Pet Sitting, Dog Walking, Scottsdale, AZ

As I get ready to launch a twice a month radio show next month – I put a question out to one of the pet sitter forums I am a member of. I was wanting to get a feel to see if people would want to listen to our podcast while they were walking dogs and the results were shocking to me.

Music.

It is what keeps us alive. There are sting in my car seat at 1yrs old. I have been an avid salsa dancer and west coast swing.

Books.

Love them! Just fall asleep reading, so I have lots of business books on tape. It is food for my soul. After the awesome invention of the iphone my library follows me everywhere… from my home, my car, and yes, you guessed it, walking dogs.

So imagine my complete disbelief when a lot of pet sitters sounded off about NOT walking their dog clients with their head phones on. They said it would distract them and they wouldn’t be able to see things that were coming. Like a dog off its leash, a car gone crazy, etc.

I didn’t quite understand this because that would all be sight (not sound) driven. I wouldn’t ever be listening to something so loud that I still couldn’t hear what was going on. I would still be funny aware of my surroundings, this is why I have 5 senses. I walk my own dog, and your office manager, Rocco, with ear buds in my ears.

So I am curious… how do you feel about this? Do you think it is safe to walk a dog with headphones on? Do you do it when you walk your dog?

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Maybe it is the change in the weather?

Or maybe it is because it is the time of year when many people are getting fur kids?

Whatever it may be we are getting tons of calls for daily dog walking in Scottsdale!  We love it. Heck, my amazing staff loves it as they (seriously) loose weight working for Bella’s House & Pet Sitting!

Here are some of the common reasons why people are asking for their Scottsdale dog to be walked:

1 – They do not have enough time to exercise their pooch.

2- They work long hours (10 hour days) and know that it is bad to leave a pet home alone that long, so they call us!

3 – They have a puppy that simply needs more frequent breaks.

4 – The economy is starting to take off again so our clients who are in sales are back to driving around town with more unpredictable schedules.

5 – School sports are in full effect and Mom and Dad are getting off work, grabbing the kids, and going to their sporting games, leaving long hours at home solo for the pups.

Ever think that a dog who was known for constantly biting (including some faces) could be rehabilitated an turned into a celebrity?

Well, Flash the boarder collie (or whatever the breed is) certainly proves that anything is possible, and we should never give up on those in need.

Push play on this Walmart video and see how well Flash sells his products.

It is truly hard to believe that the same dog just some months ago was known as aggressive.

In this interview, dog trainer Jimi of Your Dog Guru, walks us through how she was able to take Flash from a scared, often aggresive pooch, to a dog ready for prime time starring in his own Walmart commercial.

It is truly inspiring.

Jimi, can you tell me who you are, what your background is and what you specialize in?

I am Owner of Your Dog Guru Company that specializes in Behavioral Rehabilitation, Personal Protection and Detection dog Training also Service dog and Hunting Dog Training.

When did you get a call from this client? Where did they live? What did they say their past experience was with this dog?

We got a call from a referral saying that their dog that has severe aggression that occurs without any signs and is sudden. They got this dog from the rescue and they did not ever mentioned about aggression. Further, we learned that our client has been bit repeatedly on numerous occasions. Erica told us that this dog attacks everything that moves and that he hides from any social contact. Our solution was our Rehab Program.

Explain to me how you got a dog from biting someone’s face to a Walmart commercial for angry bird toys? Was it easy? What methods did you use?

Nothing good comes easily.  Fixing problems that were manufactured by people that owned that dog prior to surrender to the shelter is especially tough.  We spend many hours in educating this dog how to communicate while abandoning fear and aggression. And giving him new tools to integrate in the world. Our approach is simple, that works with the dog’s personality. It enriches ability to cooperate and communicate with the external world. Who wouldn’t like that? This training  makes the dog happy because he is understood and appreciated. We created our diamond from the rough! Fast forward to today where he got to be on this Walmart commercial. He is so good now that he was on set for 5 hours and everyone get to pet him and play with him. Awesome dog!

In your opinion is any dog ever “doomed” or can they all be rehabbed?

No. I strongly believe that behavioral problems can be overcome. Best is to start with a consultation delaying a problem only puts your dog in unfavorable situation and can cause many liability issues.

What is your mission in your business?

We would love to see State of Arizona be first state without shelters and dogs that have to be put down for any behavioral inhibitions.it can be done if we all decide to make the first step and train our dogs.

How can people get in contact with you?

Phone: 480.788.1-DOG | Email: Jimi@yourdogguru.com | www.yourdogguru.com

Testimony from Flash’s mom:
Erica Kolton If it wasn’t for Jimi Livshitz my dog Flash would have most likely been put down.
He used to bite, be afraid of men and was very fearful and aggressive. But with Jimi’s excellent
training techniques now Flash is doing amazing! He just appeared in a video with me on Walmart
where we reviewed a new dog toy! Thanks for everything Jimi and Christina Livshitz!

Image via Wikipedia

Recently, while pet sitting in Scottsdale, we encountered a sweet puppy (6 months old) who was on a walk with one of our sitters and holding his leash in his mouth. So cute, that a pair of ladies driving in a car turned around and drove by a second time because it was a cute sight to see. So I reached out to Mark, from Doggie Steps Dog Training to find out what this really meant:

WHO’S WALKING WHO?

In my near 7 years of training dogs and observing dog behavior, I have found that leash training if often the most challenging activity with your dog.  A dogs best sense is smell, so, the walk to a dog will often result in pulling due to their natural instincts to follow scent trails.

For a low stress walk with your dog, I train my customers with the “heel” command.  Try keeping your dog behind the tip of your foot and command “heel”.  If they pull, STOP walking.  Then, start again.  When they want to smell or potty, release with the “free” command.  Dogs are naturally oral, especially younger dogs, due to teething or sore gums,  so they may want to hold the lead in their mouth.  As long as they are NOT pulling on the lead excessively, this is ok.

Let them use the leash as a pacifier to calm them down.  As they mature, the desire for oral stimulation will be reduced.  I instruct my customers to “pick your battles” with their dogs.  As long as your dog is listening to your commands and looking to YOU for guidance, there is no question who the boss is.

Want to know more? Mark can be reached here: Mark Siebel Owner DOGGIE STEPS LLC. – Dog Training/Sitting “A Good Dog = A Trained Owner” #602.318.0122   1405 E. Park Ave. Chandler, AZ 85225

Thanks Mark! It is so great to know that we can just call on you to answer our questions!

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You heard it here first….

As your Scottsdale Pet Sitter we always try to keep you up to date with the important information, and we think this may be important. Stay close and we will update you as more information becomes available.

If you buy your pet food at Costco listen up to this important message from Susan at www.TruthAboutPetFood.com There are reports of possible problems with the Kirkland brand and pets getting sick and dying.

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• Why I won’t feed Pedigree To Rocco  (www.bellahouseandpets.com