Benefits of Off Leash Dog Parks

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Park season is about to be full swing. Getting out to enjoy a some fun in the sun with your awesome pup is the the best part of the weekend. The parks are filling up with people who all are enjoying the beautiful weather after a long winter. You may be left wondering what park to visit this weekend and whether or not off leash dog parks are the best choice for you and your canine companion. Like with most things in life there are benefits and draw backs to pretty much everything, but here are a few reasons why you should try a off lease dog park if you think your dog would like it.

  • It’s a safe place for exercise

It’s no secret that dogs need to run, dart, play and romp around. But sometimes owners don’t have the ability, energy or youth that it takes to give them that exercise. Playing with a dog at the level that is the healthiest for them is also a work out for you. Dog parks are also great because they provide safety from cars, bicyclist, and other hazards.

  • Frequently exercised & socialized dogs are better for the community

Another great benefit of off leash dog parks is that dogs who frequent them are more socialized. They become familiar with neighbors and other dogs, making them less likely to bark or be aggressive on walks. Moreover, a well exercised dog is also a dog that is less likely to get in trouble out of boredom and pent up energy.

  • It’s good for personal & neighborhood safety

Sometimes it’s just you and your dog, but signs all over parks and trails usually say to travel with a buddy. Even though your dog can help protect you, being at a dog park is far safer than on a trail alone. Plus, not only does the park deter crime in the neighborhood, it also connects you with your community. It’s always good to know your neighbors and talk about events and concerns in your area.

As you can see there are many benefits to off leash dog parks. They could be a perfect fit for you and your Fido. Even though as dog sitters and walkers, we don’t take client’s pets to the dog park; but it doesn’t mean that it’s not something you should try. But like we said earlier, everything has an upside and a downside. So check back next week for the drawbacks of off leash dog parks for the rest of the scoop!

What Does a Yellow Ribbon Tied on A Dog’s Collar Mean?

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Photo from Doghealth.com

Have you ever seen a dog with a yellow ribbon tied around their leash or collar? When I first saw it, my mind immediately went to that old Tony Orlando song, “Tie a Yellow Ribbon.” Naturally, I then thought maybe the dog’s owner was deployed in the military and the family was showing support.

Later that day I thought about it while poking around on the internet and decided to Google it. Well, turns out that also naturally, I was wrong.  I mean, it’s not like a dog is a tree, so of course it’s not the same. I guess that’s not my finest assumption, but now I know and I’m glad I do, especially as a mom of a very curious three year old.

If you see a yellow ribbon or bandanna tied on a dog’s collar or leash it means that the dog needs “more space please,” and to proceed with caution if you want to interact. It’s particularly helpful for parents and children to know when a dog isn’t exactly keen on being petted or approached by strangers.

A dog may need space for a few different reasons:

  • They may be in training
  • They could be newly rescued and not comfortable or recovering
  • Have a health issues, like sickness or anxiety
  • They may be in heat
  • The dog is old and tired
  • Overall they just aren’t that social

 

Basically, this Yellowdog Program was started for sensitive dogs; to make it easier for people around them to know that they aren’t exactly the “come up and pet me” type of dog. It’s helpful for everyone in identifying dogs that don’t want attention from strangers.

Some people tend to shy away from this program and think that all dogs deserve space and certain dogs shouldn’t be singled out to be left alone. While you should always ask before you pet someone’s dog, it is helpful to know whether or not to even ask in the first place.

Let us know if you’ve ever seen a dog with a yellow ribbon or use one for your pet. If so, how many people know what it mean?

 

 

 

 

 

What do Different Colored Collars and Leashes Mean?
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What Does a Pet Sitter Do?

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You have finally decided that getting a pet sitter is right for you and your pet. But at the same time you are wondering, “what exactly does a pet sitter do?” While we do have one of the most rewarding jobs someone can have, we do much more than love and play with animals all day. There is a lot that goes into professional pet sitting than meets the eye.

Yes, we give TLC including cuddles, walking & playing with pets.

Our primary concern is taking care of your pet’s immediate needs; walking, feeding and giving them love and attention is our first concern. But we also are trained for emergency situations, CPR, plus other important knowledge in case your pet was to fall ill while you are away.

We also do a combination of other helpful tasks for your pet and home.

  • Our sitters are trained to be able to administer any medicine needed
  • We can provide hospice care for older pets
  • Overnight visits
  • When you’re away a pet sitter can give your home a “lived in” feel by leaving lights on or opening/closing blinds
  • Cleaning litter boxes
  • Changing water/food bowls

It’s good to know your home and your pets are being looked after, especially when you’re going away on vacation. You never know what kind of situation can arise while you’re not at home; pipes can burst, HVAC units or power can go out and pets can get stuck in any manner of places. That’s why having a pet sitter is even more beneficial than just a walk, a few belly rubs and fresh food.

