Should a Dog Wear a Jacket or Sweater in the Winter

You’ve seen them on dogs walking down the street in colder months. The decorated sweaters and dog jackets that many pets sport seem to be used as much for show as they are used for practical purposes. Dog clothing is great for some dogs, but as you can see in the picture to the left, dogs like Lucy (a 3 year old puggle) hates wearing any clothes, and she won’t go to the bathroom is she has a dog coat or sweater on her!

Don’t let people’s tendency to like stylish pet clothes fool you. Dog jackets and other clothing for dogs are appropriate for many dogs when the temperatures start to fall. Although insulating clothes may not be necessary for all breeds of dogs, you can be certain that when you use one to keep your animal friend warm, it will thank you in its own way, especially as the temperatures dip well below freezing.

A number of dog families were bred for warmer climates. Types like chihuahuas, dachshunds and other miniatures originated in temperate tropical climates but have nonetheless found their way to owners all over the world. Your dog shouldn’t have to suffer for its high appeal factor, but they simply don’t have enough of the thick, multilayered insulating fur that keeps larger cold-climate breeds warm in low or freezing weather.

If your dog seems cold outside when you take them for walks or go to play in the crisp air, you might want to get them a sweater, jacket or vest. One very common sign of a cold dog is shivering, and this should be taken into consideration when thinking about buying clothing for your dog.

Keep in mind that many dog breeds with adequate fur, however, can easily overheat if they are given insulating clothing, so they generally go unclothed in all but the most irregular cold conditions. For instance, it would probably be unwise to put a jacket on your Husky or Alaskan Malamute.

If you have questions about whether your dog should wear a jacket or sweater, you should ask your veterinarian. Keep your dog comfortable this Winter, although that may not actually mean putting some clothing on him or her.

PetCare AuPair

PetCare AuPair is a bonded/insured LLC. We conduct dog walking, pet sitting, litter and yard refuse clean up, medication administration…and much more!

We cater to a vast array of clients, from those who work long hours and simply need us to stop in for a mid-day doggy walk, to those who travel out-of-town and can’t/don’t want to board/kennel their beloved pets.

PetCare AuPair is staffed by mature, loving and reliable professionals who treat your animals like we treat our own!

Rates start at only $12.00 for a 15-20 minute visit (depending on where you live) and all new clients receive an in-home consultation (free of charge) so we can get to know you and your pets.

We offer many different types of services, so please visit our website for more detailed information.

Doodlebug Dog Walker, LLC

Doodlebug Dog Walker is a professional and insured pet sitting and dog walking business. Whether you are working late, going on vacation, don’t have time to clean up the yard, or need someone to take your pet to the vet, Doodlebug Dog Walker will meet all of your pet’s needs. We know you cherish your pet as a member of the family, and we will ensure they get the attention and love they need while you are away. You’ll both feel better knowing we are on our way over!

Le Pooch Luxury Dog Walking & Pet Services

Le Pooch provides luxury pet services for New Albany, Westerville, Gahanna, Bexley, Powell, Worthington, Hilliard, Dublin, Downtown Columbus and surrounding Central Ohio communities. We offer our customers and their pets an exceptional, comfortable, pleasant and affordable experience.

Our purpose is to ensure your pets are cared for with lots of love and attention while you are away from your home. We are reliable, flexible and trustworthy. We treat you, your pets and home with the utmost respect.

The staff at Le Pooch is committed to your pet care experience.

We cater to clients of all types. Whether you have one cute mutt that you’d like walked once a week, or five show dogs that you’d like visited every day, we’re there to meet your needs.

For your safety, Le Pooch is a bonded, fully-insured limited liability company.

REFER A FRIEND AND RECEIVE A FREE DOG WALK OR CAT SERVICES.

Using a Dog Walking Harness

A dog walking harness is used very much like a collar, except that a harness goes over the dog’s entire body rather than just around the dog’s neck. In many ways, the harness is more effective for the person walking a dog because it allows for more control over the dog’s movement and causes less pain if the dog pulls on the leash.

