Dog Walker

Nurturing Your Furry Friend: Selecting the Perfect Dog Walker

It is a well-known fact that pets, particularly dogs, require special care and attention. One of the most vital aspects of their well-being is their daily walk. Not only does it provide essential exercise for your furry friend, but it also offers an opportunity to strengthen your bond with your pet. However, there are times when a busy work schedule or exhaustion from a long day makes it challenging to find time to take your dog for a walk. This is where the services of a dog walker come into play. Dog walkers can alleviate your stress by caring for your pets as if they were their own. But how do you go about finding the perfect dog walker for your beloved companion? In this article, we provide you with the essential guidelines for making this important decision.

Where to Find a Dog Walker

When seeking any service, the first step is to locate potential providers. If you’re unable to personally take your dog for a walk due to time constraints, a dog walker can fulfill this need. Here’s how you can find a reliable dog walker in your area:

Use a Dog-Walking Application:

Consider downloading a dog walker app to streamline your search for local dog walkers. These user-friendly apps not only make it easy to find professional dog walkers but also allow you to track your dog’s location via GPS, providing peace of mind.

Inquire Locally:

Reach out to dog-friendly individuals in your neighborhood, including teenagers or adults looking to earn extra income. They might be willing to help with dog walking. However, for dogs with specific needs or behavior issues, professional dog walking services are a better choice.

Seek Referrals:

Begin your search for a dog walker by asking people you trust, such as friends, family, or your veterinarian. They may have recommendations or know of reputable dog walkers. You can also post your requirement at local animal shelters and parks or ask fellow dog owners during your walks.

Hire a Professional:

While neighborhood kids may be a temporary solution, professional dog walkers offer a more consistent and reliable service. They have experience, a genuine love for dogs, and the ability to arrange for backup walkers when needed.

What Your Dog Needs from a Dog Walker

Choosing the right dog walker is essential to ensure your dog’s well-being. Consider your dog’s size, breed, age, and individual needs when selecting a dog walker. Small puppies may require multiple short walks each day, while larger dogs may benefit from longer, more energetic walks. Other factors to consider include whether your dog prefers leash walks or enjoys walking off-leash and whether they prefer one-on-one attention or group walks with other dogs. Understanding your dog’s preferences is crucial for finding the right dog walker.

Average Pay for a Dog Walker

The cost of a dog walker can vary based on your location, the walker’s experience, and any additional services requested, such as feeding or medication administration. Research the average rates in your city and inquire with friends or neighbors about their dog walker’s fees to ensure you are getting a fair price.

In Conclusion

When you find the right dog walker for your furry friend, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing your pet is in capable hands. Take the necessary steps to select a trustworthy dog walker, as your pet’s well-being should always be a top priority.

How to you walk your dog when it is bad weather- Family Pet retreat

How Do You Walk A Dog When It Is Bad Weather?

When the weather is right, dog walking is probably the best part of your day, right? But what about when it’s too hot, too cold, raining, or snowing? If you’re anything like a lot of pet owners, you probably prefer skipping the walk altogether on such days! As a loving pet parent, though, you know that foregoing a walk really isn’t an option, so we thought we’d share a few expert tips on dog walking in undesirable weather.

Dog walking in bad weather is not always an easy task. Here are some tips to make it a little easier.

Stay Consistent

Shortening the walk’s length may be a good decision in bad weather. However, it would be best if you did not forego the walk together. Your dog must walk daily to stay energetic and fit, and it will help avoid behavioral issues and accidents.

Search For A Good Location

Some dogs might hate extreme weather conditions, such as rain and summer days. One of the easiest ways to make a walk painless is to search for areas with shelters that block sunlight and heavy rain. If you discover a covered area or an area surrounded by trees, it can create a protective layer to protect your dog from harsh weather conditions.

Wisely Choose The Gears

Protect your lovely dog from extreme cold, hot, or weather conditions by purchasing the right gear, ex: raincoats and boots for the rainy season and hats or bodysuits to protect the dog from direct sunlight.
Whether the outside temperature is cold or hot, if your dog has white fur, please use dog sunscreen before taking them out for a walk. Additionally, it would be best if you carried a clean drinking water bottle and some snacks you can offer as comfort food.

Watch Your Dog’s Behaviour

Watch how your dog reacts to bad weather conditions, and notice their signs of discomfort and hypothermia. If your dog is shivering too much, walking slowly, or favoring a paw, you must get them out of the bad weather conditions.
Remember that you may be having a pleasant experience walking with our dog, but your dog may be pining to go home. Even if they are not facing any medical issues, it does not mean they will enjoy the temperature. Always put your dog first, and make sure to take them to the comfort that they need.

