Walk Fido

You Can Now (Yes! Now!) Shop Online at Pussy & Pooch

  
One of the best downtown pet shops recently added a shop online feature to their site and we are thrilled about it!  Even though we live downtown and can head over there whenever we like, we couldn't ever properly blog about or highlight any of their products without...links. And pictures!  So all this week we'll be featuring products that you can purchase online at Pussy & Pooch.

First up: The oh so funky, would look so much better in our house than the regular ones, eiCrate.  We've seen it in person and we're sold.  Love the contoured edges, love the bed shape, love the concept of dogs curling around it instead of the hard edges (they love their donut beds for a reason), love it all. Only downside: our dogs won't fit in it.  But if your fido is 4 - 40lbs and you are tired of that ugly crate in the corner that you've tried unsuccessfully to camouflage in a dozen ways, this is the crate for you.  Add a cool stretchy cover (no more blankets/sheets/whathaveyou) and you're set!

eiCrate, $300, at Pussy and Pooch

8 Habits of Highly Effective Dog Owners

The November 2007 issue of Dog Fancy is worthy of a scan this month, especially the article on the 8 habits of highly effective dog owners. Ah, music to our ears...and something we stress with every Walk Fido client:

• "I pick the right breed for my lifestyle." -- So, so important. Before you adopt a dog, carefully consider your energy level and theirs. Do you like to run every morning for several miles? A working dog is for you. Would you rather take your dog out for a few potty breaks and little else? A calmer, lazier dog (we think here of our beloved English Bulldog) might be a better fit. Don't select a dog because you like how they look - first and foremost, it has to be about matching your energy level with the dog's energy level.  We love to hear from clients before they get a new dog and to work with them as they carefully consider what breed suits them best.
• "I crate train my dogs." --  This is something we stress with every owner. The importance of crate training cannot be under-estimated. Not only does crate-training help with potty training in puppies and make your life easier when you need to travel or when dog-fearing company comes over for dinner, crates providesa safe-haven for your dogs whenever they want to rest. Dogs are den animals and seek out cozy places. We leave our crates open during the day and our dogs come and go, as they wish. Often we're suprise to find how much they voluntarily go into their crate with a bone and stay in there, content, for hours. What's more, a lot of significant behavior challenges can be corrected through the use of crate training.
• "I make sure my dogs get exercise every day." -- Ah, we couldn't agree more! Hence, Walk Fido!
• "I socialize my dog to different sights, sounds, and places." -- Another very important point. When working with dogs on daily walks, we continually change up our routes to introduce dogs to different sights and sounds.  A few dogs who are particularly uncomfortable with large crowds or stairs can benefit from a walk through Union Station.  After a few walks through, their tension dissolves and they become comfortable with a very noisy, busy environment.  Great training for traveling or whenever you're with your dog and something unexpected happens.  A dog that is comfortable in all situations is a gem and it's up to us to continually place them in new environments to show them the way.
• "I take my dog to the veterinarian every year." -- Check.
• "I understand that everything my dog does, he does for a reason." -- Ah, so true, but also easily misinterpreted by many to mean "he did it out of spite" or "to get back at me", when really, a dog's reason for doing things is far simpler.  If a behavior crops up that you don't understand, there is a reason for it...you just have to find out what that reason is and develop a way to correct the behavior.
• "I set my dog up for success." -- Does your pit bull terrier have limitless energy and a nose that tracks scents from miles away?  Working dogs and other high-energy dogs need a healthy outlet and running around at the dog park isn't enough. These dogs need to do what they were born to do -- work!  Enrolling your working dogs in agility training, flydog competitions or any number of activities that utilize their skills and require mental and physical exertion will help your dogs flourish -- and tire quickly so they'll be well-behaved when they're done!
• "I train my dogs to potty on command when on a leash." -- We firmly believe in this and yet often get looks from dog owners as if we're crazy.  While going potty on command can be helpful when you travel, it also gives you another opportunity to establish yourself as pack leader. Some dogs (our English bulldog is a prime example) would happily mark every tree downtown if we let him.  If we did let him, he'd be in control. Instead, we wait until we reach a specific tree (different every time, so he doesn't develop a difficult-to-break habit of only being able to go potty on that one tree) and then tell him "Go Potty." Over time, this regular command ensures that you have control over all aspects of the walk - even potty time!