Puppy Sitting in Charlotte, NC

Posted on May 30, 2013 by creaturecomfortschar

Do you have a new puppy that needs a little extra love and attention while you are working all day? As a professional pet sitter in Charlotte, I can help.

Here is an example of a puppy sit I cover during the weekdays, while the owners are away….

Bailey is a puppy that I visit during the week for midday dog walks. As I enter her home, I can hear her moving around in her crate. As I climb the stairs I can hear her whimpering. Then when I enter the room, she starts jumping up in her crate. Bailey is so excited to see me, her pet sitter!! It makes me smile. I open her crate door and carry her downstairs. I quickly leash her up and go outside. She heads for the grassy area to pee and after she is done I praise her. “Good girl, Bailey!” I tell her. Then, we go for our daily dog walk. She loves it! She is still learning how to walk nicely on a leash, but I enjoy her puppy enthusiasm, and I know she will get better each day as she gets used to our daily dog walking routine. Sometimes we see other dog walkers out enjoying the day, too. Bailey gets really excited when she sees other dogs.

After our dog walk, we return back inside for her to snack on a treat. I wash out her water bowl and refill it. Then we sit on the floor to play. Bailey wants to play ALL the time! :) Her face is so cute that I kiss her head! We go outside one more time for one more potty break.

Now it is time for Bailey to relax and get ready to return to her crate. I sit on the floor and pet her. She seems very content. Then I get a small treat so she will follow me back upstairs to her crate. As she enters it, I tell her “Good girl!” I give her the treat as I close the door. Bailey lies down to nap until her Mom & Dad return later.

As I walk out of the room, I am reminded of what a wonderful job I have as a pet sitter! Playing and care for puppies like Bailey!

When I tell others the joys of pet sitting, they are intrigued the career I’ve chosen. I love my job in the pet care profession. My job entails dog sitting, dog walking, cat sitting, house sitting and overnight pet care. While I have a standard set of pet care services I offer, I also tailor my pet sitting services to meet the needs of individual clients.

Matthew Scott
Creature Comforts of Charlotte Pet Sitting

http://www.creaturecomfortscharlotte.com

704-960-9751

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Eco-Friendly Dog Poop Bags

Posted on May 21, 2013 by creaturecomfortschar

They have many names “Dog Poop Bags” ”Dog Waste Bags” or “Doggie Bags” but they have one function and that is to pick up your pet’s waste.

However picking up after your best friend can be harmful to the environment if you don’t use the right type of bag.

Regular plastic bags may take 500 years to biodegrade according to scientists. That seems like a long time and when you pick up after your pet twice a day, those numbers add up.

As dog walkers we always keep waste bags with us and here is a list of the 3 best Earth friendly bags we recommend:

1. Green N Pack Refill Bags – More Bags & Less Waste – Green’N’Pack eco friendly products are designed to turn plastic into a material that has a completely different molecular structure that is bio-assimilated in the open environment, similar to the decomposition of a leaf.

Price per 200 count: $7.99

2. Earth Rated Dog Waste Bags,Lavender Scented -Lavender-scented dog waste bags to make picking up poop a little more fun. Bigger, thicker, tougher and, for those days when Buddy is dragging his butt, totally leak-proof. Earth Rated PoopBags are the industry leader in terms quality, and most of all, affordability.

Price per 120 count: $6.99

3. BioBag Dog Waste Bags – Bio Bags dog waste bags are a great way to deal with the problem of pet waste at home or in parks, communities, or other public spaces. Using Bio Bags takes the mess out of the messiest jobs. Bio Bags can also help reduce odor and bacterial build-up during collection. Made from cornstarch, these bags help to eliminate regular plastic bags from our environment. When disposed, Bio Bags will act as naturally as food scraps, leaving no harmful residue.

Price per 40 count: $36.30

Thanks for reading, and keep it green!

Matthew Scott
Owner/Pet Lover
Creature Comforts of Charlotte Pet Sitting

http://www.creaturecomfortscharlotte.com

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Green Flea and Tick Products

Posted on May 13, 2013 by creaturecomfortschar

It’s finally warming up in Charlotte and time for those pesky fleas and ticks to emerge. Pet owners have traditionally used medications with chemical ingredients for flea and tick prevention. However, many pets suffer side effects.