Hire A Dog Walker

Whatever the reasons why you can’t go out for a walk with your dog, hiring a professional to walk your dog will always work for you. This way, your little friend will remain consistent on a scheduled walk and enjoy the great outdoors without you. Best dog walkers like Family Pet can not only take your dog out for a walk in harsh weather conditions but we are mastered in doing so.

Stay Updated With Weather Conditions In Your Locality

It only takes one or two minutes for the weather to be dangerous. So, before you plan to go out for a dog walk, then make sure to check the weather forecasting. We suggest you add it to your daily routine. As per the weather conditions, you must plan the walk accordingly. If a storm is arising or rain is expected, try to cut down the walk length.

Summarize

When the weather is extremely bad, your dog still needs to go for a walk. However, it is not a good decision to take your dog out even in bad weather conditions because neither you nor your dog will enjoy the walk. However, taking your dog for a walk in beautiful weather always cheers me up. Although, in bad weather, you must keep your dog occupied by playing interactive indoor games.

Benefits of walking your dog

Benefits Of Walking Your Dog

There is no doubt that dogs love to go out for a walk, and regular walking with your dog is an excellent way to maintain your dog’s health. Obesity in dogs is associated with numerous medical issues, such as osteoarthritis, cardiovascular disease, liver disease, and insulin resistance.

A regular walk can make your dog more charming and pleasant. Walking your dog provides mental stimulation and physical exercise and improves behavioral training. Dogs love to check out the sights and smells, and they will look forward to spending time with you. Let’s look at some reasons why you should walk your dog daily.

A Great Source Of Physical Exercise:

We all know that regular physical exercise is key to maintaining human health, and this applies to dogs too. Maintaining a healthy body weight for your dog can reduce the number of health-related conditions such as hypertension, liver disease, and diabetes.

Whether it’s for humans or dogs, there are numerous physical benefits of walking regularly:

  • Improves blood pressure.
  • Prevents diabetes and obesity.
  • Reduces the chances of coronary heart disease.
  • Prevents colon and breast cancer.

Walking helps preserve the dog’s muscles and joints and is an excellent way to manage your dog’s weight. Additionally, a daily walk will improve your dog’s mood and energy levels.

By walking every day with your dog, you are keeping yourself, and your dog fit.

Mental Relaxation

Walking your dog daily increases the chances of exploring the neighborhood. There is a psychological reason so many dogs become service animals for veterans and people living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Walking a dog every day adds positive vibes to the environment and reduces the chances of depression and anxiety. Research shows that spending time with a dog can reduce the chances of the stress hormone cortisol. Give your dog some time to sniff for mental enrichment and stimulation when you’re out for a morning walk.

Having a dog forcing you to go for a walk creates a long chain of positive effects on your mental health. Physical activity releases endorphins in the brain that energizes your mind and creates positive feelings. It is a great medium to reduce stress, improve mood, and increase mental energy.

Improved And Deep Sleep

You must have seen your dog lying on the floor after a long walk or play. You might need a quick nap after a walk like your dog, but a study shows that exercising regularly helps to improve the quality and amount of your sleep.

An adult human requires 7-8 hours of deep sleep every night to stay active and energetic. Sleep deprivation is the most common reason leading to various health diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and blood pressure problems. Apart from that, lack of sleep can affect your mental health and disturb your life.

This is where your lovely dog comes in. Try scheduling 20-30 minutes a day for a dog walk. Your dog will force you to overcome this barrier and break the harmful cycle of inactivity and bad sleep.

Provides Socialization

Human beings are social creatures. However, some people find it difficult to socialize with others and make friends. When you take a dog out for a walk, an individual will instantly be exposed to other dog walkers sharing the same interests. It’s not only a great opportunity to engage with others, but it becomes a sense of community to which the persons belong.

There are even dog clubs and communities that bring dog owners together. Taking your dogs to these clubs and communities can help you to make more friends and create a newfound sense of belonging.

Improves Dog Behaviour

Dog walking helps burn off the extra energy and helps dog owners seek teachable training moments for their dogs. A happy, balanced, and fulfilled dog will be a better-behaved and trained dog.A frustrated and neglected dog will wreak havoc and will not be good for anyone. Walking the dog daily can help to alleviate hyperactivity, and destructive behavior in a dog, which gives much more pleasure to dog owners.

What Is Your Dog Walking Time?

