Crockett's Critter Care

30/06/2025

At Crockett’s Critter Care, your dog’s comfort and safety always come first – especially during these hot summer days!

Did you know the pavement can burn your dog’s paws in just seconds? That’s why we:

Check the temperature before every walk
Place our palm on the pavement to test it
Adjust our midday walks to earlier or later in the day to avoid peak heat

Your dog’s well-being is our top priority.

Tip for Pet Owners: Try placing your palm on the pavement for 7 seconds. If it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for your pup!

Stay cool out there, and if you need us for safe summer walks, we’re just a message away.

18/06/2025

Just another day at Crockett's Critter Care!
Some days, we're out visiting 22 pets or more - and we love every minute of it. Here's a peek at a few of the happy pets we've seen recently.
Gandalf was all about treat time - licking up every last bit!
Levi was totally into Lickimat - waiting patiently for his treat.
Eleanor and Pocus knew exactly when to pause and relax in the shade.
Blu stopped for a very important sniff at the hydrant - priorities!
Rex, our sweet Beagle pup, had the best time discovering a brand-new toy.
From pet sitting (feeding, cuddles, playtime, and enrichment) to dog walking (smiffing, strolling, and stretching those legs), we're here to keep pets safe, happy, and loved while their people are away.
If you've got a furry friend needing our care - we would love to meet them.

13/06/2025

Pets and Fireworks - keeping your pet safe!

It’s important to remember that while we may enjoy the sights and sounds of the fireworks, many pets find them distressing. Taking steps to ensure their safety and well-being is crucial. Here are some tips to stay safe, have fun, and take good care of your pet.
1. Create a safe place: Keep your dog indoors and provide a secure and comfortable area for them such as a crate. It may help to cover the crate with a blanket and/or have your pup wear Thunder shirt.
2. Provide distractions: Give your dog a full meal before the festivities begin and offer interactive toys, like a frozen treat-filled Kong or a safe chew toy to keep them occupied and calm. Consider using fans, white noise machines, or playing calming music or audiobooks to help drown out the noise.
3. Pheromones and pharmaceuticals: Adaptil (now sold as Thunder-Eaze) is a pheromone product that can help calm dogs. It’s available as a spray, diffuser, of collar. Additionally, consult with your veterinarian about medications that may help alleviate your pet’s anxiety.
4. Plan ahead and pay attention: Ensure your dog gets plenty of exercise earlier in the day to help tire them out. Snuffle mats, lickimats, and scavenging for treats is a fun and calming activity. Make sure your pet is wearing an ID tag in case they accidentally escape. Keep them away from potential hazards at parties, such as the grill, alcohol, and certain foods that are toxic to dogs. Be mindful of decorations that could be harmful if ingested.
Remember, every dog is unique, and you know your pet best. Pay attention to their behavior and comfort level and intervene as needed to provide reassurance and support. By implementing these tips, you can help keep your pet safer and calmer during the fireworks celebrations, leading to a happier and Fear-Free Holiday for both you and your furry friend.

04/06/2025

This information is as relevant today as the day it was posted. Please, read and consider this if you encounter wildlife that needs help.

Please take this seriously:
Please please understand that when we give instructions/advice, there’s a reason behind every word. If you find injured, orphaned, or sick wildlife, do not handle/pet. Do not feed. Do not give water. If you have the animal contained, put it in a ventilated box/container and keep it in a dark quiet area away from pets and people. Then reach out for help. Don’t do anything else unless instructed to do so by a rehabber…not your neighbor, not Google, or someone who raised a chipmunk once, but a rehabber or wildlife professional.

Today someone who reached out to GWN for help with a rabies vector species was bitten by the animal. It seemed docile so he reached in to place a bowl of water in the crate and it bit him. GWN had to contact environmental health and the animal was picked up by animal control. It will be euthanized and sent off for rabies testing. If it is positive, the person will go through a series of expensive shots. This is protocol for any RVS animal that bites someone, whether it is exhibiting any symptoms or not.

