“I have a client in a high-rise on Turtle Creek. Sometimes, I walk their dog across Turtle Creek, and on to the property of the Kalita Humphreys Theater. It was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.” says Linda, a PCPSI sitter who services the Uptown/Oak Lawn area. “It is a beautiful, historic building nestled in the trees above the creek, and has nice grounds to walk during times the theater is closed.” This Dallas landmark is one of only three theaters designed by the American architect, as well as one of his last completed projects.

Photo Source: D Magazine

With all of the new developments, Downtown Dallas is really becoming an attractive place to hang out. Take a stroll down Flora St, through the Arts District, and enjoy the buildings that not only house our outstanding organizations, but are also works of art themselves. The photo opportunities are tremendous as you have your dog practice his sit-stay in front of the unique architecture and public sculptures. Make your way over to the Klyde Warren Park to let your dog romp with his fellow furry friends at the new off leash area, My Best Friend’s Park.

If the hustle and bustle of downtown is a bit too much for you and your pooch, White Rock Lake offers a more tranquil setting. PCPSI pet care pro Diana  really enjoys this iconic Dallas location. “I walk one of my client’s dogs at White Rock near Doctor’s Hospital, just off of Poppy Drive. There’s everything you could want there – walking trails, a big open field, beautiful scenery, wildlife, and a bench to sit on.” But don’t forget to leave nothing behind except paw prints. If we make sure to bag our dog waste, we can curb the negative feelings people have about sharing their space with our canine companions.

Photo Source: Friendsofsantafetrail.org

So let’s get out there and start exploring this amazing city that we call home! Do you have a wonderful trail or park that you and your dog love to visit? Share it with us on our Facebook page.

Source: Dallas Morning News

Last night in Dallas, we had some dazzling thunderstorms — I’m a fan. As humans, we’re well aware that the odds of a thunderstorm causing us harm are slim. Some dogs don’t mind thunderstorms. On the other hand, dogs might display some anxious behavior, and others may just totally fall apart. First, imagine the sound of thunder the way you hear it, and then crank it up. Not only are dogs ears more sensitive, some can even detect what we cannot on the sound spectrum. The vibrations from a thunderstorm and changes in the atmosphere most certainly affect animals differently.

What can you do if your dog is one of many who suffer during severe weather? There are several steps you can take. Thundershirts are becoming increasingly popular to help soothe your dog through the storm. There are more details about how these work at their website, and they say that 80% of dogs improve with the use of this special garment that applies pressure to their body. The methodology behind this explains that the pressure from the Thundershirt has a calming effect on your dog’s nervous system. Other methods include holisitc remedies, like DAP (dog-appeasing pheremone) collars and herbal supplements. Many owners’ last-ditch effort to help their dogs suffer less during a storm require a veterinarian’s prescription.

From Thundershirt

One tried and true method used by behaviorists involves a method called desensitization and counter-conditioning. This can be tricky and possibly damaging if not done correctly, but the basics of this method are easy to understand. Your dog associates the sound of thunder with the fear. Your goal here is to gradually — and carefully — reduce your dog’s fear of something we can control. A recording of thunderstorms (or any other loud noises, like fireworks) can be played at almost inaudible levels to start. While the sounds play, that’s where counter-conditioning comes in. Play a game with your dog, reward your dog for performing tricks, and keep him or her occupied and happy. If at any time you notice signs of anxiety due to the recorded thunder, stop it immediately — you are trying to prevent stress, not cause it. If your dog seems happy, continue the play and relaxation for about 10 minutes, break for about 5, and gradually increase. This is not a fast process, but over time with enough care and consistency, you can help rid your dog of the anxiety and stress from the loud noises.

If your dog has this problem and you could use some help, contact us. We can set up a private session to work on helping you and your dog live a happier life together! Also, share your tricks on how you calm your dog during a thunderstorm on our Facebook.

William R. Nadeau, ABCDT is the Staff Dog Trainer and Operations Assistant with Park Cities Pet Sitter, Inc., the #1 pet care company in Dallas, Texas. Will has worked with dogs and other animals for over four years, both within the pet care industry and in rescue/shelter environments. As a certified dog trainer, he primarily provides in-home private dog training services, focusing on improving the relationship between pets and their owners using a positive reinforcement-based “whole picture” approach. He also provides adoption consultation with a history of several successful placements.

