Fun Gifts for the Geek and his/her Dog

I recently found this super fun website that sells all things Geek.   More importantly, they even have items for the Dog Lover Geek!   And the prices are so low, these can be paw-some gag gifts for the dog lover geek who has everything.....check 'em out!

iBone Dog Toy  There are lots of things your dog wants. For starters, your dog wants steak. You don't need a fancy Japanese gadget to translate his barks to know that. Srsly. Here are a list of some other things your dog wants: a helmet with horns, sunscreen, health care reform, ice cream, a cure for cancer, a bus ticket, coq au vin, and most importantly, to catch treats at 1,000 frames per second. But what your dog really wants is the iBone. It's bigger than an iPhone and smaller than an iPad, which is the perfect size to be carried around in the jaws of your favorite hound. The squeaker is delightfully squeaky and it has embroidered buttons with the cream of the crop of canine apps from the iBone App Store. Apple fanboys, you know your collection isn't complete without an iBone for your dog.

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Control-a-Dog Remote Control  That's right! You want Fido to Sit, Stay, Speak, Drop It? Just point the remote at your dog, press the appropriate button, and hope for the best. It's powered by wishful thinking, so if your brain waves aren't very strong yet, you may have some issues initially. Don't worry, keep mashing the button and hoping and one day your dog will stop peeing in the living room.

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  Bowser Dog Beer & Pretzel Snacks Bowser Beer is a fun and healthy treat packaged in beer bottles so you can celebrate responsibly with your dogs. It's made of USDA beef or chicken and lovingly brewed with malt barley (for shiny coats) and glucosamine (for smooth-moving joints). Don't you wish people beer was this healthy? Dogs lap up Bowser Beer either straight from the bottle or as a tasty sauce on boring dry food. So next time you kick back with a few brews, don't forget your dog!

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 Humping USB Dog  Harley and Duke are naughty doggies. They won't eat out of their food bowls; they track mud all over the place; they are constantly burying our pens; and they have a peculiar naughtiness whenever they spy a free USB port. They...well...they sort of, kind of, um... "go to town," if you will. And they won't stop until you um...separate them from the source of their affections.

Woof!
~Lisa
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Helping Children Cope with the Loss of a Pet

The following is an excerpt from Chapter 12 of The Loss of a Pet written by Dr. Wallace Sife, founder of the Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement website.  The APLB is a nonprofit association of volunteers who are trained or experienced in the tender subject of pet death. Its members are professional counselors as well as pet-loving people from all other walks of life. They are all concerned with helping pet lovers cope with this unique and very intimate kind of loss. Anyone interested in this subject is invited to visit with them at aplb.org. In addition to its many other free services the APLB holds four three-hour pet loss chatrooms, every week.


Children and Pet Loss

“There is only one smartest dog in the world, and every child has it.”

Bereavement in children too often has been trivialized or given inadequate attention. We are so involved with our own adult world of complexities and learned associations that we tend to lose some perspective on how and why children feel grief for a pet. We too often presume that it is advisable to shelter them from this “grown-up experience” which we find to be very upsetting. In nearly all applications, that is absolutely the wrong approach. If they are old enough to reason, then they sense very accurately when they are being left out of important discussions about things that concern them. The death of a child’s beloved pet matters a great deal in his or her young life. How this is handled now will remain with the child for the rest of his or her life.

The death of a family pet is often the first death experienced by a child.   Read the full article about children and pet loss here.  

Purchase Dr. Sife's book The Loss of a Pet


Woof!
~Lisa

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MORE GREAT BOOKS ABOUT PET BEREAVEMENT

               

Vacation Travel Tips: Traveling by Car with Your Dog

Summer Travel Plans?

If you're traveling by car for your vacation this summer, and plan to take your dog with you when you travel, there are several things you'll need to consider before em"bark"ing on your journey.

I've written an article filled with tips you'll want to know when traveling by car with your dog.

And before you go...Get Dog Travel Supplies at Great Prices – Up to 40% Off at PETCO.com!

DO YOU KNOW A DOG MOM?   Check out all the Dog Mom Apparel available at BarkTalk.com, the paw-fect gift for every dog mom!

Woof!
~Lisa
http://www.barktalk.com/

How To Raise a Friendly Dog

What has happened to “man’s best friend”? Why are there so many dog bites and family pets surrendered to shelters? It all comes down to socialization. Dogs are pack animals and need to live in a group. Our lives are becoming more isolated and many of our dogs spend their days home alone. So how do we mold a new puppy into an outgoing, confident dog?