Do NOT touch a rabies vector species without gloves!! The most common animals to carry rabies are bats, raccoons, skunks, & foxes but this doesn’t mean they all have rabies. All animals can carry mites, fleas, & diseases so wear gloves anyway. And unless you are actually Snow White, a wild animal that approaches you needs help. Proceed with caution and follow the advice of wildlife professionals.

Facts: Putting water in a birds mouth can literally cause them to choke to death. Not all birds eat worms. Domesticating a fawn by bringing it in your home to “help it” is a death sentence. If you give a baby squirrel or bunny the wrong kind of milk, you can make it so ill that it will take days for a rehabber to stabilize. Baby opossums do not suckle; they are attached to a feeding tube inside their mom so you can’t feed with a bottle. Some animals require rehydration before they can be fed. Turtles live in a 1 mile radius their entire lives. Baby birds can get food lodged in their throat and suffocate. If you use the wrong kind of syringe/nipple and feed a baby animal too fast or too much, it will aspirate and die. Ducklings can drown. You cannot judge if it’s a venomous snake by its head or pupil shape. The animal that you just found doesn’t “like you”, he’s in shock and afraid to move. Baby animals can’t have breast milk. Everything we tell you is for a reason.

If you’re still reading this, thank you. Today was a scary day. We hope our human friend has a clean bill of health. We ❤️ our wildlife and we ❤️ our wildlife loving humans. Today’s incident was avoidable. This post isn’t to criticize; it’s to teach someone who may not know so we can avoid another incident tomorrow.

xoxo, GWN
The Georgia Wildlife Network

Photo is of another raccoon who also sadly had to be euthanized last week. 😞 This work really sucks some days.

25/05/2025

Transforming Eleanor's Life with ACE Free Work: A Case Study

When Eleanor, an eight-year-old American Pit Bull Terrier, came to us, she was struggling with a traumatic past. Used as a breeding dog and then left in a shelter, Eleanor was shy, fearful, and physically unhealthy. She seemed like the Eeyore of the dog world, withdrawn and defeated.

But through ACE Free Work, we’ve witnessed her transformation into a more confident, comfortable dog.

Her story began with small steps:

Session 1: Eleanor was hesitant and cautious, but with patience, she engaged with a lickimat in her bedroom.

Session 2: Outside by the pool, Eleanor showed resilience, even continuing to work when a new person arrived.

Session 3: On the porch, Eleanor moved confidently between stations, drinking water and standing taller.

The changes in Eleanor are amazing. She now wags her tail, enjoys her walks, and shows a new zest for life. Her family is thrilled with the progress she’s made—and so are we!

Seeing the impact of ACE Free Work on Eleanor reminds me why I do what I do. It's about creating opportunities for dogs to thrive, no matter their past.

22/05/2025

Reflections from the Coastal Women's Forum Panel

Yesterday, I had the honor of speaking on a panel at the Coastal Women’s Forum, surrounded by fellow entrepreneurs and women with bold ideas and big dreams. The questions were thoughtful and made me reflect on my own journey—but one stood out as my favorite:

Q: If you could give one piece of advice to someone thinking about starting a small business today, what would it be?

A: Start with clear boundaries and systems.
It’s easy to pour everything into your business at first, but without limits on your time, pricing, and policies, burnout is right around the corner. Build something that supports your life—not just your work.

Becoming an entrepreneur pushed me in new directions I never imagined—including so many “firsts” later in life. It’s never too late to grow into something more than you thought possible.

To all the women out there dreaming of their next step: I see you. And I’m cheering you on.

20/05/2025

"From Rejection to Connection: Davy’s Journey Beyond the Show Ring"
Not long ago, Davy and I were asked to leave our local training group. It was a class designed to prepare dogs for the show ring, and while Davy was a bright, eager student at first, he eventually found the group setting too overwhelming. He just didn’t get along with other dogs — and we didn’t fit in.

