June 2009

Some people don’t realize that our dogs are like members of the family and feel like our children. We would do anything to keep them safe and happy. We would never dream of leaving our children alone all day while mommy and daddy go to work or on vacation. Luckily, now our pets can get the same kind of care and supervision as the rest of the family. While some dog boarding Seattle facilities offer routine services while you are away, other dog boarding Everett locations are run more like hotels than kennels. No matter what level of service you desire for your pet, you will no longer feel guilty when you leave your little buddy behind.

Many might think that day care for dogs is totally unnecessary and that pet owners are simply spoiling their animals. Still others might believe that dog owners would prefer to pay someone else to take care of their pet so they can be free from the messy inconveniences that come with caring for an animal. However, anyone that lives with them knows that dogs are social animals and like humans they need to interact with others of their kind as well as humans regularly. Just as a person becomes sad and feels lonely when no one comes to visit or talks to them, dogs experience the same kind of emotions when left behind day after day. Much like young children, dogs are not able to understand why their family cannot spend all their time with them.

When dogs routinely stay at home alone all day, they become unhappy, frustrated and bored. If they are not allowed to get the exercise and companionship that they need, dogs may even exhibit destructive behaviors. They will chew up anything they can find. Other dogs can develop and suffer from emotional disorders and end up barking or crying for hours while they wait for their owner to come home. Emotional problems can negatively affect their health as well. For total well being, dogs need more than food, water and kisses.

Before choosing where to take your pet, it is recommended that you take a tour and ask questions until you are satisfied that the facility is up-to-date, clean and that the staff is qualified. At some of the best dog care facilities, dogs enjoy a fun and healthy atmosphere where they participate in play groups with other dogs and interact with people. Most of their time is spent running, playing with toys and balls and napping— not locked up in a cage. Being part of a pack of dogs provides them a social outlet where social skills are increased and good manners can be observed and reinforced. As well as obedience training, most facilities offer veterinary and dental care and full-service grooming.

Making sure your dog is well cared for when you are away is just as important as caring for your child. Trust the trained professionals look after your furry friend and love them like you do and you’ll be assured to pick up a relaxed, calm and happy dog at the end of the day.

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For devoted pet owners, it of high priority to ensure the health and happiness of their dogs. It is of utmost importance to take extra care in choosing and buying the necessary dog pet supplies for man’s best friend. Pets in general, especially dogs, are there to offer joy and unconditional love to us and our family. The least a pet owner can do to show appreciation for man’s best friend is to give special attention to its needs. There are many different kinds of online dog supplies.

Your Dog’s Basic Needs
Some dog owners are happy to provide more than the basic needs of their pets while some find it more practical to stick to the basics. No matter which kind of pet owner you are, the quality of dog pet supplies that you use to take care of your dog speaks volumes for how much you value your pet. Do not hesitate to visit dog forums online or ask pet owners in your neighborhood to ask opinion on which products you should choose.

Dog food and dog treats – Dog owners know that their pet’s needs should be given high consideration when shopping for the right dog food. Puppies need a right balance of nutrition in their food as working and sporting dog breeds need high-energy food. Likewise, older dogs should be given low-calorie food to keep them healthy.

Dog toys – Dog toys are extremely helpful especially for new puppies. They are not just for play; they are good for the health and proper adjustment of younger dogs. Dog toys of all shapes and sizes are easily available in shops selling dog pet supplies.

Dog toys should be picked according to your dog’s size and strength as their safety relies on it. Toys that are too small may be swallowed by accident and suffocate the dog while your pet might not be able to get a good grip on dog toys that are too big in size. Toys for dogs are made of various materials such as latex, nylon, hard rubber, and vinyl.

Dog collars and leashes – It is a given fact that your dog collar and leash should fit your dog perfectly. Collars that are too thin or too thick could hurt your pet. The most recommended dog collars are those made of nylon. They are light and durable and do not break easily when soaked in water. Leather collars are also a good option as they are long-lasting.

Choose the retractable type when shopping for dog leashes from dog pet supplies stores. They make it more convenient, both for you and your dog, to take walks. In addition to collars, your dog will also need a place to rest so think about getting dog crates.

Grooming needs and health care – Dogs need proper medical attention to keep away harmful fleas and ticks. Medications like Advantage and Advantix will do the trick. Dental health of our pets should also not be taken for granted. Pet stores sell a lot of toothbrushes and toothpastes for dogs. Another product that is good for your pet’s health is Dog Goggles – goggles to protect your pet’s eyes when outside.

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With more families working long hours and taking extended vacations, there seems to be more demand for full-service dog boarding Snohomish and daily pet care than ever before. But in order to make a venture into dog boarding Bellevue a successful one, there are many important things that must be considered before beginning an expensive undertaking as this. Here is a helpful guide that breaks down much of the information into several general areas.

It just isn’t possible to open any business without the appropriate insurance. It is necessary to find an insurance company that specializes in providing policies specifically designed to cover small pet businesses. Insurance will protect your business but also it will be required by the landlord if you lease a property for your business.

If building a brand new facility is your dream, then be prepared to hand over the majority of your initial start-up funds. It is absolutely critical to check with the Better Business Bureau before signing any contracts. When it comes to choosing a contractor, you often get what you pay for so this is not an area where getting a great deal is wise.

Any business will require the basic office equipment such as desks, chairs, filing cabinets, phones, stationary, a computer and fax machine. It doesn’t have to be fancy to get the job done. If you are resourceful you should be able to find gently used items from stores specializing in used office furniture and equipment.

