Far from just making sure your pet is adequately fed and watered in your absence, a good pet sitter should be a foster parent to your pet. They should provide quality time, exercise and all the home comforts your pet is used to.

Of course, the more you are willing to spend, the more comfort and attention your pet will get. In-home services typically also offer services such as watering plants and general house-care in your absence. Do not mistake a pet sitter, however, for a house-keeper – or you may soon need to get a new one!

People can become a pet sitter without any qualifications and it may be hard to gauge the experience any candidate can bring to the job. This is why it is sometimes very hard to choose a sitter from classified listings. Sometimes your individual impression of someone, and watching how they interact with your pet can be a good way of choosing. However, also look for accreditation from the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters, whose members abide by a code of ethics and have completed study courses and conferences.

Before selecting a person or company to look after your pets, interview the candidates over the phone or at your home. Find out if they will work in your home or whether you will take your pet to them. You will also want to know if potential candidates will be caring for other pets at the same time as yours, and if so how many pets and if your pet will receive as much attention as he needs. You should ask what other services your sitter might offer, such as walking your dog or watering your plants.

If you are satisfied with the conditions in which your pet will be cared for, you should find out what training and qualifications the candidate has and what arrangements are in place if the candidate cannot make it to work one day (an emergency, car travel etc.) – for example can their agency provide backup? From a legal point of view you should find out if the candidate has commercial liability insurance (to cover accidents and negligence) and is bonded (to protect against theft). Finally, you should request that candidates provides a service contract to ensure that she is legally obliged to provide the care for which you are paying.

Find out from the candidate names and numbers of previous pleased customers who can provide a reference. Also judge your candidates on their interaction with your pet, and their interest in their well-being. For example, Does he/she seem interested when you are telling them about your pet? Do they take notes about feeding and medicating?

Once you have chosen a pet sitter, it is important that you do everything you can to make things as easy as possible for your pet and his new sitter. Every time you want to make a reservation with your sitter you should do so well in advance of your requirements. You should provide your pet sitter with clear instructions detailing specific pet-care responsibilities and contact information for you and for your vet. Most pet sitters will require that your pet’s vaccinations are current, particularly if your pet is not the only animal being cared for on the premises, and you should make sure that you attach current identification tags to your pet’s collar. Finally, a good tip is to leave a key with a trustworthy neighbor as a backup in case of loss, and make sure your pet sitter knows how to contact them.

About the Author

Find pet sitters in your town or state at http://www.petpeoplesplace.com.

Post from: Pets On The Blog

Guide to Choosing a Pet Sitter for Your Pet

If you have children that are grieving the death of a pet it is important to help them understand what they are experiencing. The first time anyone experiences grieving the death of a pet the feelings may be confusing. Of course the depth of emotions and feelings will be driven by the age of the child and their connection with the pet.

To help your child know it is alright grieving the death of a pet start with showing your own grief. It is okay to cry and express your own emotions when grieving the death of a pet in front of your child. This will teach them a healthy way to express their own emotions.

Having A Dialog

Take time to speak with them about what they are feeling and experiencing while grieving the death of a pet. Ask them specific questions about what they know. Find out if they expect the pet to come back. Talk about the reasons of death. It may be appropriate to keep the discussion strictly on the lost pet or it may be the time to discuss the passing on of older family members and friends that they may encounter in the near future.

Pick a location for the discussion that is safe and neutral. One that allows everyone involved in the talk to express themselves. This location maybe the living room, the backyard, or a park. You can plan ahead for the talk or let it happen when the child is ready to start it. Children will usually ask a question, make a statement or allow you to see them crying when they are ready to process more information on grieving the death of a pet.

Offer Suggestions For Healing

There are numerous ways to express grieving the death of a pet in a healthy manner. Here are some suggestions that you can do with your child who is grieving the death of a pet or they can do them on their own, again depending on their age.

1. Create a memorial in the yard for the pet’s ashes. This is a special place that the child and all family members can enjoy.

2. Create a memorial some place in the house. All of the pet’s belongings can be collected and placed in one area to provide a contemplation area.

3. Create a pet sympathy journal. The one that’s worked for a lot of people in the past is a pet sympathy poems journal, because it includes poems, places for stories, pictures, drawings and other mementos such as ribbons, collar, paw print, etc.

The important piece about any memorial you create is that it is physical, hands on and requires you to think about it. All of these components release built up emotions and energy while providing a constructive outlet for grieving the death of a pet.