There are some guidelines for using a dog walking harness that every dog owner and dog walker must know and respect in order to keep both the person and the dog safe.

In order for a harness to be effective, it must fit the dog properly. Harnesses come in all different sizes, so always measure your dog to make sure you have the right harness size. This will prevent the dog from slipping out of the harness or from discomfort that results from a harness that is too small. Generally, the packaging on the harness will say the weight of the dog it’s meant for, and many will actually give information about the breed of dog that a harness should fit.

Always make sure that the harness is put on your dog properly or else it will not work. The harness usually goes over the chest and back, with adjustable straps to fit your dog perfectly. If your dog has never worn a harness before, make sure he is used to it before taking him out on a walk. This will prevent the dog from being scared or not knowing how to react to the harness.

Having full control over a dog when walking is very important. It will help keep the dog safe, generally more calm, and it will allow the dog walker to steer the dog clear of danger without hurting the dog or letting the dog hurt others.

Photo: Flickr

Peter’s Park Dog Run in Boston

If you reside in the greater Boston area and would love to find a great place for your dog to run off leash, you will want to check out Peter’s Park Dog Run in Boston, Massachusetts. This family friendly location is perfect for any dog lover or dog walker.

Peter’s Park provides 13,000 square feet for dogs to run offleash and get plenty of exercise, all while socializing with other dogs who are in the park. The park also has an enclosed space of 3,000 square feet that is just the right size for smaller dogs to enjoy without fearing for their safety. This park offers a safe, clean area where dogs can run and play without being confined to a leash.

The safety of dogs and their owners also plays a huge part in why Peter’s Park Dog Run has been so successful. Dogs that are known to be aggressive are not permitted in the park. This allows the owners of both large and small dogs to have the peace of mind in knowing they will be safe. The park also has occasional events that help dogs and owners socialize and get acquainted with each other.

Peter’s Park Dog Run is conveniently located in Boston’s South End and is the perfect location for families to spend quality time with their pets and each other.

Sitter4Paws

Los Angeles Best Professional Dog Walking and Pet Sitting Service. We take care of your best friend while you are away. We also offer daily walks and overnight visits.

*** Special DogWalker.com Offer ***
Free Visit

One Free 30 minute visit with the purchase of two regular visits

Limit one coupon per customer. New customers only. Not valid with any other discounts. No cash value. Maximum value 18.00 for one free 30 minute visit.

Fetch! Pet Care of Henderson

Locally owned and operated, you can feel confident that your pet will get the best care available in Henderson and Las Vegas. We offer a humane alternative to kennel boarding by providing loving, in-home overnight and/or daily care to all types of pet in the most professional and reliable manner possible.

We offer Private Dog Walks, Cat and Small Pet Visits, In-Home Overnight Sitting, Doggie Day or Evening Care, Pet Taxi and Hotel Pet-Sitting.

Fetch! Pet Care is here for you 365 days a year and you can expect professional, reliable and caring service from us every time. We guarantee it!

Our staff of Pet Care Specialists are genuine pet lovers who are pleased to help keep your pet healthy and happy by maintaining their daily routine and are expertly trained to give your pets the extra TLC they deserve. And of course we carefully select, screen, train, and insure our pet sitters for your protection and peace of mind. Give us a call at (702) 425-6612 for an initial FREE in-home consultation to meet each other and assess your pet care needs.

Precautions for Dog Walkers

Dog walking may seem like a simple enough task, but some extra safety measures should be taken before hitting the streets. Two specific instances that require safety precautions are in cases of extreme weather and in the event you have a big and/or aggressive dog.

When walking a dog in extreme weather, it’s quite important for the dog walker to dress appropriately. In cold situations, make sure to dress warmly enough to avoid illnesses and ensure that no body parts are exposed to avoid hypothermia and frost bite.

Be very wary in stormy weather. If walking a dog in a thunderstorm, stay away from large metal objects and from under large trees, and you may also consider using a poncho instead of an umbrella. This may seem like common sense, but when you’re walking a scared dog, sometimes the most obvious things are forgotten.

