notes from a dog walker

Feb 27

Ask First! Around the World with DINOS

Thanks to all of you, the Ask First! Poster has been spreading around North America this past month, making its way into vet offices, pet stores, and training centers from coast to coast. If you haven’t bought your copy or printed a freebie flyer yet, please do and help spread this friendly reminder that we all need to be responsible, respectful, and safe.

Now that we have that covered, it’s time to spread the message internationally!

Here are a few translations of the Ask First! poster to get you started. There are more coming, including a Japanese version, so stay tuned for more.

The posters are available to download for FREE from Flickr (follow the links below to the Flickr images, then right click the image, save it, and you can print 8×10 flyers to share).

GERMAN

SPANISH

ITALIAN

More translations coming soon here!

Special thanks to Natalia Martinez, Cora Hartwig, and Francesca Villa for translating the posters!

Feb 23

40 Comments

Professional Dog Walking: Fame, Fortune, and Poop Bags

Recently, I’ve gotten quite a few emails asking me for advice about starting a dog walking business. I’m sure the editors of Vanity Fair will be covering this hot topic in their next issue, so let’s get to it before they steal my thunder.

Before I start, it’s fair to say that what I write here may not speak for all the dog walkers out there, especially the ones who are employees of big pet care companies – the kind of job where they can call out because they’re too hungover to walk to the bathroom, let alone walk a dog. I’ve always worked for myself, so this just reflects my personal experiences as a self employed dog hustler.

Here’s a look behind the scenes, to give you a better idea if it’s the right job for you:

Dog walkers work almost almost every day, including holidays, and in any kind of weather, including blizzards and scorching heat waves.

We get paid the same amount to walk an ancient, barely mobile teacup dust bunny, as we do a 150 pound armored tank that drinks rocket fuel right before we show up.

We work when we’re sick, when we are injured, and when we have blisters the size of pancakes.

We walk dogs for people who don’t tell us they’re home, upstairs, lurking on us and then we embarrass ourselves by singing to their dogs out loud.

We work for people who are in bed, with their dogs, and get angry when we wake them up as we try to coax their dogs out from underneath the covers.

We clean crates that have seen atomic bombs of poop go off in them, covering the dogs in turd-shrapnel.

We work with dogs that scare us sometimes, but still need us to take care of them, so we figure it out.

We hoard plastic bags (aka plastic gold) and develop a compulsive triple bagging habit at the grocery store.

We work with dogs that have no training or skills or manners and we do our best to get them and ourselves in and out of the house in one piece.

Can you dig it? Dog walkers deal with all this, because we love being with the dogs. It’s a privilege to make a living being a dog’s friend.

If you want to be a dog walker:

You better love hard work and delivering great customer service, as much as you love dogs. You may work with animals, but you are still in the service business.

You better be trustworthy. Really trustworthy. Never take it for granted how much your clients trust you to always be doing the right thing in their homes and with their pets. Most of your clients will really appreciate you and value your role in their lives. Don’t blow it.

If you can deal with all this stuff, then you’ll get one of the best jobs on the planet.

You won’t get rich and you will get weird lop-sided muscles in your “leash arm”, but you’ll get to spend every day outside with best tour guides on the planet, getting paid to make them happy.

It’s a really cool thing to be a dog’s favorite person (aside from their owners, of course).

It’s just about the best feeling in the world to walk into house after house and get greeted like you’re a rock god. Bad moods evaporate on impact.

Oh, I can hear you saying it now, “But HOW do I become a dog walker? What should I know?

Ok, ok, fine:

Take a Pet First Aid Class.

Read books, watch videos, and learn as much as you can about dog behavior.

If you’re going to hang out in dog parks, be especially sure you’re familiar with dog body language. It’s a free-for-all in those places and you’re with someone else’s dogs. You have to pay attention!

Create dog walking contracts for your clients to sign and clear rules for them to follow so that you get paid.

Be a defensive driver. It’s not your dog. Don’t take risks with their physical or emotional health. When in doubt, cross the street.

Make friends with other pet professionals. Pet store employees and vets always need to refer their clients to trustworthy pet sitters and dog walkers. Be that person they think of first.

Get off your phone. Don’t talk and walk. Be present with the dogs.

Choose and market a specialty, if you have the skillz. Cater to medical/special needs dogs, small dogs, reactive dogs, high energy dogs that need a running partner, or Mastiffs who prefer to spoon on the floor, instead of leaving the house.

Don’t be a hero. Know your limits. Most people can’t safely walk more than a couple of dogs at a time. Can you? Know this before you commit to walking a pack of dogs. It’s perfectly ok to only walk one dog at time.

