Home Safty and Your Pet Sitter

/13 Comments/in , , , /by
With cold temps clients water pipe burst.

With cold temps clients water pipe burst.

 

Yesterday while the temperatures were in the single digits and wind chills were even lower our crew was out visiting our four legged clients.

Amelia was making her rounds in Sugar Hill Georgia, when she made a stop to give a couple dogs who are crated a potty break. When she walked into the house she found that a pipe had burst in the ceiling and that part of the ceiling had collapsed on one of the dog crates. The poor dog was sitting in a puddle of water with water pouring down from the ceiling.

Amelia went into action; she got the dog out of the crate into a safe area. While she was doing that I was contacting the homeowner to find out where the main shutoff for her water was located. I then relayed that information to Amelia and she was able to shut the water off and stop any more damage.

Just another good reason to have a pet sitter/dog walker coming by daily to take care of your pets. If Amelia had not come by the water would’ve continued until the home owner made it home around 6 o’clock. Because we were there to give the pups a potty break we caught the problem at 1:30 PM.

Kudos to Amelia for doing a great job . Amelia  did everything right, taking care of the dogs, making sure they were safe first. Contacting the office so we could contact the owner to gain the information we need to protect our clients home .

Saying goodbye

/13 Comments/in , , , /by

About two weeks ago I got a call from a client who has two dogs and two cats that I have taken care of for several years. One dog is an older Doberman with a large inoperable tumor on his chest.
When I answered the phone the owner told me she had some bad news. I thought that Rocko the Doberman had passed away. But then the owner said, “it wasn’t Rocko, it was Rusty.”
It has taken me two weeks to even be able to write about it. Rusty was a very special boy. He was a rescue so we don’t know his entire story. He was a very shy boy. When I first started taking care of him, I would put his dinner down then leave the room and go love on the kitties, because if I was anywhere around he would worry and not eat. I remember how happy I was the first time he let me pet him. And then there was the day he let me give him a belly rub, I think I liked that belly rub as much as he did.
Rusty was all ways a finicky eater, but over the last six months it had gotten worse. When the Vet diagnosed him with cancer he only lasted two weeks.
I love them all but some time there is the one who worms their way into your hart. I love you Rusty and will miss you. My hart and prayers go out to your family. It helps to know that we will all see each other again on the other side of the rainbow bridge.

Rabbit Hill Park

/13 Comments/in , , , /by

Gwinnett County Parks: Rabbit Hill Park

400 Rabbit Hill Road, Dacula 30019

Near downtown Dacula, you will find Rabbit Hill Park. The 107-acre park has a special fenced in area just for dogs, which is a relatively new addition. The Dacula Dog Park includes areas for small, medium and large dogs to play with their peers and enjoy a fun filled day outdoors.

Each area includes recreational equipment for the animals and dog water fountains. You will find that most of the animals here are social and well behaved. Dacula is a great community in Gwinnett County and parents here are friendly and respectful. Rabbit Hill Park is a great all-around family park for grownups, kids and pets alike.

—

Settles Bridge Park

/13 Comments/in , , , /by

Gwinnett County Parks: Settles Bridge Park
380 Johnson Road, Suwanee 30024
Settles Bridge Park is one of our favorite parks in Gwinnett County. Located in the city of Suwanee, this large park is more than 250 acres and boasts a great dog park with play areas for large and small animals. You will even find agility equipment for your doggie to jump around and have some real fun on. Convenient water fountains make getting a drink easy for your pup and is a nice convenience for owners who won’t have to worry about bringing water along.
If your dog is the social type, head over in the evenings or during the weekend when you’ll find a good crowd. Daytime on weekdays the park is the quietest, so if you have a new puppy or a timid canine, this may be a better time for you to test the water. Whenever you choose to go, you will find that Settles Bridge Park is a great destination for Gwinnett County residents and their pups to have some fun in the sun this summer.

