Category Archives: pets
Pet Sitters
The Villages, FL, is very pet friendly. A lot of people have dogs, whom they love like children. These people are retired, so, quite a few of them travel. There is a huge need for qualified, experienced pet professionals. I am noticing more and more there are also quite a few people who are starting businesses with absolutely no knowledge or experience. You can make quite a bit of money pet sitting. It disturbs me greatly that these people, who are trying to do right, think that it is alright to work with animals when they have absolutely no experience. It disturbs me even more that people hire these pet sitters knowing little or nothing about their backgrounds.
What to look for in a pet sitter:
- Experience – how many years have they been working with animals?
- What have they done; grooming, training, behavior, vet tech?
- What professionals have they worked with?
- What classes, seminars, workshops have they attended?
- What dog clubs do they or have they belonged to?
- Are they physically able to care for your dog in an emergency?
- Do they have the knowledge and experience to notice a problem or potential problem?
- Have they volunteered with any organizations?
- What work or hobbies did they have with their own dogs?
There are also quite a few qualified pet sitters. Before you have anyone take care of your pet, know about them. What have they done with animals? What is their work experience with animals? It’s too easy to call yourself a pet sitter and have no knowledge or experience. Owning a dog does not qualify you to work in the industry. I know quite a bit more than most people who have had dogs all their lives. I have been in the industry over 25 years, attended week long training camps with my dogs where we learned obedience training techniques, behavior, nutrition and homeopathy to name a few of the things we had classes in. I used to compete with my dogs. I learned how to groom. I attended veterinary workshops. I took a small animal acupressure course. I don’t expect all pet sitters to have my background. I expect them to have a passion for animals and experience working with animals! I want dogs in my life all the time! The best time usually involves a dog! There are no bad dogs!
I hope this helps you choose a qualified, caring pet professional for your fur kids!
As always, my intention is to help you keep your dog healthy and happy for as long as possible. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me!
Wishing you health and prosperity!
Margaret
Chocolate is Toxic to Your Dog
Valentine’s Day is coming, one of the biggest chocolate days of the year. Chocolate is very dangerous to your dog. It smells sweet which means that your dog will smell it, find it and eat it. The 2 toxic ingredients of chocolate are caffeine and theobromine. These will make your dog very sick or can even be fatal.
Here are some symptoms of chocolate poisoning:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- High body temperature
- Increased reflex responses
- Rigid muscles
- Rapid breathing
- Increased heart rate
- Low blood pressure
- Seizures
- Advanced signs are cardiac failure, weakness, and coma.
How much and what kind of chocolate your dog ate will determine how dangerous it is. The 3 most dangerous types of chocolate are Milk Chocolate, Semi-Sweet Chocolate and Baking Chocolate.
You will notice signs of chocolate poisoning at:
- Milk Chocolate – 0.7 ounces per pound of body weight. Dangerous levels are 2 ounces per pound of body weight.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate – 0.3 ounces per pound of body weight. Dangerous levels are 1 ounce per pound of body weight.
- Baking Chocolate – has the highest levels of theobromine and caffeine. It is dangerous at 0.1 ounce per pound of body weight. 2 one ounce squares can kill a 20 pound dog.
If you think your dog may have eaten chocolate call your veterinarian IMMEDIATELY!! Your vet will tell you what you can do before you bring your dog in.
Coco mulch is also dangerous. It contains the same toxic ingredients as chocolate; caffiene and theobromine. With Spring coming, people are thinking about gardens and landscaping. Please avoid this dangerous ground cover. It smells delicious to your dog.
My intention is to help you keep your dog healthy and happy for as long as possible. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me!
Wishing you health and prosperity!
Margaret
Canine Diabetes Can Be Prevented
Hello Everyone!!
I just read a great post from Dr. Karen Becker. She explains what Canine Diabetes is, what causes it, how to prevent it and talks about a study in Spain that shows how Canine Diabetes can be cured.
As you know, I believe that diet and exercise are the foundation for wellness for people and animals. Dr. Becker validates this opinion!
Here’s the link! Canine Diabetes by Dr. Karen Becker
I really think this is important information that everyone should be aware of.
My intention is to help you keep your dog healthy and happy for as long as possible. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me!
Wishing you health and prosperity!
Margaret
Flea Prevention
Hello! It’s been a while since I last posted, but here in Florida, flea season is in full force!
I believe that prevention is better than waiting for symptoms. A healthy dog is less likely to have a parasite infestation, including fleas, than a dog who suffers physical problems or whose immune system has been compromised.
Good health starts with good nutrition. My personal preference is a raw or home cooked diet. If this is not a good option for you, use a grain-free food. Read labels, your first 2 – 3 ingredients should be meat, not by-product or poultry; chicken, turkey, beef, lamb, etc. Choose a natural food without chemical preservatives, flavors or colors.
