microchip and bring an extra set of tags if you can
  • Snap a picture of your dog before you head out
  • Make sure their shots are up to date

 

Hiking is blast. But it is more than just fun in the woods, being prepared is key to a successful trip.

What trails do you like to take with your dog? Let us know your favorite trails and hiking with your dog tips!

 

What Does Dog Walking Insurance Cover?

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Have you ever wondered what would happen if your dog got hurt during a visit with your dog walker? Well, that is exactly why dog walking insurance was created. Today we’re going over what it covers and why you need to make sure that your dog walker has it.

Dog walking insurance covers the client and their pet’s while in the care of a dog walker.

  • If your dog somehow gets out and makes a mad dash into traffic and gets hurt, your covered.
  • Any injuries to others they may happen while your dog is with your dog walker. For example, a child runs up to your dog and scares them, causing the child to get bit, the insurance will cover those medical expenses.
  • If the dog walker feeds them food or exposes them to something that they are allergic to and they have to go to the vet for care, your dog is covered for that as well.

What dog walking insurance doesn’t cover is the dog walker themselves.

They need to be covered by worker’s compensation insurance. This will cover them in case your dog walker or pet sitter is injured at your property. This can include instances such as:

  • They slip on ice, fall down the stairs, or otherwise get hurt while at your house
  • For some reason your feels afraid or threatened and the pet sitter gets bitten

Dog walking insurance won’t cover them if they get injured. And if their own insurance won’t cover their care, then it’s possible that they may try to get your homeowner’s insurance to cover their injuries. That’s why it is important to make sure that your dog walker or pet sitter is also covered by worker’s comp.

Are Wet Nose Pet Sitters Insured?

We sure are! All of our sitters are covered by our bonding and insurance. We are bonded and insured by the Business Insurers of the Carolinas. And if we’d be happy to provide proof of this upon request. We are also proud members of the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters and Pet Sitters International. We have employees (versus independent contractors) so we are also covered by worker’s compensation.

As always, if you have any questions or want to book services, don’t hesitate to contact us! 

 

 

Will You Watch My Dog if She is in Heat?

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We often have clients ask, will we watch your dog when she is in heat? Well, the short answer is yes. The long answer is that there are a lot of stipulations we require in order to make this safe. We will try to cover all of the details here and definitely feel free to contact us if you have further questions.

Our primary concerns with dogs in heat are safety and time.

At Wet Noses Pet Sitting we want to be overly safe. We make sure we do not run into any problems, so we have put together these rules:
  1. Dogs that are in heat will only be exercised under supervision within their own yard.  This means that they will not be taken on walks.  If there is not a fence, we will walk your dog in the immediate vicinity around your home.
  2. When the fence is not found to be sufficient (too short, dog is able to climb it, holes, etc) the dog will be kept on leash even when in your own yard.
  3. If there are intact males in the house then there must be a foolproof way to keep them separate.  Solid walls, preferable two, will need to separate them at all times!
  4. We will change diapers as long as the female is agreeable, which must be determined by our sitter before the trip.
  5. Any messes must be contained to hard floors, we will not clean up blood messes on carpet or in crates. We will change out blankets when needed.
  6. Appropriate time must be scheduled taking all of the concerns in consideration. We do require 30 minutes for dogs, but if your dogs cannot be together then we might require a 45 minute or hour long visit in order to make sure they all get enough attention and activity. We also need to factor in any cleaning time that might be needed.

I myself have had intact dogs so I understand the concerns that go into their care. At Wet Noses Pet Sitting we want to be sure that your dogs receive the best possible care is the safest fashion whether you dog is in heat, or not. Feel free to contact us with any questions!

What Do Different Colored Collars and Leashes Mean?_Header

What Do Different Colored Collars and Leashes Mean?

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What Do Different Colored Collars and Leashes Mean?_Pet Sitting Header

Do you ever wish that people came with warning labels? Like, “Hasn’t Had Their Coffee,” “Doesn’t Play Well with Others,” “Generally a Nice Person” and so on? That way you know who to chat with at the store or know who to avoid because confrontation is inevitable.
 
Well, people don’t have those labels yet. But there is a way to tell a dogs personality by their different colored collars and leashes.
 
There are now different colored collars and leashes for our dogs. These help us know which dogs welcome affection and attention, have special needs, or are anxious about strangers or children.
 
While as dog owners it is still our responsibility to make sure we help others know how to interact with our dogs. A simple way is by picking the right color collar or leash. This is still growing in popularity. A dog may have a green collar or leash. That does not mean it’s friendly.
 
Always ask before interacting with a dog.
 