But that wasn’t the end of our journey — it was the turning point.
I began searching for a different path, one that honored who Davy really is. That search led us all the way to the UK, and to Courses in Canine Reactivity and ACE Free Work — training methods that changed everything.

Through these courses, Davy and I developed a deeper understanding, built on trust and choice. Our connection grew stronger, and so did our confidence.

Today, Davy has achieved something far more meaningful than a ribbon in the show ring. He’s earned recognition in his own name — complete with a certificate and a beautiful rosette that reflect his growth, not just his performance.

Even more incredible? Davy now has fans around the world — from the UK to Germany, Switzerland, Canada, Australia, and all across the US — thanks to the community we’ve found through our training journey.

Sometimes the most meaningful victories aren’t the ones judged in a ring — they’re the ones measured in trust, transformation, and love.

16/05/2025

🐱 Volunteers Needed!
Feral cat colonies at Forest Park and Derby Park need your help.

A few neighbors have been caring for these cats, but they’re stretched thin. Can you spare a little time to help feed, monitor, or assist with TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return)?

One day a week can make a big difference.
💧 Water
🍽️ Food
💉 TNR Support

Message me if you’re interested or comment below. Let’s show up for our community—two- and four-legged alike. 🐾

15/05/2025

A testimonial from a happy client. Our team has been providing dog walks to Ozzie since 2021. We love this special little guy!

07/05/2025

Exciting News!

I’m proud to share that I’ve completed the Family Dog Mediator (FDM) Course!

This comprehensive program dives deep into the ethology of dogs—how their Learning, Environment, Genetics, and Individual qualities (aka L.E.G.S.®) shape who they are. It’s a powerful reminder that every dog is unique, and understanding the whole dog is key to building better relationships, solving behavior issues, and providing compassionate care.

Whether I’m pet sitting, dog walking, training, or just connecting with your furry family member, I now have even deeper tools to meet dogs where they are, support their natural needs, and help them thrive.

This training has truly changed the way I see and support the dogs I work with.

02/04/2025

Exciting Announcement!

I was recently notified that I’ve been recognized for the 2025 Business Quality Award — quite an honor! At first, I was thrilled by the news. But upon further research, I realized I never entered this award, nor had I heard of it before. It turns out that in order to display the badge on my website, there’s a fee of $50.

While I’m grateful for the recognition, I want to remain true to what matters most — the trust and support of my amazing clients, the glowing testimonials from our community, and the industry awards that reflect the dedication of my incredible team.

Here at Crockett’s Critter Care, we continue to prioritize the relationships we’ve built locally, and I’m proud of the work we do day in and day out. Thank you for making our success possible!

31/03/2025

Enrichment With Purpose: ACE Free Work
As an ACE Free Work trainer, I love showing clients how simple enrichment activities—like snuffle mats, licki mats, and soft props—can become powerful tools for observing a dog’s emotional and physical well-being.

When we set up stations and allow dogs to move freely without direction or pressure, we start to notice things we might otherwise miss: the way they shift their weight, which textures they seek out, how long they sniff, or when they choose to rest. It’s enrichment—but it’s also communication.

ACE Free Work offers what I call the Wow, Wonder, and Wholeness factor:

Wow is the moment we begin to see real change in our dogs—how they move, how they relax, how they start to feel safe.

Wonder comes with the transformation we witness—often far beyond what we ever expected or imagined possible.

Wholeness is the most powerful of all: it's seeing the dog fully, perhaps for the first time—understanding how their experiences, environment, genetics, and individual uniqueness have shaped who they are today.

It’s a quiet kind of magic. And I feel honored every time I help a client set up an ACE Free Work session in their home.

Interested in trying it with your dog? I offer one-on-one lessons in ACE Free Work to help you get started and learn what your dog has been trying to tell you all along.

And don’t forget—our friends at Nauti Paws have a special section just for enrichment tools like snuffle mats, licki mats, and toys. Mention Jeanne at checkout for an in-store discount!