Random Musings From Your Bel Air Dog Walker

Most of us think to make sure our children are taken care of but are we remembering our fur family? If you are considering an estate plan, then you care about the future of your loved ones. And, rightly so! It is your responsibility to ensure that your dependents do not suffer if you lose your strength or pass away. At least, monetarily, your family will not suffer. That being said, what about the pets? If you have pets, you would naturally want to protect them as well in cas

While most of us rely on speech to communicate, our 4-legged best friends primarily communicate through age-old body language. Do YOU know what your dog is saying? Canine Body Language  Dogs are always communicating even if they are not making a sound through their:  Ears and eyes Tail position (and motion) Mouth and facial expressions Overall body position (and movement) While many people claim a dog behavior (usually negative ones) “came out of nowhere,” d

There are different reasons why a dog may require a therapeutic or specialized diet.  But as their guardian, what should you know? Special K9 diets can effectively address a variety of issues but they should only be used under the direct supervision of your regular veterinarian. Feeding a special diet when not required by a definitive diagnosis can create new serious health issues for your canine. Any diet regularly fed to your dog needs to contain the proper amounts of prot

Good leash training lasts a lifetime and will make walks a pleasure, not a chore! We have all seen the dogs who missed out on good leash training. Once fully grown and strong, these dogs dominate the walk and drag their hapless owners – and anyone else – behind them completely out of control! While it’s funny to watch, it is dangerous for the walker and the dog! If you have adopted a puppy recently, start loose leash training immediately and enjoy the benefits throughout

Beginning around 6-8 months until 2 or 3 years of age, your puppy begins to transition from adorable puppyhoodinto the adolescent and “teenage” stage. Are you ready? Just like with humans, adolescence poses new challenges, stubborn and bratty behaviors and efforts to explore outside the comfort zone. Limits will be tested, and it may even seem like your puppy has forgotten everything he previously learned. Defining the Teenage Dog The adolescent period is full of changes i

It may seem harmless to pretend your dog is a trained service dog, but the result can be potentially dangerous and illegal! Is it really a big deal for people to claim their dog is a service animal so they can take them everywhere with them? For those of us who love our dogs unconditionally, it may seem reasonable to share all aspects of our daily life with them by our side. While unscrupulous companies make it easy to buy service dog vests, harnesses, collars or tags, it’s n

Leash aggression is a common canine behavior. Below, we’ll examine what’s behind leash aggression and how to effectively address this potentially dangerous issue. Leash aggression is a negative emotional and behavioral reaction. It’s often associated with an insecure, frustrated, anxious and fearful dog who does not possess adequate social skills to properly meet and greet another canine. Coming face-to-face with leash aggression can be frightening if you don’t understand w

Cats are curious creatures and most thrive on exploration and hunting. But should you let your household feline go outside? Keep reading to learn more. Should Your Cat Roam Alone? There are both pros and cons about whether cats should be allowed outside alone. But before you let your feline outside to explore, give some careful thought to the potential concerns and dangers your cat will face outside the protection of your home. Outdoor Dangers for your Cat Health Issues: Acc

No one likes to expect the unexpected.  But when you’re faced with a life-threatening emergency requiring K9 CPR, proper preparation may be all that stands between life and death for that dog.  When a dog stops breathing, immediately knowing what to do and how to do it properly can save that dog’s life. Never wait until your dog stops breathing to learn or attempt C ardio p ulmonary R esuscitation or CPR. Courses for Dog & Cat CPR are available online through the Red Cro

Keep your pets happy & healthy Your pet needs daily attention to be happy, healthy and safe! Whether it’s just another normal day at the office or having to put in longer hours, attending your children’s extra-curricular activities or even traveling for work or the holidays, it’s important to proactively ensure your pet’s well-being every day. While most dog owners realize their canines need more attention during the day for those all-important potty breaks, our felines need

Across the country, we have already seen record-breaking hot temperatures. If you are hot, chances are your pet is too. Keep the following tips in mind to keep your dog cool! Remember, our pets need us to look out for their safety and well-being. Canines with heavy coats for colder climates (like Newfoundlands, Samoyeds and Malamutes) and smooshed-in faces (like bulldogs and pugs), dogs with respiratory or heart issues, obese and senior dogs are all at greater risk for heat e

Can CBD really support your dog’s best well-being and positively address chronic health issues? Keep reading to learn more. From edibles to pills, oral sprays to tinctures (concentrated liquid extracts taken orally), balms, salves, topicals and now vaping, the choices of CBD products are almost endless for not only humans but our pets as well.   But bottom line, IS CBD good for our dogs ? Or is it just overblown hype when it comes to health benefits? As with any health trea

National Dog Week is September 22nd-September 28th. There are so many ways to celebrate with your dogs this week! Depending on what your dog likes to do, your Bel Air dog walker has plenty of ideas for you and your pup to celebrate National Dog Week.  Explore Dog Friendly Places You don’t have to go far to spend time at a dog friendly restaurant patio, dog park, or dog friendly event in your town. When going to a dog friendly place to eat or an event, make sure you have potty

In honor of National Cat Lovers Month, we’re sharing some incredible facts about our feline friends! See how many of these fun facts you know! Don’t worry, we won’t tell your kitty! Cats in Ancient Egypt Ancient Egyptians worshipped cats and when a cat died, family members would shave off their eyebrows in mourning. They also held funerals and embalmed the cat with a wooden mask and buried them in the family tomb or pet cemetery (along with mummified mice). In 1888, more tha

With school breaks and the holidays upon us, our normal schedules are often turned upside down. But when it comes to our dogs, how long is too long to leave them home alone? Just because you can leave your dog alone, this doesn’t mean you should on a daily basis.  Dogs are known as pack animals and as such, they instinctively rely upon the presence of the pack for security and comfort. Each dog is an individual and their specific needs and requirements are as unique as they

Truth be told, I may be a little biased but hiring a dog walker provides wonderful benefits for your canine pal but also for you! Below are the top FIVE reasons hiring a dog walker is so important. 1. Exercise – An estimated 56 to 60% of dogs and cats in the US are overweight according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention . Many pets develop medical issues directly attributable to their weight. Providing your dog with the proper amount of exercise every day is o

July is Pet Loss Prevention Month, a whole 31 days dedicated to educating owners on how to help prevent their pets from getting lost and ways you can successfully find them. According to the ASPCA, millions of animals that belonged to families end up in shelters each year. Unfortunately, not all of them find their way back home, but you can increase those odds with a few simple steps. If you're going out of town, don't leave your pets alone. Hire a pet sitter who can check on

How ro safely socialize your new dog during Covid Congratulations! You’ve adopted a new puppy or dog! But how can you give your new best friend the proper socialization they need during the Coronavirus pandemic? Socialization is critical for a happy, calm dog Socialization is critical for dogs, especially puppies! If not properly done early in life, puppies can grow into fearful, anxious and even aggressive canines. Canine Socialization Socialization for dogs is more tha

Coronavirus has changed life for us and our pets. But another change is coming for our pets as restrictions begin to ease up and we return to work.  How will your pet cope with being on their own again? For most dogs (and even other pets), the last several months have been heaven on earth as their humans have been isolated with them at home. But as we begin to return to work and other daily activities, will our pets be able to make the transition without feeling the challen

Grooming Your Pet At Home In many locations, groomers are not open while cities and states deal with the threat of the coronavirus. That leaves many pet owners wondering what to do without the ability to get their dog or cat groomed, especially when it's a rather fluffy critter whose fur gets tangled easily. The good news is that you can learn to groom your pet at home, particularly if you have a patient pet (and a rather patient nature yourself)! You'll need a few basic too