Choosing a pet is something that requires a lot of thought and consideration before the decision is final; one must look at this decision as a lifetime commitment (for the lifetime of the pet) - you're taking a life into your home and will be responsible for their well-being, and you must also consider the overall well-being of your family!

The first step in this decision is coming to a consensus on each member of the family's preference as to which type of pet - big dog, small dog, a particular breed? A cat? Maybe start with a hamster? It's important that everyone agrees as to avoid fostering resentment!

Another major factor in deciding on a pet is to determine your family's schedule and level of activity. Are you constantly on the go? Do you have frequent houseguests? Are you homebodies? Does someone stay home all day? An answer to any of these questions can give you vital clues. A puppy isn't going to be a great addition to a family that doesn't have the enormous amount of time and consistency needed to raise it. A cat may not be very happy in a home with frequent visitors, or may even be prone to escaping. A big, energetic dog wouldn't be ideal for a family with small children or elderly visitors. Of course, there are always management strategies you could consider implementing if your family life doesn't perfectly lend itself to the type of pet you want.

Your willingness to learn is of utmost importance - and your ability to teach your children is imperative. Animals aren't people, or toys for that matter. Learning proper animal handling techniques and passing them on to your kids is not only good for your pet, but essential in preventing dangerous accidents and injuries. Learning how to effectively train your pet to avoid, manage, and correct behavior issues is also something to give a lot of time and thought.

Budgeting for a pet is also crucial; all too often, family pets are abandoned at shelters with the reason of "can't afford it anymore" attached. Not only are you to provide basic needs like food, toys, and equipment, but you also have to keep in mind veterinary bills for regular checkups and emergencies. Pet insurance is available - is it right for you? Also, for the time your busy family is away at school, work, or on vacation, you should consider hiring a reputable pet sitter to care for your pets. Not only do they take care of the basic needs, but they are great at exercising your pets and spoiling them rotten with attention!

If you already have pets, it is a good idea to do some research as to how to introduce a new family member. With dogs, it's important for the current dog and existing dog to meet on neutral ground to avoid any territorial disputes; many shelters have meet and greet rooms where this is possible when you are choosing a new dog. Watch your dog's body language, as well as the new puppy. Are they wagging tails? Greeting appropriately? Inviting play? Is your current dog growling, showing teeth, licking lips, or yawning? Knowing how to recognize these warning signs can help you determine if the new dog is a good match.

Last but not least, it may be a good idea to find a local expert such as a dog trainer, cat rescue group, or another animal professional to help guide you in your decision. Some provide adoption consultation to ensure your family makes the right decisions early on and makes the period of adjustment easier on your new pet. It's not out of the ordinary to ask a dog trainer if they are good with kids; they can often provide that outside voice of reason!

William R. Nadeau, ABCDT is the Staff Dog Trainer and Operations Assistant with Park Cities Pet Sitter, Inc., the #1 pet care company in Dallas, Texas. Will has worked with dogs and other animals for over four years, both within the pet care industry and in rescue/shelter environments. As a certified dog trainer, he primarily provides in-home private dog training services, focusing on improving the relationship between pets and their owners using a positive reinforcement-based “whole picture” approach. He also provides adoption consultation with a history of several successful placements.

Spring is here! We know your dogs are just as excited as we are to get outside and shake off that winter coat. But before you let your pets outside to roll in the fresh green grass, make sure you have doggie-proofed your outdoor space.

