Like My Own Dog Walking and Pet Sitting

06/02/2024

My pack and some of my beloved friends!

05/02/2024

🚨Unsafe for human consumption but still allowed in your pet’s food products!

California has become the first state to ban 4 food additives linked to cancer and other diseases.❌ The California Food Safety Act has outlawed brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben, and red dye no. 3 from being added to foods. Illinois and New York are following with similar bills, but have added titanium dioxide, a fifth unsafe food additive, to the list.

Lawmakers acknowledge that these chemicals pose a serious health risk, but the bill only bans the use of these additives in food and beverages for human consumption - but not in pet products.🤯😡

These cancer-causing, endocrine-disrupting, DNA-damaging chemicals have no place in our dogs’ and cats’ food!!

So what do you do when it seems like every label you read lists one (or more) of these disease-causing chemicals in pet foods and treats? 😱

We’ve got you covered 🙌 In Forever Dog LIFE, you’ll find gems like Medication Marbles and Sneaky Easy Pill Pouches - additive-free DIY versions of popular (but toxic) treats! And, of course, you’ll also find loads of other treats, toppers, and over 30 complete and balanced meals for your beloveds - with no unsafe food additives in sight. To learn more visit: https://foreverdoglife.com/join-the-movement/

31/01/2024

True unconditional love ❤️🙏

29/01/2024

BE A DOPAMINE DEALER NOT A CORTISOL CREATOR

Although there are other chemicals that have an effect on behaviour, the neurotransmitter dopamine and the hormone cortisol are important ones to understand.

Force free, positive reinforcement, reward-based methods result in a release of Dopamine which provides important motivation to seek out rewards, increases attention, memory and reinforces a behaviour. Behaviour is far more likely to be repeated when Dopamine is released.

Using punishment or aversive, old fashioned methods causes stress which increases the release of cortisol. Cortisol inhibits learning, affects memory, decreases motivation and can cause emotional, psychological and even physical damage.

Some ways to increase Dopamine levels and lower Cortisol levels –

Only using positive reinforcement, force free, reward-based techniques.

Slow, sniffing walks in a quiet area, interactive play, puzzle toys, lick mats, snuffle mats, foraging, providing mental stimulation activities, routine and predictability, enough rest and sleep and a balanced and nutritious diet.

Give your dog a “cortisol holiday”. Cortisol levels can take between two to six days to return to normal after stress.

This “holiday” could look like stopping walks for a week or changing the time of day you walk to a quieter time, covering or blocking access to a gate, fence or window, avoiding visitors or generally just taking a break from anything that may be causing stress.

29/01/2024

💖

27/01/2024

Remember this when considering getting a puppy or dog- they need to go out in all kinds of weather! ❤️

03/12/2023

Fun weekend with my friends! Fun to add Zoey, Yuki and Gryphon! And always great to spend time with Bella and Rigby! Wagmore is back after a week off! ❤️

28/11/2023

23/11/2023

Some of my friends on or around Thanksgiving! I am grateful for them all!

22/11/2023

Dog owners, beware: A mysterious respiratory illness affecting dogs is spreading fast, infecting pets in Colorado, Massachusetts, Oregon, Rhode Island, Illinois, Maryland and Wyoming. Symptoms are similar to those of kennel cough, including a cough, fever, and loss of appetite — but they can last far longer, and in some cases, prove fatal. The cause is so far unclear, and vets are divided as to whether it's a bacterial or viral infection.

13/11/2023

Meet the newest member of the Like My Own family, Harley! She is a real sweet girl!

13/11/2023

Some of my fabulous fall friends! 💗💗💙💙

29/10/2023

Sometimes you have to meet them where they are! Welcome Gracie snd Lulu!

14/10/2023

Maddie is a sweet, energetic girl!🩷🌸

08/10/2023

Bella is the cutest little girl! A plus personality too! 🩷

06/10/2023

I can wait all day - says Juno! Puck says so can I, sis!

06/10/2023

Sweet Georgie!

05/10/2023

Isn’t Yogi beautiful? I just love this boy!

05/10/2023

This is Gracie! She is such a sweet, smart girl!

04/10/2023

That “look” of trust and attention is undeniably my favorite.❤️💙

04/10/2023

Meet my new friend Gracie! Welcome to Like My Own!

01/10/2023

Riley, who is 20, is waiting patiently for me to finish my chores so we can talk and cuddle.

27/09/2023

Meet my new friend, Brandy! Welcome to Like My Own sweet girl!

21/09/2023

Boo ignoring his silly sister!

17/09/2023

Welcome to Like My Own Boo & Ginger! You are both such good pups!💗

16/09/2023

The stages of Murphy! As she looks at me and then decides she better check out the thing in my hand!

16/09/2023

Juno has had this little toy in her mouth for so long it is kind of grossing me out! Lol