After A Week…

It is important to follow up with your child after a period of time. Check in and see how they are adjusting to the loss and if they are still grieving the death of a pet. If needed start the dialog again letting them know that it is alright to mourn and grieve. Maybe a new question or thought has come up and they need to be able to work through another piece of the grieving process.

This is also a great time to bring out the pet sympathy journal again and let the child reconnect with their feelings and lost best friend and maybe even add more poems and stories to it. The goal is to get them to realize it’s fine and natural grieving the death of a pet and a pet sympathy poems journal will help them stay connected to the memory of their pet, while teaching them how to grieve.

About the Author

<u>Christina Garrison</u> helps people recover from the loss of their pet.

==> If you are grieving the death of a pet visit Pet Symapthy Poems to discover how to soothe your heartache…

Post from: Pets On The Blog

Do You Have Kids That Are Grieving The Death Of A Pet?

With the holidays just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking of gifts to give your friends and loved ones. Finding unique gifts can present a challenge, and most people never consider giving pet-related gifts. Since the chances are good that more than one person on your holiday gift list has a pet that he or she adores, why not give a distinctive gift that your recipient will treasure? Here are five great gift ideas to get you started:

1. Fine Art Animal Prints

Dogs may come in many shapes and sizes, but each has a personality all its own. One of the most delightful gifts you can give to a pet lover is a fine art print of his or her breed. One of the most notable artists offering fine art animal prints is Lorena Pugh. Her print, “Princess,” for example, depicts a white toy poodle laying atop a stack of twelve colorful pillows, while “Angel Face” showcases a gorgeous pug who has just snagged a cluster of grapes off of a dining room table. In “Chocolate Craving,” she realistically captures the yearning of a chocolate lab as he reaches for a tennis ball against a beautiful background of blue sky. These limited edition animal prints are sure to be treasured, as each comes with a consecutively numbered dog tag to match the tag in the print.

2. Crystal Animal Statues

Whether your gift recipient has a dog, cat, horse, or rabbit, he or she is sure to enjoy an elegant crystal animal statue. Typically made from 24 percent lead crystal, hand-finished animal statues are beautiful yet whimsical. Crystal animal statues can depict a wide variety of pets, from a sitting cat to a dog with a bone; from a turtle to a frog; from a horse to a mouse; and from a duck to a dove.

3. Stone Animal Statues

Who wouldn’t love a playful stone animal statue depicting their beloved pet? Animal garden statues are perfect gifts, as are stone animal statues for the home and office. While some statues – like a sleeping spaniel puppy or an eager dachshund – make you feel warm inside, others – like a cat holding a pair of binoculars up to his eyes, ever watchful for a bird – make you chuckle. Stone animal statues are available for virtually any type of pet, and are certain to be cherished.

4. Animal Posters

If you’ve ever owned a pet, you know how funny they can be. Animal posters depict pets in a variety of outlandish situations (remember the cat in “Hang in There”?), and are eminently affordable. An animal poster is sure to bring a smile to your recipient’s face.

5. Entertainment

When it comes to gifts for pet lovers, there’s nothing more unique that pet-related entertainment. There is actually a music company that creates music for animals, so consider giving a gift of music about and for cats, dogs, or birds. Another great gift idea is to buy a DVD or video that is designed to entertain your recipient’s dog or cat. Your friend or loved one can play the DVD or video while he or she is at work or out running errands – guilt free!

It’s both original and thoughtful to give a gift that acknowledges your recipient’s pet as a central part of his or her life. Pet lovers will appreciate and treasure your gift, whether it’s a fine art animal print or an entertaining DVD.

About the Author

Tristan Andrews is a freelance author who writes articles about pet health and pet supplies.

Post from: Pets On The Blog

5 Great Gift Ideas for Pet Lovers

Protecting our pets from missing from our households and backyards is one of the umteen responsibilities that we have to keep as pet possessors.

As such, it is very fundamental that we put up some measures in our homes to make sure that they will perpetually be unhurt. One of the affairs that we require to have to make secure that our pets check within our premisses is a fence. However, if you don’t want to mar the pure landscape of your yard and your garden with a fence, then you might like to deliberate putting up an camouflaged fence like the PetSafe radio wall.

Knowing More about invisible Fences

The hidden wall like the PetSafe radio fencing was in the first place thought for those who like to move in RVs with their pets. This form of fence enables families with pets to travel around because it is a man-portable system that they can accommodate with them wherever they go. Although it was never entailed to become a replacement for the tied fences that are normally put up around families, the plug-and-play use of the undetectable fence has now made it one of the most best-Known items to have among owners of pets.

