How do you choose the right pet for you?

This is a question that is often wondered, but seldom asked.  Often times, prospective owners choose their pets on emotion or happenstance when a pet jumps into their arms.  This is a wonderful feeling and very hard to put aside, but you should always know what you're looking for because if you don't then you might find a mismatch that is more problematic than it could have been.

Choosing the right pet can be difficult, but it will always be successful if you take a little time to choose the right pet for you.  Do you see yourself as a cat or a dog person?  Do you see yourself playing with your pet at the beach, or lounging with your pet around the house?  Do you see your pet being a trip-buddy or one that stays home to hold down the fort while you're away?  These are the first questions we should ask ourselves.  

Say for example you want a very low maintenance pet who won't follow you around all day.  In this case a cat might be your best option.  If on the other hand you want a buddy to tag along on your adventures, then a dog would be best.  Of course not all dogs are created equal and because of that you should try to realistically figure out how much time you can truly spend with your pet and then find the pet that does better in that situation.

When I picked up my first pet, a lab named Caleb, I had wonderful visions of the two of us throwing a ball around, going to the beach and just hanging out and enjoying life.  I didn't quite realize that a Lab required a lot of exercise or he'd get into mischief at home, like tearing up some vintage albums, or a few $200 blinds, or a some pickets off my backyard fence or the garbage under the sink because that's where his treats were.  Not that any of this happened of course because my Caleb was perfect (Right!).  

The point is that I needed to adjust my life to accommodate my best buddy.  That basically meant my life would change from one where I rode around the City on my bike for three hour rides, to one where I was spending an hour a day burning his energy off at a dog park.  Not a bad swap, but one that I should have known about beforehand.  Not that I would've gotten a different dog, because he was the perfect fit for me, but it would have set my expectation level appropriately.

You can learn more about what a pet needs by visiting several different sites.  Do yourself a favor and ask yourself the basic questions I should have and you'll be way ahead of the game.

For cats you can find good information here:

• Animal Planet
• Optimum

For Dogs, you can find great information here:

• Animal Planet
• American Kennel Club (AKC)

Good luck and I hope you enjoy your pet!

Jesse

Owner, Fetch! Pet Care in San Francisco

How do you know if your dog loves you?

In our recent travels, we came across this nice article about how dogs show their affection to their parents.  You might be surprised by what the article says, citing recent studies for coming to the conclusions within.  Feel free to read through these and if you need help caring for your pet, we can help with private, personalized 1:1 care.

Jesse


The following article was taken from http://littlethings.com
http://www.littlethings.com/secret-ways-dogs-say-love-you/?utm_content=buffercc75b&utm_medium=ILDFacebook&utm_source=ild&utm_campaign=ILDFBContent

Helping Your Pet Overcome Fear

Helping your pet overcome fear

During the most recent rains, I was faced with a situation I hadn't encountered before.  Although not a huge issue, it could have gotten out of control if I had not taken action immediately.

Over the course of a few weeks, one of our dogs (almost 2 yrs old) had become afraid of the rain. We didn't think too much of this initially since her breed isn't typically fond of water.  Add to that the fact that it hadn't rained much (if at all) since she came to us last January also led us to believe she'd get over it pretty quickly.  Our other dog is a lab, so he couldn't care less if it was sunny, rainy, foggy or drizzly.  With him, there are only two different types of climates -- a nice warm cozy bed, and everything else.    

Initially, the problem we encountered with our other hound was that she didn't want to go near puddles, or the surf at the beach.  Again, not uncommon for her breed.  Then when the rains came, she became afraid to go outside.  Unfortunately when the rain didn't let up for a few days, it became apparent that it was becoming a problem... particularly when she began doing her business in the house.  First it was #1, which happened a couple of times, but then when she did #2, we knew we had to do something fast.  

Putting on my warmest sweatshirt and driest rain gear, I took her  went outside to see if we could cure the problem once and for all.  We went out during the biggest storm of the young winter season.  Rains crashing down on us, gutters overflowing, mud nearly pulling my shoes off mid-step.  We stayed out in the rain for a good 15 minutes, just standing there, getting her used to the water on her paws, the wet grass, and the rain in her eyes.  The goal was for her to go potty outside and to let her know that regardless of how wet we became, the rain wouldn't hurt us.