This will NEVER be me. I don’t roll with this many dogs on leash at once.

Don’t forget pet sitters insurance, a simple website or blog that clearly states your services and rates, references from past clients (even if those clients are the shelter staffers who really appreciate your volunteer work), and some sort of business card.

Finally, when you become a dog walker, you become an “expert” on dogs to your clients. Whether you are one or not. They will ask you a lot of questions. Get to know basic dog training techniques and some good professional trainers, so you can refer your clients to them, if need be. Learn about high quality dog food and supplements. Learn about leashes, harnesses, halters, and other tools, so you can help your clients learn how to use them. Learn about basic, common medical issues, because you’re going to have to tell your clients that they may want to consider going to the vet, given what came out of Lulu’s back door this afternoon. You won’t have all the answers, nor should you try to, but know where to point your clients, so that they can get reliable information from other professionals.

Oh, and get over any weirdness you have about poop. There’s just so much poop involved in being a dog walker.

Know this: There will be holes in the poop bags.

There will be days when you stick your finger right in a pile of soft serve poop and then have to walk for 20 minutes to get back to the dog’s house to clean up. And along the way, you’ll run into a half dozen people that want to say “hi!”, so you wind up talking to them and trying to act causal, while you wonder if they smell poop on you.

But in the end, only you and the dog will know you’re hiding a stinky poop finger behind your back. And they will never tell.

That’s what it means to work with your best friends.

What about you guys? Are you a pro dog hustler? What do you think the newbies need to know? Sound off in the comment section.

Feb 10

22 Comments

One Weekend in Maine…

We had a blizzard this weekend. How about you?

Three feet of snow in 24 hours + hurricane-force winds = six foot high snow drifts.

It was awesome. The dogs can tell it better than I can, so here’s Boogie and Birdie (and one snow ninja):

Day One: We dig out. Note: for perspective, the snow ninja is almost 6 and half feet tall.

Boogie’s first bathroom run during the blizzard

Because of the winds, there were huge snow drifts and bare spots where the grass was showing. Boogie headed towards the nearest patch of grass.

Snow Face.

Slow Motion Shake Down

Day Two: The sun comes out. Birdie smells the air. She is sad to report that it does not smell like peanut butter or pepperoni. She heads back to the house.

Boogie channels his inner bunny rabbit to hop through the snow drifts.

Boogie?

Spotted!

Birdie returns for a quick flight around the yard. Flap those ears Bird!

Did someone call for a Super Bird?

That’s my girl.

Boogie digs…digging

Boogie gets ready to go in face first.

But what he really wants is to play catch. Here's Boogie waiting for me to throw some snow.

The only thing he loves more than digging is playing catch. Here’s Boogie waiting for me to throw some snow.

Eye on the prize.

Going for it.

YES!

And then it was time to go inside and warm up...

…and then it was time to go inside for a nap.

For me, playing with the dogs is the best part of snow days. I hope that those of you who got stuck in the blizzard were safe and able to have some fun too.

Wishing all of you a warm, play-filled week!

Feb 2

28 Comments

Be Responsible, Respectful, Safe: Ask First!

Can I get a drum roll up in here?

I’m so happy to present the brand new DINOS Public Service Announcement: Ask First!

Check out this retro-tastic poster from my favorite design geniuses over at Design Lab Creative Studios:

Want one?

You can get the poster for free on Flickr. Just right click, hit “save as” to download, and print!

There are also translations (Italian, German, Spanish, Japanese) of the poster available on Flickr.

Or you can purchase quality prints of the poster, in various sizes, on Cafe Press.

As a companion piece, you can download and print this brand new Ask First handout.

And just in case you want more…there are Ask First tees and stickers.

Ok, that’s the business end of things, but let’s get to the heart of the matter:

Why Ask First?

Because whenever you see a dog, you should always ask permission before you approach them.

Never assume it’s OK for you or your dog or your kid to approach a dog without asking first. I mean, you know what they say about assuming right? It’s the truth.

When you see a dog walking on leash, sitting in the waiting room at the vet’s office, walking next to his owner in a pet store, working as a service dog, or just about any where, you should ask before you let your dog greet them or you make a move to pet that dog.

Just ask first.

Ask First DINOS

It only takes a very brief moment and with just one question, “Can I/my dog/my kid say hello to your dog?” you’ll be respectful of others, responsible for your actions, and you’ll be safety first.

The nice thing about asking is that it’s something all of us can do at any time. All you need is your voice. It’s that simple.

This may seem silly – it is common sense after all – but I think that we’re all overdue for a reminder. Most of us are teaching children to ask before they approach dogs, but the adults need a refresher course too. And we all need to recognize that this applies to dog-dog greetings as well.