The breed of dog you choose plays a large role in the dog’s natural personality. Some breeds are more inclined to physically protect their property. These breeds require much work on people socialization. Breeds that are prone to aggression towards other dogs and animals also have more problems around children. Be sure that they get a lot of exposure to pets and children. There is a natural dominant streak in some breeds. This causes the dog to take action for itself. With firm training, you can turn a dominant breed into a reliable pet. Of course, there are variations in personality in every breed, but you should plan ahead when purchasing dogs with strong inherited traits. Look for a pup that is neither overly confident nor shy. Shy pups are more likely to become fear biters and require more work at socialization. Pups that show signs of assertiveness at an early age, can become aggressive as they mature. They will need the most expert care and training.

Socialization begins the day the pup comes home. Pups bond to people between 4 and 12 weeks. If not given the opportunity to play with people and other dogs until after 12 weeks, many develop into poor learners, have a greater fear of people, animals, and noises, and are usually shyer and more anti-social. Get them used to a collar and leash and get them out of the house. Until your pup’s shots are complete, be cautious around local parks and strange dogs. Try to enlist friends with well-behaved children and dogs to help. Find pet stores and other public places to take your pup. Schoolyards, ball parks, and local playgrounds are great places to expose you pup to children. Encourage everyone you meet to pet your pup. Enroll in Puppy Obedience classes. Never stroke or soothe a pup that is frightened. This encourages that reaction. Your pet follows your lead. Always be happy and act excited at something new. Encourage them to follow you to investigate something they are unsure of. Try to make all new experiences positive.

Teaching your pup the basic commands does more than make a well-behaved pet. It teaches the pup to look to you for guidance and to trust your instincts. A well-socialized dog does not diminish its protection skills. On the contrary, it produces a more confident dog. It also helps to greatly reduce the incidents of bites to family, children, and guests. Socialization should be a top priority for the first six months, but needs to continue for the life of your dog. With careful planning and a little work, you can have a friendly dog you can trust in any situation.
This article was written by Doris Mow and is used with her permission. Doris is the moderator for Wildpaws Alaskan Malamute Discussion Forum, http://www.wildpaw.com/forum. She has worked as a Verterinary Technician, Dog Groomer, and Small Animal Nutritionist. Doris lives with two Alaskan Malamutes: Kodiak, 8 years old, recently retired from weightpulling after earning his Working Dog Superior title; and Wookie, 18 months, is just beginning his weight pulling career. Doris also operates an organic garden business, Mow's Garden, http://www.mowsgarden.com, which specializes in butterfly and songbird gardening.

New Puppy Announcements - A Growing Trend

A new addition to the family is a joyous occasion, even if that newest addition is of the 4-legged variety. In fact, many people consider their pets a member of the family. The joy most people feel when bringing a new puppy home is akin to the feeling of joy felt when bringing a new baby home….so it only makes sense to introduce your newest family member with new puppy announcements.


Sending new puppy announcements to friends and family is a growing trend. At BarkTalk.com, new puppy announcements are available in an assortment of styles and designs, from custom, personalized styles, to photo announcements, to fill-in-the-blank designs. As a company that specializes in new puppy announcements, BarkTalk.com will print your puppy’s photo directly onto the cards.

It’s most fun to include a photo of your puppy. Your newest addition is growing and changing so fast, and many of your family and friends live miles away and won’t have the opportunity to see him when he’s still tiny, so capturing a photo of your puppy when he’s still a tiny little bundle of snuggle is a wonderful way to share your joy. Plus, photo new puppy announcements make a terrific keepsake of the day your puppy joined your family.

If you’ve just adopted more than one puppy, customized new puppy announcements are your best bet because they can be tailored include the proper wording for more than one puppy. Another advantage to purchasing custom-designed new puppy announcement is the need to change wording from plural to singular. For example, if you’re a single person, you wouldn’t want your new puppy announcement to read: “Our family just got a lot furrier!” With the customized option, you can have the option to change the wording to “My family just got a lot furrier!” usually at no additional cost. If you have a child, you can include “sibling" names to your introduction.

As an added bonus, with the customized version, you can tell a little bit about your new puppy. For instance, you can state that he was rescued, or that he was a Katrina dog, or that he has incredible puppy breath, or that he loves to snuggle, or whatever particular habit or quirk you want to share.

New puppy announcements are a fun way to share your joy with family and friends. You’ll definitely want to consider sending some out when your new puppy arrives!

