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Earning an Income by Caring for Man’s Best Friend

On May 28, 2019 / Article / Leave a comment

Photo by Valerie Elash on Unsplash

Dogs require around an hour of exercise every day to keep them fit, happy and healthy. But the average dog walk is just 43 minutes and many dogs don’t get walked at all. A busy lifestyle is one of the biggest excuses used, along with the weather. Dog walking and sitting services are becoming more common as they ensure dog’s needs are met and it’s also a great way to earn money, either as a sole or additional income. While you don’t need any qualifications, having a good understanding of canine behavior, needs and some training tricks will go a long way to making your job easier and more enjoyable.

Why People Need a Dog Walker or Sitter

Becoming a dog walker or sitter can be as easy as doing a leaflet drop in your local community or using an app to connect you with local dog owners. According to Rover, 57% of dog owners admit to skipping walks, with excuses varying from the weather to a busy day at work. Two-thirds say they feel guilty for missing walks and believe their dogs look sad when they miss them, which is why they are happy to pay for a dog walker. Elderly or disabled people often need dog walkers as they can physically struggle to meet their dogs exercise needs but enjoy the companionship. Dog sitting services keep dogs in their own home, which avoids them going to kennels while their family is away. This can help to reduce anxiety and stress.

Making Money as a Dog Walker

Depending on the location, around $20 per walk is the going rate for dog walkers. It’s possible to take more than one dog out at a time and you can choose how much you want to work each day. Walking five dogs a day for five days a week is $500, which works out as $26,000 a year. The pros of being a dog walker include how flexible it is, you get to spend time with lots of dogs and it’s a great way to keep fit, but you should be prepared to face most types of weather. Many pet parents will want you to be available during their standard working week, so it will be better for your pocket if you can do this to ensure consistency for owner and dog.

Being a House Sitter

Being entrusted by a homeowner while they’re away comes with many responsibilities, such as cleaning and gardening, along with caring for pets. House sitting pays around $50 an hour, depending on location, and usually lasts for several days at a time, such as over the weekend. It pays well! Some people even pet sit one house to another and have no fixed abode, making their outgoings lower, so they can save more money. This is a good way for people to earn money while they travel as pet sitters are needed across all of America. There are many apps and websites that can match sitters with owners for a suitable caretaking job, making the process a lot smoother.

It’s easy to be put off dog walking and sitting if the dog isn’t well trained, such as they pull on the lead or are prone to accidents. Being knowledgeable on training methods for common problems can go a long way to making your job easier and more enjoyable, which will reflect in the dog. This is a good way to get repeat clientele as it will give owner’s confidence in your abilities and they’ll be happy to use your services.

There are many who are living out of their RV’s now…and it’s no surprise that you can earn a decent wage while helping walk or sit Fido. Check out the amazing tips on Full-Time RV’ing with your Canine here.

Why Summer Is Ideal For Dog Obedience Training

On May 27, 2019 / Article, Dog Obedience Training, Dog Training, Service Dog, Summer Dog Training / Leave a comment

The summer season is just around the corner! For dog enthusiasts, it is an opportunity to train their pooch for new skills. Though dog obedience training can be done anytime of year, many consider Summer as the most ideal time to do it. Of course, some would argue otherwise, but here are some of the reasons why this season is the best for that.

More time for outdoor activities. Having more outdoor activities means there’s a lot of skills that your dog can learn not only for mental skills but for psychomotor improvements. The weather is ideal to take your dog to a morning walk and to let him learn commands to improve on behavior issues.

For dog improved socialization. Some breeds are “naturally” territorial and this can cause some headache to their owners, knowing that their dog attacking other dogs – and even human they find unfamiliar – are not far from reality. But this can be improved by taking your dog outside in order to be familiar with the “outside world.” Taking him out for a walk in the park allows him to meet other dogs and people. Also, there are obedience training programs such as a dog boot camp offered by some dog training facilities (like ProTrain) during summer. It is a good training ground wherein your dog can learn a wide array of skills for better behavior and improved obedience.

