Happy Holidays from 2 Paws Up Inc Pet Sitting

Wishing you every happiness this Holiday Season and prosperity in the New Year. Thank you for being a part of 2 Paws Up Inc Pet Sitting. We are so very blessed to experience such wonderful clients and their pet families every day. Our goal is to help you in any way we can. We are always here for you and your pet family.

TOP FOUR TIPS FOR A DOG-GONE HAPPY HOLIDAY

In the rush of the holiday season it’s easy to get caught up in to-do lists.  This is the time of year that we do our best to squeeze in another hour into each day so we can finish the gift shopping, bake and trade cookies and ensure that the lists have been made and checked twice.

If you wonder which is end is up during this stressful time of the year, just imagine how your pet is feeling!

Throughout the year your pets thrive on your schedule and routine.  They find a way to be at your side whenever they can and they adore the time you spend together.  No wonder they’re prone to stress and even depression at this time of year (just like you).

Here are four tips for keeping all your household pets happy and safe throughout the holiday season.

1. Keep the routine.  This time of year is full of parties, holiday recitals and a mad rush to get all the shopping done.  Since you can’t leave a note for your dog to make himself dinner or ask your cat to clean out her litter box, keep sanity in the household by doing your best to stick to your regular routine.  If it’s impossible for you to get home for your pup’s evening walk, why not hire someone to come by and make sure Rex is getting exercise and attention?
2. Put it away.  While it might seem time-consuming to put wrapping paper and ribbons away when you’re just running out “for a second,” that second is all your cat needs to grab the ribbon and bite it.  This is potential choking hazard.  Or worse, your dear feline might get the ribbon caught in her digestive tract.  Not only is it painful for your pet, it’s painful for your wallet.
3. Resist the urge. You’re likely treating yourself with nuggets of enticing goodies throughout the season.  Resist the urge to treat your pets to human food and extra helpings of their own food and treats.  Modifying your pet’s diet by heaping on helpings is at best going to result in weight gain for your pet and at worse can put them at risk for illness.
4. Make time.  Throughout the year your pets are there for you.  They comfort you when you’re sad and they celebrate with you when you’re happy.  No matter the weather or the mood, you’ve got support.  Even if you’re schedule is radically altered during this season, find a way to spend quality time with your pets.  Your dog will enjoy even a short walk with you when you finally come home and your cat will appreciate extra cuddling, brushing or playtime.

These four tips are simple to execute and will ensure that you and your pets have a healthy and happy Holiday season.

You should start training cats inside.  Cats can get nervous if they see or hear dogs, cars, people, sirens, and motorcycles.  It’s almost like training a dog but more complex.  You must buy a harness and a leash at your local pet store.  Cooked chicken is good for treats.  Put little nibbles in a Ziploc baggy and you’re ready to start training.

Supplies:

• Harness and a leash. To find the size measure the cat’s chest before purchasing the harness and make sure the harness is adjustable.
• Treats or give them cooked chicken.

STEPS

First Day of Training:

1.       Don’t stress the cat.  Start with just having him/her just be in the harness.

2.      Give them lots of attention.

3.      Give them just a few treats.

4.      Praise them.

Real Training Starts:

1.       If the cat is still stressed in his/her harness don’t move on to the next step.

2.      Attach the leash and have your cat roam around.

3.      Hold the leash and pay a lot of attention to your cat.

4.      Don’t leave the cat unattended with the leash on.

Time to Start Controlling your Cat:

1.       Start walk but don’t tug. This will take a lot of patience.

2.      Hold out a treat if the cat does not come. If that doesn’t work pick the cat up, move him a foot forward, and point him in the direction you would like to go.

3.      Then give him/her a very small treat.

4.      Repeat the process for 8 to 10 minutes then wait an hour.

Mind game:

1.       You want your cat to think that he/she is the best thing in the world when they have their harness on.

2.      Every once in a while take the harness off and pay no attention what so ever to your cat for a couple of hours.

3.      Then put the harness back on and give him/her lots of attention.

Keep training until your cat is a pro:

1.       Then take him/her outside.

2.      Remember your cat is scared of noises and dogs.  Don’t get upset at the cat if he or she refuses, just warm your cat into it.

Also, when your cats is used to the harness you could substitute it for a collar if you wish.

Original article can be found: http://www.wikihow.com/Leash-Train-a-Cat

Spring is the time of year we get outside and meet more of our neighbors. We start planting flowers, and fixing up the yard. We also find ourselves going on diets, changing our hairstyles and vowing to exercise more. Then we want to show off our pets while we walk in the neighborhood or at the park. 