In 2008 the EPA reported 44,000 reactions in cats and dogs tied to spot-on pest repellants.

Of the dogs that suffered a reaction, most were skin reactions, followed by GI tract and nervous system issues
Most reactions were in dogs that weighed under 20 pounds
Most reactions reported were in dogs younger than 3 years old
If you’re looking for natural flea and tick repellants that are effective yet still safe for your pets and family, there are lots of options on the market. Here are a few natural pet remedies to consider:

Geraniol

This essential oil found in geraniums is a primary ingredient in some all-natural flea and tick products. Geraniol has been shown to be more effective than citronella at repelling fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. Flea Flicker, Tick Kicker from Ark Naturals (www.arknaturals.com) comes in a botanical spray that’s easy to apply and leaves a mild, fresh smell. Spray lightly and massage into pet’s coat.

Only Natural Pet Herbal Defense Squeeze-On (www.onlynaturalpet.com) was designed by scientists and approved by veterinarians for use on dogs. It combines geraniol with peppermint oil. The combined naturally occurring repellant properties of these oils keep bugs away and leave your dog unharmed.

Lemongrass, Cinnamon and Castor Oil

When combined in the right amounts, lemongrass, cinnamon and castor oils can also repel fleas and ticks. Pet Naturals Flea & Tick spray and wipes (www.petnaturals.com) use a combination of these essential oils to make a flea and tick repellant that’s effective and safe, even for puppies and kittens. There are no known toxic effects from animals licking their skin and the product is safe for use on beddings, clothes or other items the pet comes in contact with.

Garlic

It’s not just an old wives’ tale that garlic repels fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. Springtime Inc.’s Bug Off (www.springtimeinc.com) and Healthy Dogma’s Flee Flea Flee (www.healthydogma.com) both offer flea and tick prevention in the form of a supplement. Flee Flea Flee mixes the garlic with kelp to make it more palatable. The garlic and kelp also have vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that are good for dogs. Bugg Off Garlic Chewables are human-grade garlic granules pressed into a liver flavored chewable tablet. They provide 24-hour protection against fleas, ticks, flies, mosquitoes and more.

Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous Earth is both the ingredient and the name of the products produced by Earthworks of Norfolk, Neb. (www.earthworkshealth.com). This product works by cutting away the coating on fleas and ticks. When insects get this powder on their skin and walk around, it scratches their coating and they eventually die of dehydration. This flea and tick control product can be used on cats, dogs, birds, horses and humans.

Holistic Technology

The holistic way of preventing fleas and ticks involves products like Easy Defense tag from Only Natural (www.onlynaturalpet.com) and Shoo!Tag Dog and Cat Flea Repellants (http://www.shootag.com). These products use a bio-energetic process that when placed on your pet uses the pet’s energy to send out frequencies that repel pests. Both products are a bit pricey, but Easy Defense lasts up to three years.

When considering any of these natural flea and tick control products for your pets, keep in mind that no product is 100% safe and that it’s very important to follow manufacturer directions for applying and using natural repellants. If your pet has already been infected with fleas or ticks, some of these products may not work as they are designed to prevent, rather than control, insect infestation.