At night, bring a flashlight and avoid walking in the street. If you are concerned about walking at night, bring a cell phone and pepper spray, just in case. Often times, your dog may be the reason safety is needed. You should also wear reflective clothing so that cars can see you.

Always wear comfortable shoes when walking your dog. In the event your dog gets off its leash, you may need to run after it. Your dog should always be wearing a collar with your information on it, in case it gets loose. To prevent this, make sure you use a strong leash. If your dog is aggressive, a muzzle is advised to prevent your dog from biting people or other dogs.

Lastly, bring treats for your dog, to entice them out of doing something, such as fighting with another dog, or in the event it gets loose from its leash. It’s always best to be safe, rather than sorry, even when just walking your dog.

Pet Bloggers Meet at BlogPaws 2011

The new online pet blogger community at BlogPaws.com is supported by a conference where pet bloggers can meet each other nose-to-nose and also connect with brands they want to meet. BlogPaws 2011 is a social media conference designed to help bloggers improve their blogging skills, use Facebook and Twitter more effectively, raise funds for shelters and rescues, and be better writers or marketers – whatever they want most!

The organization had two successful conferences in 2010 and they are planning a third in 2011. The 2011 conference will be held at Tysons Corner, Virginia, just outside of Washington DC on August 25-27th. The conference is a good venue for bloggers to meet, discuss, and maybe learn how to make money from blogging!

Members of the BlogPaws community get lots of fun perks – including discounts on events, and the opportunity to connect with brands for product reviews, sponsorships, and more! They want to make sure the pet blogger community is properly represented online!

Anyone interested in pets, not just pet bloggers, are welcome at the BlogPaws conferences. The conferences attract bloggers, major brands, new companies, veterinarians, professionals in the pet industry, and even kids! Learn more about BlogPaws, the community, and their fun conferences at BlogPaws.com.

Health Benefits of Dog Walking

Walking a dog is not only a great way to give your pet some exercise, but it is also a very healthy activity for you. Being outside and getting some sunshine is important for your well-being, and dog walking is a great way to get some extra activity. Just a few minutes a day of playing outside with a dog can positively impact your health. Having positive contact with animals is also good for your emotional well-being.

If you are walking a dog on a regular basis, you can really dog good things for your heart. Most dogs can keep up with just about any pace you set, so feel free to walk briskly… just watch out for roots and rocks if you’re on a path or off road, and watch out for ruts and potholes if you’re on the street.

If you are in great shape, you might want to try dog jogging or running with a dog. Most dogs will love it, but they will need to be well disciplined, so they don’t run off to track a scent or cross in front of your path. You should also think about using a retractable leash to give your dog some slack. Just remember that some short nosed dogs might find it tough to keep up, and if your dog is slowing down, respect his or her limitations.

Dog walking is an excellent way to get some extra activity, and can be great for your health, especially when you are doing it regularly. You can enjoy the health benefits of dog walking and spend quality time with your pet simply by going outside for a few minutes each day. It’s one reason just about all dog walkers are in good shape.

Photo: Flickr

The Woof Gang – Reliable, Affordable Pet Care

The Woof Gang is a professional dog walking and pet sitting company that provides reliable, affordable pet sitting and dog walking services to Milpitas, Fremont, Newark, Union City and Hayward, California. Our pet sitting and dog walking business is conducted with honesty and integrity. We TRULY care about the quality of service we provide!

Our personalized pet sitting and dog walking service ensures that every visit is tailored to your pet’s specific needs. Your pet will always receive our undivided attention and loving care. ‘The Woof Gang’, as your pet sitter and dog walker, will strive hard to earn your trust!

- We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee! ~ If you are not 100% satisfied with the quality of service we’ve provided during a visit, that visit is FREE!
- We are licensed, bonded and insured.
- We are trained in animal first aid and animal CPR.
- We maintain active memberships in NAPPS and PSI.
- We are fully CERTIFIED through PSI’s ‘CPPS’ Training Program.
- We have EXCELLENT references! (Check us out on Yelp!)
- We offer a FREE, initial in-home consultation, with the business owner.
- We are accredited with the Better Business Bureau.

