Latchkey Pooches - Doggie Nanny to the Rescue!

We all know about latchkey kids – kids who wear the
house key on a chain around their necks safely hidden
under their clothing. They use the key to let
themselves in when they come home from school because
there is no one home to let them in.

What about latchkey pooches? Doggies that are cooped
up at home all day long while their moms and dads are
out at work all day? Can you imagine their joy – and
relief – when the latchkey turns the lock signaling
that you are home?

Imagine what it would feel like if you were cooped up
all day? Aside from loneliness you would be hard
pressed not to have your back teeth floating having to
hold it for 8 or more hours at a stretch! Its not
healthy and its not right.

There is a solution – doggie day care or doggie nanny.
There is a difference? Oh yes. Lets take each one
on its own.

If you work your business from home as increasingly
many of us do, then you can take a few mini breaks
throughout the day and step outside to exercise
yourself and your dog – the fresh air is invigorating
and even a brisk 10 minute walk is good for the
constitution. But what about those days when you are
working to a deadline, or you’ve got yourself booked
with a full day of meetings, or your business may take
you away for a day or two.

Boarding your dog for short stints is disruptive to
your dog’s routine. A better alternative is to hire a
dog walker or nanny. Dog walking services are
becoming increasingly available both in cities and the
burbs. You can book a dog walker just like you would
a baby sitter and arrange for a single or a double
walk per day. Most dog walkers will take up to 6
customers per walk. The advantage is that not only
does your dog get her exercise for the day, but she
also gets to socialize with other dogs. You can be
assured of at least some good romping and running,
maybe a game of fetch ball and overall good fun. You
come home to a happy, healthy and well exercised dog.


Dog walkers are a great solution for busy days but
what about the “away” days? I do't mean the long
absences - you would definitely want to source out
a reputable doggie campfor those he shor- but the short
stints away from home of just a few nights. Solution?
Get a dog nanny! Rather than boarding have a dog
nanny save the day. The advantages are that your
best friend gets to stay in her own home with
familiar sights and sounds. She gets to sleep
in her own bed and food and exercise are
consistent, not to mention the presence of crime
deterrent. Sloppy kisses all around on your return!

If on the other hand you’re not a member of the
growing minions of people who work from home then I
would recommend a doggy day care. Drop off or pickup
service – the choice is yours. Routine and
consistency make for a happy dog and a doggie day care
provides for socializing, exercising, toys and comfy
nappy beds. Some dog day care centers provide walks
while others feel that the exercise the dogs
participate in is more than sufficient to keep them
fit and healthy.

Whatever your choice do your homework. Make sure that
the dog walkers/nannies and day care centers are
certified and bonded. Be certain of what services
will be provided; one hour walk or two half hour
walks? Pickup and drop off? Maximum number of dogs
per walk? Pet first aid? Add on services?
Obedience training? Massage? Grooming? Depending on
your lifestyle you may need to mix and match.
Whatever services you decide on be sure to interview
the providers of the services. A good source is your
own set of friends who may already be using these
services. Whom do they use? Ask them what they like
about the services/premises? Are there some
shortfalls? Last, but not least, interview, ask
pertinent questions, and observe the interaction
between provider and dog.

For the love of your dog its the least you can do!

Making the A List

Its grand to make the A lisit and rub shoulders with the distinguished and the beautiful, but how to join the ranks of Paris Hilton and have the invites include your doggie?

A well mannered dog, just like a well mannered human, is a pleasure to be with and receives more treats and invitations to fun places than its ill mannered cousins. What that means to you is that friends are more likely to accept your invitations, often bearing gifts not only for you, but a treat or two for your pet baby too. Same friends are likely to invite you to their home and casually drop “oh, and bring Cujo with you…” Now your sweetie will not be left alone, sulking in silence on his futon while you go off to enjoy yourself. A well mannered dog is also easier to live with.

But how to ensure that your dog is well mannered? Your new pup is full of energy, bounding here and there, jumping up on you, tugging at its leash, lunging at other dogs, and the most unpardonable of all, not letting you know that hmmm … it needs a nature break.

