From time to time, our customers request a specific gender of sitter due to their pets reaction toward one gender or another. In some cases, pets are afraid of a specific gender, or that of someone in a hoodie, or a skateboard, or something else that sets them off. Unfortunately, this is usually due to some sort of trauma they endured at a younger age, and they are acting out in their programmed manner because of it.
What I have found in working with these cases is that it takes time to get a pet through these anxieties. But before you can help them through these issues, they must first become comfortable with you. Pets that have been traumatized usually take longer to warm to people, so give it time. Don't let their anxiety become yours because that will just increase the tension level for everyone. If they are barking, let them bark and don't make any sudden moves, loud noises or anything else until they are comfortable with you. It takes time, don't rush it. If you don't have time, don't start the training until you do.
We have had a great deal of success with these more difficult cases, and would welcome the opportunity to help you and your pets if you need assistance. Just call us and we'll be happy to help!
Jesse Martinez
Owner, Fetch! Pet Care of San Francisco
415.692.4986
http://icy.tc/Vp8D
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
1:1 Care for Pets - Why it's the same as 1:1 day care for your child
Many of our customers confuse us with other pet sitters and dog walkers. Some of the most common questions for us or any business is, "What makes you different?" Knowing your key differentiators and how they relate to your customers is the keystone to any successful business, and that's what I'll explain here.
For us, it's our approach to pet care. We believe 1:1 attention for pets is the best approach to take. Most parents would prefer to have their child in a 1:1 care situation when they're at work, so why wouldn't they use the same approach for their beloved pets? Granted, there are the cirumstances where pet socialization is needed, and in those cases, having multiple pets around is definitely the way to go. But for the most part, socialization during a dog walk is secondary to the human interaction pets crave while their parents are away and that's what we provide.
When you want to give your pet that extra love that goes along with a premium service, call us. We're available 24x7 and we have a team of sitters located all over the City available to help.
Until next time, thanks for reading!
Jesse
Jesse Martinez
Owner, Fetch! Pet Care of San Francisco
60 29th St., #522 San Francisco, Ca. 94110
415.692.4986
http://icy.tc/N3AG
For us, it's our approach to pet care. We believe 1:1 attention for pets is the best approach to take. Most parents would prefer to have their child in a 1:1 care situation when they're at work, so why wouldn't they use the same approach for their beloved pets? Granted, there are the cirumstances where pet socialization is needed, and in those cases, having multiple pets around is definitely the way to go. But for the most part, socialization during a dog walk is secondary to the human interaction pets crave while their parents are away and that's what we provide.
When you want to give your pet that extra love that goes along with a premium service, call us. We're available 24x7 and we have a team of sitters located all over the City available to help.
Until next time, thanks for reading!
Jesse
Jesse Martinez
Owner, Fetch! Pet Care of San Francisco
60 29th St., #522 San Francisco, Ca. 94110
415.692.4986
http://icy.tc/N3AG
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Keeping our dog from being "that" dog.
One of the most common questions I receive from customers and friends is, "how do you stop your dog from..." and then fill in the blank. This is really common and something that most dog owners have to deal with. It might be jumping up to greet visitors, humping at the dog park, barking at the mail carrier, chasing after bikes or skateboarders or even going crazy when the doorbell rings. You name it, there's usually a challenge every dog owner faces at some point.
There are several reasons why we want to correct poor behavior. Aside from the obvious desire to not have the only dog on the block who doesn't mind their owner, there's the liability associated with behavior that might actually cause harm to another animal or human. But how do you correct it?
Basically its pretty simple. Reward good behavior ONLY, and admonish poor behavior. There are techniques associated with getting the practices down and remaining consistent, but for the most part that's the approach you need to take. Just like we needed to practice our times-tables when we were young, we need to practice consistency when working with our pets so they know what we're asking, what is expected of them, and what will happen (or not happen) when they don't follow instruction.