Pets who have pet sitters or other pet care services (such as walking) are happier, get more exercise, have less stress and more socialization, plus they have healthier urinary tracts and diets.

Contact us today to find out more! 

 

Top 7 Mother’s Day Gifts From the Dog

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Hi there! Family dog here. I hi-jacked this post to show you some awesome Mother’s Day gifts that we should get Mom this year. She takes such good care of us, making sure we have food in our bowls, balls to catch, and plenty of belly rubs…wait, I think that’s mostly for me. She sure is good to me like that, but I know she does a lot of great human stuff for you too! That’s why we need to chip in (hey, I’m writing the post here…you can do the rest, right?) and get Mom something really sweet from me this year. I want her to know how much I appreciate her being my Dog Mom.

 

1. Greatest Dog Mom Shirt

Because my Dog Mom really is the World’s Greatest and everyone should know that!

2. Dog Mom Animal Lover Charm

What’s not to love about this cute little charm that any Dog Mom is sure to adore.

3. Dog Lover Coloring Book

I’ve heard that people need to unwind from whatever “adulting” is, so an adult coloring book would be a great way for Mom to relax and get creative. We can even hang her art on the fridge!

4. Dog Mom Mug

Because Mom really needs her coffee before I start barking at the squirrels.

5. Super cute Dog Lover Coasters

How cute are these? She’ll love them, every time she picks up her coffee she’ll remember how proud she is of all the barking I’m doing to keep the yard safe from those deplorable squirrels.

6. Dog Mom Key Chain

Because Mom is truly my best friend, you have to admit this one has the feels!

7. Dog Lover’s Dog Shaped Pasta

Cook mom a great dinner on Mother’s Day with this adorable dog-shaped pasta. (Just make sure not to cook me! haha wait…don’t look at me like that…MOM!!!)

 

Any of these gifts will make Mom feel so special this Mother’s Day, so let’s get to planning and let her know just how much we care.

Top 5 Places to Board Your Dog in Fort Collins

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I don’t know about you, but the vacation bug has bit my family pretty hard already this year. We’ve already booked our first trip and are anxiously awaiting when that week finally arrives. Sometimes when we go out of town it’s best to board the pups for their safety and our peace of mind. If you’re planning on a vacation this year here are some of the best places you can board your dog while you are away.

  • Four Paws Pet Hotel & Resort – The Four Seasons eat your heart out, this one really is for the dogs. They have spacious rooms, from cots to twin beds in a climate controlled room, your dog is sure to be pampered. They even let you check in on your pet when ever you want through their 24 hour surveillance.
  • Camp Bow Wow – With a friendly and knowledgeable staff, Camp Bow Wow is a great option for your dog. They have tons of indoor and outdoor play areas with 24 hour webcams you can check up on your pooch.  Cozy cabins and nightly treats give your dog a real camp experience.
  • Raintree Animal Hospital – They have over-sized kennels and super comfy cots that are affordable plus a yummy doggy snack bar with morning and afternoon treats for your pooch.
  • Rover’s Ranch Kennels – This is a place where you can truly know that your pets are in the hand of animal lovers. Some pet parents think of it as a “home away from home” for their dogs when they go out of town.
  • VCA Fort Collins Animal Hospital – A great place for you pup to stay where they will treat them like family and also be able to attend to special medical needs or just do a routine check up.

When you get the chance to get away and relax on vacation, have an exciting event or job opportunity, the last thing you want to worry about it is you four legged family members who weren’t able to come along for the adventure. That’s why having a reliable caretaker for them is so important.

What Are Dog Walking Options for My Older Dog?

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As our dogs age their needs also change. Depending on your dog’s breed, they may be considered a senior pet at different ages.  Large breeds as young as 6 years old can sometimes be considered older, while smaller breeds may not be senior status until about 10-12 years. Walking your dog only gets more important as they age, here are some things to take in account when thinking about dog walking with your older dog.

  • As dogs age they tend to be less active throughout the day.

Older dogs do a lot more laying around the house than they did when they were young. Gone are the days of crazily batting around a water bottle or chasing balls around the house. Because of this, they also get far less exercise which is undeniably important to their health.

Weight management is one of the biggest benefits of walking with your older dog. Since they are moving less, sometimes this is the only real exercise they get all day. It also helps loosen their muscles, wards of fat, and stimulates their minds, both of which keep them fresh and feeling good.

  • Most senior dogs need more potty breaks.