With the warmer weather and sunshine, come the April showers and BUGS! Mosquitoes can carry the larvae that cause heartworm disease, a very costly and potentially fatal illness. Along with your dog’s monthly heartworm prevention medication, keep your yard clean and trimmed to prevent it from becoming a bug haven. Make sure your planters, kids toys, and lawn furniture are not holding standing water, which is the ideal breeding ground for those pesky little biters. And don’t forget to regularly remove your dog’s waste, as that tends to attract another disease carrier: flies. If picking up dog poo is not your idea of a fun afternoon, Dallas has plenty of companies that will be happy to take care of this necessary task for you. Springtime is also a time for sprucing up the garden. Although fertilizers make our lawns pretty and green, they can be very toxic to animals, including the natural or organic ones. Blood meal, bone meal, and fish meal can smell very appealing to dogs, but if ingested can cause vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and gastrointestinal blockage. To be safe, go for a veggie-based fertilizer, such as one that uses cornmeal or alfalfa. When selecting a mulch, choose small cedar chips that will not irritate or cut your pet’s feet if they accidentally follow a squirrel into the flower bed. Also, avoid cocoa mulch because it is just as appetizing and equally as dangerous!

Your garden may smell like a treat buffet to your dog, so be mindful of the flowers you choose to plant. Azalea, chrysanthemum, daffodil, rhododendron, sago palm, tulips, and hydrangeas are all toxic to pets. The ASPCA has a comprehensive list of what plants to avoid.

What is your spring cleaning ritual? Share your tips on keeping Fido happy and healthy with us on our Facebook!

April kicks off Pet First Aid Awareness month. Although we do our best as pet parents to prevent accidents, injuries and illnesses can happen and knowing the right steps to take can save your pet’s life.

Having a well assembled first aid kit for your pet is a must. If a medical emergency arises, you want to have all of the necessary tools in one place. Make sure to include phone numbers for your veterinarian and nearest emergency veterinary clinic (and directions!), as well as a  poison-control center or hotline (like the Pet Poison Hotline at 800-213-6680). For a complete list of what to include in your pet first aid kit, use this checklist. You will also want to become familiar with how and when to use the items in your kit. This guide from the American Veterinary Medical Association outlines the basic procedures for what to do if your pet stops breathing and other scary situations.

As professional pet sitters, we know how important it is to be prepared for the unexpected. Earlier this year, our sitters took the PetTech Pet First Aid & CPR Certification class taught by master instructor Arden Moore. During this 6 hour course, we learned the proper way to restrain and muzzle a cat or dog, what to do if your pet is choking, and how to make a splint using whatever tools are available. Also discussed was care for heatstroke, bleeding, frostbite, poisoning, seizures, and shock. Even if you don’t work in the pet services industry, knowing what to do when a pet emergency happens is a great investment in the safety and well-being of your four-legged family.

Have you ever had an emergency with your pet? And what’s in your pet first aid kit? Share your thoughts with us on Facebook!

With the weather getting warmer and Springtime just around the corner, people and animals alike cannot wait to get outside! While Fido gets to frolic at the dog park, your cat may also be craving the stimulation of the great outdoors. If you are aware of the dangers outside life poses and take necessary precautions, you can have a happy and healthy outdoor cat.

There are many risks outside for cats that can sometimes be hard to anticipate. Some of the biggest dangers are fights with other animals, cars, and poisons such as antifreeze, bleach, fertilizers, herbicides, as well as insect and rodent bait. Outdoor cats are more susceptible to herpes, rabies, and heartworms. They’re also at risk for fatal infections like feline leukemia. Plan ahead before letting your feline friend head outside:

• Collar your cat. Always put a collar on your cat and attach ID tags. This helps others know your pet has a home and makes it easy for them to contact you. Be sure kitty’s collar has a “break away” feature. If your cat gets caught on a fence or branch, this type of collar snaps open.
• Microchip your pet. This permanent form of identification ensures that someone who finds your kitty can quickly return her. A vet checks for the ID embedded in your cat’s neck and scans it for your address.
• Keep vaccinations up-to-date. Discuss with your vet which vaccines are most helpful for your outdoor cat’s health and how often she needs them. Follow through to protect your cat from diseases and infections.
• Medicate for fleas and ticks. All it takes is one flea to start your kitty biting and scratching, so apply flea medicine before taking your cat outdoors.

The great outdoors is a good way for your cat to get some exercise and release stress. In fact, cats that go outside have fewer health and behavior problems, Marla J. McGeorge, DVM says. But if you aren’t ready to let your kitty roam freely, there are many ways to enrich the lives of indoor cats by offering them safe experiences outside. With a little time and patience, leash training is one way to let your kitty get outside. Remember to use a harness when leash training since cats can escape from simple collars when they’re spooked. For more tips on how to leash train your cat, check out this great article.

