How dogs interact with others plays a role in decision-making

Have you ever wondered why your dog did (or didn't) do something? Have you seen them pick up behavior from their other doggie friends or siblings? Well if so, you're not crazy! New research has come out which shows that " Dynamics between familiar dogs may influence their likelihood of learning from each other, new research shows. How dogs interact with others plays a big role in how they respond under conditions that require quick thinking." In this great article shared from sciencedaily.com, they explore deeper into how these dynamics can influence your dog. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/04/170424142212.htm

Photo Credit: Image courtesy of Canisius College

If you want a knowledgeable, professional pet sitter at an affordable price contact us today for your free consultation! www.walkingwetnoses.com

Want to Start Running With Our Pack?

Hi pet lovers!!

If you have been following our blog the last few weeks, you will have seen some great reasons (we think!) for hiring a professional pet sitter versus a family friend or local neighborhood teen. So if you are thinking about hiring a professional sitter, but want more information, did you know that we provide a FREE 30-minute consultation with Walking Wetnoses owner Lysa? That's right! You get to talk with the company owner to be sure that it's a mutually-great match so your pet can receive on the best of care. 

If you want to set up your free consultation, contact us today at either PETS@WALKINGWETNOSES.COM or 703-951-PETS (7387)! 

Why Professional Pet Sitters Are Worth the Cost!

Good afternoon dog lovers!

You may be wondering, "why are professional pet sitters worth the cost?"  We know that it shouldn't be, but a lot of people consider good petting sitting to be a luxury service or an additional cost. However any good pet owner will make sure that there is reliable help to take care of their furry loved ones.

So you may be wondering why we charge what we do for our services? It all comes down to our sitters and their level of professionalism and care. All of our pet sitters are professional, caring, experienced employees with extensive animal knowledge. We pay them accordingly both for their experience and their time as we want them to treat each of your pets like their own.  Cutting costs to pay a neighbor or a family friend, while not intentional, could result in things with your pet being overlooked. Our sitters are trained to be aware of situations and be on the lookout for any signs that your pet might be showing.   

Pet sitting is a wonderful job but is very time-demanding, and doesn't break for holidays. Good pet sitters set aside their holidays, evenings and weekends for the benefit of their clients. We also strive for low turnover rate with our sitters, and want them to stay with us for a long time. That is another reason why it's worth it to pay a professional sitter, so your pet can have a new friendship that is long-term with one of our sitters. Just ask any of our clients and they will tell you it's worth it!

If you are considering hiring us for your next getaway, and are on the fence, please contact us today! You can also find more information on our website, http://www.walkingwetnoses.com/.

 

Differences Between a Professional Pet Sitter and a Hobby Pet Sitter

Good morning,

Today we are sharing a blog post from Ace Pet Care about why you should hire a professional pet sitter versus an amateur pet sitter, or hobby pet sitter. This may seem like a "no brainer" to some, but to others the imminent dangers that could arise aren't as apparent.  "Caring for someone’s pets is hard work. It takes long hours. It takes diligence, a sense of responsibility, personal commitment in the face of long hours and experience. Like other professionals, large and small, pet sitting is a trainable business, but one that still has value over cost. All professionals charge for their time and experience. They are worth it. Professional pet sitters are no different."

Take a look at just some of the many reasons, hiring a professional pet sitter is the smart choice and contact us today at: http://www.walkingwetnoses.com/ to inquire about our professional pet sitting services in Leesburg, Virginia.

"The next time you are wondering why a professional pet sitter costs more than a hobbyist, these are the reasons:

-A professional pet sitter pays for pet sitting liability insurance to protect you. This costs money.

-A professional pet sitter pays for membership in professional pet sitting organizations in order to take advantage of pet care education and training in pet first aid, pet CPR, pet safety, pet behaviors, pet training techniques, and to create a network of professionals to help quickly in any emergency situation.

-A professional pet sitter pays for pet sitting-related books and magazines to make sure that our skills are the highest possible and that we are providing the safest care and attention to your pet’s needs.

-A professional pet sitter pays for legal advice so that we have a contract in order to protect you and our business. It will explain what services the pet sitter will and will not provide. There will be forms to fill out to give the pet sitter all the information needed to provide the very best care for your pet and your home. There will be authorization forms for various professionals such as your veterinarian to work with us in the event there is a need. There will be policies and backup plans in place.

-A professional Pet sitter will have expenses just like every other legitimate business. And the reason you want us to charge enough to keep us in business is so that you know who is caring for your pets, and your pets know and trust their pet sitter. This provides for a trouble-free vacation for you, and stress-free time for your pets." (To read the original article post, visit the link here!) 

The Poisonous Threat to Your Dog You Probably Aren't Aware Of

The hot and humid summer brings with it some threats to unsuspecting dogs and cats: toads and toxic mushrooms. One thing that all of our pet sitters are constantly on the lookout for are toads. It's also important that all of our pet sitters are trained to recognize signs and symptoms of things such as toad toxicity.

"The two most important species of toad that are known for their toxic effects on pets are the Colorado River Toad (Bufo alvarius) and the Marine Toad (Bufo marinus). Most cases of poisoning are reported during the warmest weather months, when the toads are more active and humidity is high." (Petmd.com)

Did you know that "over a 4-year period, Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI) processed almost 300 claims from pet guardians whose dog (or much less often, cat) had an encounter with a deadly toad. In fact, it was one of the top 10 types of poisonings during that 4-year period."

You may be aware of the fact that some toads can be poisonous to our pets but were you aware of how they pass their toxins to our dogs and cats? If you want to learn more and learn how you can protect your pets, or what to do when you think they might have toad poisoning, visit the article link from healthypets.com here.

To learn more about our pet sitting services and how we can visit with your dog this summer, contact us today at: http://www.walkingwetnoses.com/

Pet Sitting vs. Pet Boarding...What to do!

You are getting ready to go away for a trip and you are wondering... to pet sit or board your pet? Well, obviously it comes down to your personal preference and what you think your furry loved ones will be most comfortable with. However, there are several things to consider before you make your final choice. Sharing this article from PineapplePets today, it brings up several key points to consider. Like is your pet good around other pets and strange people? Or how about if they have any allergies or complicated medicine routines. All of these things are important when deciding whether to board your pet or have a pet sitter come over.

One of our pet sitters, Debbie

Of course, we are biased and feel that pet sitting is the best option! So if you are looking for caring, reliable and professional pet sitters in Leesburg, Virginia, then contact us today! We will be glad to meet you and your pet for your first, free consultation: http://www.walkingwetnoses.com/

To view the entire post about pet sitting vs. pet boarding visit the original link here. 

7 WAYS TO KEEP YOUR PET ENTERTAINED WHILE YOU’RE AWAY

Good afternoon,

As you might have guessed, we think the best remedy to a lonely pet while you are away is having a pet sitter or walker come by for a visit/quick jaunt out! However we do realize that sometimes you can't afford to have a visitor for your dog(s) every day, and you will have to leave them for one reason on another.

This article  from Positively.com talks about 7 ways to keep your pet entertained while you are out. (Note: Walking Wetnoses does not necessarily or agree or endorse any of these products, they are just ideas to share!)


If you are looking for someone to come stop in and do a mid-day visit or take your pup for a walk while you're away, contact us today! We are located in Leesburg, Virginia and serve the surrounding Western Loudoun County area. Check us out today at: www.walkingwetnoses.com!