We can help you train your pet... not to do circus tricks, but how to not run out in the street; how to not pull while on a walk; how to stay on command and come to you when off-leash. If you need help with these or other training issues you're encountering, call us. We'd love to help you.
Jesse (Owner) Fetch! Pet Care of San Francisco
There are several reasons why we want to correct poor behavior. Aside from the obvious desire to not have the only dog on the block who doesn't mind their owner, there's the liability associated with behavior that might actually cause harm to another animal or human. But how do you correct it?
Basically its pretty simple. Reward good behavior ONLY, and admonish poor behavior. There are techniques associated with getting the practices down and remaining consistent, but for the most part that's the approach you need to take. Just like we needed to practice our times-tables when we were young, we need to practice consistency when working with our pets so they know what we're asking, what is expected of them, and what will happen (or not happen) when they don't follow instruction.
We can help you train your pet... not to do circus tricks, but how to not run out in the street; how to not pull while on a walk; how to stay on command and come to you when off-leash. If you need help with these or other training issues you're encountering, call us. We'd love to help you.
Jesse (Owner) Fetch! Pet Care of San Francisco
Friday, April 26, 2013
Dog Parks in San Francisco - I know there's a ton, but where are they specifically?
From time to time, we meet folks who weren't familiar with some of the best dog parks around the City. Or don't venture too far away from their local parks because they're not sure what the status is of these other parks. For instance, we've come across a number of people who didn't know how to get to McLaren Park, didn't know you could let your dog swim or run off-leash there. And in some cases, have never even heard of McLaren Park.
That's just one example, but there's also St. Mary's Park, Corona Heights Park, the Douglass Playground, etc... the list of hidden gems is amazing.
I thought it would be a great idea if someone (myself) would make the effort of listing all of the parks, and include their pros and cons, so people would know a little about the parks before venturing off to find them.
Well, as I was doing my address research, I came to find that most of the work was already done. SF Dog Parks is a site that identifies not only the larger parks everyone knows about, but provides the information in map or list form! If you prefer a list, you can see the parks in list form by going to the All Parks Section
I will say that there are many new parks in the City that have not been listed yet, but its a very good start, so enjoy!
Jesse
Owner, Fetch! Pet Care of San Francisco
That's just one example, but there's also St. Mary's Park, Corona Heights Park, the Douglass Playground, etc... the list of hidden gems is amazing.
I thought it would be a great idea if someone (myself) would make the effort of listing all of the parks, and include their pros and cons, so people would know a little about the parks before venturing off to find them.
Well, as I was doing my address research, I came to find that most of the work was already done. SF Dog Parks is a site that identifies not only the larger parks everyone knows about, but provides the information in map or list form! If you prefer a list, you can see the parks in list form by going to the All Parks Section
I will say that there are many new parks in the City that have not been listed yet, but its a very good start, so enjoy!
Jesse
Owner, Fetch! Pet Care of San Francisco
Monday, April 1, 2013
Dog Fest is coming!
Although I typically try to use this blog as a means to convey pet related information, in some cases, as in today, I try to promote worthwhile events.
McKinley Elementary's 6th Annual Dog Fest is taking place on Saturday, April 13th at Duboce Park. DogFest is a celebration of dogs and kids benefitting SFUSD Mckinley Elementary School, a K-5 public school in the heart of San Francisco, located at Castro & 14th Streets.
This is an event that has grown significantly since its humble beginnings, and is now one of the premier dog-related events in San Francisco! We hope you and your family will join Fetch! Pet Care of San Francisco in supporting this wonderful event.
Jesse
McKinley Elementary's 6th Annual Dog Fest is taking place on Saturday, April 13th at Duboce Park. DogFest is a celebration of dogs and kids benefitting SFUSD Mckinley Elementary School, a K-5 public school in the heart of San Francisco, located at Castro & 14th Streets.
This is an event that has grown significantly since its humble beginnings, and is now one of the premier dog-related events in San Francisco! We hope you and your family will join Fetch! Pet Care of San Francisco in supporting this wonderful event.
