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volume 23

"The Vital Importance of Choosing the Right Pet Sitter Over App-Based Options"

In a world dominated by convenience and digital solutions, pet owners often turn to platforms like Rover to find someone to care for their furry friends. While these apps provide a quick and easy way to connect with potential pet sitters, the importance of selecting the right caregiver cannot be overstated. Here are important considerations why hiring a vetted professional pet sitter is a superior choice compared to entrusting your beloved pet to an unknown person from an app. 

1. Expertise and Training: Professional pet sitters often undergo specialized training and have a wealth of experience in animal care. This expertise can be crucial in handling various situations, from administering medication to recognizing signs of distress. Unlike a random person on an app, a qualified pet sitter is equipped with knowledge to ensure your pets well-being. 
2. Customer Care: A dedicated pet sitter takes the time to understand your pets unique needs routines and preferences. This personalized approach goes beyond the basic necessities, providing comfort and companionship that a generic pet sitting service might not offer. Your pet is more likely to thrive in a familiar environment with an attentive and caring professional..
3. Reliability and Accountability: When you hire a professional pet sitter, you're engaging with someone who is committed to their job and reputation. These individuals often have established businesses, references, and a track record of reliability. In contrast relying on an unknown person from an app carries inherent risks, as their commitment level and accountability may not be as steadfast.
4. Emergency Preparedness: Professional pet sitters are typically well prepared to handle emergencies. They know how to react in various situations, whether it's a medical issue or a sudden change in your pets behavior. A responsible pet sitter will have a plan in place to be able to access veterinary care promptly if needed.
5. Security and Trustworthiness: While apps like Rover may have review systems in place, they can't guarantee the same level of security and trust as a vetted professional. Professional pet sitters often undergo background checks and provide references, offering peace of mind that your home and pet are in safe hands.
6. Consistency in Care: Pets thrive on routine, and a professional pet sitter is more likely to maintain the consistency your pet needs. An unfamiliar person may not adhere to your establish routines, potentially causing stress and discomfort for your pet.

Ultimately, choosing the right pet sitter is an investment in your pets well-being. While app-based platforms provide convenience, the peace of mind and quality of care that a dedicated professional brings to the table make them the best choice for responsible pet owners. Prioritize your pet's happiness and health by selecting a trustworthy and experienced pet sitter who values your furry family member as much as you do.

 volume 22 

Understanding Canine Reactivity during Transitions: Unraveling the Canine Mind

Transition periods can be challenging for our furry companions, especially dogs, who often display reactive behaviors during these times. Whether it's moving to a new home, a change in routine, or introducing new family members, understanding why dogs react during transitions is crucial for their well-being.

1. Sensory Overload:

Dogs experience the world primarily through their senses. Transition periods can bombard them with new sights, sounds, and smells, leading to sensory overload. This overload might trigger reactive behaviors as a defense mechanism or a way to cope with the influx of stimuli.

2. Fear of the Unknown:

Dogs thrive on routine and familiarity. When faced with changes, they may become anxious or fearful of the unknown. This fear can manifest as reactivity, such as barking, growling, or even withdrawal, as a way for the dog to communicate discomfort or seek reassurance.

3. Territorial Instincts:

Dogs are naturally territorial animals. Moving to a new environment can trigger their territorial instincts, leading to defensive behaviors. Reactivity during transitions may be a result of the dog trying to establish a sense of security in an unfamiliar territory.

4. Social Hierarchy Dynamics:

Introducing new family members, whether human or canine, can disrupt the existing social hierarchy within a pack. Dogs may exhibit reactive behaviors as they navigate these changes, asserting themselves or establishing their position within the group.

5. Lack of Coping Mechanisms:

Unlike humans, dogs cannot verbally express their emotions or understand the reason behind a transition. Reactivity may be their way of coping with the stress associated with change, as they lack other means to communicate their emotions effectively.

6. Inconsistent Reinforcement:

During transitional periods, owners may unintentionally reinforce reactive behaviors by providing attention or reassurance when the dog reacts. This inconsistency can create confusion for the dog, reinforcing the reactive response as a way to seek attention or comfort.

7. Patience and Consistency:

Helping a dog navigate transitions requires patience and consistency. Establishing a predictable routine and providing positive reinforcement for calm behavior can go a long way in easing their anxiety and reducing reactive tendencies.