Let’s help people form a new habit. If they’re reminded enough, perhaps more folks will remember to ask permission before they let their dogs or themselves run over to say “hi” to a dog. They’ll stop making assumptions and start making responsible choices.

I know it’s a long shot and it won’t reach the truly reckless dog owners out there, but a friendly reminder can’t hurt right?

By the way, dogs don’t have to be a DINOS for this to idea to apply. Even dogs that are really social and able to meet others at any time deserve to be treated with respect. And all dog owners have a right to say “no thank you” for whatever reasons they choose.

It’s our right as dog owners to decide what’s best for our individual dogs and ourselves. Asking first allows all of us to make that choice.

In fact, this applies any time any of us are out in public with our dogs. Before you let your dog jump up to greet a child: Ask First. Before you let your dog pull his retractable leash over to a senior citizen: Ask First. Before you allow your dog to approach anyone unfamiliar (you never know who is afraid of dogs!): Ask First.

So why not Ask First and be responsible, respectful and safe around all dogs, all the time?

If you think the public could use a little refresher on this idea, please print out a poster and hang it in a vet’s office, a pet store, a school, an on-leash area, or any place where folks need a reminder to Ask First!

And if you do, snap a photo and share it with Team DINOS on Facebook!

p.s. Some people have asked why there aren’t any yellow ribbons in this poster. I chose to leave them out because the public needs to learn to control their dogs, obey leash laws, and ask first around ALL dogs, not just ones that might be wearing a ribbon!

Jan 24

23 Comments

Junk in the Front: Dog Coats that Fit

It’s FREEZING in Maine this week. The only people walking around these days are the dog walkers and the postal carriers. Half the dogs I walk are disgusted by this weather and demand to be taken inside right away, the other half are oblivious to the cold, no matter how many times I tell them that I can’t feel my legs anymore.

Since it’s 5 degrees out, I figured this might be a good time to talk dog coats. If you have dogs that are shaped like triangles, like I do, it can be hard to find coats that fit them. Both of my dogs are very broad in the chest but have narrow waists and I had to try a million coats before I found ones that were big enough up front, without being super long and huge all over.

In Birdie’s case, she’s got so much junk in the front that she has a tendency to bust her coats open at the chest. So she starts off fine, but then she takes one breath and the front strap explodes open. Next thing you know, she’s running around with her coat “unzipped”, trailing from around her waist, like some sort of streaker. It’s embarrassing.

So, if you have a top-heavy public exhibitionist of your own, there are a few brands that I’ve found worked well for my dogs. Of course, they might not fit your pups. That’s the thing about dog coats: usually your dogs have to try a few until they find the right one. And there’s no universal sizing system. If you’re in the market for a coat, I recommend visiting a pet store that offers a range of brands to try on. If your dog can’t handle doing a fashion show in a pet store, buy a bunch to take home and then return the ones that didn’t fit (let the store know what you’re up to and find out if they have a good return policy first!). Same goes with ordering online: buy a couple of sizes/styles and return what doesn’t work.

Here are the coats that I like for my dogs (for reference, Boogie is 50 pounds with a very narrow waist and Birdie is 40 pounds and shaped like a hot potato.)

Chilly Dog Sweaters: I know a lot of dogs with big chests that really rock these affordable sweaters. In fact, they’re a wardrobe staple among those of us with bull dogs (any kind of bull). They almost always run long, covering their tushies a bit, but the sweaters stretch and fit their chests really nicely. Plus they have adorable designs, like this monkey. The sweaters run small: so usually you need to go up a size larger than normal for the right fit. I think Boogie is an XL or XXL.

Teckelklub Trench Coats: This was the first coat I found that could contain Birdie’s bust line with ease. No Velcro busting to be found with this baby. Both of my dogs have the fleece-lined Trench style coats. On really cold days, Boogie will wear his Chilly Dog sweater underneath and this coat on top. But most of the time, the coat alone does the trick for him when he’s out making sweet love to his big red ball in the snow. Boogie is a size 6, Birdie is a size 5 in this coat.

Apache River Dog Coats: The next time I have to buy a coat for a dog, this is what I’m going to get. I used to work in a pet store that sold Apache River and on the coldest days these simple coats would fly off the shelves. Made by folks who also make horse blankets, these fully lined fleece coats are very warm and they fit dogs so well. I highly recommend them for any shaped dog. Like sweaters, they slip over the head, so there’s no Velcro strap across their chest to bust open. And the extra coverage up front is good for cold climates where every exposed inch counts. There’s a ton of stretch in these snug coats (think Spanx for dogs), so what fits in the front, will also fit in the waist. Plus, they make x-long versions for wiener dogs. What up!