In addition to having us provide exercise and companionship for your pets, you will also receive customized services (bringing in the mail, watering plants, taking out the trash) at no extra charge. We also offer ‘house sitting’ services to non-pet households!

Our dog walking and pet sitting rates are VERY competitive. — We offer some of the best pet sitting and dog walking prices and options in the Bay Area, with a PRICE MATCH GUARANTEE! ** If you find a lower advertised rate for an equivalent pet sitting or dog walking service from an equally qualified service provider, we will MATCH that rate! **

All prices are for one or two pets. If you have more than (2) pets, Contact Us for a custom quote!

Pet Sitting & Dog Walking:
(1) 30-min visit / walk: $21
(1) 45 min visit / walk: $27
(1) 60 min visit or trail walk: $32

Miscellaneous Services:
15-min Value Visit: $16
Home Care Visit: $21
‘Poop-scooping’, 20 mins: $20

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Wolfgang Wechsel and his wife, Coree, are the owners of ‘The Woof Gang’.

Wolfgang and Coree, along with their trusty sidekick, Mark Gillette, have provided attentive, loving care for hundreds of client’s pets and earned the trust of their customers. Wolfgang and Mark are ‘The Woof Gang’s primary dog walkers and pet sitters, and Coree is ‘The Woof Gang’s resident dog (and cat!) training expert, back-up dog walker / pet sitter and office manager.

Our team is working hard to set ‘The Woof Gang’ apart from other pet sitting and dog walking services in Fremont, Newark and Union City! ‘The Woof Gang’ pays close attention to detail, goes above and beyond the call of duty, and conducts their business with honesty and integrity.

We have extensive experience caring for many types of animals, including: dogs, cats, birds, ferrets, rabbits, chinchilla, rats, mice, spiders, snakes, fish, lizards, geckos, chickens, ducks, farm animals and wildlife! If you have a unusual pet, please contact us. We will be happy to learn how to care for him / her!

Along with our extensive and varied animal experience, we also have positive, upbeat personalities, a great sense of humor and easily get along with all critters and their people. Your pets (and you!) will LOVE us … guaranteed! As an added bonus, ‘The Woof Gang’s entire team has “Animal Mojo”, a rare element only found in nature and within individuals who can communicate with critters.

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We look forward to providing your pet(s) with excellent care, companionship, exercise and love!

Please contact us today!

Best Regards,
Wolfgang and Coree

‘The Woof Gang’
thewoofgang.biz
510-676-8808
email@thewoofgang.biz

Happy Paws Pet Services

We are a professional pet sitting service.
We care for all types of household pets.
We offer Daily visits while you are at work or
Vacation visits while you are away.
Dog Walking Service – We will walk your dog on a daily basis depending on your needs

No Free Listings???

“I will be happy to list my company on your website if it’s free.”

If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard someone say something like that to me, I could probably give away free listings! Generally, my reply is something to the effect of, “if you walk my dog for free for the next couple of months, I will gladly give you a free listing.”

All kidding aside, I can’t just give away free listings on DogWalker.com.  I bought the domain name a little over a year ago, and as you might be able to imagine, it was expensive (do a Google search for top domain name sales and see how much good domain names sell for).

After purchasing the domain name from the person who originally bought it in the 1990s, I then spent a significant amount of money building a website, because had I tried to cut corners, the site probably wouldn’t do well in Google, and it certainly wouldn’t look nice or be easy for dog owners to find dog walkers.

As a result of the hard work from my development team, owning the exact match domain name, significant search engine optimization, and local marketing efforts, DogWalker.com not only ranks very well in the search engines, but it is getting considerable traffic from other sources. The site has grown from around a couple hundred visits a month to over 8,000 in the last 30 days alone – all of this in about one year!

I know there are a number of free websites out there where you can list your dog walking services. I also know that DogWalker.com probably outranks them for most terms, and I would bet this site gets more traffic, which will help your business.