Matthew Scott
Owner/Pet Lover
Creature Comforts of Charlotte Pet Sitting

http://www.creaturecomfortscharlotte.com

704-960-9751

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Tips for Great Dog Pictures

Posted on May 3, 2013 by creaturecomfortschar

Tips for Great Dog Pictures

For those who have a dog the chances are you have some photos of your favorite little friend. You may even understand how challenging it may be to get a good picture of your dog. As soon as you take out your camera it feels like some dogs start turning their backsides to you. Other dogs begin strolling toward the camera to investigate which means all your photos are close-ups of their noses. And some owners only manage to get photos of their dogs sprinting through the background. Do not lose faith! Here are some tips for getting great pictures of your dog.
1. Plan in advance. To obtain some great photos of your dog you should do just a little strategic planning. Meaning allowing your dog to get familiar with the camera. If you only bring out your camera a few minutes before you want to take a photo your dog is likely to walk straight to your camera to examine it. Rather, take your camera out and allow your dog to get used to it. Take the camera out frequently. Wear it a while. This way your dog will be familiar with it and will act naturally. You ought to also take into account some other factors prior to taking photos. Is your dog wound up and zooming around? Then be in position for his action shots. Is he being lazy and mellow? Get in the best places to take those shots.
2. Take plenty of photos. If you take only a few photos of your dog you might get lucky and get a great photo but you are more likely to get great pictures if you put aside some time and take a lot of photos. You’ll be able to catch your dog doing all sorts of cool things and his personality will truly emerge in the photos.
3. Think about the angle. Some of the best dog pictures are often taken at your dog’s level. A lot of people take pictures standing up, looking down at their dogs however, if you truly desire to get good photos of your dog then get right down on the ground with him.
4. Look at your surroundings. You’ll be able to take great photos anywhere however it definitely helps to have good surroundings, free from clutter. Simple surroundings will help focus attention on your dog. A clean, sandy beach or green trees will always make your dog look great. Watch for things growing out of your dog’s head like telephone poles. And attempt to maintain some contrast in the background. For those who have a black dog avoid black backgrounds; keep away from light backgrounds for light-colored dogs, and so forth.
5. Enjoy yourself. Don’t be afraid to have fun with your dog. Keep in mind that it’s not necessary to make each and every photo look identical. Mix them up somewhat! Have some close-ups. Do some body shots. Take a head shot. Use various angles. And ask a buddy to help you. Oftentimes having a good friend playing with your dog can help, particularly if your friend has a squeaky toy. Professional photographers typically use squeaky toys to get a great facial expression from a dog.
Try these tips and you will be able to get some fantastic photos of your dog. It’s all for fun so just go and have a wonderful time with your dog and your camera.

Matthew Scott
Owner/Pet Lover
Creature Comforts of Charlotte Pet Sitting

http://www.creaturecomfortscharlotte.com

704-960-9751

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Housetraining Your Adult Dog

Posted on April 25, 2013 by creaturecomfortschar

Bringing an adult dog into your home requires just as much work by you and the family as does a new puppy. It’s actually a mistake to believe that just because the dog is full-grown and might have been potty trained in one home, that he will just straight away adapt to your home’s elimination routine, as well.
That’s just not practical. The dog has numerous adjustments to his new surroundings and does not intuitively know that you do not allow urinating on the floor – especially if his previous owner didn’t mind or didn’t appear to care.
Do not make the error of presuming that simply because he is a grown-up dog that he’ll just “know” what to do. Begin with him as though he were a puppy and steadily teach him the routine of your home’s dog potty schedule.
You most likely will need to begin with crate training or restriction to a bathroom. Then established a schedule for potty breaks. Grown-up dogs are extremely fussy about finding a potty spot outdoors that is apart from wherever they play, in the same way they don’t like to potty close to where they sleep or eat.
Help him locate that spot in your yard or outside when going for walks and return him there for subsequent potty breaks. You must keep track of the potty breaks for several weeks to understand your dog’s elimination habits.

You might also need to arranged morning and evening feeding times. He might not have experienced this kind of structured lifestyle routine, which means this could take some time for adjustment. Do not believe that old saying, ‘you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” It is not the age of your dog that matters – it’s the consistency of the owner.
In case your dog came from an abusive home, regardless of whether it was just filled with shouting and smacking with paper for any accidents, then your teaching attempts might take more time. Initially, you will need to gain the dog’s assurance and recognize that he requires time to get comfortable in his new home.
There will be mishaps, so be ready to clean it up and move ahead. Please don’t assume that an adult dog is going to be any simpler to teach over a puppy. Both dogs would deal with precisely the same adjustment issues. You need to train with consistency and love so that you will strengthen the reactions that you want repeated.
A more mature male dog may possibly be used to marking his territory by urinating onto it. It is really an instinctive behavior for male dogs – you are not likely to break him from it without breaking his spirit or getting him neutered.

Matthew Scott
Owner/Pet Lover
Creature Comforts of Charlotte Pet Sitting

http://www.creaturecomfortscharlotte.com

704-960-9751

Posted in Charlotte Dog Walkers, Dog Sitters Charlotte NC, Pet Sitting Charlotte NC | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment