Paws Claws Wings and Things

02/06/2022

🎵 Happy Birthday to You! 🎶

Here are our June Birthdays

June 1 Storm C
June 1 Tyson B
June 3 Tori M
June 4 Trey W
June 6 Newton D
June 8 Jhetta D
June 9 Sauron C (Cockatiel)
June 9 Leonard C (African Grey)
June 9 Carlos C
June 14 Minnie H
June 15 Emma V
June 18 Foxy M
June 20 Joey G
June 24 Bowie G
June 26 Shadow B
June 30 Stella W (Pig)

Using our fancy number generator the winner is
18!

Foxy M, watch your mailbox for some fun!

28/05/2022

Hey Paws Claws Wings and Things Family,

We (Tara and Mike) will officially be on holiday in July, from the 17 to the 31st. All grooming services will be booked before or after this holiday, and limited pet sitting and dog walking will still happen with our lovely team members.

23/05/2022

We are SHELL-a-brating World Turtle Day today!

Founded by American Tortoise Rescue in 2000, World Turtle Day aims to raise awareness and provide advice for people who own turtles and tortoises.

What you can do for World Turtle Day?
- Do not buy a turtle without checking on the controlled animals list.
- If you find a turtle on the road, send it in the direction it is going. If you turn it around, it will just try to cross again
- If you see red eared slider turtles being given away as prizes or gifted, let the proper authorities know.

Locally, check out The Reptile Shop Red Deer for tanks, food, climate control equipment, humane and ethically sourced species, and for advice.

Online, check out Alberta Turtle and Tortoise Society for advice, for rescue support, and for a huge community of turtle and tortoise lovers.

Photo: Diamondback Terrapin, photo from The Reptile Shop because it is so cute!

20/05/2022

Today is National Rescue Dog Day, honouring all of the amazing dogs in rescue or who were rescued.

🐾 Are you the owner of a rescued dog? Share your dogs photo and story below. We'd love to get to know more about you!

Did you know that August 1st is known as DOGust? Because many shelter dogs are of unknown age, August 1st is often used as their birthday.

❤️ Do you love dogs, and would own them all if you could? Then maybe you could adopt or foster a dog. Check out our really good friends Fostering Hope Animal Rescue Foundation.

Adopting or fostering does not mean just puppies and potty training. There are often adult dogs as well that need homes.

🧸 If you've got a house full, then maybe you could arrange to collect supplies, run donation drives, or even just give monetarily to some rescues. We know that Central Alberta Humane Society runs an annual Garage Sale to help raise funds for pets in their care.

You can check out more ways to recognize National Rescue Dog Day by heading to https://www.nationalrescuedogday.com/

**Before anyone posts saying we have not mentioned cat adoptions, the month of June is actually Adopt a Cat Month. So, next month we will be supporting Whisker Rescue! 🐈**

17/05/2022

When your cat is trying to give you the hint. That happens to be my workout bag and weights.

I have been working out more, challenging myself to move in ways I haven’t or through plateaus (like walking up hills fast instead of leisurely).

What health goals have you made this year? Are your pets part of the reason you made the goal?

14/04/2022

Is your dog in need of some walks? Maybe their leash skills are not the best or they just need to get out and stretch their legs.

Whatever the case may be, we have openings for on leash dog walks.

Schedule your meet and greet by calling (403) 304-7296

14/04/2022

Are you heading back to work? Is your puppy going to be alone for a long day?

We have openings in our group walks Monday through Friday and we’re looking for some new friends to join!

Schedule a meet and greet by calling (403) 304-7296

03/03/2022

🎵 Happy Birthday again friends! 🎶 Let's celebrate our March birthdays!
March 1 Fluffers K
March 1 Lily R
March 1 Kandosi’la B
March 1 Charlie B
March 1 Brave B
March 6 Sky G
March 10 Max V
March 10 Veda L
March 10 Memphis M
March 11 Dancer G
March 12 Archie K
March 13 Snickers N
March 15 Princess R
March 18 Rocky R
March 23 Charlie K
March 24 Newton C
March 25 Enzo S
March 25 Peanut R
March 30 Molly B
And the winner, thanks to the random number generator, is

Snickers N! Watch your mailbox for future fun!