I made significant expenditures to start this business, and it takes a great deal of time to operate. I have been happy to do it because I know the fruits of the labor will pay off for advertisers, who will continue to renew annually.

I appreciate all of the feedback I’ve received, and will continue to work hard to bring you new business and to help dog owners find dog walkers, no matter where they live in the United States.

Fun Games to Play with a Dog in a Dog Park

Dog owners and dogs can both benefit from fun activities that require some exercise and thinking. Whether you’re a dog owner or a dog walker, when taking your dog to the dog park, you may want to try some new activities to keep you and your dog entertained.

One activity that can be fun is hide and seek, but obviously not in the traditional way where you or your dog would hide! You can hide a treat somewhere near you and watch as your dog searches and finds it. This is fun for your dog (when he is rewarded with the treat), and it also helps the dog’s sense of smell.

Playing fetch with your dog is a traditional but fun way for your dog to have fun and get plenty of exercise. Make sure you have a dog friendly ball or tennis ball to toss. It should be large enough that you don’t have to worry about your dog swallowing it. If you’re in a public park with other dogs (especially larger ones), keep in mind that they may steal the ball and run away with it.

You can even make training your dog a game! Try teaching your dog to roll over and follow your commands. Offer rewards when the dog actually follows the commands correctly. This is fun and will benefit you and the dog.

A flying disc is another one of the many fun activities that you can do with your dog. You can throw the disc to your dog and watch the dog catch it (or at least try to!). Eventually, the dog will get the hang of it. Dogs usually enjoy going after the disc better than going after a ball because the disc is a bit more challenging.

Many dogs enjoy playing tug of war. Tug of war is a great mental exercise for your dog. Make sure the rope is strong enough and long enough to play. If your dog eats pieces of the rope, especially long ones, it might cause problems when he goes to the bathroom…. not so fun!

You can also work on fun tricks with your dog. You can bring plastic hoops and teach your dog to jump through them. When the dog makes it through the hoop, he/she should be rewarded with a delicious treat.

DogSmith North Tarrant County

Are you too busy with work and family to give your pooch the exercise it needs? Reclaim your freedom with our convenient and flexible dog walking services. With DogSmith Dog Walking Services, you are never torn between the demands of your busy life and the needs of your best friend. Remember, a well-exercised, tired dog is a happy, well-behaved dog. Indulge your four-legged family member with daily walks while you are at work, burning the midnight oil on a big project or just ‘over scheduled’ with family and friends.

Our dog walking services are strictly limited to two dogs. This ensures our client’s safety and that they receive the care and attention they deserve. Our dog-walking program provides you with the peace of mind that comes with having your dog cared for by professional Pet Care Technicians and Dog Trainers who are bonded and insured.

DogSmith dog-walking packages are also available in weekly and monthly value packs or can be combined with other DogSmith Dog Training and Pet Care services. Call or visit www.DogSmith.com to learn more and claim your FREE DogSmith Pet At Large (PAL) identification tag.

Brian’s Aquarium and Pet Care LLC

Brian’s Aquarium and Pet Care LLC is a licensed, bonded, and insured pet care company that can provide many services for you and your pet. We are serious about the care of your pets and strive to provide them with the highest quality care. We offer a wide variety of services from reliable mid day dog walking to safe and secure overnight pet sitting. We also offer services that make your life at home easier. We can keep the yard safe and clean with our dog waste removal service, and let you spend time enjoying your aquarium and not working on it with aquarium maintenance. Let us help you focus on the important things in life like relaxing at the end of the day and spending time with your family, including the furry members. We give you the time and peace of mind to let you do this.

We are a member of Pet Sitters International and the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters.

We offer the following services:
Dog Waste Removal
Dog Walking
House Sitting
Pet Sitting
Overnight Pet Sitting
Aquarium Maintenance
Pet Supply Delivery

We serve the following areas and more, just email if your area is not listed:
Prince William County: Woodbridge, Manassas, Manassas Park, Lake Ridge,
Dale City, Dumfries, Occoquan, Montclair, Triangle, Independent Hill, and Gainesville
We also Serve:
Fairfax County, Fairfax City, Springfield, Burke, Centreville, Chantilly, Lorton, Clifton, and more.

