Great Woods Pet Sitting

01/28/2025

We had our first walk with Rocket, the Whoodle, and Parker, the shih tzu /bichon /poodle, today. Rocket was a little nervous, so we took things slow and used treats for positive associations and to gain trust. Parker was very friendly and happy to go for a walk. Welcome to the pack Rocket and Parker! 🐕🐕🐾

Greatwoodspetsitting.com

01/13/2025

I just completed the Dog Trainer Foundations course through Karen Pryor Academy. It emphasized using shaping, capturing, and targeting to train behavior rather than relying on luring with treats. It also discussed the four quadrants of learning, and why aversives can cause confusion in the learner. It covered how to use clicker training to reinforce and teach even complex behaviors in all animals.

01/08/2025

Bauer enjoying his carrot puzzle toy.

01/08/2025

Cassidy enjoying her carrot puzzle toy.

01/05/2025

If you click on the original post, you can read all the responses of why every other day visits shouldn't be an option.

While we fortunately do not hear as many pet sitters receiving this request anymore, this is your regular reminder to say "NO" to requests to just check on a client's cat every other day.

Remember, you are a professional pet-care provider with professional standards.

Anything can happen when pets are left alone—and cats are no exception. From potentially lethal ailments like the urethral blockage to potential home damages from a cat accidentally loosening a water hose behind a washing machine, not checking on a cat daily while the owner is away can have costly—or tragic—consequences for your business—and the cat.

12/21/2024

❄️Happy Holidays! ❄️
Sharing some holiday themed photos of the dogs and around town.

11/16/2024

We are proud to announce that we are now a member of the Pet Professional Guild! PPG members actively recommend against the use of any training tools and equipment whose purpose or intent is to interrupt or redirect behavior using fear, force or pain.
We are participating in Project tRade. If you are ready to swap your aversive equipment like pinch, prong, choke, shock, or ecollars, for force-free equipment, we will give you 15% off our most popular services.

https://greatwoodspetsitting.com/project-trade/

11/15/2024

Here is a great article about how to choose a dog trainer. Anyone can call themselves a dog trainer. It is up to the dog's owner to choose someone who will help teach their dog what they want him to do, and not suppress behavior, or make it worse with punishment. Some things to look for..

Education from a reputable dog training academy like Academy of Dog Trainers, Karen Pryor Academy, Victoria Stillwell Academy, or Catch Canine Trainers Academy.

An understanding of how dogs learn, skilled at reading dog body language, experience with a wide range of breeds, and many different dogs.

They should use positive reinforcement also known as reward-based, force free, or fear free. This means they use treats or rewards to get the behavior they want, and ignore or prevent the behavior they don't want. Avoid trainers who call themselves balanced, or those that use aversives, punishment, or rely on tools to get results.

Membership in a professional organization, such as APDT or PPG.

Ask them what happens if your dog gets it wrong, or doesn't respond as expected.

You are your dog's advocate. If you don't like what you see and hear or how someone treats your dog, end the session and find someone who will treat you and your dog hot you deserve to be treated.

https://www.companionanimalpsychology.com/2016/12/how-to-choose-dog-trainer.html?m=1&fbclid=IwY2xjawGkq6hleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHYEkPZcfTcX1N1eXo48OcnctnEn9bj3Y-M3PGC8w7T5_rK-Lth1njisxeQ_aem_36Bc8WPowE_nVjc4ew99iA

How to choose the best dog trainer for you and your dog, including the methods and qualifications to look for.

11/13/2024

Sometimes we get to see Scout three times in one day. All dogs were properly compensated for appearing in photos.

Greatwoodspetsitting.com

10/31/2024

Happy Halloween! 🎃 Click through for pictures of dogs and cats enjoying Halloween, and a couple of ideas if you have reactive dogs, 'fraidy cats, or just don't want to have to hop up every time the doorbell rings!

🎃Keep candy away from pets! Chocolate is toxic to dogs and cats.
🎃Don't take your dog trick-or-treating.
🎃Keep your pets away from the door. You don't want them to slip out.
🎃Never force your pet to wear a costume. It may be cute, but it can be scary for them.
🎃Place a sign, like the ones shown, and a bucket of candy at the end of your driveway.
🎃Consider setting up a safe room for your pet, away from the door. Use calming music or white noise to mask sounds.
🎃You can use Feliway for cats or Adaptil for dogs to help promote a calming environment.
🎃When walking your dog after Halloween, keep a close eye out for any dropped candy hiding in the leaves.

Greatwoodspetsitting.com

10/25/2024

This is one of the reasons why I hate invisible fences. Please, don't use these on your dog! I have tried to explain the issues, but people don't listen. Their dog is fine on one, never any problems. They want their dog to have the freedom...It only takes one time!

They don't keep predators out.
Some dogs become afraid to even leave the yard.
If there is enough motivation, they may still leave the yard.
If they do leave the yard, they may be too scared to come back in.
Dogs learn by association, the dog can associate whatever he was focused on at the time of the correction with the correction and become fearful of it.