21/02/2022

There’s a movie coming out, and while the breed of dog looks majestic and is super responsive in the movie, it takes a lot of work (and time, patience, and redoing the same bits sometimes) to get these behaviours.

If you’re looking to get a dog, please don’t use a movie to find the breed for you. Ask us to help you find a breed or temperament to fit your life!

If you want to know more, read this.

“There is a movie coming out on Feb 18 called "Dog". It stars Channing Tatum and a highly trained Belgian Malinois. It's a road trip/buddy movie.

People are going to see this film and many will want their own Belgian Malinois. This is not going to end well for this breed.

A highly trained Malinois is a work of art. So is Michelangelo's statue of David but I don't necessarily want it in my living room.

This breed can be amazing in the right hands but they require a lot of everything. If you are considering getting a Malinois, please, first go meet some Malinois of all ages at your local rescue.

Be honest with yourself about the amount of time that you have to dedicate to training one of these dogs. Not the person that you want to be but the person that you are right now. Sitting on your ass and reading this post.

If you are still determined to get one. You can stem the inevitable tidal wave of Malinois that will be surrendered to the shelters by sourcing your dog in one of 3 places:

Your local shelter
A local Malinois rescue
A real, ethical breeder (researching one is hard work but an ethical breeder will prove their dogs and require that you return the dog to them if you can't keep it)

DO NOT get a Malinois from the guy down the street. Don't help backyard breeders line their pockets. Pure bred doesn't equal good breeding.

If you see the popularity of these dogs sky rocket and think you can make a quick buck by breeding some. May all of your financial ventures fail one after another.

From the bottom of my heart, I love this breed. I know what's coming and so do the shelters and rescues.”

- Shane Doss

In short, please enjoy the film “Dog” and admire the breed from afar unless you are truly researched and committed to adding one to your family.

(Photo credit to MGM Studios)

08/02/2022

Another sweet soul has moved to the rainbow bridge.

Lily was a Pomeranian Shih Tzu mix, and a very good girl. She has some health issues later in life, but most people never guessed she was 15 years old. Her best friend was Watson the dachshund, and they enjoyed their walks together.

We will miss you sweet lady.

01/02/2022

It's that time again! 🎵Happy Birthday Dear Pets! 🎶
If you have not seen your pets name in our monthly birthday celebrations, or we missed the date completely, double check that your account has the correct information by logging in at www.timetopet.com/portal/
pawsclawswings
Feb 1 WileE J
Feb 2 Scruffy S
Feb 2 Zoey H
Feb 2 Jedda R
Feb 3 Georgia W
Feb 5 Jax B
Feb 7 Sylvester A
Feb 9 Selkie R
Feb 9 Chloe M
Feb 11 Loki G
Feb 15 Stella D
Feb 21 Blossom M
Feb 22 Romeo S
Feb 26 Nyla S
Feb 27 Lily B
And the winner is...
Nyla S!

Watch your mailbox for a toy coming your way!

29/01/2022

They’re here!!

I haven’t had branded clothing in a while, so to see our logo on shirts really makes me excited.

I’m going to be happily rocking these babies all summer long. Thanks Ashley Hirschkorn and A. Hirsch Apparel & Design

02/01/2022

January Birthday Post!

We love celebrating your pets birthdays, so ensure your pets get recognized by updating their profiles in your account!



Jan 1 Halen E.
Jan 1 Ona E.
Jan 1 Azure R.
Jan 1 Thomas B.
Jan 1 Duke L.
Jan 1 Benji S.
Jan 1 Kiwi B.
Jan 1 Mabel J.
Jan 1 Waylynn M.
Jan 1 Oscar S.
Jan 1 Dudie P.
Jan 2 Boston B.
Jan 2 Misha R.
Jan 5 Skye B.
Jan 5 Mango B.
Jan 10 Atlas H.
Jan 14 Calypso J.
Jan 15 Jasper S.
Jan 16 Fish L.
Jan 17 Nala P.
Jan 22 Harlow R.