Another option is to provide a secure enclosure connected to your house or in your yard. Ranging from humble to humongous, these kitty containers can be furnished with old tree stumps and perches for climbing and scratching opportunities; tarps to provide shade and protection from the elements; even enclosed ladders for safe access to and from the house. If your home doesn’t have a backyard, try installing indoor window boxes or perches to let your cat enjoy the sunshine and fresh air.

How do you keep your outdoor kitties healthy? And if your cat stays indoors, what tips and tricks do you have to let them enjoy these sunny, warm days? Share your thoughts with us on Facebook!

Health information provided by: http://pets.webmd.com/features/outdoor-cat-risks

Periodontal disease is the most common clinical condition in cats and dogs even though it’s completely preventable. Problems begin when plaque builds up on your dog’s teeth and transforms into a brownish substance, known as tartar. When this moves under the gum line, red, puffy gums develop, called gingivitis. Left untreated, this progresses into periodontal disease, causing the gums to recede and lose their function. This can eventually lead to tooth loss.

Along with annual dental exams at your veterinarians office, there are things you can do at home to keep your pet’s pearly whites clean. Dr. Sheldon Rubin of the American Veterinary Medical Association gives easy, step-by-step instructions on how to teach a dog or cat to accept a daily tooth brushing. With patience and practice, this daily ritual can become a source of bonding for you and your pet.

In addition to daily brushing, there are a wide range of treats and toys that help to reduce plaque and tartar. Dogs that chew actively generally have less plaque build-up. From chewy treats in toothbrush shapes, such as Greenies, to rope toys that floss your dog’s teeth. There are even all natural rinses and spray that help to clean teeth and freshen breath.Do you have any tips or tricks on how you keep your dog or cat’s teeth shiny and healthy? Share them with us on our Facebook page!

Health information provided by American Veterinary Medical Assoc. and Animal Planet Pets 101:Health.

January is the time for New Years Resolutions which usually involve improving yourself and your relationships. So why not commit to enriching your canine partnership through training? Obedience training is critical when it comes to nurturing a healthy human-animal relationship and creating a socially compatible pet.

The benefits of having a trained dog are endless!  Regardless of the age that you start working with your dog, training provides dogs with the basic good manners we all want—from polite greeting when guests arrive, to walking nicely on the leash, to coming when called. Here are just a few reasons why you should start training your dog today:

• Training enables you to choose from among a broad range of activities and dog sports to participate in and enjoy with your dog such as dog agility, Rally-obedience, dancing with your dog, tracking, search & rescue, skijoring, sledding, water rescue trials, obedience, carting, reading programs, therapy work, and a nearly endless range of fun and philanthropic things to do!
• Training has been shown to be the single most important thing that keeps a dog in his or her “forever” home.
• Training builds your mutual bond, enhances the partnership and enriches the relationship you share with your dog. Is there anything better?
• Having a trained dog is a joy for both you and your dog!

To jump start your training, Park Cities Pet Sitter is hosting an entertaining and informative event with renowned animal behavior expert, Arden Moore! During the Dog and Cat Behavior Talk on January 26th, Arden will be teaching you how to read cat and dog body language, how to handle dog and cat “behavior” problems, how to manage overly excited dogs, mixing a new cat or dog with current pets, and many other extremely useful tidbits to enhance your relationship with your pets. For more details or to register for this exciting event, please visit our Events Page. Don’t miss this chance to learn what every pet owner should know!

Benefits courtesy of http://www.trainyourdogmonth.com/tips/benefits.aspx

Is your dog Mr. Wonderful off-leash and a handful when on-leash? This seems counterintuitive. When your dog is connected to you by a leash, you would think his behavior would be better than when off-leash. Not always the case.

First, let me be clear that there is a difference between leash aggression and leash frustration. Simply stated, leash aggression can occur when a dog is fearful and feels trapped when on-leash. With no option to run, a leash aggressive dog can choose to act aggressively in hopes of getting the scary dog or human to move away. Leash frustration, on the other hand, occurs when a dog is annoyed by his inability to move freely or irritated by pain while on-leash.