Want to learn more about this topic in video format? Check out the video below!

What do the colors mean?

Different colored collars and leashes mean different things. Below are some of the most common colors and their meanings.

Red: (Red) Approach dogs with caution.

Orange: (Orange) Dogs are friendly toward adults and children, but they are not good with other dogs.

Green: (Green) Dogs are friendly toward people and other dogs.

Yellow: (Yellow) Nervous or anxious. If stated on the collar it can also mean up for adoptions.

Blue: (Blue) Dog in training or is a working dog.

White: (White) This dog has hearing or sight problems or may be completely deaf or blind.

Different Colored Collars and Leashes

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What I love about these codes is that you never know what dog is friendly or not. People tend to think larger athletic dogs are not always friendly. Especially those dogs under “bully breeds.”

To name a few: Pit bulls, Staffordshire Terriers, Doberman Pinschers, and Rottweilers. These are often considered to be dogs you would want to stay away from but this is not always the case. From my personal experience, some of these dogs were the sweetest I’ve ever met, while other smaller dogs were more aggressive. You can never tell a dog’s disposition from the breed alone.

Are there any other types of colored collars and leashes?

Absolutely! Color coding is growing in popularity but so are collars and leashes that say “Adopt Me” or “In Training”. These may be different colors than what you’re used to. Whenever you see a working dog you should either not engage with the dog or ask the owner if you may pet them. Because a dog doesn’t look like it’s working doesn’t mean it isn’t.
Working dogs can help with a variety of tasks. Dogs are not limited to only being guide dogs. They can also detect seizures, low blood sugar, and can help stabilize those who are unsteady on their feet.

Conclusion

So next time you see a dog with a different colored collars and leashes, remember it may be a message. Or if you have a dog that is out and about often, you may want to invest in one of these collars. It can only help you and your dog better relate with the people you encounter.

Will You Care for My Sick Pet?

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If you are a client of Wet Noses Pet Sitting then the answer is an emphatic yes, we will definitely care for your sick pet. Often if pets are sick before a client leaves then we can arrange extra care, but what happens if your pet becomes ill while you are gone? Here are two stories from the last month where we had to care for a sick pet after their pet parents left town.

The first case was an elderly cat that had kidney problems. During the previous few weeks she had been in and out of the vet clinic, but had been holding steady lately. The sitter was aware of the recent care but this was a short trip and the client decided to go out of town anyway, which we encouraged. Caring for an elderly sick pet can be draining and it often helps to get away to recharge your batteries to make sure you do not suffer from caregivers fatigue.

Anyway, after the first day I received a call from the sitter. The cat was acting much different than she had during previous vacations. We went over her behavior, discussed some basic health checks and formed a plan. The sitter contacted the client to discuss the behavior and see if it had been normal over the past few weeks. We discovered it was very different from what they had been seeing before they left and we all came to the decision that a trip to the vet was in order. The sitter took the kitty to the vet who then stayed the afternoon for tests and fluids. After the kitty was stable the sitter went to pick up the kitty and take her home. Over the next few days some supplemental care was needed and the cat was doing much better by the time the client returned.

The second case was a dog that suddenly lost mobility in his rear end out of no where. I had a brief call with the sitter and client and it was decided to hustle him into their vet ASAP.  The sitter brought him in and waited until the veterinarian was ready to run tests, then left for other visits. Once tests were done I went to pick up the dog and meet with the vet. There were no immediate problems they could find and his mobility improved throughout the day so we decided to take him home and focus on massage to increase his circulation.

Over the next few days he was up and down so we stayed in contact with the client and the vet to try to figure out the trigger. After a rearrangement of sleeping areas, lots of massage and the help of a walking harness the pup was doing much better.

So what is the common thread here? When you are gone we at Wet Noses Pet Sitting will do whatever is needed to maintain the health and happiness of your pets. While you are gone they receive the best care we can offer and we would imagine no less.

4 Tips to Get Your Dog to Stop Digging

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Have you been working hard on your garden and lawn? Then end up to find with it full of craters like the moon? It’s no secret that dogs love to dig holes, so if this is you, you’re definitely not the only one. We often wonder exactly why dogs love to do this, and more importantly, how we get them to stop digging?  Well, we have some answers for you that will hopefully save your soil and your sanity.Stop Digging

 

Hunting prey

More often than we know, there are burrowing animals and insects in our yards. Your dog is often just trying to root them out. If this is the case, you see holes in one single area, around the roots of plants and trees or in a path. Try to use safe methods to fence and force them out. Never use toxins that can end up hurting your pet too.