Our Winner for this month is...
Waylynn M!

08/12/2021

What does a leash walk look like? For some dogs it’s a brisk pace to engage their brain and focusing skills. For others, like Loki, it’s a slow pace to encourage them to make decisions like sniffing their environment.

One of the biggest trends right now is this idea that a tired dog is a good dog, and frankly, this myth needs to be deleted from our memories. Not only are dogs physically capable of learning how to have endurance, that’s exactly what long extensive walks or high energy walks will train our dogs to do.

One of my favourite activities to do with a high energy dog is called “Go Crazy and Freeze.” Starting with small movements, and no sound, you engage your dog. While they are still under control, you stop, and wait for them to offer an acceptable behaviour. Once the behaviour (like sit, standing on four feet, or ignoring you) is completed, you can start again. Eventually you work up to larger and more noisy activities, each time allowing your dog to make the decision to behave when you “freeze”.

Sue Conklin has a great training video for this, I will share it in the comments.

What this method does is encourages the dog to make a decision about how they should behave under certain circumstances, and removes the need to micromanage behaviour. Isn’t that nice, a dog who thinks for themselves about what is appropriate and what is not?

04/12/2021

We are here and ready for trims!!

03/12/2021

I understand this may be short notice, but tomorrow we will be doing nail trims at Gasoline Alley Harley Davidson.

Come by from 10am to 4pm with your fur family, and get some Christmas photos done as well as nail trims!

Swing by, say hi, and support the Central Alberta Humane Society.

01/12/2021

It's birthday time for our December pets! Each month we celebrate birthdays for the pets that have become part of our family.

Dec 1 Kokanee H
Dec 2 Hemi J
Dec 3 Toby S
Dec 8 Bentley O
Dec 14 Maxis O
Dec 21 Munchy M
Dec 26 Angus C, Duncan C
Dec 29 Ewok L, Onyx L, Fish S, Royce S
Dec 30 Ozzy B
Dec 31 Misty H
And now for our prize winner:
*drum roll*
Bentley O
Watch out for a prize coming your way!
Are you interested in celebrating with us? Call us (403) 304-7296 and we can get you set up!

26/11/2021

If you can’t go outside alone because everything is scary, and you’re just a little puppy…
Take your big sister with you!

Little man Otis had a hard time on his first ever walk, and refused to go more than three doors down. On the next walk, his sister Lexi went with him. He was so brave and went for a BIG walk!!

25/11/2021

Many times, clients come to us for dog walking because their dog showed some aggression at a daycare or seems frustrated when they attend.

The best thing for our furry friends is a schedule of every other day, instead of constant stimulation. This allows them a day to rest and recover, before seeing their friends again.

Ask us about solo dog walks to supplement your rest days.

A tired dog is not a good dog. How do you feel when you're tired??? Not your best self? Neither is your dog.

All too often we hear the phrase "a tired dog is a good dog", but that is a misconception that needs to stop. When you're tired, you're potentially grumpy, unable to process new things, easy to anger, easily frustrated, unable to do your normal activities as well as normal..... you're tired.

Well- when your dog is tired, they're showing the behaviours listed in the poster and so much more because they're what- TIRED.

Exercise, will not solve your dog's behavioural concerns, in fact it will often increase them. Why?? Physical exercise does not change emotions for triggers- it worsens them as the dog is unable to process their emotions like they can when they're not tired. It also doesn't change your dog's associations for the triggers again- it'll more than likely worsen them, as then your dog isn't their best selves when encountering the trigger, which then worsens their negative associations towards the trigger.