Lenora Park

/13 Comments/in , , , /by

Gwinnett County Parks: Lenora Park
4515 Lenora Church Road, Snellville 30058
Lenora Park is 178 acres of recreation and fun in Snellville and one of our favorite dog parks in Gwinnett County. Lots of open space, fenced in for safety, and separated in to two areas, one for large dogs and one for small. There is also a dog run area separated from the play areas, which is a great addition. The majority of owners at Lenora Park are friendly and responsible, always keeping an eye on their pet, but I caution owners to be cautious and stay alert no matter which dog park they are at.
As we all know, Gwinnett County can get warm in the summer and since Lenora Park is a lot of wide-open land and not a lot of shade, be sure to bring water for both you and your dog. You will also want to take along some pickup bags, since they are not provided for you at the park.

Meet Victoria

/12 Comments/in , , , /by

Photo: Say hello to one of our sitters Victoria, not only does she love all animals but she is a certified dog trainer and ready to help you get your kids in shape for summer.

I wanted you to meet one of our sitters, Victoria. Don’t be fooled by how sweet she looks, she is a certified dog trainer and can handle any dog big or small, and have them eating out of her hand!

Victoria helps out in the Buford – Dacula area doing daily dog walk(s) and taking care of all God(s) creatures when their owners are out of town. You can also book her for private  obedience lessons.

Gwinnett County Parks

/13 Comments/in , , , /by

These are our favorite dog parks in Gwinnett. We live in Lawrenceville, but we will travel across Gwinnett to Grayson, Duluth, Suwanee, or where ever we hear of a new dog park close to us! Here are OUR top 5 favorite dog parks in Gwinnett:

5. Lenora Park

4515 Lenora Church Road, Snellville 30058

4. Settles Bridge Park

380 Johnson Road, Suwanee 30024

3. Rabbit Hill Park

400 Rabbit Hill Road, Dacula 30019

2. Pinckneyville Park

4758 South Old Peachtree Road, Norcross 30071

1. Ronald Reagan Park

2777 Five Forks Trickum Road, Lawrenceville 30044

New Puppy Boot Camp: Choosing a Vet

/13 Comments/in , , , /by

Aside from a puppy’s parents, the most important human in his or her life is their doctor. Choosing the right veterinarian for your pet can be hard. There are so many options out there and deciding who to hand the important task of caring for your pup to can be a difficult decision.
For those who haven’t had pets in the past, we recommend narrowing your choices down to a few vets and scheduling a consult or introduction with each. The Internet or the phonebook are two excellent resources for discovering vets in your area. Asking friends and family, neighbors or even the manager at your local pet store for recommendations is another way to approach you search. (If you’ve hit a wall or need some extra input, let us know. We’d be more than happy to recommend someone nearby.)
Visiting prospective veterinarians gives you the opportunity to meet potential vets and their staff, visit each practice and hear about their unique philosophies and approaches to veterinary care.
It’s important to meet your pup’s doctor first because you want to ensure that you have good communication and understand each other. After you know that you feel comfortable with this person you can move on to asking the question that really matters: how are they going to care for your new puppy?
The first few years of a dog’s life are very important. During this time they receive the majority of their vaccinations and begin crucial stages of growth and development. (Not to mention curiosity tends to get them into a bit of trouble!) Ask potential vets about their vaccination schedule, emergency care services, in-house abilities (are tests and x-rays done at the facility? Or do they refer you to a specialist?), and how much do their services cost? Take in the friendliness of the staff, wait time, upkeep of the building and cleanliness. If it helps you to remember, take notes. This will help you compare later.
Looking for a bonus perk to break a tie of two worthy contenders? Inquire about their AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) Membership. Acquiring this voluntary membership means a vet and his or her facility have met the standards upheld by the AAHA.

Puppy Boot Camp :Potty Training

/13 Comments/in , , , , , /by

 

New Puppy Boot Camp: Potty Training

Introducing your new puppy to potty training can be a frustrating and grueling task but with patience and consistency you will succeed. In this post I will describe ways to make potty training easier for both you and your pup.

Eliminate the Possibility of Accidentspuppy white background

Accidents are inevitable but there are a few things you can do to lessen their likeliness of happening.

  • Keep a constant routine. Make feeding time and potty breaks the same time each day. Eating at the same time each day will usually mean needing to go out at the same time too. Scheduled potty breaks can also teach your pup that they can rely on you to let them out and they won’t need to resort to going inside.
  • Take away water in the evening so that your pup doesn’t need to go out during the night.
  • Clean up soiled surfaces. Pups are likely to return to the same spot, especially if a residue or scent remains. Invest in carpet cleaner to get out tricky stains.