Adopting a new puppy is a thrilling and exciting time! Share your excitement by telling the world (or at least your family and friends) about your new addition to the family with our New Puppy Birth Announcements. Whether you've adopted a new puppy, or rescued a full-grown dog, we can custom-design the perfect announcements for you.

Woof!
~Lisa

Qualities of a Good Veterinarian

One of the most important duties as a pet owner is finding a veterinarian to see to the medical care of your dog. There are many veterinarians, with many different philosophies; the key is to determine what your priorities are regarding your dog's medical treatment, and then to find a veterinarian who respects and/or agrees with your priorities. This can be a difficult process!


While it would be ideal to find a veterinarian who is honest, punctual, easy to get along with, willing to accomodate you, loves your dog, has all the best, newest, and top-of-the-line diagnosing and treatment equipment, whose office is close to where you live, has reasonable prices, is available 24 hours a day, and has an incredible support staff that mirrors all of these great qualities, the reality is, you may have to choose from among the qualities that are most important to you, and then find a veterinarian who is the best match for you and your dog.

Once you've determined which traits and qualities in a veterinarian are important to you, the best place to start for a truly objective opinion is other patients. Talk to friends and ask about their veterinarians. Are they happy with the service they receive? Is their vet caring and considerate of their opinions, providing various medical treatment options? Or does he make choices for them, and simply tell them what to do? What is his/her philosophy on end of life issues? Will he/she do whatever it takes to save your pet, regardless of the expense? Or does s/he believe that diagnosing and treating an older dog is a waste of medical resources? What is YOUR opinion on this topic?

The answers to what is important to you are neither right or wrong. It is simply important that your veterinarian share these beliefs with you if you want to find the best possible care for your dog.

It is extremely important that you feel comfortable with the veterinarian you choose, so that you aren't intimidated and unlikely to ask important questions about the care of your dog.

Before deciding on a veterinarian, it's best to visit their facility and ask for a tour. Is the facility clean and well lighted? Is the staff friendly and accomodating?

Once you've narrowed down your selection, schedule a "new patient" appointment with the veterinarian so you'll have an opportunity to observe him/her actually interacting with your dog. Additionally, the vet will have the chance to meet your dog as a healthy, thriving pet, and would, therefore, have something to compare it to later, if you take your dog in because of a medical problem.

Similar to finding your own personal physician, finding a veterinarian involves lots of questions, but also "gut feelings." If you aren't comfortable, if you feel intimidated, if you don't like the way the facility looks or "feels," if the staff isn't friendly and accomdating, if any of these things triggers a "bad feeling" with you, it's best to trust that feeling and look for another veterinarian who more closely matches your beliefs and philosopies regarding the care and treatment of your best friend.

Woof!
~ Lisa

Visit http://www.barktalk.com/ for all your paw-ty needs!

Sale! Pink Ribbon Dog Collar Charms

Saturday Sale Day!






I'm clearing out my inventory of dog collar charms.    This beautiful pink ribbon charm measures 3/4" tall x 5/8" wide.  

Let your dog share in the support for the fight against breast cancer with this gorgeous silver dog collar charm.  Only $3.50 while supplies last!

And if you're in the market for Pink Ribbon items, you'll want to see all the great breast cancer awarenes items we carry at BarkTalk.com.

Barking for a Cure - Pink Ribbon Dog Tshirts:

Pink Ribbon Dog Collars:

Barking for a Cure - Pink Ribbon Dog Bandanas:

Woof!
~Lisa

Visit http://www.barktalk.com/ for all your dog paw-ty needs! 

Top 10 Pet Peeves

Friday Fun!

The Top 10 Pet Peeves Dogs Have With Humans...

10. Yelling at me for barking.  (Hello?  I am a dog?)

9.  Taking me for a walk, and then not letting me check stuff out.  (Ummm....exactly whose walk is it anyway?!)

8.  Dog sweaters. (Have you not noticed the fur???)

7.  Taking me to the vet for the "big snip" and then acting surprised when I freak out every time we go back.

6.  Any trick that involves balancing food on my nose.....STOP IT!

5.  Any haircut that involves bows or ribbons.  (Now you know why we chew your stuff up when you're not home.)

4.  The sleight of hand, fake-fetch throw.  (You fooled a dog....woooooo hoooooooo! What a proud moment for the top of the food chain.)

3.  Getting upset when I sniff the crotches of your guests.  (Sorry, but I haven't quite maastered that handshake thing yet.)

2.  Blaming your farts on me.  NOT funny.

1.  How you act disgusted when I lick myself.  Look, we both know you're just jealous.

Happy Friday! 

