2 Paws up Pet Sitting| Dog Walking and Dog Training Service

Even when your dog gets plenty of exercise through walking, he still needs chances to play at any age. In our world, though, making time to play one-on-one on a regular basis can feel challenging even though you really want to spend time with him. Plus, bored dogs tend to get into trouble! So help set him up for success with some fun and easy ways to stimulate his brain and his natural sense of fun even when it’s rainy or you just can’t get outside for long. We hope you enjoyed our last post on easy ways to play with your cats, and now we present some fun ideas to do the same for your dogs. Anyone can work these ideas into their schedule and make for a happier dog – and a happier owner too! Get active indoors The magic of taking off all the couch cushions and putting blankets over tables to create an obstacle course isn’t just for kids. You can use sofa cushions, boxes, and all sorts of things around the house to create a fun course for your dog where you can teach her...

Did you ever think your pooch could turn out to be your most reliable workout buddy?  Are you tired of your calorie-burning partner canceling your workout sessions together more often than they showing up?  Perhaps you should turn to your pooch.  With a few training tips for your dog and the help of some safety tips you could be well on your way to the best workout.  “There is a new trend that your best workout buddy is your dog.” Says Arden Moore, pet expert and author of Healthy Dog:  The Ultimate Fitness Guide for You and Your Dog (Dog Fancy Books) (Bow Tie Press, 2004). Weight Loss:  Researchers have often said that pets reduce stress.  A study done by the University of Missouri, found overweight people who walked their dog everyday dropped an average of 14 pounds through the course of the year.  That’s better than the latest weight-loss plans, and more fun!  Arden Moore also states that if you’re working out with your dog, you h...

Dogs commonly eat grass, and there are several explanations offered for this behavior.  One explanation is that wild canids (wolves and foxes) eat the entire animal when they catch it.  Since they eat many herbivores (plant-eating animals), they end up eating a lot of , grasses and plants in the intestines of these animals.  In addition, they have been known to eat certain berries and other plant material.   So, dogs may eat grass because, in reality, it is a normal part of their diet. Many times, dogs will vomit after eating grass. Did they eat grass to make them vomit?  Or did they vomit because they ate grass?  It is a mystery, but it seems some dogs may eat vegetation when they have an upset stomach. The third reason-they just like it.  Some dogs have certain species of grass or plant material they will search out and eat. In any case, grass eating is basically a normal behavior, and is not of concern unless the dog does i...

We all know how much fun a trip to the local dog park can be for both you and your pooch. It’s a place where people and dogs can play together. It’s important to remember that dog parks are shared spaces. All dog parks are different, and some have rules posted while others do not. These are not official dog park rules, but following this etiquette will make the dog park a safer place for your pooch. 1) If you have a scared, fearful or aggressive dog, do not expect a dog park to fix this! We all want our dogs to be friendly and social, but hire a trainer or seek professional advice from you vet on the proper steps to take. 2) If your dog has never been around other dogs, do not make a dog park your dogs first meet and greet experience. You want to introduce your dog to other dogs first, this way you will know how your dog will react . 3) Make sure that your dog is up to date on all shots. A lot of dog parks that I have personally been to make this a requirem...

It is important to consider how the seasonal weather affects your pets.  We have to remember that there are cold weather dangers, and our pets can become victims of improper shelter, lack of fresh water, antifreeze poisoning, frostbite and even hypothermia.  Here are a few tips that can help keep your pets warms and happy. Winterize their Skin and Coat: Check the pads of their paws for cracked pads, broken nails or snow and ice damage. To distribute natural oils to our pets fur, brush their coat often. Protect their paws by having them wear booties. Winterize Pet Shelters: If you have outside dogs you can add straw for insulation to doghouses. If you have outside cats you can provide a snug, warm bed.  Be sure the bed is not directly on the cold ground or concrete.  Your local pet stores carry outdoor heated beds. Watch for antifreeze leaks, it tastes good to animals, and is deadly to pets or wild animals. For indoor pet...