Below are some of the reasons why dogs can have behavioral problems (i.e., experience leash frustration) when on-leash.

• One of the most prevalent causes of leash frustration is the wrong type of collar. Think about it, how happy would you be if you had to wear a choke collar or, even worse, a prong collar? Most dogs don’t fully understand what is causing all the pain around their neck – they just know it hurts. We can certainly understand that dogs, just like humans, can get grouchy when in pain.
• There are two things that are good indicators of a healthy dog – insatiable appetite and unbounded curiosity. It’s the latter that can lead to leash frustration. If a dog is continually prevented from getting to things he wants to investigate (e.g., another dog, interesting smell), he can become frustrated.
• My clients frequently hear me talk about not micromanaging the leash. In our desire to be good dog handlers, we can unknowingly provide too many leash inputs to our dogs. We want them to move right, move left, back up and stop with precision. All of this tugging on dogs’ necks can become a bit annoying to them and cause them to react.
• Owners sometimes punish their dogs as a way to stop unruly and reactive behavior when on-leash. This just temporarily stops the behavior while only increasing the amount of frustration. Worse yet, we teach dogs to “mask” their frustration in order to avoid punishment which creates a ticking time bomb, but without the ticker.
• Dogs that walk you, instead of you walking them, are inadvertently causing their own leash frustration. The constant pressure put on a dog’s trachea when he pulls like this can make him miserable. I know what you’re saying, “But Scott, dogs are doing it to themselves!”

Leash frustration can be addressed and this unwanted behavior can be extinguished. Unchecked leash frustration can frequently turn into leash aggression which is more difficult to treat.

Ways to reduce or eliminate leash frustration:

1) Use a humane and properly fitted collar (I prefer wide, buckle type, flat collars).
2) Provide your dog plenty of safe and appropriate opportunities to freely interact with other people and dogs (e.g., dog parks).
3) Learn how to handle your dog more comfortably and confidently.
4) Teach your dog how to walk on a loose leash.
5) Use positive training techniques.

If you have a dog that is presenting with leash frustration, please seek the help of a professional dog trainer or behaviorist. This will make you and your dog happier and help prevent leash frustration from escalating to leash aggression.

Dog aggression is a common and serious issue – and is on the rise. One of the possible reasons for this is that dogs, in general, have less interaction with other dogs and humans than they did in past decades (dog parks notwithstanding). I don’t want to oversimplify here, but too little socialization isn’t good for a dog.

You might be surprised to learn that the cause of a substantial amount of dog aggression is fear. If dogs are afraid of another dog or human, they will aggress in order to get the thing they fear to move away. In an anxious dog’s mind, distance equals security.

Have you ever noticed that your dog appears to be more aggressive toward other dogs and/or humans when on a leash? If your dog is fearful, there are essentially three options open to him when presented with something that makes him afraid. He can flee, freeze or fight. When on a leash, however, Max can only freeze or fight. Even if Max is not particularly predisposed to fighting, he may see no other alternative when he’s tethered to you. This phenomenon is called leash aggression (not to be confused with leash frustration) and is common.

There are countless numbers of dog aggression categories. Below I’ve provided a high-level overview of the most common.

Dog-Dog. This refers to dogs who are aggressive toward other dogs.

Dog-Human. In this case the dog is aggressive toward humans. Both dog-dog and dog-human can, and frequently do, coexist.

In-Home. This is the same as dog-dog aggression except the dogs who aren’t getting along live in the same household. Possibly the most difficult type of aggression to treat.

Contextual Aggression. This can be a subtype of those listed above. It simply means that the dog exhibits aggressive behaviors in certain contexts (e.g., when near men with beards).

If your dog is presenting with aggression directed at dogs and/or humans, please get professional help. Canine aggression tends to escalate over time without intervention. The progression can be slow and insidious; frequently, the owner doesn’t recognize it until there is a serious incident. There are many treatment protocols available, but they require patience on the part of the owner.

Safety is the most important issue when working with an aggressive dog – please seek the advice of a professional and carefully follow his or her instructions.