With this in mind, the article is meant to help you find that perfect groomer for your pets.  You can start your search by asking friends, people you work with, or by asking a pet professional such as your vet, pet sitter or local pet supply store who they recommend. If your particular breed requires specialized grooming, ask the breeder if local, for a good recommendation or what specific questions to ask the groomer.

Groomer quite often will groom cats. People tend not to think of grooming cats. Cats, especially long haired cats. need grooming when their hair becomes matted. Mats are also very uncomfortable and may cause a numerous health issues. Grooming long haired cats on a regular basis can help prevent fur balls from clogging the intestines.

Don’t wait too long to schedule your appointment. Groomers are good at what they do and are often busy. So don’t wait until the last minute to schedule a grooming appointment. 2 Paws Up Inc has three groomers who we recommend without hesitation.

• Grooming By Lisa, in Snellville (Centerville).
• Louise Tucker with A Woof A Whinny And A Purr in Snellville.
• If you are looking for a mobile groomer, The Grooming Fairy.

Check with places like the BBB, Angie’s List or the local ASPCA to see if any complaints have been filed against the groomer and why. If you make an educated decision, you will find a wonderful groomer who will have a lifetime relationship with your pet.

Message from a very special client’s mommy:  

Hey Guys, I have entered the Avon Voices global singing competition. The winners of the competition will record an album with Grammy Award winning songwriter Diane Warren. It’s like an American Idol for women. How cool?? The link to my video is below. I would love your support. The official voting does not begin until April. You can help me make it to the finals by leaving a comment under my video or sharing the link on your facebook page. Thank you again for your support. To see all that is going on in my world, please visit www.leahdevon.com. I hope your day is treating you well. Be blessed Leah http://www.avonvoices.com/watch/NTM5NTQxMTYzNTQyOEFWT05Cb251

Leah DeVon [info@leahdevon.com]

My Notification Service

Nationally the average time to notify family or friends of an emergency is six (6) hours….

if that was your pet

How long would you want to wait before someone was made aware that your pet needs attention?

My Notification Services and 2 Paws Up Inc

Give the gift of Peace of Mind by visiting this web site: 

https://mynotify1.com/index.php?aff_aid=81

You will be able to receive a 10% discount on your subscription.

New and existing clients will receive $5 off their next visit when they sign up for a subscription.

Remember its location, location, location? All cats have their favorite spots. Cats scratch to mark territory.  Cats scratch to give themselves a manicure, and sometimes just to exercise, but mostly it’s about marking territory.  You will want to find their location of choice, then give the cat something to scratch on.

Then you find out their scratching preferences.  Cats have horizontal or vertical scratching preferences.  Their preferences could be wood, cardboard, fabric, sisal or carpet.  My cats love vinyl, because they have scratched the workout benches and the office chair.  They also love cardboard and sisal.  Once you discover their preference choose a sturdy base, remember they don’t partially care for the back and forth rocking motion. So make sure it is sturdy.  The base will need to be as tall as the cat’s favorite place, and then placed nearby their favorite place.  Don’t forget it needs to be made of their favorite material.

There are several websites that have some great cat scratching products on them, including http://www.catsplay.com and http://www.cozycatfurniture.com/ If you know of a great website let us know. We would love to hear from you.

It is what about nine weeks until spring?  Spring will be here before you know it. We all know that dogs of all ages need stimulation and activity, both physical and mental.  Let’s start right now, make a New Year’s resolution to our canine companion to get out and learn, walk and play together.  Dogs of different ages need fun and games for different reasons.  For a puppy, everything is new and each game is a discovery and a learning experience.  For the mature dog they seem to value the interaction and camaraderie with other family members on outings.  For the canine senior citizen, activity helps to keep their senses sharper and also keeps their remaining energy and enthusiasm at a higher level.

It’s not necessary all fun and games.  At the core of your activities there needs to be an element of learning, obedience and training.  What do you think when you hear the word “core”?  Hum, it makes me think of doing abdominal exercises.  Well really, we have to keep our core strong, if we want to be strong.  What this really means is combining education, training, and play.  This severs as a schooling period for puppies and young dogs, reinforces and sustains training of the adult dogs, and helps older dogs adapt more easily to the challenges they face with aging.

So when you take your dog for a walk down the street, or out in the backyard for a game of fetch, or to the park for a game of Frisbee, obedience is vital.  The basic command such as sit, stay, come, leave it, or heal is so important.  Just think about how not-fun it would be if your dog didn’t obey the basic commands.