Jesse
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Memorial Day Pet Care
Spring is finally here, which means the Memorial Day Holiday is just around the corner. Many of you are already making your Memorial Day plans, but for those who haven't figured out who is going to care for your pet, here's what you need to know about your Pet Care provider:
- 24/7 availability - Can you get in touch with them within a reasonable length of time?
- Gold-Level Service - Are they rated highly on Yelp, Google + or other review sites?
- Liability Coverage - SF Board of Supervisors eye a $1mm liability requirement. Does your sitter meet that requirement/?
- Do you have someone to turn to if something does go wrong?
- Are they giving your pet enough attention?
- Are they willing to stay in your home so your pet remains in their comfortable environment?
Each of these items have been addressed by our processes and team-oriented approach. When you need help, call Fetch! Pet Care of San Francisco. We have over 35 sitters on staff, and each is trained to ensure your pet receives the best care and attention available in San Francisco.
We're always available, so just reach out to us and we'll help in any way we can.
Take care everyone!
Jesse
Friday, February 22, 2013
How is Fetch! Pet Care different from Independent Dog Walkers?
We often get this question from potential clients, but never from customers. Once a client becomes a customer, they understand why we're different and what our secret sauce consists of -- it's our customer-centric approach.
Everyone in San Francisco has seen the dog walker with 10 or 12 dogs in their pack. While that approach does help socialize the pets, is it really what the pets need? It's obviously good if a pet needs to be socialized, but what if the pet doesn't need socialization training? In that case, we offer what is in our opinion, a much better alternative.
Our approach is to provide the same 1x1 attention you give them. We love our pets and give them 100% of our attention, not just 10% or 15% while they're with us. We believe our customer's want their pet to receive attention as well as a walk, and that's what we specialize in.
Our customer-centric approach is achieved by offering these values
Everyone in San Francisco has seen the dog walker with 10 or 12 dogs in their pack. While that approach does help socialize the pets, is it really what the pets need? It's obviously good if a pet needs to be socialized, but what if the pet doesn't need socialization training? In that case, we offer what is in our opinion, a much better alternative.
Our approach is to provide the same 1x1 attention you give them. We love our pets and give them 100% of our attention, not just 10% or 15% while they're with us. We believe our customer's want their pet to receive attention as well as a walk, and that's what we specialize in.
Our customer-centric approach is achieved by offering these values
- 1x1 attention for each pet
- Reliability - We have a team of sitters available so someone is always available
- Flexibility - We work around your schedule, not the other way around
- Communication - We're open 24/7 so when you need us, you can reach us
- Professionalism - Each sitter is licensed, bonded, insured and has passed a background check
- Easy Access - You can reach us by phone, online or through email
Because we are a true business and not an independent operator, you have someone to turn to if something does go awry. With an independent operator, if something goes wrong, you have no one to turn to. With Fetch! Pet Care of San Francisco, there is a management team, an owner, and ultimately a corporate entity to ensure you are satisfied with our services.
We hope this helps show the differences between us and Independent Providers. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us and we'll answer any and all your questions.
Thanks everyone!
Jesse
Monday, February 11, 2013
Which dog breeds are the best?
This is a question I get from many prospective dog owners, and my answer is always the same. It depends. It depends on several factors, but more than anything it depends on your lifestyle. It's exactly the same as finding the right job, the right car or even the right relationship. If it isn't the right fit, it won't do anyone any good.
So the questions you have to ask yourself are pretty easy to answer, but often we're not honest with ourselves, or at least we don't know which dogs are best suited for what we want to do.
We hope this helps. If you need help with your pet, we have a team of professionals ready to go!
Fetch! Pet Care of SF
phone: 415.692.4986
Google +
Yelp*
So the questions you have to ask yourself are pretty easy to answer, but often we're not honest with ourselves, or at least we don't know which dogs are best suited for what we want to do.
