Scottsdale Pet Expert

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Memorial day is a time for family, BBQs, official kick off to summer, and a day of remembrance. Pets can be a part of this relaxing and fun weekend – lets make sure it stays fun and doesn’t turn tragic with these tips:

Charlie playing in the backyard

1. Pets can get sun cancer. Breeds that are most susceptible to it include: boxers, Scottish terriers, bull mastiffs, Basset hounds, Weimaraners, Kerry blue terriers and Norwegian elkhounds.  http://www.petplace.com/dogs/skin-cancer-in-dogs/page1.aspx
2. Remember to keep your pets hydrated. Just because you may be out in the sun BBQing, doesn’t mean your pets are cool too. Make sure their water bowl is filled and there is plenty of shade for them.
3. Don’t EVER let your pet drink beer or liquor. These are toxic to pets and could kill them. You will not be laughing when your pet ends up in the ER or worse. Instead let them join in the fun with Bowser Beer. http://bowserbeer.com/
4. Cats and dogs will want to run and hide. Make sure the doors and gates stay locked and closed to avoid any LOST CAT or LOST DOG posters the next day. (If this does happen, check out these tips)
5. If you are BBQing, be careful if you give your pets scraps or bones. Bones can break and cause tears inside your pets intestines, or the food that they may not be used to could cause them to become sick.
6. If in the backyard with a pool – watch your pets around the pool. Some pets are great at it, others are not. When in doubt, be cautious.
7. If your pet isn’t completely okay with people of all shapes and sizes, you may want to give them their own “space” if you have a get together. Often times little boys are the highest risk for dog bites. They are at the same level as the pets.

Bella’s House & Pet Sitting wants to wish everyone a safe and happy three day weekend. Kick back, relax, enjoy this amazing weather… and consider grabbing a beer for you, and your dog (Bowser Beer that is!).

My fav Pet Sitter in Scottsdale is Bella's House & Pet Sitting!

If you are traveling – we have you covered and are having our own party and love with your pets while you are off elsewhere having fun!

If you lost a dog in Scottsdale, Az, or anywhere for that matter it could be a really scary time.  Holding back the tears, you are crazed with what you should do. Time is of the essence and it is time to kick it into high gear to get the word out to everyone you know. Here are some tips to consider if this horrifying occurrence ever happens to you.

1. Immediately start posting on websites like: www.findingfido.com, www.petfinder.com, www.craigslist.com
2. Contact the local vets, groomers, and pet shops in your area.
3. Contact guard gates if you have them in your community.
4. Announce it on your Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin. These days you can really get your alert to spread virally.
5. If you are a client of Bella’s House & Pet Sitting contact us and we will help get the word out for you. You are a part of our family and we want to help. We will help put the word out on our social media and help you hang fliers.

Time is of the essence in these situations. To ensure that your pet IS returned to you safely please consider micro-chipping them. If your pet IS micro chipped confirm that your correct information is on record and that the company is still in business

Dog Tips Rattlesnake Aversion Trainingby Mark Siebel – Owner – DOGGIE STEPS Dog Training

Dogs are man’s best friend…NOT rattlesnakes. Snakes are an intricate component to our AZ desert ecosystem but can pose a threat to our dogs if confronted. As prey driven animals, dogs are naturally curious and driven to new scents, sounds, and motion.

If confronted with a snake, it is our goal to have control of our dog to ensure a snake bite does not follow.With this said, there are a few basic commands and procedures to take that better the odds of having more control of your dog upon meeting a snake.

Given the odds are higher of a snake encounter when living in the Southwest, take time to learn about the specific area in which you live and time of year when snakes will be more active. Below are a few tips to better your chances of a safe rattlesnake encounter:

1. “Leave it” and “stay” commands. “Leave it” is a simple “halt” or “wait” command. We want the dog to hear this and cease forward motion. Practice by gently holding your dogs collar, command “leave it”, drop a treat, wait 2 seconds, pick up the treat, pet your dog and reply “good leave it”. Also, the “stay” command is very effective in stopping your dog. Have your dog sit and then raise your hand and command “stay”. Walk to your dog and praise “good stay”. Both these commands will prove effective in controlling your dog from critters. If your dog is ever bitten by a snake, give them 1 Benadryl tab (25mg or less) and get them to the closest vet ASAP.

2. Simulated role play. Most snake training methods will use an E correction (shock) collar in the training of snake confrontation. I prefer to use this as a LAST resort. I’d recommend buying a $5 rubber snake from your local store. Then, with a metal pot and metal spoon, time it to where your dog approaches the snake and is within 4 feet of it, then RING THE POT WITH THE SPOON and command “leave it”. You want to condition or scare your dog into making the connection that snakes are not favorable to approach.

3. I always recommend LEASHING your dog on any desert hike for safety. Also, always look ahead on the trail for any visible movement OR sounds/rattles of a potential snake. So, lace up your boots and leash up your dog and hit the trails! Just be aware of any slithery varmints that may be out for a cruise.

Mark Siebel has trained over 900+ Arizona Valley dogs, has dog training tips published monthly in various AZ magazines, appears on NBC Arizona Midday, ABC Sonoran Living, Channel 3-AZ FAMILY, FOX 10 News, speaks regularly with local schools youth groups about the importance of dog safety and ownership, and donates time to kids who want to learn more about dogs. He is a member of APPSA (Arizona Professional Pet Sitters Association) and ASC of Arizona (Australian Shepherd Club of Arizona). Mark owns (2) Australian Shepherds named Leinie and Kugel. Voted 2008 runner-up, and 2009 WINNER “Best Dog Trainer in Phoenix” by SonoranTails Pet Magazine. DOGGIE STEPS Dog Training has services in Phoenix, Las Vegas, San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. For more information or general dog questions, go to: http://www.doggiestepsdogtraining.com/index.html or call Mark @602.318.0122.