There are tons of other options out there: Ruff Wear, LL Bean, RC Pets…but if you’re looking for coats that fit dogs with junk up front, those are my top 3 picks. Oh, and here’s one more, just for fun:

We won this cheap-ish dog coat in a raffle years ago. It fits Birdie perfectly and she’s taking a nap in it right now. She told me the faux sheepskin shearling coat makes her feel rugged – like a rancher or a cowboy. Hey, as long as Birdie isn’t flashing anyone, it works for me.

Do you have an odd ball dog that doesn’t fit into regular stuff? Tell me about your favorite coats and sweaters in the comments section!

2014 update: My friends at Fit For a Pit carry an amazing collection of dog coats and clothes that fit pit bulls and other chesty dogs. I love their products so much that, yes, this is an affiliate link.

Jan 23

5 Comments

A New Home for DINOS

DINOS has a new home!

courtesy of Mitra Farmand

Over the past few months I’ve been setting up a simple home base for all things DINOS. There was so much info crammed here onto my blog, that it was time to give Dogs In Need of Space some…space!

The new site makes it easier to find resources, articles, and other fun DINOS stuff. Plus it’s giving me a landing pad for some brand new pdf handouts and a new PSA poster created with Design Lab Creative Studio. They’ll be coming out in the next couple of weeks, so stay tuned here and on Facebook for updates.

As I moved stuff to the new site, I simplified things a bit here on the blog so it wouldn’t be so crowded. But, there will always be DINOS info (it’s above in the menu bar) here on Notes from a Dog Walker.

The new site is still a work in progress, but it’s ready for you guys to see. Want to take a look around the new place? Check it out!

p.s. I’ll still be blogging here at Notes from a Dog Walker, so don’t go running off with the neighbor’s blog!

Jan 14

55 Comments

Money Talks: Do You Support Companies That Discriminate?

I just broke up with my auto insurance carrier.

For years (long before I had dogs), I’ve been a happy Progressive customer – good rates, good customer service, no complaints. Until this year when I bought a house. Because we have a dog that is a pit bull , we planned in advance to get our home owners insurance through State Farm because they have a great reputation within the pit bull community.

When I contacted State Farm for a quote, I told them what kind of dogs we have. They didn’t care. All they wanted to know was if they had a bite history. Our dogs don’t, so we had no problems.

Boogie has a history of moping. State Farm didn’t mind.

Then, when it came time to renew my auto insurance, it got me thinking: I’d like to bundle my home and auto insurance. Does Progressive offer home owners insurance and, if so, would they insure my dogs, regardless of their breed? I asked Progressive for a home insurance quote and found out that they do insure pit bulls, but only if I’m willing to pay a hefty “dangerous dog breed” fee. Uh, no thanks.

Now, I appreciate that Progressive at least offers the possibility of home insurance for families with pit bulls (and other “dangerous dogs” like, Dobermans, Rotties, Chows, etc.), because there are many companies that flat-out do not. Many families are forced to give up their pets because they cannot find insurance that covers certain breeds or mixed breed dogs. So, in areas where there are no other options, at least Progressive offers families (the ones who are able to pay a few hundred extra bucks) an option.

But still. It’s a discriminatory fee. It punishes many dog-owning families, particularly lower-income ones who cannot afford to pay hundreds of dollars extra each year, just because of how their dog looks. No fair.

Luckily, I do have options that don’t penalize me for choosing to love a little Boogie. And so, despite the fact that State Farm’s auto insurance cost a little bit more than Progressive’s policy, I dumped Progressive and bundled up over at State Farm. I could have kept Progressive as my auto insurance and State Farm as my home owners insurance. I could have kept seeing both companies, juggling my affairs with two different agents, but I’m just not that kind of gal. I want a committed relationship where my agent accepts me for who I really am: a dog lover. An all-dogs lover.

State Farm at an Indy Pit Crew Event: http://www.indypitcrew.org

I’d rather give ALL my money to a company that chooses not to discriminate. Money talks.

Of course, Progressive wanted to know why I left, so here’s what I wrote them:

“I left Progressive for only one reason: while shopping for home owners insurance, I discovered that your company considers my dog to be a “dangerous breed” and would charge me an additional fee in order to cover him. My dog is not dangerous and doesn’t have a bite history. Therefore, I took all of my business to State Farm, which does not discriminate against dogs based on how they look or their breed. Instead, they are only concerned with actual behavior and treat every dog as an individual. I was very happy with Progressive and would have loved to continue giving you my business – both auto and home – but I cannot patronize businesses with discriminatory practices, fees, or penalties. If you ever change policies and evaluate dogs based on their behavior, not their looks, I’d be happy to return.”