8. Professional Guidance:

For severe cases of reactivity during transitions, seeking the guidance of a professional dog trainer or behaviorist is recommended. They can assess the specific triggers and design a tailored training plan to address the underlying issues causing reactive behaviors.

In conclusion, understanding why dogs get reactive during transitions involves recognizing their sensory experiences, fears, and natural instincts. By providing a secure and consistent environment, along with positive reinforcement, we can help our canine companions navigate changes with greater ease. Transition periods may be challenging, but with love, understanding, and patience, we can support our dogs in adapting to new situations and environments.

 volume 21 

Let's talk about all the great things to do on O'ahu with your best friend! This blog will quickly run down some amazing dog-friendly hikes you & your best friend can do together. We'll discuss what to take and the best times of day/year to go. We highly recommend downloading our fave app AllTrails where you can explore with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you.

Dog-friendly

HIKING on O'AHU

photo from Wiliwilinui trail

 volume 20

Is your Pet Sitter Certified?

Why would someone become certified you say? I asked myself the same question for years and I've had the title of "professional pet sitter" for over 21 years. Well this week I finally did it and took the certification test- passed with flying colors!! Not only was it good for me to refresh my knowledge base in things like pet first aid, puppy care and cat wellness but in the ever-growing pet-sitting industry, we "professional pet sitters" need to continue to find ways to separate ourselves from hobbyists (think Nextdoor, Craigslist, FB)...getting certified not only demonstrates our knowledge but also aides in distinguishing ourselves as qualified, competent professionals. Next time you shop for a pet sitter, maybe ask if they've been Certified. 

volume 19

Moving Pets to Hawaii

Your pets are part of your family, which is why moving your pets to Hawai’i can be the most stressful part of a move. Our very own office manager here at Dogwalker etc is becoming an expert on the subject as she has moved her own English Cream Retriever from Maui to Arizona, to Costa Rica, back to Arizona and now on to Mexico and Australia! Whew! If you have questions for us on this subject please do inquire through our website! 

In the meantime we have found some very good articles that might help give you some pointers. We really loved this article written by local real estate company Hawaii Life. They have broken the moving process into 3 parts with very good questions and easy to execute answers.

Check out an excerpt here...

In Part 1, we’ll give you the answers you need to these important questions:

• How Do I Know If It’s Safe to Move My Pet to Hawaii?

• What is the Age Requirement for Pets Moving to Hawai’i?

• How Much Does it Cost to Transport Pets to Hawai’i?

• What is the Best Way to Move My Pet to Hawai’i?

• Where Do Pets Fly in the Aircraft?

To keep reading and find out the answers to those questions click here to find out! 

Cheers & Safe travels!

volume 18

Tracking your Pet 101

Millions of pets get lost every year. They either decide to go on a solo adventure or sadly get stolen. It is our responsibility to keep them safe. 

If you want to track your pet, here are 2 great options:

• Apple AirTags
• GPS Dog Tracking

Both Systems have their own pros and cons. What's best for you depends very much on your use case. Air Tags are great for iPhone users in urban areas whereas GPS trackers are great for hikers or rural area users. You'll find endless articles on-line to help you decide the best fit for your family! Check out a few great options with these links:

• Whistle GPS Dog Tracker
• Fi GPS Dog Tracker
• Apple Air Tag

volume 17

ARE YOU PROTECTED?

 Clever apps abound these days that showcase what seems like an endless smorgasbord of dog walkers and care givers but be sure to read the fine print- they usually provide very little protection to not only the dog walker but also you, your home and your pet! Imagine your sweet little precious out on a walk and the leash breaks! Better hope that Independent Contractor is actually insured otherwise it's all on you to cover costs which can vary from vet bills to court costs & legal fees! Yikes! 

Our 21 years of experience with pets and their owners really allow us to understand the needs of our clients whether at work or on vacation. I have always believed, with pet care- it's best to have a cohesive team. Dogwalker etc has always hired and trained a team of employees not IC's. Having a cohesive team allows me to carefully assess each client's needs and then assign the right team member for the family. It also allows us to continuously work with and train staff so our client's get the best care possible! So what exactly IS covered when you choose to work with us...