I also strongly recommend a good vitamin/mineral mix, Missing Link is a good choice (http://www.missinglinkproducts.com/products), and a digestive enzyme, Prozyme is nice (http://www.prozymeproducts.com/). In addition to a vitamin/mineral mix and digestive enzyme, I also supplement with Apple Cider Vinegar, Garlic, Vitamin C and B-Complex.
I am not a fan of chemical flea and tick products. I spend a lot of time researching, cooking whole, organic foods and cleaning with non-toxic products. To then intentionally dose my dogs with toxic chemical pesticides makes no sense to me!
Natural Flea repellents:
- Make your own flea spray. Mix ½ Cup water with 10 drops of Essential Oil, shake well. Spray everyday for maximum prevention. Some nice oils are:
– Lemon
– Eucalyptus
– Rosemary
– Lavender
– Neem
– Lemon
- Ark Naturals Neem Oil Spray, http://www.arknaturals.com/neem-protect-spray?productId=115
- Pet Protector – a disc you put on the dog’s collar. Prevents fleas, ticks and mosquitoes up to 4 years. http://www.pestfreepets.com
I hope this helps you win the battle against fleas! My intention is to help you keep your dog healthy and happy for as long as possible. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me!
Wishing you health and prosperity!
Margaret
Does Your Dog Have A Healthy Thyroid?
How do you know if your dog may have a Thyroid problem? Working with Golden Retrievers and Golden breeders, I know that Hypothyroidism is almost at epidemic proportions. This is a very treatable disease!!
Some signs that your dog may be suffering Hypothyroidism:
- Lethargy
- Weight Gain
- Dry Scaly Skin
- Course dull coat
- Hair loss
- Black skin on the belly
- Dry eye
- Swelling of the eyelids
- Constipation
- Vomiting
- Stiffness
- Change in appetite
Hypothyroid usually appears after the age of 4 years. If you notice symptoms, ask your veterinarian to do a complete Thyroid panel.
One of my favorite authors and vets is Dr. Jean Dodds. She is located in California and will work with EVERYONE!! You can contact Dr. Dodds at http://hemopet.org/.
My intention is to help you keep your dog healthy and happy for as long as possible. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me!
Wishing you health and prosperity!
Margaret
Does Your Dog Have An Ear Infection?
How do you know if your dog has an ear infection? Does the ear smell, is it red, is there dirt or black gook? These are all signs of an ear infection.
Usually floppy eared dogs are prone to ear infections. Moisture gets trapped inside the ear, bacteria sets in and, voila!, an ear infection!
Diet and nutrition also play a role in whether or not your dog is prone to ear infections. A healthy dog is less likely to get chronic ear infections.
As a Golden Retriever groomer I used to see a lot of gooky, infected ears. I found this wonderful solution from an amazing woman, Helen McKinnon. Once I started using it, I never had to deal with dirty ears again!!
Here’s the link to Helen’s site and a pdf of the Blue Power Ear Treatment. Hope it helps!! http://www.itsfortheanimals.com/BLUE.HTM
As always, my goal is to help you keep your dog healthy and happy for as long as possible!! Please leave a comment or contact me with questions or ideas. I look forward to hearing from you!
Wishing you Health and Prosperity,
Margaret
Does Your Dog Suffer From Separation Anxiety?
There are so many things that can cause separation anxiety in dogs. Separation anxiety usually starts as a fear that grows until it becomes a trauma. It could be a loud noise, something may have happened while you were gone, it could be your dog is insecure when left alone.
We have all heard of people coming home to find the house torn apart, the dog chewed their shoes or clothes, the dog chewed a hole in himself! The neighbors complain the dog barks all day. In extreme cases, dogs jumping through a window or digging out the door.
These are not cases of spitefulness or anger. These are human emotions the dog does not feel. What your dog is actually feeling is fear, anxiety and stress so strong that it is traumatic. If you encounter any of these behaviors your first thought should be “What happened to you!?”
There are things you can do to help your dog:
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Make your comings and goings as calm and matter of fact as possible. If you’re not worried, your dog feels it.
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Have a special toy or treat that only happens when you leave. I use a beef marrow bone. I stuff it with peanut butter and freeze it. This is a favorite treat that only happens when I am leaving.
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Leave the radio or television on for your dog.
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Sometimes it’s a matter of a lack of self-confidence. Formal obedience training will help build your dog’s confidence!
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You can use herbs, flower essences, homeopathy or aromatherapy.
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If nothing else helps, you may need a medication from your veterinarian.
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A crate is a wonderful tool to prevent a dog from destroying the house or trying to jump through a window or door. This may not be appropriate for all dogs.
You may need to work with a professional. Depending on the severity of this disorder, it may take weeks or months. Don’t give up!! Your dog is worth the time and effort. For a bit more information, read my article at http://ezinearticles.com/?What-Is-Separation-Anxiety-In-Dogs?&id=7119074
I hope these suggestions are helpful. As always, my goal is to help you keep your dog healthy and happy for as long as possible!! Please leave a comment or contact me with questions or ideas. I look forward to hearing from you!
Wishing you Health and Prosperity,
Margaret
Click Here To See My Book On Amazon!