After about 15 minutes I was beginning to lose resolve when finally, thankfully, she did her business.  First it was #1 which brought a smile to my face, and then after a few more minutes, #2 happened.   At that point, I gave her the biggest, happiest hug I could, and then we both bolted for the warmth of the house.

She's been fine ever since.  But if I hadn't taken the time and been patient enough to walk her through this, it may have gotten completely out of hand.  The rule of thumb here is, if you're going to work with your pet on training, make sure you have the time to dedicate to it.  Training her right before your dinner is ready, or your favorite TV show comes on, or before you have to leave for work isn't fair to your either of you.  You'll be setting yourselves up for failure because when you lack time, you will probably lack patience.  Train when you have time, train when you're not in a rush.  I guarantee the time you spend will be worthwhile in the long run.

Until next time!

Jesse

Focus on Dog Parks - McLaren Park

For those of you looking for a really nice dog park with wonderful woods, miles of trails and vast open spaces, try McLaren park.

McLaren Park was opened in 1927 and is named for John McLaren, known as the Grandfather of Golden Gate Park.  It is located just off 101 and is nestled at the top of the Excelsior district and contains 312 acres of open land to roam around.

You can reach the park from Mansell or Persia Avenues in the Excelsior/Portola Districts.  The Park is a hidden gem in the City and is the second largest city park in San Francisco, only slightly smaller than the much busier Golden Gate Park.  You'll even find the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater, picnic areas, tennis courts and even a lake!

The beauty of McLaren Park is the open spaces.  You'll often find yourself with a trail to yourself and parking is never an issue, even on the weekends.  You'll get majestic views of the downtown area and the bay, open trails and a place where your dog can swim, run, walk or just lounge around with other park lovers.

To find out more about McLaren Park by visiting the SF Parks & Recreation site.

Enjoy the park!
Jesse
Owner, Fetch! Pet Care, San Francisco

Local Rescue Organizations

Hi everyone,
Recently, I have noticed a good number of posts on Facebook related to rescues from people who have, for one reason or another, the need to re-home their pets.  Often, this is due to a misjudgement about how a pet will fit into the home, but there are also instances related to financial or health issues. Whatever the case, owners are often distraught at the thought of what might happen to their beloved pet if they can't be re-home them by a certain date.  This blog post is intended to relieve that angst for many of you.

First, there are several rescue organizations dotted around the country and region setup to help address this issue. These are non-breed specific organizations like the SPCA, Wonderdog, Rocket Dog Senior Dog that can help with re-homing based solely on need and temperament.  The main thing when looking at these shelters is to determine if they are a kill or no-kill shelter, which will hopefully lead you toward no-kill shelters only.    

Secondly, there are breed-specific organizations that concentrate on saving specific breeds.  These are very successful because they are familar with the nuances of the specific breed and can better assess if an owner and pet are a good fit based on the family's lifestyle and the type of pet they are looking for, and if they are familiar with the breed.  

Although this is nowhere near a complete list, these are a few local organizations that I located online. There are many, many more organizations available for different breeds, so I suggest you check for a local rescue organization near you.  Here are just a few I searched for based on my travels around the area.  

German Shepherd:  http://icy.tc/8yow

Jack Russell Terrier:  http://icy.tc/8yox

Norwegian Elkhound:  http://icy.tc/8yoy

Golden Retriever:  http://icy.tc/8yoz

Labrador Retriever:  http://icy.tc/8yo0

Pit Bull:  http://icy.tc/8yo1

Greyhound:  http://icy.tc/8yo2

Rottweiler:  http://icy.tc/8yo3

Best of luck to all of you.  I wish you well in your search.

Jesse
 

 

 

Fun Photos of Pets We Love!

Fun Pet Photos

Vic and Mopey waiting for their treats!

Walter (near) and Maia after one of our walks.

Dutchie, in her usual spot on our couch!  