These undetectable fences like the PetSafe radio fence works by airing a moderate sitting discipline from the collar that is part of its system. Known as the receiver of the wall arrangement, this collar has two signals where the transmittal will flow. Once your pet goes beyond the edges that you have set for your camouflaged wall, the confirmed discipline will be imparted to get its care. You are determined though that this confirmed will not harm your pet. It will only address his aid so he will not lost too far from your place. You will also be apprised if your pet is already near the borderlines you have set up because a cautionary tone will speak up at once. This way, the wall will not only run at keeping your pet at bay but will also let you know when he is about to wander.

The Nicest invisible fence for Your Pet

If you really want to get the Unsurpassed invisible wall arrangement for your pet, then you should go for the PetSafe radio wall. Having the canonical arrangement for radio fences, the PetSafe radio fence can be easily installed as you would only need to bury the wires on the next area where you want your pet to check in. You will then just put on the recipient collar around your pet’s neck so that he will start getting signs from the system.

Because it descends with the flags and cumulative wiring that you might need, you can put up the PetSafe radio fencing by up to ten acres around your home. Nevertheless, if you want to help of a system that has diverse discipline levels, then you should make secure to get the Deluxe Ultralight receiver instead of just the special one. This is if you want to conform the levels of discipline that you want your pet to have from his dog collar once he goes beyond your bounds.

The Pet Depot Online

To get your pick of the PetSafe radio wall that you might want to buy, visit Pet Depot On-line now. Here, you will not only find a great change of invisible fences but also be capable to see which will impart you good value for your money.

About the Author

The Nicest invisible fence for Your Pet is petsafe radio fence only available at http://www.petdepotonline.com

Post from: Pets On The Blog

PetSafe Radio Fence: The Nicest Security You Can Render For Your Pets

You’re all packed and ready to hit the open road with Fido and Fluffy for your next travel adventure. Practicing some common sense rules of the road will help ensure that your precious pet has a happy and safe trip.

No heads out the window: Although many pets find that sticking their head out the window is the best part of the road trip, it’s not safe. Your pet can easily be injured by flying debris. This should go without saying, but NEVER travel with a pet in the back of a pickup truck. Some states have laws restricting such transport and it is always dangerous.

Frequent pit stops: Always provide frequent bathroom and exercise breaks. Most travel service areas have designated areas for walking your pet. Be sure to stay in this area particularly when you pet needs a potty break…and of course, bring along a bag to pick up after your pet. When outside your vehicle, make sure that your pet is always on a leash and wearing a collar with a permanent and temporary travel identification tag.

Proper hydration: During your pit stops be sure to provide your pet with some fresh water to wet their whistle. Occasionally traveling can upset your pet’s stomach. Take along ice cubes, which are easier on your pet than large amounts of water.

Watch the food intake: It is recommended that you keep feeding to a minimum during travel. Be sure to feed them their regular pet food and resist the temptation to give them some of your fast food burger or fries (that never has a good ending).

Don’t leave them alone: Never leave your pet unattended in a parked vehicle. On warm days, the temperature in your vehicle can rise to 120 degrees in minutes, even with the windows slightly open. In addition, an animal left alone in a vehicle is an open invitation to pet thieves.

Practice restraint: Be sure that your pet is safely restrained in your vehicle. Utilizing a pet safety harness or travel kennel are the best ways to keep your pet safe. They not only protect your pet from injury, but they help by keeping them from distracting you as you drive. A safety harness functions like a seatbelt. While most pets will not have a problem adjusting to it, you may want to let them wear the harness by itself a few times before using it in the vehicle. If your pet prefers a travel kennel, be sure it is well ventilated and stabilized. Many pet owners prefer vehicle barriers, particularly for larger pets. Vehicle barriers are best suited for SUVs. No matter what method you choose, back seat travel is always safer for your pet.

Safe and comfortable: Whatever method you choose to properly restrain your pet in your vehicle, be sure to make their comfort a priority. Just as it’s important for your “seat” to be comfortable for your long road trip, your pet’s seat should be comfortable too. Typically their favorite blanket or travel bed will do the trick. There are also some safe and very cozy pet car seats available that your pet may find quite comfy.

Pet friendly accommodations etiquette: If your journey’s itinerary requires an overnight stay along the way at a pet friendly accommodation, there are a number of tips to consider.

- Get a ground floor room to make bathroom runs easier.

- At check-in, inquire about areas to walk your pet.

- Cover any furniture and beds your pet will be allowed on.

