#prodogmom

[prodogmom]

Play with your dog

Everyone in the family, including children, should play with their dogs. Even young children can be suitable playmates for many dogs, with some important caveats. Assuming your dog likes to play, the more humans she gets to play with, the more humans she'll think are wonderful because they make good stuff happen, and the better socialized she'll be. Dogs who are well-socialized are far less likely to bite or otherwise engage in behaviors that are likely to get them into serious trouble. In addition, the more that each family member has fun interacting with the dog, the more likely it is that the dog will stay in that home for her entire life. Play helps build strong bonds, and relationships that support lifelong loving homes for canine family members.

[prodogmom]

DOG FOODS TO AVOID

Beneful. The package makes it look like manna from heaven with a healthy pup, fresh veggies, and what look like real chunks of meat. Unfortunately, the pictures make the food seem better than it is. The reality is this stuff is AWFUL for your dog. It's full of sugar, artificial colors, and 3 unnamed animal sources. And very little vegetables. Or look at Kibbles 'n Bits Bistro Meals Grilled Chicken Flavor. If only it contained the grilled chicken they show on the bag instead of loads of low-quality ingredients and "animal digest" - the real source of the chicken flavor. Another terrible food is Pedigree Complete Nutrition for Adult Dogs. Made with an inferior, cheap source of protein, it's a wonder it could maintain any dog's health - much less an adult dog's.

[prodogmom]

Lighting doesn’t strike twice

So I wake up this morning about 6am to let the dogs out, as normal.  After they finish their business we call crawl back up on the couch and I am thankful for being able to catch a couple more hours of sleep.  Unfortunately today was not the day for extra sleep, the phone rang.  I answered it, although I never answer my other clients phones, and found myself talking to the neighbor just over the south hill from the house I am staying in.  He advised me that he could see smoke down in the ravine just east of my house.  In my sweats and sleepy eyes, and with 5 dogs in tow, I jumped up off the couch, slipped on my flip flops and headed out towards to eastern edge of the property.  I probably should have mentioned, I’m sitting with 5 dogs out in Curnow Canyon, 13 miles off a paved road.  My nearest neighbors couldn’t hear me if I had Deftones over for a concert. Anyway, I couldn’t see anything so he suggested to come over and we’d hike down together.  I ran back to the house, dressed, and grabbed a shovel.  Honestly, I didn’t know what else to do expect call the fire department but he assured me that his wife had already done that.  He arrives, we hike, and an hour later I’m exhausted from shoveling dirt and rock around this poor lightening struck tree.  It’s amazing how nature can quickly change a strong sturdy tree into a smoldering mess.  The neighbor guy and I did a fantastic job of smothering said the fireman, yeah I thought, but I’d never want to be a fireman.  That shit is dangerous and freakin hard work!  Kudo’s to Station 17 in Spanish Springs for saving the day, and thank you to Wayne (the neighbor) for saving the house and animals where I’m sitting.  WOW, just WOW! Full photo album at Facebook/professionaldogmom

[tondabenge]

Lightning doesn’t strike twice So I wake up this morning about 6am to let the dogs out, as normal.  After they finish their business we call crawl back up on the couch and I am thankful for being able to catch a couple more hours of sleep.  Unfortunately today was not the day for extra sleep, the phone rang.  I answered it, although I never answer my other clients phones, and found myself talking to the neighbor just over the south hill from the house I am staying in.  He advised me that he could see smoke down in the ravine just east of my house.  In my sweats and sleepy eyes, and with 5 dogs in tow, I jumped up off the couch, slipped on my flip flops and headed out towards to eastern edge of the property.  I probably should have mentioned, I’m sitting with 5 dogs out in Curnow Canyon, 13 miles off a paved road.  My nearest neighbors couldn’t hear me if I had Deftones over for a concert. Anyway, I couldn’t see anything so he suggested to come over and we’d hike down together.  I ran back to the house, dressed, and grabbed a shovel.  Honestly, I didn’t know what else to do expect call the fire department but he assured me that his wife had already done that.  He arrives, we hike, and an hour later I’m exhausted from shoveling dirt and rock around this poor lightening struck tree.  It’s amazing how nature can quickly change a strong sturdy tree into a smoldering mess.  The neighbor guy and I did a fantastic job of smothering said the fireman, yeah I thought, but I’d never want to be a fireman.  That shit is dangerous and freakin hard work!  Kudo’s to Station 17 in Spanish Springs for saving the day, and thank you to Wayne (the neighbor) for saving the house and animals where I’m sitting.  WOW, just WOW!  Full photo album available on Facebook/professionaldogmom

[prodogmom]

The Pack

I have several customers who have more then 1 dog, often times 4 or more.  In these situations, the pack roles and various personalities seem to be mimicked throughout every pack.  It’s so strange the way it becomes so clear, it’s incredible to watch and experience.  The Leader - the pack Alpha, the one who dictates most situations and all the others seem to follow in some way.  The Aloof - the laid back, sometimes grumpy, almost to the extent of “loner” one, the one who remains close enough and follows just subtly enough to remain a pack member but truly doesn’t care and doesn’t show much interest in pack related activities.  Often, this is the dog who prefers to be with humans more then other dogs.  The Hyper Puppy - Usually the baby of the group who is constantly trying to play with one of the others, the life of the party, the most energetic, and often times the one who causes all the trouble, and guaranteed he’s also the one who will push boundaries, constantly!

Of course every pack has their hierarchy, and I respect and appreciate it for all it’s purpose, function, and order maintenance but it just “wows” me sometimes to see it happening, recognizing it in all it’s beauty.

[prodogmom]

Professional Dog Mom - the K9 Nanny will be at Reno Earth Day on Sun 23April.

[prodogmom]

I’ve completed the NAPPS Professional Pet Sitter course!!!  My first formal endorsement.  YEAH ME!