As your pup creeps up to senior citizen status they may have a harder time holding in their bathroom needs all day. They need more frequent trips to the bathroom to avoid accidents, UTI’s and overall be more comfortable throughout the day.

  • You may need to change the duration and frequency of their walks.

While it is very important to get your dog out and moving every day, the dynamic of the walk will likely need to change. Senior dogs benefit more from shorter walks at least twice a day (morning, noon and night would be the best).  Sometimes the weather does not agree with the older dog, if it’s too hot or too cold in the morning or at night, walking them at the warmest/coolest part of the day is key.

If they’ve had the same leash and collar for the last decade, it may be time to give them an upgrade.  Opting for a shorter leash and a harness will help keep their neck and joints safe. Even though they may feel like a puppy again on beautiful days, if they jolt to try and get a squirrel they could end up with an injury.

There’s something special about senior dogs. When they flick those loving yet all-knowing eyes in your direction your heart melts. That’s why it’s so important to make sure they continue to live a long and healthy life.

 

Cheap Puppy Toys You Can Make At Home

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There’s nothing like the excitement of getting a new puppy. It’s always a special time, going to the pet store to buy a new collar, leash, bed, food bowls, and other supplies for the little bundle of joy. As much fun as it can be, the prices can add up pretty fast. That’s why there is no need to spend extra hard earned money on puppy toys when you can easily make them at home for a fraction of the cost.  Here are a few ideas that will slash your new puppy pet store total while still keeping them totally entertained.

Paper Towel Holder Treat Toy

Supplies:

  • Treats
  • Cardboard Tube (paper towel or toilet paper roll)
  • Tape

How to do it:

Smash down one end of the cardboard and tape it shut.  Then pour some treats inside of the tube and seal that side with tape as well. Your new puppy will have a field day trying to get the treats of of it!  You can even make it a little easier for them by cutting a few treat sized holes in one side so that the treats fall out easily for younger puppies.

The Crunchy Bottle Sock

Supplies:

  • Old sock
  • Rocks (optional)
  • Empty water bottle

How to do it:

Slide the sock over the water bottle and tie the sock firmly at the end. Puppies love the way this feels and sounds when they chew or pounce on it and the sock keeps them safe from torn plastic. If they tire easily of the crunch feeling then add some pebbles, beans, or pennies to change the sound. If you don’t have extra water bottle laying around, get the cheapest one you can find at the store. They often have less plastic which makes it easier to crunch and pop.

Kitchen-Towel Chew

Supplies:

  • Old kitchen or hand towel
  • Scissors

How to do it:

Cut the towel into thirds by making two slits at equal distance along the length of the towel. STOP cutting about an inch from the top of the towel. Braid the strips, then knot the loose end and voila! You have a great braided chew toy for you puppy. As they get older you can use longer towels and add a cut tennis ball or a big knot to the middle. You can also use old jeans or three separate towels together to make it bigger and stronger.

There’s no need in spending tons of cash on puppy toys from the store when you can make them right at home. Nothing is worse than spending $15 on a new toy only to find your puppy playing more with an old piece of cardboard, and loving it.  Upcycling some old items around the house is the way to go when it comes to puppy toys.  Your wallet and your puppy will be happy.

Don’t forget to leave us a comment below and let us know some of the great DIY toys you have made for you pets!

Why Does My Dog Weave Back and Forth When I Walk?

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It’s a beautiful day as you head out for an afternoon walk with your happy and eager pup…you take a second to look up at the fluffy clouds, then all of a sudden they blind side you as they weave from one side to the other and you almost trip right over them. It really does make you wonder, why do they do that anyway?

The Zigzag

Mostly they weave back and forth because they are super excited to be on a walk, which is usually the highlight of their day.  There are so many sights, sounds and most importantly, smells!  Dogs have a sense of smell that can is 1,000-10,000 times stronger than ours.  This can have them zigging and zagging all over the place as they track the scents that tells them what has been going on in the neighborhood.  If your dog has herding blood then it could also be a little of instinct of trying to get you to walk where he wants to you go, especially if they bark or nip while doing it. Lastly, it could be just a small bit of anxiety or even a little sensory overload from being outside with all the exciting stimuli.

How to Counteract

Even though you may be fine with the bob and weave, it can be a safety hazard.  According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 88 percent of fall-related injuries were due to dogs and cats.  Not only can it hurt you, but you could easily break their legs or ribs if you fall on them.  That’s why it best to teach your dog how to walk properly.

  1. Pick a side and practice walking on a loose, but short leash in a distraction free area.
  2. If he begins to cross in front of you stop and use hand or verbal ques to get him back to the proper side. You can use a treat at first if he has a hard time picking up on these ques.
  3. As soon as he gets back on the original side as directed, begin to walk forward again.
  4. Don’t give up!  As with most training, it takes repetition and time.
  5. Lengthen the leash as they get better with the commands and staying on one side.
  6. Hire a dog walker to help burn off some extra energy and reinforce training techniques!