RELAX, We've Got You Covered:

• Liability Insurance up to $1,000,000 to protect against claims for bodily injury or property damage arising from negligence on behalf of your dog walker or pet sitter.

• Care, Custody or Control provides coverage for the pets and your personal property in our care, custody or control. This also covers pets while in transport in a vehicle, pet taxi or other means. Veterinary medical expenses are also included in CCC Coverage and the policy pays claims regardless of the negligence/fault for accidental injuries to pets.

• Bonding to protect against dishonest acts such as theft of property or money. 

• Workers Compensation to protect our team from injuries arising out of work, including medical bills, loss wages and indemnity payments.

• Non-Owned Auto coverage covers against claims arising from auto accidents involving our employees personal vehicles.

 volume 16

The Zero-Waste Pet

Solutions Start with Real Food for Dogs & Cats

We are really becoming aware that as pet parents, we need to help our pets on being better stewards of our earth. We can do this by being more conscious of what we buy for our pets, feed our pets, how it packaged and where all this trash goes! I found this article that lays out 7 steps you can take to start making a difference in your world!

read full article by https://thezerowastepet.com/zero-waste-pet-food/

Here are 7 things you can do today, some of which are super simple (see #4) while others take a little more commitment (see #1). 

1. Get your pet to a healthy weight. Obesity is a massive problem for pets in the United States. Feeding your pet less to get them to a healthy weight–and then maintain that weight–uses fewer resources. Plus, your pet will live a longer, happier, healthier life. Win-win! 
2. Ditch kibble. Not everyone can (or should) do this depending on your time, your budget, and your pet’s health. However, if you’re able to swap out kibble for a home-cooked diet or a commercially-prepared whole foods diet, then great! If not, no worries. We are ALL about small steps that make an impact. Instead, swap out a portion  of your dog’s kibble for fresh ingredients. Chat with your vet about this, but you could diminish your kibble serving by a bit and substitute in fresh fruits and veggies and protein that you and your family cook. For instance, if you grill a chicken breast and a side of roasted green beans, as long as you don’t cook with garlic and onions, you can lessen the serving size of your dog’s dinner and top it with the fresh food. The myth that pets can’t eat “human food” is just that: a myth. Food is food. Just make sure you run it by your vet while keeping an eye on your pet’s weight (see point #1). 
3. Buy bulk dog food. Cutting down on packaging is a big step, too. Co-op grocery stores, health food stores, and even farm and feed stores often sell bulk dog food. Take your own container and be proud of that big step! 
4. Buy food with grains. Seriously. The grain-free fad is just that: a fad. According to Dr. Heinze in the article cited above, “Cats and dogs can eat diets containing properly cooked grain and other plant ingredients. Contrary to many reports, there are no documented health benefits to feeding pets a grain-free diet or one that avoids other plant ingredients. According to a recent study, one of the main genetic differences between dogs and wolves is that dogs have an increased ability to obtain nutrients from grains and other plants. Current grain-free diet trends are about selling pet food, not about pet health, and can lead to less sustainable diets.”
5. Offset your pet’s consumption. Consider making vegetarian or vegan swaps for you and your family to counter what your pets need. Plant-based proteins take far less to produce. If this is new to you, start small. #MeatlessMonday is a great starting line, then build from there. We make lots of small swaps around here–like vegan mayo for regular and so on. None require any extra expense or effort, but it helps us counter what our two cats consume! We also share fresh fruits and plant-based proteins with our pets where it makes sense–all while watching their waistlines, of course!
6. Make your own treats. You can control the ingredients, and you can be entirely package free. Look for a few DIYs coming soon. And, psst, I share a ton of recipes in the full guide to raising The Zero-Waste Pet. 
7. Find alternative protein sources. I saved this for last because it’s my current obsession. Two things to consider here: First, protein sources that require few resources to produce. An example is crickets. With less water and less land consumption, crickets provide a sustainable protein option and, tbh, we’re slow on the uptake with this. Lots of other countries already consume insect protein! Second, invasive species that need to be managed already. An example is Asian carp. It’s a rich protein source that thrives in places like Lake Michigan, where it doesn’t belong and where it degrades the natural environment. Since it has to be removed anyway, why not use it for pet food?

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volume 15

It's HURRICANE Season Folks

June through November 

 If it’s not safe for you to stay in your home during an emergency, it’s not safe for them either!