I haven’t heard back, but I’m not waiting by the phone at night. Breakups, right?

What about you? Does your insurance company discriminate? There are so many dogs affected by insurance discrimination: Chows, GSDs, Rotties, Dobermans, Akitas, Mastiffs, Great Danes, Boxers, Huskies, and many more. Are you giving your hard-earned bucks to an insurance company that discriminates against dogs based on what they look like? As a dog lover, how do you feel about supporting a company that would deny a certified therapy dog coverage because they’re a Rottweiler or an Akita? Or one that makes assumptions about my dog’s behavior just because of how he looks?

As dog lovers, we have to stick together. It’s the only way we can influence profit-driven businesses to stop discriminating against dogs based solely on how they look. To be honest, we also have to stick together to fight Breed Discriminatory Legislation in our local governments (how can we expect businesses not to discriminate, when certain governments are doing so?), but letting your wallets talk in the private sector is a step we can all take too. There really is no excuse for businesses not to treat all dogs fairly. State Farm is doing well financially, so insuring all these families with “dangerous dogs” isn’t ruining them. Why can’t other companies follow in their fair, profitable footsteps?

Please know that insurance is no small thing for many dog lovers. Housing is a major issue for lots of families. There are people who can’t find home owner’s insurance and have to give up their beloved family dogs. There are landlords that want to rent to all dogs, but their insurance companies don’t allow them to be fair. There are SO MANY renters that can’t find housing because of this issue and many wind up giving up their dogs.Those dogs don’t always survive being surrendered to a shelter. And, even if they did, is that really the best use of our animal shelters? As a refugee camp for dogs who are loved, wanted, and well cared for, but weren’t insurable just because of how they look? Uh, a million times no.

So, I’m asking you, my fellow dog lovers: if your auto policy or any other insurance policy is up for renewal soon, would you consider taking your business to an insurance company that does not discriminate? Will you put your money where your heart is and stand with me and Boogie? I know it’s a pain in the tush to switch. It took me way longer than I care to admit to stop being lazy and do the right thing for my own family. But maybe, like me, you’ll one day feel compelled to deal with the temporary inconvenience of switching so that you can align your spending with your ethics.

And if you’re looking, you do have options. Here are some companies (it may vary from state to state) that are helping families stay together: State Farm, ~~Farmers~~ (see update below), USAA, and Travelers are a few. There’s even this company with a pit bull on their website and a list from Bad Rap with options nationwide.

Why not get a quote from one of these and then reward them for treating all dogs and families fairly by giving them your business?

You’d be Boogie’s hero.

Update 2/12/13: Farmers has changed their policy regarding pit bulls, Rottweilers, and wolf-hybrid dogs. More on that here. As of this date, the change is only in CA, however all families with Farmers insurance would be smart to look for an alternative to Farmers home owners insurance now. Additionally I reached out to State Farm and today they confirmed that they are not following Farmers lead and will continue not to discriminate against dogs based on breed.

Dec 31

7 Comments

The (Dog) Days of Our Lives

I don’t know about you guys, but between the (almost) end of the world, the holidays, and some snow shoveling, December was one busy, where-the-heck-did-it-go month around these parts.

Allow me to give you the highlights. Or, if you prefer, the blooper reel. In no particular order, the dogs I did the following:

Played in the snow. Fell down in the snow. Shoveled the snow into his face so Boogie could eat the snow mid-air.

Also: After recovering from a serious collar-buying addiction, now I only indulge my habit once a year at Christmas. Boogie gets a custom martingale, and Birdie gets a flat, buckle collar. Last year, Boogie and Birdie got matching collars from Preston, a New England company. 2012 was the year of the preppy alligator.

For 2013, we decided to switch coasts (B+B are jet setters like that) and order our collars from California-based Sirius Republic. I couldn’t decide on a matching set, so we went individual-styles this year.

Boogie will spending 2013 as a lumberjack:

Boogie thinks getting his photo taken is lame-o lame.

Birdie will be spending 2013 in a ring of love birds:

Birdie doesn’t get out of bed for less than $10,000 a day

Speaking of loving Birdie, I signed her up for a Nose Works class this winter. It starts in February and I’m looking forward to our girls night out together. If the class is a good fit, maybe I’ll let Boogie get in on the fun (ew, boys!) in the Spring.

One of the reasons Birdie gets to go to class first is because she’s a senior citizen. This winter she’s turning 11 and in preparation for her forthcoming geezer-ness, Birdie decided to get really drunk the other week. Or at least, that’s what it looked like when she suddenly started walking like her legs were made of rubber. One minute: sober as a judge. Next minute: falling over drunk.

