Random Musings From Your Bel Air Dog Walker

Choosing the Right Person for Your Furry Family Member: 11 Essential Questions to Ask Choosing the right person to care for your furry family member is a big decision. Whether you’re looking for daily dog walks or reliable vacation pet care, the right fit should offer more than just convenience. They should offer peace of mind. Here are 11 essential questions to help you find someone who checks all the right boxes. 1. Are You Insured and Bonded? This one is non-negotiable. Pr

Holiday season and food go hand in hand. During the holidays, everyone’s dining table is full of scrumptious foods, their tempting aromas making you unable to resist diving in mouth first, lol. In addition to catering to guests, it is natural to feel like including our four-legged housemates when it comes to holiday feasts. However, it is important to keep an eye on what your pet consumes as some of the food items can prove toxic. A quick turn of your back can give a dog that

Halloween Pet Safety Tips for Bel Air, MD Dogs and Cats. A Local Dog Walker’s Guide Halloween is a blast in Bel Air and across Harford County. Porches light up, neighborhoods get busy, and the doorbell never quits. For pets, that same excitement can turn into stress, escape attempts, stomach trouble, or an expensive emergency vet visit. The good news is that a few smart adjustments can keep your dog or cat safe while you still enjoy the holiday. Below is a practical, local-ow

Summer is finally right around the corner, and it’s time to get out and enjoy the weather! Walks through the neighborhood are nice, but a change of scenery is always a real treat! There are all kinds of summer activities you can enjoy, but of course, you can’t go without your dog! If you’re a person who likes to get out with your dog as often as possible, then you’ve come to the right place. You might be new to the area and need some help finding dog-friendly things to do, or

You know that exercise is important for your dog. It helps keep them fit and healthy and can even help regulate their behavior. You try to get them out for walks and play time, but you might be wondering if your dog is getting enough movement in their day. There are a few things that go into determining how much exercise an individual dog needs. Your dog’s age plays a part as well as their breed and their physical condition. Thankfully, we’ve broken it down to help you figure

So you decided to expand your family - congratulations! If you’ve been preparing for a new pup, then you’ve probably done some research. Maybe you’ve found the right food and toys, and you’ve gone through your house and puppy-proofed. You’ve read about training, and you know how important it is to start right away to help your puppy adapt to their new home. One thing that gives many new dog parents pause is crate training. The idea of having your dog stay in a crate if you a

If you’re lucky enough to live in Bel Air, Maryland and the surrounding area, then you know it’s a super pet friendly area. If you have a dog and you love the outdoors, then it’s really a dream come true. Sometimes though, life gets in the way, and we just can’t take our pets everywhere with us. Longer work hours, business trips, family emergencies, some situations just aren’t pet friendly. What do you do if you have to leave your pet? Boarding is an option, but it can be sca

You may have noticed your dog or cat doesn’t seem to be moving around quite as well as they used to. They may be moving more slowly or not keeping up with your other pets. Believe it or not, this is something that can even happen in younger animals. Your pet doesn’t need to be elderly to start suffering from joint problems. Unfortunately, injuries or congenital deformities can cause difficulty at any age. If you’ve noticed some loss of mobility or signs of pain in your pet (a

You probably already know why you should walk your dog every day. Walking is important for the health and well-being of your dog. While we all agree health is important, only walking for health can suck all the enjoyment right out of it, since it feels like something you’re forced to do. Walking your dog doesn’t have to feel like a chore. If you’re excited about walking your dog, your dog will sense it and they’ll enjoy their walks more too. Since walking is something you hav

There are few things as painful as a dog pulling you during a walk. You might lose your footing, the leash burns your hand, and your arm is going to end up sore. It's even worse if you're a dog walker who happens to be walking more than one dog at a time. While your long-term goal should be retraining your pet so that they stop pulling, you need something to help you in the meantime. There are a variety of options to help save your arm muscles, but they're not all created equ

It’s hard to believe, but the holiday season is here! If you’re wondering what to get for the pet parents on your list, look no further. We’ve put together a list of our local Bel Air area favorites, so you can find the perfect present for your pet-loving pals. But don’t worry! We haven’t forgotten those adorable fur babies! You’ll be able to find gifts for the pets in your life in this guide as well. We’ve made sure to provide ideas for every pet and pet lover on your list.

Dogs communicate in a variety of ways including well-established body language, barks and even growls. But is it always a bad thing when yo

You may have planned for it, you may have tried to resist (but not too hard, let’s be real), or maybe, things just worked out this way. You have a new kitten! Before long, you’ll feel like your kitten has been there forever. But the first days can often be a little nerve-wracking. If you’re new to having a kitten around the house, or if you have an older cat you need to get to accept the kitten, you may not be sure what to do. You want to be able to start out on the right foo

It can be so hard when you’re getting ready to go out for dinner, and you turn and see your dog’s big, sad eyes pleading with you. How do you say no to that face? Fortunately, you don’t have to because Maryland is such a dog-friendly state. In addition to fun outdoor activities, there are plenty of restaurants that have started opening their doors to our canine companions. Don’t worry! We’ve put together a list of restaurants that welcome dogs. Plus, we’ve done our best to he

It can be a major struggle when you’re out with your dog and suddenly their nose hits the ground and they start pulling you along. Our first instinct is to pull them back. Unfortunately, over the course of a dog walk, this results in a sore arm and a less than pleasant stroll. So what’s the deal? What makes them feel the urge to sniff EVERYTHING? The truth is you shouldn’t stop your dog from sniffing. But you can totally make walks less of a struggle and keep your dog from pu

Items to Include in a Pet First Aid Kit Being a pet parent or pet sitter is a rewarding experience full of tail-wagging fun, but what should you do if the pet in your care becomes ill or injured? These situations can happen at any time and being ready for them is crucial to your dog or cat’s health and well-being. One great way to be prepared for an unexpected pet emergency is to keep a Pet First Aid kit. This National Pet First Aid Awareness Month, we have compiled a list th

So, you've decided to feed your pet a raw diet. Deciding to feed your pet a raw diet might seem like a walk in the park compared to the next step: actually deciding what form of a raw diet you want to feed your pet. Don't worry, you can always feed a combination of options to ensure your dog or cat has a balanced diet that they enjoy eating! A Fresh Raw Diet The classic mainstay for feeding a raw diet to your pets is going for a fresh food option. You can purchase ingredients

If you're looking at a new food option for your furry family member, you may have considered trying the raw diet. Supporters of the BARF diet, or Bones and Raw Food diet, note alleviation of health issues for their dogs or cats, from no more allergies to bad gas going away. Would it help your pet? There are some definite considerations to keep in mind about starting to feed raw. Pros of Feeding Your Pet Raw The outlined ideas for a raw diet came from veterinarian Ian Billing

Whether you’re walking your own dog or walking many dogs for a living, it’s important to always do it safely!

Have you ever wondered if you’re doing everything right when it comes to raising and caring for your dog? September is Responsible Dog Ownership Month, and your Bel Air pet sitter has 5 ways to be a loving, caring, and responsible dog owner.  Whether you have one dog or multiple dogs, being a responsible dog owner starts before you even bring a new dog home. Realizing the commitment it takes to raise and care for a dog is the first step in responsible dog ownership.  Lifetime