Woof!

~Lisa

Clearance Sale!

Designer dog coats on sale

as low as $5.00.

Oops!  These dog party invitations came back from the printer and the color was off.  Instead of a baby pink, it's more of a peachy-pink.   If peachy-pink is your thing, you can order these dog birthday party invitations for LESS THAN HALF PRICE!

Choosing a Veterinarian for Your Dog

Choosing a vet for your dog is one of the most important decisions you'll make for him, so it's important to take your time and make an informed decision. You’ll want to find a vet you can connect with, since working as a team with your veterinarian helps guarantee that your pet will live a full and healthy life. When choosing, select someone who has the same level of passion about pet care as you do.

Referrals from other pet-owners is a good place to start when looking for a vet. Even though your friends may have different expectations than you, at least you'll have a list of good prospects to check out. And although advertisements supply information about vet services offered, a personal recommendation is always best.

You will want to make an appointment for a visit for your and your dog to meet the veterinarian and the staff. While you’re there, check for cleanliness, a relaxed professional atmosphere and staff members who are ready to answer your questions and give you a tour. Observe how the vet and the staff interact with your dog.

One very important thing to consider is how you feel once you're in the examining room. It doesn't matter how many diplomas the vet has, or how many credentials are framed and hanging on the walls of his office. While education and knowledge are important in a veterinarian, what really matters is that your dog -- and YOU -- feel comfortable. You should be able to sense the vet’s compassion for animals.

Make sure you can communicate well with your veterinarian, and that you feel comfortable asking any questions at all regarding your dog's health. If you feel that your veterinarian isn't taking the time to answer your questions in terms you can understand, it's probably time to look for a new vet.

Ask what types of services are available at his/her particular clinic. It's also important that you have a number to call in case of after-hours emergencies. If you plan to purchase pet health insurance, make sure the clinic you're at accepts it. (For links to pet health insurance sites that I recommend, click here.)

Some vets consider some vaccinations essential, while others don't. And some vets have a particular schedule for vaccinations, while you may have strong feelings about the extent to which your dog should be vaccinated. Be sure you and your potential veterinarian agree (or agree to disagree) on this important topic.

Ask if you can see the kennel area where animals are cared for. This area should be absolutely clean and odor-free. The air should be warm, dry, and comfortable. If it’s not, move on!

While it’s tempting to select a veterinarian based on location, it may be worth it for your and your dog to drive a little further to find the quality of care you’re looking for.

Finally…trust your instincts. If you don’t like the “feel” of the situation, it’s probably best to look for a different veterinarian.

Woof!
~Lisa

   

New Puppy? Tips for Dog-Proofing Your Home

If you see something interesting on the floor, what do you do? Well, if you're a puppy, first you sniff it, then you pick it up in your mouth. Not a problem if it's edible, but what if it's a battery, or a piece of chocolate, or a small rubber ball? You might think your house is perfectly safe, but to a dog, it's full of fascinating (although potentially dangerous) attractions. This is especially true for a new puppy, since he'll be eager to explore (and taste!) everything in his new surroundings.


Dr. Robert Linnabary, D.V.M., an instructor at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine in Knoxville, recommends using the same precautions for a dog that you would for children. "But remember that dogs are better at breaking open bottles and boxes."

Here are some suggestions for making (and keeping) your dog safe in his new home:

The Kitchen. Remember that dogs have very agile paws and determined muzzles, so keep your cleaning supplies locked away. A good idea is to install childproof locks on cabinets where you store your cleaning supplies, or move them to a high shelf. Also, keep the garbage can safely stored away, or buy one with a tight-fitting lid. Garbage (such as chicken bones) can be stored in the freezer until garbage day. And PLEASE REMEMBER, as much as we humans love chocolate, it contains a stimulant (theobromine) which can make dogs very, seriously ill. And you'll want to keep towels and dish cloths out of your puppy's reach, because if your dog chews on it and swallows a big enough piece, it could cause an intestinal obstruction.

The Bathroom. Dogs love to explore the bathroom, but they can discover alluring tastes they'll be unable to resist. Soaps and good-smelling bottles of lotions and shampoos should be kept out of your puppy's reach, as well as any children's tub toys. And sanitary napkins and tampons can be a bit problem, because of their high absorbancy, if they get inside your puppy's intestinal tract. And don't forget to move any cleaning powders and disinfectants up out of your puppy's reach. And remember to keep your toilet lid down to keep your dog from drinking the unsanitary water.