Tone down dog aggression. As your dear canine learns more skills from a summer dog obedience training and as he gets more exposed to people, you can expect a better dog behavior and a much improved obedience – a sure way to tone down aggression.

Some tips to keep your canine in good condition during summer

While the summer season is widely considered as an ideal time to take your dog outside, it does mean that he is spared from possible health issues. Your dog can still be vulnerable to exhaustion, dehydration, and over fatigue. With that said, it is important to consider the following dog summer care tips:

Never leave your dog inside your car as a closed car tends to have an inside temperature higher than outside, which can cause stress to your dog.
When you are out for a walk with your dog, do it in the early morning and/or evening; taking your dog for a walk when the sun is high and the atmosphere is hot and humid can make your dog exhausted.
Check out whether or not the pavement you see at the park is hot. If it is, leave and take the cooler area instead.
Offer plenty of water and shade. To avoid dehydration, have a container of water come in handy.

For expert summer dog obedience training, contact us at ProTrain today.

Call us at 1-877-BAD DOGS.

The Importance of Training a Black German Shepherd from a Puppy

On May 8, 2019 / Article / Leave a comment

The Black German Shepherd is similar to typically colored ones in many ways, but the gene mutation that causes their coloring can result in them growing an inch or two bigger and therefore they’ll weigh 10 to 20 pounds more than a regular GSD. This extra size makes training essential so that you will train your Black German Shepherd, particularly from a puppy when they’re smaller and will learn quicker. The good news is that they’re an intelligent breed that’s eager to please, which makes training fairly easy.

Start Young

Old dogs can learn new tricks, but puppies certainly do pick up things quicker, which is why training should always start as young as possible. Black German Shepherds will quickly grow into their grand size, so establishing yourself as the alpha dog early on will help you to have control over them as they become bigger and more powerful. Understanding obedience at a young age will make it easier for them to learn tricks as they get older because they’ll be used to listening to you, especially if there’s a tasty reward involved.

Don’t Struggle Alone

If you’re new to training dogs or you’re not quite sure where to start with your Black German Shepherd, it’s best to ask for help rather than struggle and end up with an untrained and disobedient dog. If you get your dog as a pup, take them to a certified trainer as soon as possible. This will usually make the whole process shorter, easier and cheaper, which is better for both you and your dog. Begin with getting help for house training, such as toileting and not chewing things they shouldn’t, and follow onto obedience training. If you’ve adopted your Black German Shepherd at an older age and need some help with training, a professional can help to get them out of bad habits and into good ones, making their transition to a new home a smooth and happy one.

Let Your Black German Shepherd Socialize

It’s important for all dogs to socialize with other people, dogs, and animals. Doing this from a pup will help them to learn appropriate ways to behave, which can make their training easier. People who bring a puppy into a home that already has a dog often find it’s easier to train the pup as they’ll copy the older dog who is already trained. Introduce your Black German Shepherd to as many different people and animals as possible so that they learn not to be scared of others, but also not to intimidate others when they get to a big size. Socialization is harder as your Shepherd ages and will often require the help of a trainer.

Training a Black German Shepherd doesn’t differ too much from training a normal colored German Shepherd, but their additional size and weight do mean it’s of paramount importance to train them from an early age. When in doubt, always consult with a professional trainer who can help your Black German Shepherd to settle into their life with you as stress-free as possible.

Train Your Dog To Enjoy Children’s Company

On April 27, 2019 / Article / Leave a comment

Children who grow up with dogs are more active than those without, with one study finding they do an average of 360 steps more every day. Some dogs will naturally like being around children and enjoy their company, while others can find them too loud and overwhelming, which could lead to aggressive behavior, often due to fear. When introducing dogs to children for the first time make sure the experience is positive. With some basic training and rules in place, children and dogs get on brilliantly together and form relationships that can’t be beaten, making dogs a good addition to any family.