Luckily there are many options available for office managing software that is designed specifically for pet daycare businesses. The computer software will allow you to manage customer accounts and track check-ins and check-outs. Although the software is a little expensive, you cannot expect the business to survive without it as there is too much to keep track of. You simply cannot afford to lose track of client information and payment records.

Some basic cleaning supplies which are necessary to keep the facility presentable and sanitary are bleach, buckets, mops, window cleaner, rags, plastic bags, vacuum, broom and bags for dog waste. It’s a good idea to use cleaners that are as natural as possible and stay away from harsh chemicals that potentially could irritate some dogs.

A good way to start attracting customers and generating revenue is to offer grooming services to your daycare business. Lots of fairly inexpensive grooming equipment as dryers, tables and tubs can be found on popular online auction websites. Many groomers are happy to work part-time and split the commission.

Without advertising and signage, no one will know you are open for business. It is important to utilize all avenues to get the word out. Take advantage of free advertising like leaving fliers at pet stores and getting a story printed in a local magazine highlighting your new business. Advertizing in the newspaper is a very cost effective way of promoting your business. To compete in the current market, you must have an informative and completely functional website before your grand opening.

Even if you plan carefully and everything gets off to a great start, you need to have enough cash to be able to operate for at least six months without making a profit. Just keep at it to build a solid client base and before you know it you’ll be the proud owner of an outstanding dog daycare.

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It’s such a pleasure seeing your dog enjoy a comfortable nap, isn’t it? Then is makes perfect sense why us dog lovers, take so much care when selecting the perfect dog bed for our much loved pets. A dog that has run himself ragged or finished a game of catch or has just been fed will appreciate a place that allows him to catch some sleep - and in comfort. A comfy dog bed is the prefect thing to get for your doggy, as he’ll just love using it as his own little private space.

A Means Of Training

It’s probably not a good idea to always let your dog sleep in your bed, and by providing his own doggy bed may help with his overall training. Just make sure your doggys bed is of a suitable size and is nice and comfy. You’ll soon see how appreciative he is, when he starts making a b-line directly for his bed whenever he wants to take a little nap.

Your dog thrives on routine and loves nothing more than knowing she has her own spot or place to sleep. While it’ll be easy to simply make up your own doggy bed, you needn’t bother because there are just so many dog beds you could get over the Internet.

Just before you run out and start looking for a dog bed, you will need to carefully select one that suits your dogs sleeping behavior. With many different styles to choose from it makes sense to look at all the options including round nests, cuddler beds, round and fluffy bed as too simple flat and square mattresses. So take a little bit of time to observe how your dog sleeps. Does she like to stretch out and sprawl all over the place, or does she prefer to cuddle up in a ball? You could select a nesting bed for the cuddler or a larger matress type of dog beds for the stretcher.

It is also necessary that you pick the dog bed according to how well it can accommodate your dog. This means ensuring that the bed is sufficiently large or small to keep your pet comfortable. Smaller dogs most often prefer a nesting type of bed that is just big enough for them to turn around in, while larger dog breeds like the Rottweiler, will need bigger, and more supportive beds to accomodate their weight and size. Just look for a dog bed that is a little bigger than your dog, and if you have any doubt, there are size giudes online to help you out.

When you start researching a dog bed, some of the more popular types are the bolster dog beds, pillow dog beds, and even orthopedic dog beds. A dog bed that lends it well to being washed should be preferred since you don’t want to let your dog sleep in dirt and grime. Another feature to consider is a dog bed filled with some cedar, as cedar has been known to re[el fleas, and this could certainly be handy in the warmer months. And, finally you should know which the best spot in your home is where you should place the bed and in addition you must also decide between purchasing an indoor bed as too an outdoor bed.

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You may find it confusing with all of the choices to select a brand of food that works for your pet. The choices are infinite not to mention the mind boggling labels that can lead you to believe the wrong thing. If you understand the pet food labels you can buy the food that is best for your dog or cat .

There are two sections to a label: the information panel and the main display panel. The main display panel shows the names such as the brand, the manufacturer, etc. The Association of American Feed Control Officials governs a products name and what ingredients it contains.

It is crucial to focus on how things are worded on pet food labels. If the product name includes things such as ‘beef platter’, ‘beef entree’, ‘beef dinner’, etc. it only has to contain 10% beef. However, if it is worded as ‘beef’, it must contain 70% beef. If a label reads with beef it must only have a 3% beef content and believe it or not the words beef flavor means the product must only contain less than 1% of beef!

A key to finding high quality food for your particular pet is to be sure to check the bag for the AAFCO statement that tells you this food has passed its feeding trials.

The other portionsection of the label is the information panel, which must include an ingredient statement and a guaranteed analysis. The ingredients on the analysis will be listed in order of weight. The analysis will tell you the percentage of crude fat, proteins, fiber and moisture in the product. Even though the percentages are listed, the quality of the ingredients is not stated.

Pets are very sensitive to changes made to their food. Before making a change, pay attention to their coat, eye clarity and how they are acting. If he looks healthy, you may not want to upset his system by changing his food. Any pet nutritional information or concerns can be answered by a qualified veterinarian based on your specific pets needs.

Also when considering a new pet food take the time to consider what you will put the food in. elevated dog bowls are considered an excellent selection, especially for taller dogs. There are many dog bowls and cat bowls to pick from, but whatever pet bowl you do decide on please stay away from using plastic bowls for feeding. Plastic bowls can hold onto germs and create a potentially unhealthy eating situation. Many pet owners opt for having two sets of pet feeding bowls to make sure that one set is always clean. It is so tempting to just keep reusing the same bowl without washing but do not fall into this trap, your pet’s health may depend on it. Look into pet supplies online for a wide selection and free shipping.

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