- Place litter boxes in the bathroom to make clean up easier

- Avoid leaving your pet alone in the room. Even the best behaved pets can bark and become destructive when in a new environment. If your plans require you to stay for a longer period of time, inquire about local pet sitters or pet day care. If your pet’s demeanor is such that you are able to leave them alone for a short period of time, be sure to alert the front desk. It also may help to put the tv or radio on to keep your pet comfortable, and place a note on your door indicating that your precious pet is inside.

- Always keep your pet on a leash and refrain from taking them into the lodging dining areas.

- And of course…always clean up after your pet after bathroom runs

Following some basic rules during road travel will help to make your journey with your little one much more enjoyable and safe!

About the Author

Kim Salerno is the President & Founder of TRIPSwithPETS.com. She founded the pet travel site in 2003 and is an expert in the field of pet travel. Kim is a veteran of the travel industry – formerly serving as Director of Internet Marketing for Certified Vacations. Her mission is to ensure that pets are welcome, happy,and safe in their travels. Visit her company website at http://www.tripswithpets.com

Post from: Pets On The Blog

Rules of the Road When Traveling with Your Pet

Parents if you have a family pet you will probably agree with me regarding the endless experiences that kids can acquire from pet ownership. We know that owning and caring for a pet is an on going process for the lessons learned about responsibility.

Our children learn the most about many areas in life right from their home. Good manners, respect for others and responsibility to name a few. Wouldn’t you say our responsibility to them is to set an example and to be great role models? Pets fit right in because they serve as live in teachers for the whole family not just the kids.

I feel this is the first and most important lesson. Animals are one of God’s creatures that deserve the same respect and the same rights to life as humans do. Many times people think animals are disposable. Often when their uniqueness wears off or the situations change for the humans, the pets are the first to go. I understand there are situations that warrant change but the responsibility factor still applies. When agreeing to accept one of God’s creations we are agreeing to do what is in the best interest of the pet. After all it was our decision to have them with us in the first place. Pets are like kids in that adults are their spokespersons and care givers. They do not ask to come into our lives. If everyone came from that mindset there would be a lot less child or animal abuse.

Realizing from the start that this cute cuddly ball of fur is not all fun and games and know that he or she has definite needs and with those needs comes plenty of work. The daily responsibilities about pet ownership are probably the least favorite part for the kids. None the less it is a year-round 24/7 commitment. This can teach our children to be dependable and conscientious about their duties regarding their pet. These daily routines; exercise, eating healthy food, expressing love and affection can guide our children to gain healthy lifestyles for themselves. They are totally dependent on us for fulfilling their needs. Even if we do not feel like walking or feeding them it still needs to be done on a daily basis. Our pets become a very important part of our lives; they become a member of the family. Neglecting them in anyway is irresponsible behavior.

Another form of responsibility is being prepared to provide adequate health care for our pets. Veterinary visits can become quite expensive, even for routine care. This is an excellent way to teach kids the value of money.
All these basic yet extremely important lessons and many more that I have not mentioned can serve our children well. By setting a good example with our actions we can create very smart children and very grateful pets. Remember if we treat them with the love and respect they deserve that is exactly what we will get in return.

Here’s to unleashing your child’s creativity,

Businesswoman, Friend, Collaborator, and Team player, Audie Perove fills her Entrepreneurial Calling by offering a great service that enriches the lives of others. Together with other fellow BraveHeart Community members, her goal is to empower Women to be multi-dimensional success stories and inspiration to others.  Be Sure to Visit: Entrepreneur

Article Source: http://www.abcarticledirectory.com

Post from: Pets On The Blog

Pets and Kids Learning Resposibility Together

Wondering how your dog will get along with your baby? Worried about the safety of your baby and are probably thinking of getting rid of your dog? These are legitimate questions that are asked by dog owners when they are expecting a new born baby in the family.

The good thing is that, done in a careful manner, its possible to introduce your pet to your new member of the family. With proper planning, its possible to train your dog to interact with your baby and the baby to love your dog

How to Get the Dog Used to the Baby

Expecting a new baby at home brings a time time of change, discovery and joy in the home. If you own a dog, you may have fears of your baby will interact with your new baby. Don’t worry though. If you prepare early in advance, you should be able to minimize any situations that might arise.

For example, if the dog likes to roam freely in the house and all the rooms, start teaching him not to enter particular rooms that serve as the nursery. Keep the doors closed so that the dog realizes that the room is not part of his. Afterwards, get the pet used to being in the room without you.

