Four Legs Pet Care

01/10/2024

07/14/2023

I do have to start this post by saying that your dog doesn't need to meet other dogs.
I know that is controversial for some to hear but very few dogs are truly dog social....many are highly selective.
They may only like their own breed.
They may only like female dogs....small brown dogs...or curly coated dogs.
They have (and are ALLOWED) their own social preference....just as we have our own social preferences.

Or they may just dislike any other dog outside their/your family and friends.

Encouraging dogs to meet a dog walking down the street (even with the best of intentions) can cause some serious issues.

Reactivity and/or aggression.
Injury.
A lessening of the strong bond they may have with you as they can no longer trust your judgement.

So meeting dogs on a walk, just because there is another dog there is something I highly discourage.

However....
There are some circumstances where you may have to introduce dogs. So these are a few tips which have been written about before (separately) in graphics but I have squeezed them together for a clearer reference.

One of the biggest mistakes people make is only concentrating on their own dogs emotional state and not watching the rising stress in the other dog involved....
These cause those "Out of the blue" reactions....

They weren't out of the blue, they were just missed.

🔵Micro meetings are essential.
🔵Parallel walks are a must.
🔵Avoid face to face.
🔵Keep your voices light and happy.
🔵DON'T make a dog sit or lie down.
🔵Tension creates more tension so keep those leads loose.
🔵NEUTRAL territory....not your yard, your house or even your immediate area around your house....go somewhere else.

Biggest tip though (as mentioned) watch the body language of both dogs.....IGNORE the tail wags and watch the whole body and all the little tell tale signs given.

If it doesn't feel right...it likely isn't.
Trust your own intuition.

ALWAYS advocate for your own dog no matter how "friendly" you are told the other dog is.

02/24/2023

Dog training course teaching your dog to walk nicely on leash

01/03/2023

I guess it's about time I introduced myself properly on here! Hi all! My name is Miranda and I started in pet care part-time when I was a teenager trying to help pay for my expensive hobby: horses. Since then, I've had the honor of caring for hundreds of dogs, cats, small critters.

I graduated from Salisbury University in 2020 and have taken my business, Four Legs Pet Care, to a whole new level. I now offer quality pet care full-time, including walks, drop-in visits, housesitting, and pack walks/hikes.

I have an Australian Shepherd of my own, Meatball, but consider every single one of my clients a part of my family as well - and I hope to grow that family further in 2023!

11/28/2022

03/24/2022

03/24/2022

10/19/2021

🥰🥰🥰

Tucker, Harley, and Loxi had a blast with their Rover.com dog sitter!

02/11/2021