In part one we talked about forming good behavior traits early. Part two focuses on the types of people you want on your dog's 'team.'
Create a Good Team of Advisors
□ Find A Great Vet. One of the best ways to find a great vet is to ask for referrals from friends and neighbors. It is best to ask people whose relationship with their dog is similar to yours. The Humane Society of the US notes some other things to keep in mind would be the convenience: are their hours amenable to your schedule? Is it easy to get an appointment? Do they have an effective emergency system in case your dog slits her foot on a holiday? How many vets are in the practice? How about parking and space to load and unload your dog? If you have an unusual breed of dog, or one that is generally accepted as a 'difficult' breed (like a Pit-Bull, Chow Chow, etc) how comfortable are they handling your pet? Once you've narrowed down your list of vets, schedule an appointment to meet with the staff, take a tour of the facility and ask them for references from their clients.
□ Be a Good Vet Client. When you've found the right vet for you and your dog, it's important that you work hard to maintain the relationship. Know your dog. By understanding his personality and when "not right" is more than just a pulled muscle from an invigorating game of Frisbee? you can help your vet isolate and catch diseases such as Lyme Disease. If you are aware of the nuances of your pet's regular behavior, you will not spend more time than necessary calling or visiting your vet. Keep up to date on preventive care and keep your doctor in the loop if you are trying new or holistic care options. If you have an appointment, be sure to show up on time and make sure your dog is on a leash.
□ Find a Good Groomer. If your dog is of a particularly furry breed and prone to matting, or you are not comfortable setting aside regular 'home grooming' time, it's important for you to find and use a good professional groomer. You can find a groomer through referrals or through the National Dog Groomers Association of America. Before making your dog's first appointment, see if you can stop by and see their facility. During your tour reflect on the following questions. Is it well-lit? Does it smell and look clean? Are its holding cages adequately sized? How does the staff handle their current clients? Do they seem to act gently? Does the groomer keep updated medical and grooming history?
□ Be a Good Grooming Client. Prepare your dog for his trip to the groomers by continuing your in home 'handling' routine. If he's used to people touching his ears and paws, he will be less stressed when a stranger touches him in an unusual environment. Make sure that your dog is up to date on all his vaccinations and veterinary records. Prepare the groomer for your dog and make them aware of any particular needs he has ? if he is geriatric, tends toward nervousness, or if he has any chronic medical problems.
□ Find a Reliable Pet-Sitter. Because you will need to leave your pet at some time in your relationship, it's important that you have found a reliable person or company to care for your pet in your absence. You may be lucky enough to have family or a neighbor who is reliable and always available to care for your pet. However, if you are new to town and don't have any nearby people to call, you should take time to interview and find a reliable pet-sitting company. Ask your vet or neighbors for referrals and be sure to interview a few companies to make sure you have the right fit. Important questions include: are they bonded and insured? Do they have experience with your breed of dog? Do they have back-up plan in case of illness or emergency? If you travel frequently on short notice, it is also important to ask how far in advance you must book to guarantee service. Perhaps most important is to take notice of how they interact with your pet. A couple of places to search on-line for a professional pet-sitter are The National Association of Professional Pet-Sitters or Pet Sitters International.
□ Be a Good Pet-Sitting Client. Whenever possible, book with plenty of time to assure your place on the company's schedule. Many pet-care businesses are run by a single person who may book up early, so once you know your schedule, make an appointment for your pet's care. Be clear about your expectations, if you don't want your pet-sitter to give your pet treats, make it clear. Be sure your dog is up-to-date with all vaccinations and complete all required paperwork prior to your first appointment. You will be asked to provide all pertinent information regarding the health and medical history of your pet. Do not make it difficult for your pet-sitter to park or access your home ? have parking passes and keys ready for your sitter at the time of your initial interview.
Peggie Arvidson-Dailey is the founder of the Pet-Care Business Success University and the author of several articles, books and classes on running a successful home-based business. Go here: http://www.peggiespets.com/wst_page9.html to get your free copy of "243 Tips for Running a Successful Pet-Care Business."
executive chauffeured services Bradford .. Madison to Airport carI've been around many people who try to lead a... Read More
This has been one of the most rewarding adventures I... Read More
If you're looking for an unusual, eye-catching pet, it's hard... Read More
So you're thinking about trying cichlids. A good choice. In... Read More
Even if you haven't had a run-in involving your pet... Read More
Aren't they cute? Yes, they are! A nest of meowing... Read More
It's been weeks since you went riding. Now you have... Read More
A respiratory tract ailment can be fatal to your parrot... Read More
You want your dog to swim?We're going to try to... Read More
Making our lives better includes protecting our families, and also... Read More
If you have a hard time in summer imagine how... Read More
As there are certain health issues that affect only the... Read More
As we find ourselves in the middle of winter, it's... Read More
Lots of folks are picky about their vet, and for... Read More
Dog training is definitely not rocket science and is easier... Read More
If there is an art to getting horses to load... Read More
This is a question that has been asked of me... Read More
For most cat owners, training their cat to use the... Read More
For some 25 years I have alerted the public to... Read More
All breeds and sizes of dogs can be taught easily... Read More
If you're reading this I think it's safe to assume... Read More
Are there so many great dog breeds out there that... Read More
Pets are many things in many ways but they are... Read More
Yes! We love our wonderful and dear Pooches! We care... Read More
Problems with Commercial Flea Killers & TraditionalFlea Bite Treatments***Chemicals that... Read More
O'Hare Chicago prom limo ..1. Accidents and medical emergencies in the home happen frequently.... Read More
In the purebred West Highland Terrier puppy market, there are... Read More
Dog day care programs benefit the dogs of owner's who... Read More
One of the best parts of the day for any... Read More
BackgroundSilkworms are the larva of a moth (Bombyx mori) native... Read More
Imagine being on a horse and he bolts. You pull... Read More
It is entirely normal to look for signs of intelligence... Read More
The aim of a Westie rescue centre such as the... Read More
Is there anything more cute and cuddly than tiny little... Read More
There are plenty of reasons why your cat loves you.... Read More
If you are keeping tetras, chances are you are breeding... Read More
Many of us dream of having a beautiful, exotic bird... Read More
Cat arthritis is not a very common ailment among healthy... Read More
A few years ago, before I decided to stay home... Read More
The first thing to realize when you are training a... Read More
To the uninitiated horse owner, there are timely facts about... Read More
I would like to write a few words about my... Read More
Having a dog is a little like having a baby.... Read More
Almost without exception, breeders will advertise that their favorite terrier,... Read More
The greatest benefits of ownership is knowing that your property... Read More
Itch, itch. Scratch, scratch, scratch. Does that sound familiar? Hopefully... Read More
If your feline friend could speak your language, here a... Read More
The West Highland White Terrier or Westie, has it's origin,... Read More
Any person, whether a minor or adult, having been bitten... Read More
This mysterious cat is originally from the country of Siam,... Read More
Pet |