Drake, just surveying his surroundings.

Finally, Paige Marie in heaven near a space heater!

Our little Maxi Girl - RIP sweet girl, you warmed our hearts every single day.

For Caleb, bath time = roll in the flower bed time... ugh.

Eli, with his soulful eyes

Katie, looking for her next adventure!

4th of July Safety Tips for Pets

Hi Everyone,

With the 4th of July just around the corner, I thought it would be important to provide some information on how to keep your pets safe and calm during all the festivities and fireworks.

This list came from the PetMD website and we encourage you to use their site as a resource for pet related health questions.

Here is their top 10 list:

10.  Keep your pets indoors at all times.  This is the time when pets become scared and can bolt when you're not looking, so make sure they safe, secure and can't escape toward danger.

9.  Don't use non-pet approved insect repellant on your pet.  This may be toxic so be sure to only use items that are approved for animal use.

8.  No Alcohol for pets.  This is an obvious safety tip everyone should abide by.

7. If you're going to see a fireworks display, leave your pet secured at home.  Again, pets can become very frightened and run away at any point, so it's best to keep them in their own familiar surroundings so they feel safe and comfortable.

6.  Make sure your pet's ID tags are up to date.

5.  Keep your pet away from plastic or glow jewelry.  It may look cute, but if a pet chews through the jewelry, it could cause indigestion, intestinal blockage and general discomfort for your pet.

4.  NEVER use fireworks around your pet.  The noise and fire is one thing, but the ashes can also burn their paws if left unattended so its never a good idea to use fireworks with or near your pets.

3.  Don't give your pet table food.  Particularly no beer, chocolate, onions, avocado, grapes, raisins, salt or yeast dough as these items are all toxic to pets.

2.  Lighter fluid and matches are harmful to pets.  Keep these out of your pets reach as these items are very toxic and a pet may get into them just because they're curious, so keep these items safe and away from pets and children.

1.  Citronella is an irritant too.  These items are toxins as well, and can cause severe respiratory illnesses and can also harm your pet's nervous system.  

We hope you all enjoy your 4th of July holiday and that these tips help keep your pet safe and out of harms way.

Jesse
Owner, Fetch! Pet Care, San Francisco

Know your pet sitters!

This is Peter Knudsen.  Peter is a retired gentleman who has been with us for over 6 years!  He loves pets of all types and has been an important part of our staff over the years. Peter is also part of our boarding team who routinely watches our customer's dogs while they're away on travel.  If you are looking for a kind-hearted gentleman to look over your pets, Peter's your guy!

Finding the right pet for you

How do you know?  Well, there are no shortage of people to give you their opinion, but the best person to ask is yourself.  

What do you envision doing with your pet?  Do you want a dog to hang out with once in a while, or a constant companion?  Do you see yourself taking your pet on road trips, or the beach, or are you on the fence about how much time you can spend with your pet?  All of these questions will lead you to the right pet -- dog or cat, fish, reptile; as well as the breed.

Ask yourself what you want to do, and then pick the right pet to suit your lifestyle.  That will ensure you and your pet both get exactly what they need!  

Pet Selector (dog, cat, bird, fish, reptile)  http://icy.tc/jDli

Dog Breed Selector (just dogs!)  http://icy.tc/jDlj

Do your research and you won't be disappointed!

Jesse
 

Is your dog tense or anxious?

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

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

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
 

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

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

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

Fetch! Pet Care SF

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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

• 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

Fetch! Pet Care of San Francisco Main Page

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Fetch! Pet Care of SF on Google +

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.

• 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. 

Animal Planet Breed Selector

AKC Breed Selector

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

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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

http://san-francisco.fetchpetcare.com/

http://twitter.com/sffetch

http://www.yelp.com/biz/fetch-pet-care-san-francisco-4

**posted previously on noefetch blogger page**

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

http://san-francisco.fetchpetcare.com

http://www.yelp.com/biz/fetch-pet-care-san-francisco-4

http://twitter.com/sffetch

https://plus.google.com/115245266650030140242/about?gl=us&hl=en