 Include supplies for your pet in your emergency kit, or assemble an emergency kit for your pet.

 Make an evacuation plan for you and your pets. Many hotels and shelters do not accept animal guests, other than service animals.

 

 

Assemble an Emergency Kit for Your Pet

Keep items in an accessible place and store them in sturdy containers so that they can be carried easily. Your kit might include:

• Sturdy leashes, harnesses and/or carriers to transport pets safely and ensure that they can’t escape.
• Food, drinking water, bowls, cat litter/pan and a manual can opener if you pet eats canned food.
• Medications and copies of medical records stored in a waterproof container.
• A first aid kit.
• Current photos of you with your pet(s) in case they get lost. Since many pets look alike, this will help to eliminate mistaken identity and confusion.
• Information on feeding schedules, medical conditions, behavior problems, and the name and number of your veterinarian in case you have to foster or board your pets.
• Pet beds and toys, if easily transportable.

volume 14

Sunscreen for Dogs!

It's SUMMER in the beautiful Aloha State...and did you know that dogs can get sunburned JUST like us humans! 

We like to make sure our client's are covered so we found this article by the AKC to help explain how to help our 4 legged friends stay COOL!

Sunscreen protects dogs from sunburn. But using the wrong type of sunscreen can also cause problems. It’s highly important that you only use formulas that are specifically intended as sunscreens for dogs. They should not contain zinc oxide or para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), as these ingredients are toxic to dogs if ingested, and dogs will often lick their skin and accidentally ingest the sunscreen. It’s also a good idea to look for a waterproof, unscented dog sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30.

How to Apply Sunscreen to Dogs

So how do you get your dog-safe sunscreen on your wiggly pup? Carefully. First, test a small amount on one spot to be sure it doesn’t cause an allergic reaction. Next, be sure to put it on the spots most exposed to sunshine, such as the bridge of the nose, ear tips, skin around his lips, groin, and inner thighs – and anywhere else where pigmentation is light. When applying it to you dog’s head, be sure not to get any in his eyes. And once you apply the sunscreen, watch that your dog doesn’t lick it off for about 10 or 15 minutes – until it’s been absorbed.

You should apply sunscreen about 20 minutes before your dog goes out. And while he’s out in the sun, reapply the sunscreen every four-to-six hours or after your dog goes swimming.

Sunscreen Alternatives

Rather than lathering sunscreen over your dog’s entire body, consider investing in protective clothing. Several companies make sun shirts or suits for dogs that cover large areas of their bodies, saving you the worry that your pup will lick any sunscreen off. This Hurtta Sun & Bug Blocker Dog Suit has a UPF protection of 40 and also protects against mosquitoes and other insect pests.

To read the full article click here!

volume 13

New Year's Resolutions for Pet Owners!

Many of us create a short list of New Year's resolutions to make the coming year better than the last.

If you're ready to make some healthy changes- check these out for you & your furry family members!

Not enough time? Let us help you stick to your goals! Check out these awesome new year's resolutions for you & your pets...

• Walk Dogs Daily: We book our dog walks in 30/45/60min walks around your neighborhood! Prices for monthly memberships start at $23 per walk 

• Feed Healthier Diet and Treats to Pets .  Ask your veterinarian for food recommendations appropriate for your pet’s species, age, breed and lifestyle. Feed the recommended amount, and limit treats to small goodies in limited portions, breaking up treats is you need to. Add in some healthy items, such as bits of carrots, apples and blueberries. Click here for our fave local treat shop!

• Take care of your pet’s teeth and gums.  This can be done yourself or if you prefer to have a professional do it. Click here for a short DIY tutorial     

• Attend Training or Obedience Classes  Please please please ensure your dog is a good walker outside (no lunging, pulling, aggression). It will make life easier for you and for us! Safety is always our top priority and unfortunately we have to say no to good dogs due to leash manners.  

• Enroll Pets in Pet Insurance  If you have a new dog this is a MUST (especially purebred pups prone to certain medical issues). Click here for Pet Insurance 

• Go on an Adventure with Pets: We LOVE a good adventure to the ocean to swim or mountains for a hike. Our field trips last a min. of one hour and start at $38/adventure. Contact the Dogwalker etc office today!