This is just one of the reasons why you cannot use invisible fencing...

This little guy got out of his invisible fence....no doubt chasing a squirrel that was outside the boundary. He managed to fight off the coyotes that tried to kill him. The shock collar around his neck had prevented his return to his home and yard, so he went back into the woods to lay down to die. His owner was determined to find him. When he was found he was pretty torn up with a temp of 94°F.

Invisible fencing is Not going to keep animals, or other threats out of your yard. If your dog runs through the barrier in pursuit of a critter, he's going to get corrected by that collar if he tries to get back home.... Please reconsider invisible fencing. People may say that they have been using them for years without issue. However, it only takes once for it to go very wrong..... 😔

10/23/2024

.secret.dog.walker

10/22/2024

I have been a dog walker for almost 19 years. The only time I let them off leash was a rare occasion when I'd let them play with another dog in a neighbor's yard. I no longer let them off leash at all. I don't want the worry or liability. I have never lost a dog, walked more than 3 dogs at a time, or not had multiple p**p bags on me at all times. I have a business license and follow all local laws. I only do neighborhood walks, so no permits needed.
I recommend going with a walker or pet sitter with their own business, and staying away from the apps. They should have a business license, insurance, background check, and reviews or references. Education and experience are important too. Membership in a professional organization like Pet Sitters International shows they are serious about their business and the care of your pets. https://www.petsit.com/get-a-real-pet-sitter-campaign-seeks-to-educate-pet-owners

Today we witnessed a dog walker, with six dogs; four of them off leash -enter the parking lot from Wilson Mt.

While trying to leash the dogs, per our ‘request’, two of the dogs ran from the dog walker, and headed back into the woods.*

When the dog walker re-entered the woods (with the now six leashed dogs - three per hand), she dropped one of the dogs leashes, at the same time that another dog slipped out of its collar.*

*Everyone was ultimately safely collected.

The dog walker stated that she was unaware of the leash law, yet she was parked directly beside the leash requirement sign. She also stated this was not her first time in Wilson Mt.

The dog walker also stated that she ‘didn’t think dog walker rules applied if at least one of the dogs being walked is [her] own dog and not a clients’ dog’. We are still trying to wrap our head around that one. 🤦‍♀️

The dog walker further stated that she didn’t need ‘p**p bags’ because all of the dog’s owners reported ‘the dogs had p**ped prior to their scheduled walk’. Again, 🤦‍♀️.

This was all very unsettling.

October 2nd marked the 1-year anniversary of Lola’s disappearance….with a paralleling script —-the same park… a dog walker-without a permit, with six dogs ; four of them off leash, in a (posted) leash required park.

Dog owners - while we will continue to address these violations, hazards and liabilities with dog walkers, as well as try to figure out just how to improve this lucrative, often care-free portion of the dog care industry- we cannot urge you enough to please know who is caring for your dogs, to know that this person (or company) is adhering to the laws -and is capable of taking on the practice and the responsibilities of dog walking.

Do you ask your dog walker how many other dogs will be walked with your dog?

Do you ask if the dogs will be taken off leash? And if so, if the dogs are legally allowed to be off leash in the area to where they are being taken?

Do you ask if dog walking permits are needed - and secured, for certain places? Have you asked to see them?

Do you ask what plan is in place if your dog (or one of the other dogs) should go missing from the pack, or if there is a dog/dog or dog/wildlife or dog/person- altercation?

You are the voice for your dog’s welfare. Asking questions, requesting to see protocols, permits, incident management plans- is the best way you can protect the one family member who cannot tell you about their day!

10/20/2024

Check out my latest blog post: Why we use and recommend positive reinforcement and reward-based training.

We use positive reinforcement and reward – based training because it strengthens the bond between you and your dog. All animals, including dogs and humans, learn better without the threat of …

10/17/2024

Kylie and I got to meet the new Animal Control Officer, Francesca, today
She said that she also has a chocolate lab and gave Kylie a purple Halloween bandana. 💜🎃

Greatwoodspetsitting.com

10/15/2024

Willow and I saw some Halloween decorations on our walk today. 👻

Greatwoodspetsitting.com

10/15/2024

Clover and I saw some great Halloween decorations on our walk today.🎃

Greatwoodspetsitting.com

10/15/2024

Punishment may stop the behavior in the moment, but it doesn't teach the cat what to do, and can cause unnecessary fear, anxiety, and stress. Make sure your cat's needs are being met, and provide them with a better option.

https://catbehaviorassociates.com/cat-training-10-reasons-to-use-reward-based-training-and-not-punishment/?fbclid=IwY2xjawF7MSRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHZl6eHQnkGOj5BmEH8ThefJ9p80KhB2t3wIywU2Q15P22h5WlQvPbxfbWg_aem_YrydilHlxwKPm8DoHdJ3pg&=1

When it comes to correcting unwanted behaviors in your cat, punishment is not an effective nor humane approach. Here are 10 reasons to use positive reward-based methods rather than punishment, to have a better relationship with your feline companion. 1. Punishment Doesn’t Teach Your Cat Anything P...