The Family Room. The family room in your home can be filled with dog-unfriendly objects as varied as each family. Any materials that you use for hobbies need to be kept up and out of your dog's reach. Paints, game pieces, children's toys, small pillows, any of these objects can be potentially dangerous to your dog. And check your electrical cords to be sure they're tucked out of sight.

The Bedrooms. Children's bedrooms are especially tempting (and especially dangerous) because of all the small, chewable toys lying around, like rubber balls or even small toys and balloons. Adult bedrooms can have stockings and neckties that can be easily swallowed. And don't forget your medications! Keep all medications out of reach (because the childproof caps won't stop your dog!). Also, don't keep loose change and jewelry within reach of your puppy or dog.

The Garage. Your garage can be one of the most hazardous places for your pet. Aside from items like paint thinner, insecticides, and fertilizers, the garage tends to be a place where screws and nails can be lying about. The best advice: make the garage off-limits to your dog. The potential for injury is too great.

Buy a book on dog care. Of course, the suggestions listed here are very brief. You may want to invest in a good book on dog care. It's always a good idea to have a reference guide handy in case you need a quick answer on caring for your dog. A Good Book. A good book on puppy care and training is a "must read" for the new pet owner. It's best to read through the book before your bring your puppy home. Some great ones include Cesar Milan's How to Raise the Perfect Dog: Through Puppyhood and Beyond, and A Member of the Family: The Ultimate Guide to Living with a Happy, Healthy Dog.  Brian Kilcommon has a wonderful book and DVD combo to help get you started with training your new puppy, My Smart Puppy: Fun, Effective, and Easy Puppy Training (Book & 60min DVD).
   

Dog Birthday Party Games and Activities

The paw-ty invitations have been mailed, the paw print balloons are hanging, the paw print party hats are ready to be donned by 2-leggers and 4-leggers alike, the dog birthday cake has been baked and decorated, and the guests will be arriving any minute.
Now the fun can really begin, as you and your guests play games and enjoy the day together.

Tic-Tac-Toe. Using rope, spray paint, chalk, tape, etc, make a large tic-tac-toe board on the grass or pavement or even the living room floor. Guests are separated into two teams, one team is X, and one team is O. (Use your imagination to determine which team goes first....) The X team is the SITS team; the O team is the DOWN team.

To play the game, rotating between teams just as if playing on paper, the first team selects a spot on the "board" and the player and his dog must go to that spot, and either SIT or DOWN, depending on whether he is an X or an O. Each team then takes a turn until the first team has gotten 3 Xs or 3 Os in a row. (If neither team wins, it's a CAT!)

Alternate directions: Instead of SIT and DOWN, give each team player either an X or an O written on a piece of paper to designate his/her team.

Pin the Tail on the Cat.  What's a dog party without a game like this??? Draw a cat (or find an image online and print it) without a tail. Attach the picture securely to a wall at a low level where the dog guests can reach it with their noses (and/or you can also attach one at human shoulder level).

Using a piece of string or ribbon with double-sided tape attached to one end, each guest must try to attempt to get his/her dog to attach the tail to the cat. Whichever "tail" ends up in the spot closest to where the tail belongs on a cat, is the winner. (If playing a human version, the humans must be blindfolded, and turned in circles before attempting to attach the cat's tail.)
(This game makes for some really fun video!!!)

Water Relay. Obviously a game for an outdoor dog party, this is great fun on a hot summer day.

To play, each "team" (dog + human/owner) has a small drinking cup, and a large bowl or container of water.

Line up the teams at one end of the yard, and place empty bowls or containers(smaller than the bowl that starts out filled with water) at the other end of the yard.

Using the small cup, each dog/human team scoops up water out of the large bowl, then races together to the other end of the yard and pours the water into the smaller bowl or container. The first team to fill up the smaller bowl or container wins!

Paw Painting. This is a fun activity, and the dog gets to keep his artwork as a souvenir! (Caution: Outside activity!)

Tape large sheets of paper on the patio or deck. Mix a bit of cornstarch, water, and food coloring to a smooth, runny consistency. Using a sponge, each guest applies the "paint" to his/ her dog's paws (you can do one paw at a time, or more) then let the dog walk/play/sit/lie/rollover on the paper until he determines that his artwork is complete.

The paint is safe for the dog, and can be rinsed off with a hose outside, or a quick dip in a kiddie pool (which is a great thing to have on hand for an outside paw-ty!).

Box - Watermelon - Alphabet - Ceiling fan. This fun game can also be called the "Shake That Thang" game, and makes for lots of laughs at a dog party.