Ok, most of us do a good job of housetraining. Horror of horrors however, I have witnessed guest dogs leaving unwelcome deposits in hallways and foyers! But what about the social graces of a pooch? While we may think it’s cute that Cujo shows his excitement at the arrival of our guests by jumping up on them, I can assure you your guests are less enthused about this form of greeting than you are. Aside from torn stockings, snagged pants or skirt, a bigger dog’s weight can topple a youngster or an elderly person. This most common doggie faux pas can easily be corrected. When your pooch next jumps up to greet you, gently bend your leg and push him away with your knee.

When out on walkies a well mannered dog will stay by your side, not pulling or tugging every which way. When let off the leash, a well mannered dog will return when called, the first time, every time. Dining out? Of course – al fresco, nicely tucked away beside you and the table. Super friendly to dogs? Yes! I have seen an elderly gentleman enjoying his daily morning latte, with his furry friend seated at the table, enjoying a croissant or two. It is so neat to see! Warning – be sure that you never give your dog anything with chocolate, definitely not on their diet list and can be lethal.

So how do you ensure that Cujo and you are the epitome of good manners? The obvious is to go to training classes – both of you will learn and your dog will learn to socialize not only with other humans but also with other dogs. The Yellow Pages will have listings in your area. Interview the training centers and don’t be afraid to ask for referrals. Another option is to purchase good online training material. I like SitStayFetch http://goldenkoi.sitstay.hop.clickbank.net/?type=nohop a comprehensive, quick study dog training course by renowned trainer Daniel Stevens. No need to wait for delivery – this course is instantly downloadable as an e.book and within minutes you and your luvvy puppy are on your way to being on everyone’s “A” list. Ah yes ... Paris? Who?

Can't Adopt? Take a Dog for a Walk!

If you cast envious glances at people walking their dogs, and long for the companionship of man’s best friend, but owning one of your own is not an option at this point, despair not. You can tousle the shaggy coat of a sheltie, scratch the ear of a shepherd or toss a stick for the lab to retrieve without actually owning one. Both you and the dog will enjoy yourselves, it won’t cost you a penny and you will do a lot of good too!

Of course the reality is that the sheltie will in all likelihood be a cross, the shepherd only vaguely identifiable as such only because it is the dominant breed of several present and the same may be said for the lab. Frisky, friendly, loving and eager to please. They spend most of their days behind barred doors in hopes that the next human to walk through the door will free them from the shackles of a crime they did not commit. Where is this place, you ask. How Terrible! What can I do about it?

I refer of course to the SPCA and your local animal shelter which are not terrible at all. Thank goodness that such facilities exist, otherwise who knows what fate would await these animals who have outlived their usefulness and have been tossed out on the “redundant” dog scrap heap. Thank goodness that there is a temporary shelter for that lovable mutt – some good loving care, food, vet help, exercise - for perhaps a week or a tad longer and then hopefully a new home.

The shelters all over the country are filled to capacity and manpower is often stretched to the limit. . Dogs need to socialize both amongst themselves and with humans and can fall into depression if this very important activity is curtailed. You can help. Pick a day, or two or more and decide that these will be your dog walking days. Or, if you have total time flexibility, call up your local animal shelter and ask them when your help would be most welcome.

Now you have a walking companion. Here are just some benefits:

- By taking on the chore of walking a dog or two, you will free up some valuable time for the employees of the center who can then devote more of their time and attention to other much needed activities.

- Dogs need exercise. So do people. Too many of us succumb to the lure of the couch and the numbing programs we find on TV. Is it any wonder then that we are becoming an overweight nation. Walking as little as just half an hour a day or at least an hour three times a week helps us keep those unwanted pounds away from us and the result is a healthier you.

- You’ll develop new friends – granted most of them will answer to double syllable names like Plato, Snoopy, Darby and more. You’ll be met with an enthusiastic welcome, smothered with slobbery kisses, hugged to bits with eagerness and gratefully thanked with heart melting glances. You’ll get no backtalk and won’t need to worry if you’re dressed right or know the latest in hip talk.

- Research shows that dogs have a calming effect on us. Studies indicate that after being in the company of a dog for a half hour or more, tension and stress levels are significantly reduced in humans. Walking a dog takes your mind off a problem or more importantly, gives you the quiet time to think things through without pressure.