Praising & Scolding

  • When your puppy goes to the bathroom outside make sure you immediately respond with praise, whether in the form of cheer or a treat. This reaction lets your pup know that he or she has done something good and that this good thing makes you happy (and might even result in a yummy snack). Be consistent with your potty praise so that your pet associates one with the other.
  • Scolding when your pup goes to the bathroom indoors is necessary but needs to be done right. If you come home to an accident, it’s too late. Your pup will unlikely connect your anger with the accident. However, if you catch your pet in the act, it is wise to quickly interrupt them by distracting them (speaking loudly works) and then instantly taking them outside so they can continue. Once they have finished outside it is then appropriate to praise as usual to signal that the change in behavior was good and appreciated.puppy potty training bells

While You’re Away

Pups under a year old need a little more TLC than older dogs. A young puppy will need to go to the bathroom every couple of hours so if you have a fulltime job or expect to be out of the house for a long period of time, it is best to have someone let your pup out for you during the first year.

At Gwinnett Pet Watchers we offer an affordable service called Potty Breaks. Monday through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. you are able to call on us to let your pup out for a quick ten-minute break. Call us at (404) 819-3641 or send us a message if you’re interested in learning more about this service.

 

New Puppy Boot Camp

/13 Comments/in , , , /by

 

Being a new mommy or daddy to a young pup can be a journey filled with uncertainty, fear, and a ton of messes! I know there are a lot of you out there who received a cuddly bundle of joy over the holidays and with Valentine’s Day right around the corner, I’m sure a few love pups will be gifted then as well.                     puppy in militery hat

To ease your new parent worries I will be posting tips over the next few weeks on how to take care of a new puppy. This New Puppy Boot Camp series will cover topics such as potty training, picking a vet, vaccinations, investing in obedience training, choosing the best pet food and much more.

As an introduction to the series, I’d like to start with an urgent topic that affects you and your pet’s safety—Puppy Proofing. Much like with a new baby, your home must be guarded to protect your puppy from harm. I mentioned a few cautions to take in a previous post titled, New Year’s Resolutions for You & Your Pet. In addition to investing in safety gates to block off dangerous areas of your home, cable clips to organize wires and secure them in discreet places, and outdoor lighting to avoid nighttime injuries, here are a few other tips to help you puppy proof your home.

  • Chemicals – Where do you keep them? If the answer is on the floor, whether in the kitchen, laundry room or bathroom, that needs to change. Chemicals should be stored up high and out of reach, or behind closed cabinets or doors. Designated “Chemical Cabinets” may help you avoid accidently leaving a door open and leaving your pup with access to harmful products.
  • Hot Hazards – Separate your pup from hot hazards, like the fireplace and a stove or oven that’s been turned on. Put up a safety gate when you’re cooking and secure your fireplace with a screen.
  • Electric Shock – Put covers on all electrical outlets that are accessible to your pet. Any appliances that are plugged in (even hairdryers and electric toothbrushes) should be kept away from a new puppy. Licking outlets or chewing on wires could result in electric shock.
  • Dainty Dangers – Small things, such as coins, needles, paperclips, magnets, toys, etc., can be choking hazards to your pup. Make sure no stragglers have been left on low surfaces or fallen on the floor.
  • Stairs – Before puppies get accustomed to walking and keeping their balance, they should avoid stairs. It can be hard for them to get up and down steps and if they try it could end in a bad fall.
  • Sharp Objects – Knives, razors, scissors and other sharp objects should not be left out or unattended. A puppy could lick them or try to chew on them and suffer some pretty bad consequences.
  • Garbage – Your puppy has no idea what’s “good” and what’s “bad” so leftovers in the garbage could just as easily be considered a gourmet meal. Even worse, while chowing down plastic packaging, aluminum wrapping and even glass could accidently be ingested. Keep garbage off limits, preferably in a can with a sealed lid.

Although I have covered a lot of potential dangers, there are always unsuspecting culprits just around the corner and you should take a survey of your home to help you determine anything that might cause harm to your pet. Check back with us next week for more tips during our New Puppy Boot Camp.floweres 6-10 035