Entertainment

A lot of times your dog is simply digging to entertain themselves. When they dig at roots and soil they think it “plays back” when it sinks back down into the ground. These holes are often scattered around and happen when the dog is somewhat isolated from playmates and family. Active dogs and certain breeds are more prone to this behavior. So if this is your case, make sure to walk or have them walked twice a day to tire them out. And make sure to play with them using balls, disks and other active toys. It helps to stimulate them in other ways to prevent them from digging.

Attention

Sometimes there is nothing a dog won’t do for attention. And digging holes is one of those things. This would especially be your case if your dog digs in front of you or do it to interfere with whatever is grabbing your attention (like that shrub over there). All you have to do is make sure to spend time with them outside of the yard activities and ignore their attention-seeking behavior. Then make sure to praise their “good dog” behavior as much as you can.

Create a digging zone:

Some dogs just love to dig. They can’t get enough of it no matter what you do. That’s why it can be a great idea to give your dog his own little digging area. Not unlike a sand pit or play ground for a child. And it’s not too hard to create either!  We found these awesome instructions from The Humane Society on how to build your own Doggy Digging Zone:

 

  • Cover the digging zone with loose soil or sand. Or use a child-size sandbox.
  • Make the digging zone attractive by burying safe items (such as toys) for them to discover.
  • When they dig in the digging zone, reward them with praise.
  • If you catch your dog digging in an unacceptable area, interrupt the behavior with a loud noise and firmly say, “No dig.” Then immediately take them to the digging zone.
  • Make the unacceptable digging spots unattractive (at least temporarily) by placing rocks or chicken wire over them.

 

Does your dog dig? We’d love to hear some of your funny stories and ways you saved your yard from the paws of fury! Let’s us know your tale in the comments below or on our Facebook page. And of course, if you need help getting some of your dog’s energy out during the day don’t hesitate to call us! Our sitters would love to come walk and play with them.

 

Set up Dog Walks

Are You Bonded and Insured?

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YES! We are bonded and insured!

Wet Noses Pet Sitting and all of our employees are covered by Business Insurers of the Carolinas. They have great policies that are tailored just for pet sitting and dog walking businesses.

 

  • Bonding Policy: This policy is basically for theft. If your pet sitter is convicted of theft in your home, you will be covered. We also have the maximum level of the policy to make sure you have the best protection from theft.

 

  • Custom Pet Sitter Policy: This is the most important insurance policy for our clients. It covers your home and/or pets in cases of damage or injury.  That means it can cover health care costs for injuries caused by your dog or that your dog incurs during a visit.  This policy will also cover any damages in the home due to something the pet sitter does. For example, we once had a sitter use the wrong type of cleaner on a rug. Unfortunately, the rug was stained and ruined. However,  we were able to use this insurance to pay for replacement rugged.

 

  • Rider Insurance:  An insurance policy that is rarely considered, but very important. It covers sitters while they driving in between homes as well. A little extra coverage for our sitters and peace of mind that they will be taken care of even on the road.

 

  • Workman’s Comp: This is also an extremely important policy to have for everyone. The company, our sitters & walkers, plus our clients all benefit from this policy. Basically, if the pet sitter happens to get injured while at your house, this insurance will cover their medical costs. And it does happen. We had a sitter once trip and fall during a visit and broke her wrist. Thankfully, all her medical costs were covered by Workman’s Comp insurance.

 

Why is being bonded and insured so important?

If your pet sitter or dog walker isn’t insured then your home owner policy may come under fire. Personal insurance may not cover the damages or injuries. And that means sometimes either the sitter or their insurance will come after home owner’s policy to pay for costs.

That’s why at Wet Noses Pet Sitting, we take our insurance very seriously. We want to make sure that we are covered in every possible way for the protection of our sitters and our clients.

 

 

How Do You Screen Your Pet Sitters?

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Our New Sitter Screening Process

 

One of the most important questions our clients ask us is, “how do you screen your pet sitters?” After all, these are the individuals that are put in charge of your precious pets. We put our trust in our sitters to respect your home and give your pet nothing but care, love and affection while you are away.

That’s why the screening process is so important to Wet Nose Pet Sitting. Here’s a glimpse inside how we choose the best sitters for you.

 

Step 1: Online Application 

When a sitter is interested in working for Wet Noses Pet Sitting they first complete an online application.  This is where we ask the initial important questions. How much experience do they have? What is their availability for weekends, emergencies and holidays? And do they have physical health problems and/or limitations? All of these help us pick out the right candidates for to start the hiring process.  

 

Step 2: Phone screening

Then we reach out and do a short phone screening just to make sure we want to continue with an interview.