Keep the nursery door closed when assembling the baby furniture. When you do this, the dog learns that even though there is activity in the room, he is not welcomed.

Have you ever taken your dog to obedience training school? If he’s never been to one, this is the opportune time for you and him to attend. The advantage is that not only does it allow you to spend quality time with the dog, it also equips you with the appropriate tools required to control the behavior of your dog.

It also helps the dog relax in rooms full of activity including dogs and children.

There are other methods you can teach your dog to get used to the baby. One is buying tapes recorded with voices of babies crying!

You can start by playing the tapes at low volume until the dog gets used to the sound. With time, gradually increase the noise to realistic levels over a period of weeks. With this exercise, it will help your dog not to be alarmed when the baby finally arrives.

When the baby comes home, keep the dog away from the baby for a few days. By now he has already gotten used to the baby noises. You can get him used to the baby smell by letting him sniff the baby’s blanket or let it lie on his sleeping area.

When you are comfortable introducing the baby to the dog, keep the dog on a short leash & give him a reward afterwards.

By rewarding the dog, you are showing him that the baby is a good thing to have around. Please make sure you watch the dog closely when they are in the same room. Do not assume anything! The reason is that it teaches the dog to stop seeing the baby as a threat or something that is out to replace him.

Be alert also when the baby starts to crawl and walk. The dog might get terrified by the baby’s movements or might see your baby as prey. The dog needs to get used to the baby moving around apart from being carried also. When the baby is crawling, have the dog next to you and reward him for being still. Over time, the dog will get used to the child moving around.

How to Teach the Child to Safely Interact with the Dog

It’s important to teach your child how to interact with the family dog as the child grows. Your child needs to be taught how to play safely with the dog. For example, teach the child not to strike the dog or pull at the dog’s fur.

You also need to teach your child not to follow or chase the dog when its runs away from them. Also teach your child not to disturb the dog when it is eating or sleeping.

Visit http://www.dogperfection.com/forum, a forum featuring questions and news for people that own dogs. Also learn how to clean and brush dog teeth.

Article Source: http://www.totallyawesomearticles.co

Post from: Pets On The Blog

Baby And Your Dog – How To Keep Peace At Home

By: Jane Saeman

Puppies are like children in many ways. They need constant care, supervision, and a lot of affection. Having both together, your kids and your dog, especially during playtime, require extra supervision and patience. The key is to teach your child how to play with the puppy and for the puppy to understand that he needs to listen to the child the same way he listens to you and the other adults in the family.

Always Use The Same Commands: It is important for your child to use the same commands that you and the rest of the family use. Doing so teaches your child to use the commands with respect toward the dog. At the same time, your puppy will realize that he needs to obey the child’s commands, thus teaches both to respect one another.

It sounds like it can be quite a handful, but it is also a lot of fun. Combining training and playtime helps to create a closer bond between your child and puppy. Let them run together and then see how fast your child can command the puppy to stop and sit. The puppy needs to learn to sit and wait while your child to throw a toy for your puppy to retrieve. Your child can also train the dog how to roll over by rolling in the grass while having the puppy mimic him.

There are many other ways you can incorporate training and fun between your child and puppy.
Below are some helpful rules to keep in mind:

1. Your dog should understand who the leader is. If he has an instinct to herd, don’t let him herd your child. Doing so will make the dog think that he is in charge and will not obey your child’s commands.

2. No roughhousing whatsoever. Discourage aggressive play at all times. Do not let your child drag, pull, wrestle, hit, or poke the puppy, even in a playful way. Your puppy may react differently and may jump and bite. At the same time, do not let your puppy jump on your child. A four year old German Shepherd can easily knock down a 6 year old child.

3. Teach your child to respect the puppy, and vice versa. Your child should learn how to properly treat the dog, which will then earn him the respect and leadership from your puppy.

4. Establish consistency. Puppies learn through repetition. Your child needs to understand that commands that we teach him are firm and absolute. If the puppy doesn’t obey the command, the child should repeat the command until the puppy does what he is told to do.

5. No squeezing. Hugging the puppy too tight can result in injury.

6. Always be there to supervise playtime, especially if you have a young child and/or you have a new puppy. This way, you can easily intervene if things get out of hand.

Article Source: ABC Article Directory

Jane Saeman loves dogs and strives to keep other dog lovers informed. A whole world awaits other dog lovers. Find out how cute the dog in your life is at my website which is at www.PicturesOfMyDogs.com

Post from: Pets On The Blog

Kids and Puppies: How to Combine Playtime with Obedience Training