Nowadays, facing health problems in humans and dogs is very common. There are various health issues that humans and dogs face, such as obesity, joint pains, lack of stamina, heart disease, etc. Walking 20-30 minutes daily with your dog can help you stay fit and prevent various health diseases.

profesional dog walking service in spring texas

Professional Dog Walker Service In Spring Texas

Dog owners all over the world know how important routine walking is for their furry friends. Those who can spare time for their beloved doggo, do this daily and the ones having a hectic schedule prefer hiring a dog walker. One way or another, your darling furry being needs a timely walk to keep it healthy and happy.

While it’s important to hire a professional who can train your dog and walk your pet whenever you need it, an expert can provide more than what a regular dog owner cannot provide. Before delving into how a professional can help, understand the importance of a dog walk.

It’s Physical Health That Matters A Lot

It matters not if you have a small-sized breed of dog or the largest one; all dog breeds need an adequate amount of walk and exercise to keep their physical health in optimum shape. You must know that a dog that doesn’t go out for a regular walk tends to develop cardiovascular conditions and several bones related ailments. Therefore, it is necessary for your lovely canine to go out for a routine walk.

Yes, Dogs Are Prone To Stress And Depression

A dog is an intelligent creature that requires both mental and physical stimulation to keep it in good shape. Experts say that going on a walk with your pet is the best way to condition your relationship with your dog. A routine walk not only keeps the pet fit but also stimulates it on a mental level that relieves a lot of stress. A prolonged lack of walk may drag your doggo into depression. This is something you don’t want in the first place.

A Way To Socialize

Ever imagined why many dogs develop anger? It matters not if you have a breed of dog that has a territorial sense or a breed that doesn’t have it at all. They all tend to develop anger and become agitated over a period of time when you do not let them out for a walk. Also, a pet that goes out regularly is more sociable as compared to the one you put on a leash, even when he’s home. Put your dog on a leash, when you go out and unleash him when he’s home. Train him where to sit and how to behave when it is home. It requires a little training, and dogs are one of the fastest learners.

Now that you have learned the importance of a walk for a dog, chances are you must have a busy schedule that keeps you from letting your darling pet out every day. There could be an important business meeting that is scheduled for an entire week that prohibits you from going for a walk with your dog. When such a circumstance arises, hiring a professional dog walker becomes the only choice.

Let’s dive deeper into the importance of hiring a professional for your dog when you do not have much time to cater to your dog’s needs;

The Pet Behaviour Management

Many dog owners often complain about the bad behavior of their canine companions. A highly energetic dog tends to go haywire with its energy if not tamed. It is not that there’s nothing you can do about it. You must know that it is about how you treat and train an energetic dog. Those who fail to tame their dogs must hire a professional dog walker who will not only train your dog how to behave around but also teaches you how to act around your beloved canine. They are highly trained dog specialists that have a long history of training all breeds of dogs.

When You Hire A Dog Walker It Delivers You, Much-Needed Peace

Whether you are a first-timer or one with a very hectic schedule, a professional dog walker always helps. Believe it or not, the first-timers needed a professional more than the ones who are experienced in having a dog in their family. An expert teaches you how to put a leash on your dog and walk (yes, many people do it the wrong way and put their beloved pet on the right side when they walk, which is wrong. Put your dog on the left side always). Apart from that, dogs with territorial sense tend to impose their supremacy if you fail to take charge. A professional dog walker teaches you how to act around your canine with a territorial sense.

Keeps Your Dog’s Temperament In Check

Many dog owners (it includes experienced ones) complain about the bad temperament of their dogs. Believe it or not, when you bring a pup home from a kennel, you are providing it with Family Pet to stay in. Your pup is just like your family member that has their own requirement. It is not just dogged with a territorial sense that can develop a bad temperament, any non-territorial sense dog can develop a bad temperament if you are not educated on how to train your dog. A professional teaches your dog for you and suggests to you how to act and behave like a leader when your dog is around. That doesn’t mean you need to be angry or beat it. As a matter of fact, it will only make the condition worse. Instead, listen to the professional and follow the guidelines.

Your Pet Conclusion

If you would do a little research, you could find that dogs are the direct decedents of wolves. Over many thousands of years of selective breeding, brought dogs that can be domesticated. However, you cannot domesticate a wolf because they are wild and cannot be trained, but you can domesticate and train a dog. There are several breeds of dog out here in this world, varied in size and shape, and each requires regular walking. Imagine you being home for more than a day doesn’t get a chance to get out to get some air. How would you feel? Agitated, right? The same goes for your dog. Those who can go out routinely for a walk with their dog, and keep their canine fit, and the ones with a busy schedule can look for a professional service.