- Fresh air - enough here. Everyone knows that fresh air stimulates the brain and increases our mental capacity.

- You’ll learn and grow. You’ll learn more about animals and when the time is right you will be better prepared to care for a pooch of your own. .

Here in my own back yard, there is a small group of very youthful senior citizens. They call themselves the K-nines. Three mornings a week they head off to the local SPCA and make a lot of dogs happy. Word is getting out in the community and others are either joining this group or starting their own. It all began with just one woman who loved dogs but lived in an apartment that did not allow pets. Oh yes, on each outing this motley crew walks 9 kilometers which is just a little over 5 miles. Are they having a good time? You bet! Are they getting fit? Yup! Are they helping their community? Absolutely! Can you do the same? Why not? Can't adopt? Walk!

How To Choose Your Dog

So you’ve decided to grow your family. Chance meetings with dogs are on the increase. At the magazine stand a friendly pooch stares out of the pages at you. Late night reruns are suddenly awash with dogs – from Turner and Hooch to 101 Dalmatians! Even your friends are gushing about their new furred family addition! Your heart has been played and a dog it is. Now what? Where do you go to get a dog and how do you select one?

Your options are many and may be as simple as accepting a puppy as a gift from a friend who’s just been blessed with a new litter. Chances are this is not going to be the case. Your choice should be governed by several considerations. Lets go over some of the logistics:

1. Have dogs always been part of your life? If so you can proceed with a slightly higher degree of certainty and comfort as to what you are looking for. More than likely you will want a dog of similar size, breed and temperament as the one you grew up with. If you’ve never owned a dog before, you may want to do some homework first.

2. Do you live in a house with a yard, a townhouse or a condominium? Although I have seen big dogs on city streets it is my opinion that they are best suited for a house with a yard. All dogs like to be played with but a big dog is best played with out in the yard where there is more room for him to romp around and run without having to be careful about furniture and furnishings. Small dogs on the other hand can play tug of war and other games in the house without disrupting your décor.

3. If the dog will be joining a family with young children you need to consider its temperament. It is no wonder that the Labrador and the Golden Retriever are a favored breed with families – they are at once protective, gentle and indulgent of small humans and incredibly forgiving of the prying and prodding of their tiny hands!

If on the other hand you and dog will form a family of two, you can opt for all kinds of other considerations. You probably have a breed in mind. If you want a purebred, go to a dog show or twol. Not only will you see some fine dogs of your preferred breed, but you can also compare them to other breeds of similar size. I remember when we were looking for a dog but were not sure whether we wanted a Rotweiler or a Weimeraner, we attended such a show and absolutely fell in love with an English Mastiff! Ok. Big difference in size but it’s a breed we would not have even thought of had we not seen one at a dog show.

4. Purebred or mutt? The advantage of a purebred is that you know what the puppy will grow up to look like and you know what its main characteristics are. A sheltie is a herding dog and very protective. A Shepherd or a Doberman make for good guard dogs. A mutt on the other hand, unless already grown, is more of a mystery. Of indeterminate breed(s), that cute little ball of fur may end up growing into quite a large dog with who knows what characteristics. A mutt, I have heard it said, is the true original dog – it is one of a kind, a true designer dog!

5. Breeder or the animal shelter? Definitely, if you have settled on a purebred, you want to get your puppy from a reputable breeder. There is probably a local breeder that you can visit. Your visit will tell you a lot about both the breeder and the dog you will bring home. Make sure the facilities are clean, the dogs well cared for and it would be good if you could have a reference or two.

Our animal shelters are overcrowded. Mostly mistakes, sometimes abandoned or just given up, these dogs make for excellent companions. Once again, if this dog is coming home to a family with young children, a puppy would probably be a better choice. If on the other hand, the children are older or its just you, an adult dog will give you just as much pleasure and joy. The advantage here is that it is probably already house trained and there are no surprises as to what it will look like when it is grown! Pound mutts come with a pedigree all their own and are much lighter on the wallet too!

Whatever your choice remember that this is a lifetime commitment. Bringing a dog into your life is not a spur of the moment decision. A dog is a life, it needs nurturing and loving, caring and giving. You’ll be rewarded with sloppy kisses, adoration and unconditional love. Happiness here is a two way street.