Walking should a fun way to spend the afternoon outside, not in the emergency room.  Helping your dog walk properly will ensure the safety of you both.

 

Best Loveland Dog Trails

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Now that the temperatures are starting to thaw and spring is on the way, the weather is thankfully getting nicer every day.  It’s a great time to get outside and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine, especially after being cooped up in the house all winter long. If you’re looking for some nice trails to explore with your dog, here are a few you should definitely try in Loveland and around Fort Collins!

The Foothills Trail

Perfect for a fun and easy afternoon jaunt, this trail is only a mile long and is an easy hike for all. If you haven’t been out for a hike in a while, this is definitely a great place to start.

The Summit Adventure Trail

This moderate hiking trail stems off the Foothill Trail and is longer and a bit more intense. It’s best suited for an experienced hiker and dog. The summit adventure trail is 4.5 miles long and takes most of the day, so prepare 6-8 hours and bring a picnic and water.

Cathy Fromme Prairie 

A beautiful natural area located just north of Loveland includes a 2.5 mile paved trail that is perfect for a nice stroll with your dog while you enjoy nature. Parking is free, but they don’t have any water fountains, so make sure to bring a few bottles of water with you.  

Arthurs Rock Trail

Located in the Lory State Park west of Ft. Collins, the Arthurs Rock Trail is perfect to bring you dog along. It’s a moderate hike of 1.7 miles that includes beautiful overlooks.  There are restrooms available but no water fountains, a collapsible water bowl and extra water is a must. The Lory State Park has a lot of trails, but this one is a must with your pup! 

There is nothing like enjoying a nice sunny day in nature with your four legged friend.  It’s a perfect way to spend a weekend. When taking your dog on a trail it’s important to bring along extra water and snacks. Also, make sure that you have plenty of time in the day and return to your car well before dusk. Comment below and let us know your favorite trails in the area!

 

DIY Easy and Cheap Dog Toys

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It can be hard when you’re stuck inside during a string of snowy days.  And the last thing you want to do is go out to the pet store and grab you dog a new toy to keep them occupied.  That’s when these easy and cheap dog toys that you can make at home come in real handy.  Almost all of these DIY cheap dog toys are made with items you can easily find around your house.  

Don’t forget to click the links for quick tutorial! 

Denim Knot – This one is almost as easy as they come.  Take an old pair of jeans, cut them into 1” strips and tie them together in a knot and well, that’s it!  Now they have a cute little knoted fray toy to throw and catch.

Tennis Ball Foxtail – Also another super easy trick you can do to make a cheap dog toy is get an old sock (needs to be a long one) and a tennis ball.  Put the tennis ball in the sock, tie a knot around the bottom to secure the ball. You can then cut either side of the sock to make two “tails” or just keep it whole.

Water Bottle Toss-able – Just like the foxtail this one is ridiculously easy.  Take an empty water bottle and wrap it in an old t-shirt.  Tie the sides and cut to fray it up to make it a little more fun looking. Your dog will love the crinkle sound it makes and the shirt keeps the plastic safe, so basically it’s the perfect cheap dog toy!

Braided Pull Toy – This one take a little more time, but the end result is awesome.  You take an old shirt, towel, or cloth and cut it into various strips about 1” wide. You can decided how long or think you want to make it.  Next, you tie a knot at the top (leaving little fray at top) then you divide them into three sections and braid them all together to make a giant braid and knot the bottom. If you want to give it a little extra something, take a tennis ball and slit it through the middle and string the toy through it before you knot it.  This one can actually come out looking so good no one will ever know you made it!

Cereal Box Treat Find – Intended to be a one time toy, the cereal box treat idea is pretty fun for your dog.  You tape up treats in a box and let them shred it to pieces as they try and find the snacks.  Just make sure you have a broom handy and watch them as they play so they don’t ingest the cardboard box.

DIY Treat Puzzle –  I love this idea, it’s super simple and tons of fun.  Take an old tupperware or butter container and cut various sized holes around the edges and top.  You want them to big enough that the treats fall out somewhat easily so your dog doesn’t get discouraged.  If you think the edges are a little rough, use sandpaper to smooth it out.  Insert treats, tape it shut, and enjoy watching your pet paw it around with excitement as treats fall out. Just like the cereal box, you’ll want to make sure your dog is supervised while playing with this one; which should be too hard since they’ll look so cute as they play!

Don’t forget to comment which ones you like best and share pics of your pup playing with these amazing easy and cheap dog toys!