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