Training a Pup

Bringing a puppy into your home can be a joyful experience. Whether you’re expecting your first child or your pooch is moving into a home with children, you’ll need to teach them how they should behave. Between the ages of 8-16 weeks, your puppy will be able to learn and comfortably accept a variety of new situations, so it’s a critical time to introduce them to everything they’ll encounter daily. If you don’t have children, ask a family or friend if you can introduce them to their children. Make sure the child is comfortable with your dog and is happy to pet them and offer treats so that your dog associates children with positive things.

Training an Older Dog

If you’ve rescued or adopted an adult dog that isn’t familiar with children, then training may take a little bit longer and you might need them to unlearn old habits. Adult dogs should be introduced to children gradually, starting with older children who will be calmer around them, and then work towards younger children, who are usually more playful and noisy, once your dog is comfortable. Children’s games and toys can be loud and scary for dogs, so introduce these to dogs without children around so that they become familiar with the sounds. Alternatively, there are some games that children like to play, such as charades, that dogs may want to get involved in. When kids are acting movies out keep an eye on your dog to make sure they don’t become excitable and jump up. You should also teach them not to play with toys that aren’t their own with the ‘leave’ and ‘stay’ commands.

Rules for All Dogs

Dogs of any age should be trained to listen to their owner and treat them as the leader of the pack. Taking them to an obedience class and doing regular training at home with them will form a strong bond between you and your dog where they will trust you and listen to you. You should teach dogs not to jump up on people, so that they don’t excitedly welcome a child and accidentally push them over. This is regardless of your dog’s size as even smaller breeds can jump up with force and it can scare the child. Teach your dog to associate good things with all four paws being on the floor, so tell them to sit when they jump up and then give them lots of attention and treats for the good behavior.

Training your dog how to behave around children is essential as they will encounter them at some point, whether it’s out on a walk, at family gatherings or your own children. It’s important that children are also taught rules on how to behave around dogs, such as to pet them gently, not to pull their fur or tail and not to chase them as this will all make your dog feel negatively towards children.

What Your Dog’s Sleeping Position Means

On April 25, 2019 / Article / Leave a comment

While unfortunately your dream of owning a talking dog may never come true, there are still plenty of ways for you and Fido to communicate. Your pup can recognize different tones, volumes, and even words that you speak — with proper training. In turn, you have developed a way of understanding them.

Most pet owners have developed their own way of communicating with their dogs. Your furry friend can often tell by the tone of your voice when you’re praising or reprimanding them, and you know by those big puppy-dog eyes that they want their share of tonight’s dinner. Even without words, you and your four-legged friend have an implicit understanding of each other. In fact, a well-trained dog who has learned commands by a professional trainer is the best way to enjoy Fido.

But how often do you pay attention to your dog while they sleep? Aside from noticing from their cute sleep-running, many pet owners don’t look to their dog’s sleeping position for insights. However, there is much to be learned from how your pooch sleeps. Here are a few of the most important positions to watch for.

Curled Up

If your dog is sleeping curled up with their nose tucked in, they may be cold or anxious. Each dog breed will have a different preferred temperature, depending on their size and coat. In general, dogs prefer temperatures between 68 and 78 degrees. Keep an eye on your pooch to make sure they aren’t too cold in the AC or during winter months.

On Their Paws

If your dog sleeps on their paws or belly rather than on their side, this could be a sign that they aren’t fully comfortable in their environment. Dog’s muscles cannot fully relax with their paws underneath them, so this is a way for them to rest while remaining able to jump away from danger at a moment’s notice. While your pup may only be in for a light doze, if they’re sleeping mainly like this, it may be time to clear animals or kids from their area and help them feel more comfortable.

Belly Up

If your dog sleeps with their belly in the air, this is a great sign. Their bellies are vulnerable areas, so this means they trust you completely. You’ve done a great job as a pet owner in loving and training them. Keep an eye out if they’re sleeping like this on a hot day outside or while panting, as they may also be sleeping like this to cool off. The pads of their paws contain sweat glands that allow them to regulate body temperature.

It’s important to pay attention to how your pet is sleeping so that you can give them all the care they need and deserve. Check out this infographic below by Sleep Advisor for more insights into what your pet’s sleeping position means about them.

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