Is Your Dog Afraid of Thunder and Fireworks?
Fear of Thunder or Fireworks is a very serious, and unfortunately common, situation that many dogs suffer from. Since it is our responsibility to make sure that our dogs are safe, this is a very frustrating problem. I know from personal experience, I had a Shep/Akita mix who started when she was around a year old and it became worse and worse as she aged. I’m going to give a few suggestions that you can try, some may work, some may not. Each dog is different and you may have to try quite a few things to find what works best for you and your dog.
- A crate – Sometimes being in a safe, enclosed place that is normally a wonderful place to be will calm a dog.
- Soothing herbs
- Homeopathy – Bach Rescue Pastilles ( non-alcoholic)
- Aromatherapy – Lavender is very soothing. I would put it on a bandana and put it around Zoe’s neck. She smelled beautiful! 🙂
- Thunder shirt – Some dogs will respond well, with other dogs it may not be as effective as we would like.
The most important thing you can do is try to be present when the thunder storm rolls in or before the fire works start. Zoe could not be crated, she suffered so badly that she bent the wires on the crate and broke several teeth. When I walked in and found her head stuck half in/half out of the crate I never again crated her during thunder or fireworks. It took a bit of trial and error, what finally worked for Zoe was to tie her to me. I put her leash on and tied it to a belt around my waist and went about whatever it was I was doing in the house.
You may need to speak to your Vet about a calming medication. I suggest this be a last resort. Medication sedated Zoe so she couldn’t respond, but did nothing about the cause of her fear. So she was terrified of the thunder and the fact that she was confused and unable to do anything about her fear I believe made it worse. (I don’t like drugging a dog who has issues being groomed either. My suggestion, find a groomer willing to work with your dog and teach the dog that grooming doesn’t have to be traumatic.)
I hope these suggestions are helpful. As always, my goal is to help you keep your dog healthy and happy for as long as possible!! Please leave a comment or contact me with questions or ideas. I look forward to hearing from you!
Wishing you Health and Prosperity,
Margaret
How Do You Approach A Dog You Don’t Know?
I was talking with a friend who has a Golden Retriever, Sammie. Laurie and Sammie were in the park and some children came running over. Sammie is great with children and people in general. What about the dogs who are not? What do you do if you have a dog who is afraid or just doesn’t like to be touched by strangers?
This is an important question, too many times incidents can be avoided. My last two dogs were a Rottweiler, Porkchop, and a Shep/Akita mix, Zoe.
They were large girls who could be intimidating, yet children still ran up to them. My girls were very sweet and tolerant of people, especially children. Since my girls were breeds that 
people think of as “mean,” it was my responsibility to change their opinion!! I made it a mission to educate people, children and their parents, on how to safely approach ANY dog!
I would make sure my girls were sitting, I would tell the children NOT to touch them until I tell them to. Just tell people that your dog is in training, they love to help!! Here’s how it goes:
- Make sure the child knows that he must ALWAYS ask “May I pet your dog?”
- When he is told “Yes” he should turn slightly away from the dog. He may then reach out his hand for the dog to sniff. Then he may pet the dog on the chest or back.
- The handler should then give the child a treat for the dog. The treat should be given in an open palm, like you would feed a horse. This is to prevent an excited dog from taking more than the offered treat!! 🙂
Most people approach a dog head on, bend over the dog, and reach for the head. Every one of these actions is perceived by the dog as a threat and a challenge. If you really want to be friends with the dog:
- Approach from the side, turned slightly away. Don’t make direct eye contact, look above her head.
- Hold out your hand for a sniff, offering a treat is always nice.
- Kneel next to the dog, again facing away, maybe in the same direction.
- Slowly reach out to scratch the chest. I have yet to meet a dog who doesn’t like a good chest scratch.
Don’t over do it. Walk away and let the dog come to you for more petting and scratching.
If I feel like a dog is hesitant, I don’t try to touch him. Walk away, sit down in a chair and offer a treat. When the dog is ready, he’ll come over to you.
Some dogs need a little time before they want just anyone to touch them. How would you feel if some stranger came over and gave you a big hug or started to touch you?
A little common sense and respect will go a long way to making friends with dogs you don’t know.
As always, my goal is to help you keep your dog healthy and happy for as long as possible!! Please leave a comment or contact me with questions or ideas. I look forward to hearing from you!
Please check out my e-book!! http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0083K1GDE
Wishing you health and prosperity!!
Margaret
My Book is on Amazon!!
I have finally put my book on Amazon!! I hope you have the chance to check it out!! Let me know what you think! It’s a quick read with general information that I believe is essential for anyone who has, or brings, a dog into their families and homes.
Here’s the link http://www.amazon.com/Basic-Dog-Care-ebook/dp/B0083K1GDE/ref=pd_rhf_se_p_t_1
As always, my intention is to help you keep your dog healthy and happy for as long as possible. Please let me know if there is any information or topic you think would help yourself and others.
Wishing you health and prosperity,
Margaret Sottilo
Healthy, Happy Dogs! 