Prepare a list of random vowels (like "Box, Watermelon, Alphabet, Ceiling Fan) and give a list to each team. To play, one at a time, a human guest must read/say the random words (using voice inflection and body language) to his/her dog companion in an attempt to get the dog to wag his tail (or, if he doesn't have a tail, then wag his hind end).

The dog that "shakes that thang" the wildest (based on the opinion of everyone), wins.

Doggie Dress-Up. Get your camera ready for this fun dog party game that can be played either inside or outside.

Using old clothing purchased at garage sales or Goodwill, in the center of the floor or yard, place a pile of clothing consisting of socks, shirts, and hats.

Guests are divided into two teams. Running like a relay race, when the starting judge says 'go' , one human/dog combination from each team races to the pile of clothing and quickly dresses his/her dog, using socks, a shirt, and a hat. Once dressed, the dog and human run back to their team, and the next set goes (if any clothing falls off the dog on the way back to the team, the couple must stop and the dog's garments reapplied before continuing).

The first team to get all of its players dressed and across the finish line, wins.

Do you know any fun dog party games you'd like to share?

Paw-ty on!

Woof!
~Lisa

New Puppy? A List of the Basic Must Haves

So....you've got a new puppy!   Congratulations!  I can't think of anything more exciting, honestly.   Or are you still looking, trying to find that "special someone" who catches your heart?

Whether you've already taken the plunge, or are preparing yourself in advance, you know that you'll need lots of dog supplies for your new puppy. And before you even bring little Fido or Spot home, it's helpful to have already purchased the basic dog supplies you'll need. These aren't optional extras, these are the basic dog supplies necessities that will help keep him happy and healthy. And by providing them, you'll be letting your new puppy know how important he is to you.

New Puppy Announcements. First things first! You're going to want to tell everyone about your new puppy, so be sure to take a look at BarkTalk.com's huge selection!

Puppy Food.   Buy a quality brand of dry puppy food.  Check with your veterinarian for a brand he or she recommends.  Don't skimp on the quality of your dog's food!   I recommend shopping at PETCO.com where you can find great deals and free shipping.

A Good Book.   A good book on puppy care and training is a "must read" for the new pet owner. It's best to read through the book before your bring your puppy home.  Some great ones include Cesar Milan's How to Raise the Perfect Dog: Through Puppyhood and Beyond, and  A Member of the Family: The Ultimate Guide to Living with a Happy, Healthy Dog.  Brian Kilcommon has a wonderful book and DVD combo to help get you started with training your new puppy, My Smart Puppy: Fun, Effective, and Easy Puppy Training (Book & 60min DVD).

Dog Crate..  The crate is a must have!  It will be his special place.  Be sure to get the right size dog crate for your dog. Cover the bottom of the crate with newspaper for easy cleaning while Fido's still learning about potty-training (in case of accidents). Once he's got his bladder under control, you can switch to a crate pad or a piece of carpet to put in the bottom of the crate. And remember to put a chew toy or blanket or towel in the crate to make it cozy.

Flea and Tick Prevention. Fleas are the most common external parasites that affect our dogs And although ticks are not as common, they are potentially more dangerous, to us and to our dogs, because they can transmit such diseases as Lyme and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Preventing fleas and ticks is important to our dog's health.

Bedding Material.    Make sure it's easy to wash and made of strong, "hard to destroy" fabric.

Food and Water Bowls. Look for tip-proof, stainless steel or hard plastic dog dishes. Your dog will need at least two, one for food and one for water. We prefer 2 separate bowls, rather than a partitioned bowl, because it makes refilling the water easier. Bowls that are weighted on the bottom help keep Fido's dinner and water where they belong. Non-slip material on the bottom of the bowls is also a nice bonus.

Collar and Leash.    Be sure to get the right size collar for your puppy. Flat leather or nylon collars with buckles are good for most dogs, although rolled leather collars with buckles work better for dogs with long hair. Be sure to check your puppy's collar each week to make sure it hasn't become too tight! If you can slide two fingers between your pup and his collar, it's a good fit. We like retractable leashes. They're great for walks because they extend up to 15 or 20 feet if you're out in the open, but easily retract to whatever length you need at the push of a button. A retractable leash allows your dog plenty of room to explore, yet still keeps him safe and under your control.   BarkTalk.com has a wonderful selection of designer dog collars to choose from!

ID Tag.   Every dog should have at least two tags attached to its collar: On one tag, put your name, address, and phone number. The other tag should be his numbered rabies vaccination tag.