It looked like something was misfiring in her brain, so I called the vet, blubbered, and drove 85 mph to the office. By the time we got there, she wasn’t falling over like a narcoleptic goat, but she was stumbling and her eyes were vibrating (nystagmus). Bloodwork, x-rays, and hours of observations later, Birdie was once again walking a straight line and her eyes were ok. All the tests came back: healthy. With no clear diagnosis, we decided on a run of prednisone to clear up any possible inflammation. We just wrapped the meds up the other day and so far, so good.

Although, as you can imagine, I’ve hidden the key to the liquor cabinet and I’m watching the Bird Dog like a hawk.

If you’re wondering, it’s possible that this was Old Dog Vestibular Disease, but the vet wasn’t totally convinced (her symptoms weren’t severe enough to warrant a clear diagnosis). We just have to wait and see. Fun! But I did read this helpful article from Bark Magazine, just in case.

So, speaking of being petrified and worrying about bad things, I decided to use Legal Zoom to help me draw up a Pet Protection Agreement, just in case you-know-what-happens to me and the husband. I felt like a lunatic doing it, but for $40 bucks I bought myself some peace of mind knowing that if you-know-what-happens to me and the husband, the care and guardianship of our pets is clearly spelled out in a legal document. Asking family and friends to be the “guardians” of our various pets (we have 2 dogs, 3 cats) was one of the weirder emails I’ve ever written to my crew, but I’ll do anything to ward off the heebie jeebies.

Well, that’s not a very fun way to wrap things up, so let me tell you about some good stuff coming very soon in the new year:

I’ve been working with the cool kids at Design Lab Creative Studio to come up with a couple of fab things for y’all. I don’t want to spill ALL the beans, but there’s a new poster, new handouts, and even a new-ish site coming in Jan/Feb of 2013. I don’t think it’s going to start a revolution, but I’m very excited to give you guys better quality tools and a really cool poster! It’s almost done, so bear with me as we finish up the last steps and then I’ll take you guys on a walking tour of all the new stuff.

And I know that on our daily walks it may not seem like the world is getting the DINOS message, but on this last day of 2012, let me leave you with this nugget:

Banfield Pet Hospital, the largest privately owned veterinary practice in the United States, has added a DINOS-related page to their website and will be releasing a beautifully done DINOS handout in the new year. Banfield has an enormous client-base, including lots of first time dog owners and folks with puppies, so I’m very excited about the DINOS message spreading to this new audience. Every day, in ways that are big and small, the message of responsible and respectful dog ownership is making its way into more conversations. Change is slow to take hold, but it is happening.

On that note: Thank You! Team DINOS (that’s you guys!) is made up of such incredibly smart, compassionate people. Your thoughtful comments, your resourceful tips, and your funny jokes are what makes this all possible! Thank you for being such an important part of the conversation and making this wacky project a pleasure for me to work on. I appreciate your support – the big hearts and the big laughs – so very much.

Happy New Year everyone – may 2013 be the Year of Safe, Happy Dog Walking!

Dec 8

12 Comments

Boarding Kennels for DINOS

Below you’ll find a list of boarding options recommended by the Team DINOS fans on Facebook.

These boarding kennels have been a good fit for their DINOS, particularly those that are not social with other dogs. Every dog is an individual and there are many types of DINOS, so please keep in mind that what works for one DINOS family, may not work for another.

This list is a great place to start your search and there are a wide range of options below. Some offer small, private home-like boarding, while others are giant resorts with luxury packages. Contact these facilities and ask for a tour. Get to know the staff and find out how they handle dogs of varying temperaments and social skills. Determine if their training and handling skills are a good fit for your dog and in line with your own training/handling philosophies. Here are some questions to ask. Make an informed choice!

The list is always expanding, so be sure to check back and if you’d like to recommend a boarding option, leave a comment or email me: info@notesfromadogwalker.com

Please note that being included in this list is not an endorsement by the author of this blog.