Step 3: Interview #1

Next, we will schedule an interview with our manager. During this interview we also conduct a personality test. This test is used to to weed out anyone with a possible history or predisposition to theft, substance abuse, or anything else that doesn’t represent Wet Noses Pet Sitters. 

 

Step 4: Interview #2

After a successful first interview, our candidate will meet for an interview with Liana, our owner. She will get more in depth and gauge experience levels, both with animals and professionalism in general. She will also assess their level of dedication and availability. We don’t like high turn over and want pet sitters with longevity. Our pet clients can get attached to their sitters; they become friends and we want employees that convey that level of commitment. 

Step 5: Background & Reference Checks

Once we’ve determined a prospective pet sitter would be a good fit for our team we then complete a full background check and call their references. We call references of both with animals, professional, and personal interactions.

 

Step 6: On-the-Job Trial

When the checks come back clear, we then set up a day in the field with a manager and a few already established sitters for a final evaluation. This puts the prospective employee in real life situations and duties on the job. Sometimes people don’t understand exactly all the details and work that go into a day of pet sitting. This can especially be true when it comes to clean ups and unexpected situations. So our “almost” employee gets an inside look at what a typical day looks like before we move forward.

 

Step 7: CONGRATULATIONS! You’re Hired! 

Once all the above have gone well, we bring on the new employee and get them started on training. Then we will pair them with the best pet client for them and let the bonding begin.

 

More questions? Check out our FAQ’s and don’t hesitate to contact us about our screening and hiring process! We’re here to make you and your pet comfortable.

 

 

Top 5 Pet Friendly Restaurants in Fort Collins

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One of the best ways to spend sunny days is sitting on a patio watching the people. Appetizers on your plate, cool drink in your hand. And what is even better is enjoying the sunshine and people with your dog by your side. A lot of times restaurants and dogs don’t mix, but don’t fret! Luckily, there are some great places around Fort Collins where your pet is welcome.

Fort Collins – Pet-Friendly Restaurants

The Snooze Eatery

144 W Mountain Ave
Fort Collins, CO
(970) 482-9253

Perfect for a nice brunch out before hitting the park or shopping at a local pet store. They are Snooze is only open for breakfast and lunch, but it’s definitely a great place to check out with your dog.

Coppersmith’s Pub & Brewery

5 Old Town Square
Fort Collins, Colorado
(970) 498-0483

One of the most popular breweries in Ft. Collins, Coppersmith’s has a friendly staff as well as a dog-friendly patio for you to enjoy.

Ginger and Baker

359 Linden St
Fort Collins, CO
(970) 223-7437

In addition to great food, Ginger and Baker also has a menu of tasty dog treats ready for your pup to enjoy.

Five Guys Burgers & Fries

2842 Council Tree Ave # 173
Fort Collins, CO
(970) 204-9140

Enjoy Five Guys famous burgers on the dog-friendly patio with water bowls included. Relax on the corner with affordable food and fast service.

Wild Boar Cafe

1510 S College Ave
Fort Collins, CO
(970) 472-1074

Dine-in this special 1924 bungalow home-style cafe. Fresh food, friendly faces, and a great atmosphere with a patio perfect for your pet.

 

It’s always fun to include our dogs in our daily life outside of the home. What are some of your favorite pet-friendly restaurants in Fort Collins? Let us know on social media or Contact Us so we can add them!

 

Read About Places to Take Your Dog in Fort Collins
Learn About our Pet Sitters

How Much Does a Pet Sitter Cost?

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If you’re a pet owner, then chances are that you have thought about hiring a pet sitter for them at some point. And you’ve probably also wondered, what’s the cost? Is it worth it? How do they charge? Well, we have the answers for both our business and the industry standards.

A Breakdown of Standard Professional Pet Sitter Costs 

Common Charges:

Contributing Factors:

  • Charging for the length of time is most common
  • Some charge only by visit no matter how long it is
  • Location (metropolitan areas often have the highest rates)
  • Types of pets (horses, farm animals, birds, or possible medical conditions)

How we charge at Wet Noses Pet Sitters:

  • We charge for the length of the appointment
  • Our appointments can range from 15 minutes to an hour
  • The number and type of pets (this can vary a bit, depending on the pet family dynamics)
  • Sometimes we do extend services outside of our usual area for a slightly higher rate
  • We do not charge extra for holiday visits
  • Take a look at example schedules we recommend based on your pets

 

We pride ourselves on quality, consistency, and fairness. And while we’re not the least expensive pet sitter you’ll find, we are one of the best.  Our sitters are highly trained and dependable. We truly only want what is best for your pets.

If you’re looking book services, give a call or contact us online! 

Learn why pet sitters are worth the cost