Our goal is to make the time you spend apart less stressful for both you and your pet. We also provide services to allow you to enjoy spending time with your pets, not cleaning up after them.

I am a Biologist and Veterinary Technician. I have been house and pet sitting for years, worked for an aquarium maintenance company/store, and have worked in the pet retail industry for ten years.

Wells Park Dog Run in El Cajon

Wells Park in El Cajon, California is a fabulous place to bring dogs for an afternoon of fun and exercise. For people, it is a break from the rapid routine of the fast life. The park is a place where humans and pets can kick back and enjoy the fresh air. People can sit, picnic, and enjoy a romp with their dog. There is a nice lawn and beautiful shade trees.

The entire park is well lit, people can bring their dogs to the park after work for evening exercise. Indeed, Wells Park is a safe place for canines and their people to run and play in El Cajon. Dog walkers also enjoy bringing their dogs to the Park.

Wells Park is as beneficial to people as it is for dogs. There is plenty of social interaction, fresh air and invigorating exercise. There is pleasure and laughs when watching animals in motion like when dogs are running and playing. The dog park idea is highly recommended by such organizations as the ASPCA because of their health benefits, the way they allow dogs to get rid of their pent up energies stored up while being in houses and close back yards.

Dogs are not so prone to incessant barking and other nervous behaviors. It is time for bonding between dogs and their people. Certainly, the Wells Park is a favorite destination for dogs in southern California.

Photo: Courtesy of the City of El Cajon website.

Dog Beach in San Diego

As the first leash free pet beach in the United States, Dog Beach in San Diego, California is a hub of history as well as fun times with your dog. Of course, it does not hurt that it is located on the northern end of one of the city’s most incredible beaches, Ocean Beach!

The residents of Ocean Beach have a culture all their own. The affluent, laid back atmosphere makes for the perfect meet and greet location, day date, or short excursion to just get away from it all for a few hours. The OBceans (o-BEE-shuns, that is what the residents of Ocean Beach call themselves) go out of their way to make newcomers feel welcome, and if you have a dog, well, it’s like you just gave them the secret handshake.

In fact, if you happen to be a dog walker in San Diego, it’s likely that you’ve taken your dogs to Dog Beach for exercise and socialization. Dog Beach is a great place for dogs, dog owners, and dog walkers.

Because there are very few worries about crime or vandalism, Dog Beach is open 24 hours a day. The area contains some of the bluest water and the whitest sands on the Pacific Ocean, and is routinely described as one of the most untouched areas of the beachfront. Although you may have to watch for the occasional owner who does not clean up after his pet, the relaxed environment would most likely make this event an icebreaker to meet a new friend rather than a cause for any malcontent.

Photo: Flickr

Another Snow Morning in Central Park

I am originally from New Hampshire, but I’ve made New York City my home for the last 8 years. Growing up in New Hampshire, I became use to big snow storms, and I really love fresh snow. In New York, we don’t get very much snow. Until this year. We’ve had at least 3 snow storms so far this year, dropping 6 or more inches each time.

This morning, there was a fresh 6″ of snow on the ground when I woke up. Since my wife had to drive to work in the snow, I left my apartment early to clear her car of snow and turn on the heat. The sun was just coming up and I thought that it would be the perfect day to take Lucy (our 3 year old puggle) to Central Park.

If you haven’t seen Central Park with fresh snow, you are missing out. The trees and ground are covered, and it’s a beautiful thing (until the snow turns yellow of course!). Lucy spent an hour running around in the snow with a couple of other dogs. For some reason, she absolutely LOVES fresh snow. She loves to stick her head in the powder and eat it.

It was quite amazing to see a pretty empty Central Park, and it was awesome to be able to run around and make some fresh tracks. We arrived at the perfect time, just before the usual bustle of the Park.

We’re now relaxing inside after a fun morning playing in the snow. If you received some snow today, I hope you had fun and stayed safe!