UNITED STATES

AZ Cave Creek: Partners Dog Training

CA Dublin: Dublin Creek Kennels

CA Oakland: Citizen Canine

CA Oceanside: Bark Ave Resort and Kamp

CA San Jose: Canine Corral Dog Daycare and Overnight Care

CA San Francisco: Mighty Dog Walking & Boarding Services

CA San Francisco: Pet Camp

FL Hawthorne: Sun Kiva Kennels

FL Lake Mary: Hollywood Houndz Boutique & Spa

FL Riverview: Canine Cabana Florida

GA Athens: Pawtropolis and Helping Paws Rescue

GA Atlanta: Happy Healthy Pup

GA Atlanta: K-9 Coach

GA Cumming: Just Pets Veterinary Hospital

IL Chicago: Paradise for Paws

IL Chicago: Stay. A Modern Dog Hotel

IL Frankfort: K9 Tail Shakers

MA Boston: Fenway Bark

ME Greene: The Dog Rehabilitation Center of Maine

ME Portland: Forest Ave Veterinary Hospital

ME Saco: Suntar Kennels

MD Owings: Countryside Kennels

MI Romulus: Curreys Family Pet Care Center

MN Eden Prairie: Wag ‘n Woofs

MN Lanesboro: A Dog Spot

MN Minnetonka: Auntie Ruth’s

MN Plymouth: Plymouth Heights Pet Hospital

MN St. Paul: Dog Days

MO Hillsboro: Green Roof Kennel

NC Raleigh: Suite Paws Pet Resort & Spa

NH Manchester: Gail Fisher’s All Dogs Gym

NJ Millstone: The Green Leaf Pet Resort

NV Reno: Canine BNB

NV Reno: Honey Bear’s Country Kennels

NY Fishkill: Pet Pleasers

OH Burton: The UltiMutt Inn & Pet Resort

OH Seville: Comfort Kennels

OR Tigard: GoInBark

PA Freedom: Lucky Paws Pet Resort

PA Pittsburgh: Paws Here Awhile

PA Reading: Peacock Bridge Kennels

RI Providence: Outbound Hounds

SC West Columbia: Barnwell Oaks Kennels

TX Flower Mound: Canine Courtyard

TX Seabrook: The Majestic Pet Hotel & Boutique

TX Round Rock: Action Pack Dog Center

TX San Antonio: Becker Animal Hospital

UT Draper: K9 Lifeline

UT Salt Lake City: Doggie Mannerz

UT Zion National Park: Doggy Dude Ranch

WA Monroe: Mystic Mountain Retreat

WA Sequim: Dungeness Pet Resort

WI DeForest: Aunt B’s Pet Resort and Spa

CANADA

Lethbridge AB: Bogdan’s Boarding Kennel and Dog Training Centre

Edmonton, AB: Kennels Bed and Biscuit

Calgary AB: Whiskers & Wags Pet Services

Abbottsford BC: LAPS Special Boarding Program

Vancouver BC: Bronte Pet Services

Bloomfield ON: Winstead Dogs

Dec 3

62 Comments

A Head Harness You Won’t Hate

I don’t know about you guys but I have a real love/hate relationship with the Gentle Leader (GL). One one hand, as a dog walker, it has allowed me to walk countless ~~Tasmanian devils~~ challenging dogs. So big ups to the GL for helping me handle some tough dog walks.

On the other hand, I HATE that the leash attaches to the GL under the chin. When a dog switches sides, I have to pause to bring the leash around, underneath the dog’s chin. Otherwise the dog gets stuck with their head cocked way over to one side, pulled up from under their chin, with one eye smashed shut, because the leash is now going OVER their head, not under it. I’m sure you’ve seen it. It’s the Tilt-a-Smush.

Smushed-faces aside, some dogs just really hate wearing a head harness and never get acclimated to it. The second you put the GL over their snout, the light goes out of their eyes, their head hangs down, and the joy of going for a walk is g.o.n.e. Instead of having a calming effect, it shuts them down. For some dogs (not all), the GL just isn’t the right option.

One of those dogs is my guy Boogie. He thinks the GL is the plague, despite months of trying to make it super fab for him. To this day, years after we abandoned it, if I bust out the GL, Boogie sneaks out of the room and pretends he’s dying of the sniffles. Kind of like this:

Woe is Boogie.

It’s a bummer, because the Gentle Leader, for all the stuff I don’t like about it, is a good training tool option for dogs that are strong pullers and/or reactive. Head halters are especially handy in tight spots and crowds because they offer a lot of control.

So when I was on the Bold Lead Designs website, checking out their new “give me space” patches, I noticed that they sell something called the Infinity Lead. It’s a head harness – but it had some neat details that told me it might be the smarter, kinder version of the Gentle Leader. I asked about it and (full disclosure) they sent me a freebie to try.

First, let’s go over what an Infinity Lead is:

From the website: The Infinity Lead forms a figure eight around the dog’s upper neck and muzzle, crisscrossing under the chin. There is no pressure on the throat. The lead attaches at top of the neck. All-in-one collar and leash design means there’s no leash snap to get in the way, and it’s easy to use!

It looks like this:

The Infinity Lead is one piece, so you basically make a big loop around their head (like a slip lead) and then twist it to loop over their nose. It’s very easy to put on.

