Surviving Your Dog's First Year!
Welcoming a new puppy is such an exciting love-filled time! There is nothing quite like a tiny canine furball. However, they are not without their challenges. There will be times when you stop and think: "Was this a mistake?" Relax, most people who get a new puppy have those thoughts now and then, especially when your fur baby chews your favori...
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Cat and Dog House Rules – Tips from Lucy’s Pet Care
Cat and Dog House Rules
Before bringing a new pet into your household, it's a great idea to sit down with your family and decide on the "house rules" for the pets and people. If the rules change after you get a pet, it's confusing for your pet and the people in your household. If you have a pet that currently "rules" your home, you can still teach your dog or cat new house rul...
Read MoreCrate Training 101 – Tips from Lucy’s Pet Care
Crate training your pet is widely recommended by dog trainers and veterinarians. Yet many people resist using a crate because they feel confinement is cruel or unfair. These same people happily put their child in a playpen to keep them safe, so why not your dog or cat? If a crate is used correctly - not as punishment - your best friend will be easier to manage, and most pets wi...
Read MoreBEST PUPPY TOYS 2019 – Tips from Lucy’s Pet Care
Having a new puppy in your household is a lot of fun! And, takes a lot of energy! So, you'll want to have a good supply and variety of toys on-hand to help keep them happy, active and strong! Here is a list of 5 of the Best Puppy Toys as compiled from Amazon reviews, as of the printing of this blog post. We've listed them in no particular order. Teething Chew Toy Set...
Read More3 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Get A Dog – Tips from Lucy’s Pet Care
Dogs can add so much pleasure to our lives! And, puppies are sooooo cute! But, dogs aren't always the best choice of pet for everyone. Here are some reasons why you shouldn't get a dog. You Want Protection Dogs can be very protective of their owners. And, can be a great warning system of approaching danger. However, if you plan to only treat your dog as a commodi...
Read MoreFive Things First-Time Puppy Owners Need to Remember
Five Things First-Time Puppy Owners Need to Remember Congratulations! You just brought your new puppy home, and you're excited about spending your life with your new companion. While your puppy will make a wonderful friend, there's a lot you'll need to teach him while he grows up. If you're a first-time puppy owner, it can be easy to lose sight of the big picture. It's imp...
Read MoreHow to Gain Back the Lost Hour from Daylight Savings Time – Tips from Lucy’s Pet Care
It's that time of year, again...Daylight Savings Time! Early Sunday morning, the clock hands "spring forward," and we lose an hour. Sure, the result is more daylight in the evenings (thus, the name "Daylight Savings"), but, we still have lost time in our day. Well, no need to fret about that precious 60-minutes! We have a solution to help you gain back that time!
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Read MoreTips for How to Stop Destructive Dog Behavior
How To Stop Destructive Dog Behavior
Sometimes you have a pup that just won't stop chewing and biting on your things while you are away. It could either be a behavioral problem in your dog, fear, separation anxiety or changes in the environment around them. That coupled with their doggie genetics could make for a destructive canine, This can lead to intestinal problems, tee...
Read MoreThe Pros and Cons of Dog Obedience Training
Dog Obedience Training - What you need to know Training a dog can be hard. It takes a lot of patience, diligence and consistency. It’s not that we don’t have the best interests at heart for our dogs; it’s just that sometimes there just aren’t enough hours in the day. That is why some pet parents opt to take their dogs to obedience classes. As with most th...
Read MoreTips for House Training Your Dog – Lucy’s Pet Care
Tips for House Training Your Dog
Welcoming a new member of the family is always an exciting time. Whether it's a new puppy or an older rescue dog, the happiness they bring into the home is simply wonderful. What's not exactly wonderful is cleaning up accidents on your carpet. However, with patience, persistence, and consistency house training can help them learn their new ...
Read MoreAre You Ready to Become a Foster Pet Parent?
Are You Ready to Become a Foster Pet Parent? Becoming foster pet parent is a temporary, yet considerable, commitment for both you and the foster pet. A foster home for pets is an incredibly important part of their adoption process. Having a safe home where they can socialize and learn a routine is key to make sure they can successfully be adopted. If you’re thin...
Read MoreWhat Does It Mean When My Durham Dog Is Lethargic?
What Does It Mean When My Durham Dog Is Lethargic? Why is My Dog so Tired?
Dogs are usually playful, happy, and curious beings. However, like humans, dog’s energy levels fluctuate depending on a number of factors. Things that can affect your dog’s energy include diet, fitness, stimulation, and health. If you notice your dog is suddenly lethargic without obvious reason,...
Read More6 Ways To Ease Your Dog’s Anxiety
Stress and Anxiety in Dogs
Like humans, dogs have anxiety and fear. Fear is an inherent emotion of nervousness resulting from what is either a real, or perceived, external threat. The fear response of the autonomic nervous system is what is known as the fight or flight effect. Fear as a response to threat is a normal behavior. This reaction is essential for survival. Howeve...
Read MoreSad Dogs: Signs of Dog Depression
Sad Dogs: Signs of Dog Depression Is My Dog Depressed? We all know that humans have a tendency to suffer from depression. However, far fewer of us are aware that our beloved fur buddies can also suffer from depression from time to time. If you’re concerned about your dog, consider a few tell-tale signs that they tend to exhibit when they aren’t feeling quite like thems...
Read MoreHow Do I Keep My Dog Out of the Litter Box?
Does your dog love "all things cat?" Does he go bonkers for cat treats, food and even toys? Does his love go even further, so that he goes litter box diving for "snacks?" Are you having a hard time keeping your dog out of the litter box? If so, you're not alone in this dilemma. Those of us with canines and felines under the same roof know this can be a real challenge. It'...
Read MoreHow To Choose a Professional Durham Pet Sitter – Employee vs. Contractor
How To Choose a Professional Durham Pet Sitter
Employee vs. Contractor It's prudent to hire a Durham pet sitter who works with a Team of other sitters. This helps ensure 1) availability for your requested dates of care and 2) an emergency back-up system. Having more eggs in the basket is a good thing! It's not a good idea to be dependent on a single person when you've ...
Read MoreHow Do I Care for a Dog with Asthma?
Did you know that asthma can be fatal to humans and dogs alike? It’s a serious disease yet, quite manageable if you know what to look out for and put in place a proper treatment plan. As a professional pet sitter, I'm trained in asthma symptoms. So, I want to pass along our knowledge to you. Keep reading to learn more about signs of asthma in dogs, diagnosis, and common tre...
Read MoreCould You Love the World’s Ugliest Dog?
Quasi Modo was recently crowned the "World's Ugliest Dog." He is a 10-year old pit bull-Dutch shepherd mix, whose spinal birth defect left him with a bit of a hunched back - thus, his name. He was abandoned at a local shelter, before being adopted by a veterinarian. So, how can a dog whose appearance can be a little unsettling to some (per his owner, grown men ...
Read MoreHow Does My Pet Sitter Keep My Keys Safe?
Keeping your home and pets safe is our top priority. Thus, we use systems to help ensure the security of your keys, personal information and house alarm codes. One of the reasons we chose to move to using our software system, LeashTime, is for the convenience of use for our clients. You can access your profile 24/7 to update, request services or check your account. Anoth...
Read MoreDo All Dogs Know How to Swim?
Do All Dogs Know How To Swim? Dog paddling comes naturally, right? Not necessarily! Not all dogs can swim...or, even like the water! In the warm months, you may want to travel with your dog to the pool, lake or beach. And, you may assume your pup will leap for joy at the prospect of a cool dip. But, be aware, this may not be the case. Whether or not a dog is a great...
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