Pet Gate. You'll probably want to purchase a pet gate to block doorways to any "off limits" rooms.

Dog toys. Toys are not an extra....they are a necessity. We believe toys are essential to your dog's happiness and well-being. Dogs not only have a blast playing with them, but the right toys keep your pet challenged, busy, and provide much needed exercise. Look for high-quality, safe chew toys, rubber balls or rubber bones, and sturdy stuffed sqeak toys. Rawhide toys are okay for an adult dog, but not for puppies, because he might break off a piece and swallow it whole. This could be dangerous!

Most of all, enjoy!

Woof!
~Lisa

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How To Start a Dog Boarding Kennel Business

Now is the time to get started in the lucrative pet industry!   Even with our economy slugging, experts predict an INCREASE in the amount of money people will spend on their pets.

If you're serious about a starting a dog boarding kennel business, then you can't go wrong with this video, The Boarding Kennel Business.

This video features expert advice from Jim Krack, Executive Director of the ABKA (American Boarding Kennels Association).


In this 55-minute video, we'll introduce you to all aspects of the boading kennel business. You’ll learn from the experts who will take you step by step and show what you can expect as a kennel owner. They’ll walk you through a typical day at their kennel and discuss such areas as marketing, operations, retail and advertising. This is video is a must for anyone considering opening a kennel.

Here are just some of the topics covered in our DVD:

• How to attract and keep new clients
• How to determine if a market exists in your area
• Advertising and Marketing
• What mistakes you must avoid
• Proper safety for the pets in your care
• How to make sure your business is profitable
• Getting started: How much capital is required?
• Other services you can offer which increase your income
• Much, much more...

Read what one of our customers has to say about the Kennel Video:

"Hello! I wanted to let you know we already received and watched the Boarding Kennel Video. It covers every single beginner question we had. It is exactly what we hoped it would be! We can tell a lot went into making the video and we appreciate your offering it to people like us who are interested in starting a boarding kennel business. It has been a perfect first step. Thank you." –Peggy G., Gambrills, MD

If you've thought seriously of opening your own pet business but weren't sure if it was right for you, this video will help you evaluate this exciting opportunity and provide you the tools to get your pet care business started today.

In this video, you'll hear from the experts. They'll show you what you need to get started with your own pet care business today. And they'll provide you a candid look into what you can expect your lifestyle to be like as a pet care professional. Plus, you'll see incredible footage from successful facilities all over the country.

Woof!
~Lisa
http://www.barktalk.com/
Pet Greetings with Panache!
(We Speak Dog)

How to Start a Pet-Sitting Business

How to Start a Pet Sitting Business.

Everyday someone asks me, “How do you start a pet-sitting business?” I try to answer their question succinctly. But the truth is, starting a pet-sitting business, or any business is not always a succinct process. Following are 21 tips that I know can lead to pet-care business success in any economy.

1. Accept what you don’t know. Not everyone who starts a pet-care business is an expert on every type of household pet. Be honest with clients who call requesting care for a pet you’ve never cared for. Your honesty and commitment to learning from them will go a long way in building long-term trust in you and your company.

2. Commit to learning about business. Unless you’ve run a series of successful small businesses before, you must create a self-education plan for yourself. No matter how much you love animals (and they love you) your business will flounder without attention to the mundane details of accounting, sales, marketing and filing.

3. Have a realistic budget. Set up a realistic budget for running your business. Be honest about how much money you need in order to pay your bills and invest in your business. Many pet-sitting businesses close because the owner did not evaluate how many visits they would need to perform in order to meet their basic financial needs.

4. Evaluate the competition. Make sure you understand what the other pet-sitters in your area are already doing, and what you can do better or more efficiently. If there are no other pet sitting companies in your area, find out what your potential customers currently do to care for their pets when they can’t be there.

5. Set realistic rates. Yes, you love pets and you can’t believe that you can get paid to have fun – that’s what a great many star athletes say too, yet they manage to make millions of dollars each year. You won’t likely be able to draw clients in by charging thousands of dollars for your services, but you won’t be able to serve pets well if you quit in 6 months because you need more money to survive.

6. Listen to pet-lovers. Ask pet owner’s what is most important about their pet’s care. Never imagine that you know everything – a pet owner always knows their pet best. Listen and you will learn how to serve them better.

7. Enjoy the people. I often joke that “Until that puppy can write a check, I work for his Mom!” And it’s true. The people who love their pets are your customers – even if you don’t see them. Check in with them and find out how they feel about your service. Make sure they understand that you are happy to work with them and you appreciate being part of their care giving ‘family.

