Clients commonly ask whether they should tip their pet care providers and if so, how much to tip. My answer to this question is always that tips are not required, but whether or not you should tip your pet sitter or dog walker depends. Just like in the service industry as a whole, if your pet sitter or dog walker does an exceptional job or goes above and beyond for your pet when you need them to, a tip is not required, but you probably should.  Of course, there are a variety of influences on whether and when to tip. These include the setting, scheduling, and length of time working with yo ..read more

All pet owners know that life is better with a dog and that animals help humans in many ways, including by improving our mental health. But life as a pet might be more complex than it seems, and while dogs relieve stress in humans, some human interaction can cause anxiety for your dog. Sometimes dogs relieve stress in destructive ways, so for your benefit and your dog’s, it’s good to be prepared for added stress around the holidays. Even a good pet might experience mood and behavioral changes around the holidays, when lots of unfamiliar faces, voices and smells become part of the environment ..read more

With cold weather months rolling in, you might be wondering how your pet feels about their cold-weather walks these days, or how your pet tolerates cold feet so well without doggie rain boots or other doggy shoes. Just like humans, pets take time to acclimate to colder weather and regulate their body temperature. Some pets require special attention during the winter months, especially after exposure to winter weather. While most winter walks don’t require dog booties for snow or dog rain boots throughout the winter months, some actually do.  We’ll tell you how to keep your animals warm, w ..read more

Just like their human pals, dogs are likely to choose a favorite person based on a number of factors. Some of these include the person’s demeanor, interactions with the dog, and how well the person helps meet their basic needs.  Because dogs are such loyal companions, most of us want to be the best friend of man’s best friend. So how can a new human make a good impression in a dog’s life? We’ll explain how dogs choose favorites, why they do it, and how to win your dog’s favor if it’s not already you!   The Kind of People Dogs Love Dogs choose their favorite people based on positive i ..read more

As much of the workforce returns to in-person business, the thought of changes to our routines can be overwhelming. Little did you know, your pet might be experiencing the same anxiety.  In fact, your dog pays close attention to your body language and can mimic your emotional state based on your body language. This is why when we’re sad, sometimes our dogs get anxious, and when we’re excited, it’s easy for our dog to empathize too. This means that preparing your dog for your new work schedule is just as important to his mental and physical health as your preparation is to you. Unlike us ..read more

In the spring of 2020, we all felt the growing pains of transitioning to a new schedule, new working conditions, and new routines as many of us quarantined and began working primarily from home. Disruptions to the daily routine can be as much a stressor for your dog as it is for you, and chances are there was a substantial adjustment period for them too. Some online forums joked that our pets were just as irritable at our newly constant presence in the house as we were at the time. As we return to our regular routines and the in-person workday once again, we and our pets both face another tran ..read more

If you’re a new pet parent, you may not realize just how beneficial regular walks can be for your dog. Being outside and moving their bodies are biological needs for your pet, just as they are for people. Not only do regular walks improve your dog’s physical health, but the mental and behavioral health benefits are substantial too.  There are many other health benefits as well, and these include benefits for you! We’ll give you some pro-tips from the ASPCA and tell you how to reach us for more info about the importance of regular dog walking. Mental Health Benefits There are many mental h ..read more

We all love our pets, and we try to show them by giving them the care we think they deserve. But the truth is, even leading animal experts are still making discoveries about animal behavior, so sometimes our affection and care aren’t exactly what our dogs need from their pet parents. Many pets, including dogs, require socialization within their own species and often have much more energy than we do (after all, they’re unemployed and live rent-free, right?) There are many other reasons why your pet might be running away or escaping the yard, even though you keep it safe and enclosed in hopes of ..read more

Choosing the right raw dog food is important for your pet’s health and your peace of mind. We’ll help you sort through the many raw food options for your pet. The better we eat, the better we feel and the healthier we are. Well, the same concept applies to your pet. If you’re a dog owner, you might have realized by now that dry dog food alone isn’t cutting it when it comes to getting your pet the nutrients they need. As we are learning the importance of our own healthy diets and their effects on our overall and long-term health, it makes sense to do the same for our furry friends, too. But ..read more

I’m sure that you or someone you know will turn on the radio or the TV when leaving a pet alone in the house. I bet you’ve also wondered if this is effective or if we, as humans, do it because it gives us a little peace of mind. We have a tendency to project onto our pets and assume that they will like what we like. Some pet parents assume that if they like Mozart, their dog will like Mozart or, if they like rock music, they say their dog prefers rock we all.  Some music can help relieve stress and anxiety in pets, but it depends on the genre.  So can entertaining pets with music wor ..read more