Then you tighten it by adjusting the slip behind their ears. The leash is part of the deal. You can choose between 4 and 6 foot leash options. It’s all one piece, without any clips or rings:

Here’s what happened with Boogie:

I was surprised by his lack of “woe is me” theatrics. The fabric is much softer and way lighter than that of the GL. That helped. Boogie totally shuts down with a GL, but was a little looser with the Infinity Lead. Not exactly full of joy, but not walking like he’s 100 years old either. I was happy to see that the second time I brought it out, Boogie didn’t try to hide behind the cat.

To give it a good road test, I brought it dog walking with me for a few days. I tried it out with one of the more reactive dogs I walk who is approx. 50 lbs and wears a Gentle Leader regularly for city walks. On our walks the Infinity Lead did what all head harnesses do: it reduced pulling, gave me better control, and directed my dog’s attention to me for training purposes. So far so good.

I did worry that the Infinity Lead would be too loose and the leash too thin, for walking a really rambunctious dog. Would a dog slip loose of the snout loop, in a full blown dance-off with another dog? Would I have enough control during a really dicey moment?

While we avoided any major meltdowns, my friend did get worked up at the sight of another dog and tried to kiss a few squirrels. I had the lead fitted very snugly behind my pal’s head and I was pleasantly surprised by how much control I had. When she began to lunge forward, the leash tightened like a regular slip lead, reducing her wiggle room, and I was able to re-focus her attention.

p.s. This slip feature is handy if you need to quickly shut your dog’s mouth for some reason (like when a screaming kid comes running out of nowhere and tries to grab your dog’s tongue out of their skull).

The dog I tested this on has some good training under her belt. If she has enough space, she can stay calm around other dogs. Would the Infinity Lead be the right tool for a large dog with no prior training? My bet is that for straight-up pullers who are non-reactive, the Infinity Lead will be a good option, no matter how big or clueless the dog may be. But if your dog is large and really reactive and/or you’re just starting to work with them, I’m guessing you might need other options in your toolbox, like a more sturdy head harness and leash or, for smaller reactive dogs, a body harness with a two ended leash might work, for added safety and better control.

Ok, back to what I loved the most about the Infinity Lead: I was connected to my pal at the back of her head, not under her chin. No more Tilt-a-Smush when she switched from side to side to smell stuff. We were tangle-free. It was amazeballs. The sun shone brighter and little birds sat on my shoulder to sing us sweet, sweet songs. I swear.

To be fair, there is another option in the behind-the-head category: the Canny Collar. I’ve tried it, but didn’t like it any more than the GL. Other people think it’s great. So there’s that.

Another thing that ruled about the Infinity Lead: the safety-first cord. The Infinity Lead has a safety-first piece that connects to the flat collar as a back up, in case they slip out of the snout loop. The GL does not have this and that stinks. (yes, the Halti also has a safety-first cord, in case you’re keeping track, but like the GL, the leash attaches under the chin). With the Infinity Lead I loved knowing that no matter what happened, if the loop came off her snout, we’d still be connected because of the extra safety bit, seen here:

There are some other handy features too: it’s one size fits all (for dogs 20+ pounds), so if you have multiple dogs or your dog is still growing, you don’t need different sizes. I can keep one with me and use it on all of the dogs I walk. Yay for adjustable tools.

It also doesn’t have any difficult latches or tiny buckles. Bold Lead Designs makes products for service dogs and they were thoughtful about making this tool accessible to those with physical limitations.

There’s more and you can read all about it here for the complete details. Oh, it’s $19.99 by the way. Totally affordable.

So, if you’re looking for a new training tool to try, I would recommend giving the Infinity Lead a test run. And if your dog fakes his own death at the sight of a GL, well I can’t say for sure how they’ll react to the Infinity Lead, but it is soft and really lightweight. For Boogie, that’s was enough to live for.

Wishing you all Happy, Safe Walks!

** One last thought for shelters: If you’re familiar with the Weiss Walkie, consider the Infinity Lead as a head halter equivalent for your dog walkers. Easy to put on in a kennel, adjustable sizing, all one piece.

*** OK, one more thought. Based on all the comments, their are some strong feelings about head halters out there! So I just want to be clear: I don’t think that there is one item that is the perfect tool for ALL dogs. Every dog is different and I use a variety of head halters, body harnesses, and collars with the dogs I walk. It all depends on their individual needs and preferences. I also use a variety of tools with the same dog, changing them up depending on the environment we’re in. So I might use a body harness in a quiet area, but switch to a head halter in a crowded spot for more control. And the funny thing about ALL of these options is that what one person loves, another hates! So much of it depends on the individual dog and the style/skills of the person when using the tool. The halter in this blog is just one option – I encourage you to shop around until you find what works best for you and your dogs!