8. Make business decisions. You are in business, so treat yourself like a business owner. If you intend to work as a sole proprietor, make a decision to work only with the clients that contribute the most to your bottom-line.

9. Build Alliances. Work with the other pet-sitters in your area. If you need a back-up or you are booked, you need to know the other quality caregivers who service your area. You can ruin your great reputation simply by recommending someone who doesn’t live up to your standards.

10. Build alliances with other small business owners in your area. Who better understands the ‘downside’ of pet ownership than the dry cleaner or housekeeping service in your neighborhood? Their businesses are based partially on the pet-owning clients in your area. Ask to place your cards in their shops, or if you can run put a flyer in their monthly bills sent to their clients.

11. Serve the client, not your ego. It’s a heady experience to feel the power of running a business and sometimes you will think you know what’s best when caring for someone else’s pets. Realize that you need to ride the fine line between educating customers and talking down to them.

12. Be genuine. Everyone wants to work with someone “real.” When people are making decisions about letting a stranger into their home to care for their most precious possession, they want to feel that you are a real human being with an understanding and appreciation of their relationship with their pet. You need to be a business person with a heart – have all your forms and policies in place, but let your personality shine through.

13. Believe in yourself. This is the most important success factor I have found. Define your success by your rules and wake up every day with the knowledge that you can and will succeed.

14. Ignore the naysayers. Plenty of people are going to doubt you when you tell them this is your goal. Don’t listen. Surround yourself with people who believe in you and never stop moving forward.

15. Create systems to work smarter. Everything can be systemized to help you get everything done. Make a list of all your ‘must dos’, ‘should dos’ and ‘want-to-dos’ and determine how often they happen (annually, quarterly, monthly, weekly, and daily). Sit down with a calendar and plug in the activities that will accomplish your lists.

16. Network. Just like building alliances, you need to step up your ‘face-time’ in your community. Investigate several networking opportunities in groups that are industry specific (like pet-rescue organizations, pet-sitter networks) and business or community specific (like the Chamber of Commerce, or NAWBO). After visiting several, select the ones that are most effective for your business – both in terms of referrals for new business and for educational purposes.

17. Evaluate. If something is working (or not) for you – find out why. Ask questions of everyone – your happy (and unhappy) clients. Find out what keeps happy customers coming back. If someone decides not to hire you for their pet’s care, ask them what influenced their decision. If their decision was based on an area where you can’t compromise - you won’t provide every other day service for cats – move on. If it’s something you can improve upon - they thought you were too abrupt on the phone – fix it! Get to the heart of what drives your business and take time each day to improve.

18. Set goals and action plans. You must know what your objectives are for you and your business. When you envision your life in a year, three years and ten years, what will you be doing? How will your business be running? Whether you intend to serve ten clients for life, or you want to establish the top pet-sitting franchise in North America and Europe – you need to have a goal and a plan.

19. Find your niche and stick to it. When I started peggiespets.com, I was intimidated by narrowing to a niche. By defining your niche and marketing to them, you are not turning away other business (our niche is big dogs and puppy potty training) you can continue to accept all the business you want that is outside of your niche (ask all the terriers, birds and rabbits we care for!).

20. Strive for success everyday. Never compromise your ideals to meet someone else’s expectations. The reason you started your own business is because of your passion, so always stand by your convictions and work hard to exceed your expectations each day.
NOTE: You’ll encounter people who don’t do business the way you do, and you’ll find clients that don’t live up to your expectations…don’t lecture, don’t get on your soapbox, just politely point them in a different direction.

21. Help someone else succeed. The more you give away, the more you will receive. Whether you are helping another pet-care business get started (with more than 65 million dogs and 77 million cats in American households according to APPMA– there’s room for more pet-care providers!) or you’re helping another person achieve their dream, you will be more successful because you participated!

Follow these tips to achieve your own brand of pet-care business success!

About The Author
Peggie Arvidson-Dailey is the founder of Pet Care Business University and the Pet-Care Business Success System™. She is the author of several articles on small business success and has been radio guest on “This Week in Small Business” on the topic of Customer Satisfaction. As a trainer and coach she has helped people across the country create and build the pet-care business of their dreams. Visit http://www.peggiespets.com/ for more information.


If you're serious about starting a Pet Sitting Business, or any other business in the dog care industry, check out our Pet Business Video Series

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~Lisa
http://www.barktalk.com/

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http://www.BarkTalk.com
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