Exercise is fantastic, but like all things, you need to build your dog up gradually over time for exercise. Not take a puppy out for a random 3hr hike or intense jog -which would definitely hurt their growing joints, potentially causing lifelong physical damage and increase overarousal/mouthing behaviours!

A tired dog is not a good dog- it is a frustrated, exhausted, overaroused, overstimulated, reactive, - it is a dog whose emotional needs are not being met.

What is good -as all dogs are great? Meeting your dog's emotional needs.

Contact WFA to learn more about our group classes, in-person or virtual 1-1 classes, to learn how you can meet your dog's emotional needs.

24/11/2021

Rocking some bangs.

I remember when I had bangs, and thought they looked smart. They didn’t and really sucked to grow out, not my favourite haircut.

What’s your favourite hairstyle for you?

24/11/2021

When you need a groom cause you’re a dirty hairy boy, but you also need an nap.

23/11/2021

This is a FANTASTIC visual for trimming black nails. After years of practice, black nails do not intimidate us, but we get many clients who comment on how tough the nails are. Read all of the photos captions to see what we mean!

01/11/2021

Each month we are going to try and celebrate the birthdays of the pets in our Paws Claws Wings and Things family.

Here are our birthday celebrants for November
Nov 1 Wolf G
Nov 6 Bailey S
Nov 7 L.J. B, Wilhelm R
Nov 9 Phoenyx B
Nov 13 Aurora H, Pearl W
Nov 14 Bandit M
Nov 15 Leia C
Nov 17 Burt H
Nov 19 Peanut M
Nov 21 Hiding M
Nov 26 Tucker B
Nov 27 Doug H
Nov 29 Champ D
We will award ONE prize per month to a lucky birthday pet. Our winner for this month is *drum roll*

Doug H

Watch for something fun on your big day!

29/10/2021

When sound and body language DO NOT match. Mitzi, the standard schnauzer sounds really nasty, and if you only listened to this, you may expect to see a fight. Instead what we see is play bow, body bumping, “rocking chair” motion in running, and both dogs enjoying the fun.

Of course, as a silly human, I tel her to play nicer or gentle, but what do I know? Mitzi loves big play and heavy wresting.

09/10/2021

Many of you are MULTI pet homes (can anyone say leeloo multi pass? ) so it can be tough to find or use cleaners safely. Here are my specifics:
1 African Grey
2 cats
1 long haired dog
2 humans
Basement suite (low ventilation abilities)

Homemade cleaner
1 gallon warm water (4 L)
1/2 cup white vinegar
2 tbsp dawn dish soap
Splashes of lemon juice

Homemade mop
1 microfibre cloth
2 elastics
Rubber broom

05/10/2021

Mitzi the and her boyfriend Gunner the at

28/09/2021

We are looking for some super awesome friends to join our walks!

We have openings for young and old, all sizes and breeds!!

Call 403 304-7296 to book your walks today!!

24/09/2021

Just a cute groom done in the clients drive under garage. Before, a scruff muffin. After, a beautiful girl!

16/09/2021

Dog Walkers are given a roster of dogs within a designated area, and are expected to provide private walks, mid-day visits and group walks throughout the day. This is an independent contractor position, meaning you can choose your hours and days worked.

As a Dog Walker, you will supervise play, practice skill reinforcement and document each dog's activities. Requirements for this position are excellent time management, the ability to navigate, and a willingness to work with all breeds and sizes of dogs. You will be responsible for ensuring the safety of all dogs in your care (solo or group setting), so quick reflexes and a keen eye are important too. Although not a necessity, dog handling skills and proficiency at dog body language and play styles are an asset. Your overall role is to provide exceptional service to our customers while their dog is with you.

COMPENSATION
This is a contract based position, with the pay dependent on the number of dogs on a walk. (Maximum 8 dogs in a group, with experience and training)

09/09/2021

Sometimes technology is my friend. Not today.

Yes, we are hiring pet care specialists, but I will put the listing on our website instead of on Facebook. If you’re interested in applying, watch for a link.