- What activities do you see yourself doing with your dog?
- Are there children in your family?
- Does anyone in the family suffer from allergies?
- Do you want a dog that specializes in:
- Retrieving (Golden Retriver, Labrador Retriever, Spaniel)
- Herding, Patrolling (Boarder Collie, Australian Sheppard, Cattle Dog, Rottweiler)
- Scent Hounds (Blood Hound, Elk Hound, Rhodesian Ridgeback)
- What sort of living conditions will the pet be placed into (backyard, home, farm)?
- How much time do you realistically believe you will spend with your pet?
- Temperament - make sure the pet fits into your family, not the other way around.
Each of these factors will help identify the right dog for you. Often, we humans pick a pet because it's cute. Although this can work, too often it doesn't. It's not really fair to you or your pet, and you should use the same due diligence in finding your pet as you would in identifying solutions at your office.
Here are a few sites that can help you locate the right breed for you.
We hope this helps. If you need help with your pet, we have a team of professionals ready to go!
Fetch! Pet Care of SF
phone: 415.692.4986
Google +
Yelp*
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Getting your pet to obey the "come" command
You finally have the dog you always wanted. You've always dreamed of being the proud parent of a happy, balanced dog; having your buddy run free with you at the beach or in the woods and having the time of his or her life. There's only one problem... your buddy doesn't hear you, won't obey you, and literally blows you off when when you're ready to leave! This can be the most frustrating part of being a pet owner. Knowing that getting your pup to come back to you may or may not happen within the next hour or two. :-(
Believe it or not, this is a common issue most dog owners face. How do you get your buddy to come back to you on command? Believe it or not, it's easier to solve than you might think, and only takes a few minutes a day to address. Here is the secret to training your new best friend to obey the "come" command.
You'll need help to accomplish this but that's ok. Enlist a trusted friend to help you with the process. It will take a few days, but if you keep the training fun for your pet, you can experience wonderful success in just a few 5 minute sessions. Here's how to do it.
Have both you and your friend grab a handful of your pet's favorite treats. This can be a piece of cheese cut into small squares, kibble bits, or something similar in size. Make sure your pet knows you have them by giving him or her a nice long whiff of your tasty treats (but no tasting yet!). You and your friend will then stand 15 - 20ft apart. When your pet is ready, give a nice firm "come" command. If your pet comes to you when called, give your pet a single treat. Then alternate the command, with your friend giving the next command.
Alternate this for 5 minutes and then stop -- you don't want to over-do it or make it too much work at first. Remember, keep it fun!
One thing to note when training for this command. If your pet comes before being called, don't give out a treat. The trick is to associate your pet's reaction to the "come" command with getting a treat and ensuring you provide positive reinforcement! Eventually, substitute the treats with some nice hardy petting or belly rubbing. After a few sessions, the treats will be gone and only positive reinforcement and a brilliant pet will remain!
I'll have more tips and tricks as time goes by, so check in periodically for more helpful tips!
Until next time, good luck and enjoy your pet!
Jesse
**posted previously on noefetch blogger page**
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Selecting the right Dog Walker or Dog Walking Service
Finding the right sitter is a big question mark. It's very similar to finding the right sitter for your kids. You have to be able to trust the person with two of your most valuable possessions, your home and your pet. Finding a great (not good) Dog Walker, Dog Sitter, or Cat Sitter can be difficult, and making
the right choice is tough, but its a decision we can help with.
Here are some questions you need to ask:
Does the sitter have references you can call?
Do they have a Yelp page?
Are they licensed, bonded and insured?
Has the sitter passed a background check?
With our company, we take care of the difficult screening process. We've done all the background work so you don't have to. This allows you to enjoy your life in Bernal Heights, the Sunset, Pacific Heights, the Castro or Noe Valley or anywhere else in San Francisco. Whether you use our services or not, make sure your sitter has been been fully vetted before bringing them on.
Jesse
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