If your canine companion could use some brushing up on the obedience routine or if you’ve got a canine companion that needs to start from “square one”, there are several places in the area such as the Lawrenceville Kennel Club, PETCO, PetSmart, BarkBusters, and US Canine.  You may also contact the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (ADPT) at http://www.adpt.com for more information.

Look for future articles on sports for your canine companion such as Rally-Obedience, and Fly Ball.

http://www.petsit.com

http://www.adpt.com

It is important to consider how the seasonal weather affects your pets.  We have to remember that there are cold weather dangers, and our pets can become victims of improper shelter, lack of fresh water, antifreeze poisoning, frostbite and even hypothermia.  Here are a few tips that can help keep your pets warms and happy.

Winterize their Skin and Coat:

• Check the pads of their paws for cracked pads, broken nails or snow and ice damage.
• To distribute natural oils to our pets fur, brush their coat often.
• Protect their paws by having them wear booties.

Winterize Pet Shelters:

• If you have outside dogs you can add straw for insulation to doghouses.
• If you have outside cats you can provide a snug, warm bed.  Be sure the bed is not directly on the cold ground or concrete.  Your local pet stores carry outdoor heated beds.
• Watch for antifreeze leaks, it tastes good to animals, and is deadly to pets or wild animals.
• For indoor pets, always remember to maintain supervision when there is a fire in the fireplace.  Use protective fire screens.
• For yours and the pet’s safety install carbon monoxide detectors, and fire alarms. Be sure to test and replace the batteries at least two times a year.  Perhaps choose a time to replace batteries such as when the time changes, in the fall and in the spring.
• Pets are more sensitive to temperature changes than we are, so keep the temperature level.

Winterize them against Frostbite

• Frostbite affects their ears, toes, tails, scrotum and areas least covered by fur.
• Signs of frostbite on yours pets include red swollen areas or skin that is very pale and white.
• Immerse the frostbitten area in warm, not hot, water for about 15 to 20 minutes.
• Call your veterinarian.

Winterize against Hypothermia

• When pets are exposed to very cold temperatures and or the wind is blowing for an extended period of time.
• Some symptoms might include shivering, low body temperature, drowsiness, exhaustion, and stumbling.
• Raise the pet’s temperature to treat hypothermia.  Hot water bottles, warm towels, or immerse the pet in room temperature water, adding warmer water slowly.
• Get the animal to drink warm liquids.
• Call your veterinarian.

Winterize Your Pet

• Many pets have increased appetites during cold-weather months so provide extra food.
• Go ahead and dress your pet up in sweaters, raincoats, hats, and booties for paw protection.
• Have their nails trimmed regularly so that they will be able to maintain their footing in icy conditions.

Pet Sitters International http://www.petsit.com

3 Things to do to improve your courage:

Sail the Intracoastal Waterway, or sail around the world. Skydive.  Speak in front of an audience.  Go white-water rafting.  Rock climb, climb that mountain you always wanted to climb.  You get it.  It doesn’t matter what you do as long as it causes you to face a genuine fear.    Just go out and do something today to grow courage. Face your courage.

Most of us hate and avoid confrontation.  If this week you have been avoiding talking to someone in your life, just go and talk to them.  Don’t dump or get mad.  Speak to them in a loving tone.  You won’t be so afraid if you have already faced your courage. Talk.

Have you thought about changing your career, starting a new business? Talk to your spouse, your friend, or your business coach.  You have faced your fears, and you have the courage, now go out and do it. Take a step, a big step.

John C Maxwell

The dwarf swine was officially developed in the 1960’s.  In 1985 Keith Connell was the person who originally imported potbellied pigs to Canada.  It was in 1986 that the potbellied pigs become very popular.  If the pigs’ weight is watched they can weigh as little as 100 to 200 pounds.  If their weight gets out of control your pig can tip the scales around 300 pounds.  Pigs can be easily housebroken and this was one of the reasons they became so popular as well as the fact they are smart.  Some ranking systems place them fourth on the list, behind humans, apes and dolphins. The potbellied pig can openly express their fondness for certain humans.

The potbellied pigs care is more similar to canine care than livestock care.  They should spend at least part of their day outside. It has been reported that serious aggression problems have been observed in pigs that are full-time indoor pets. This is due to their territorial and herd instincts.

Potbellied pig’s indoor accommodations range from a separate room with bedding, litter box and toys to large animal crates in a room.  Some owners pet proof their homes with non-skid mats and runners, to ramps that allow the adult pigs to avoid climbing stairs. The litter box needs to be big enough for the pig to turn around in and sides low enough to get easily in and out of.  Pigs love toys.  They play with a variety of balls; fetch toys or any toy with food.  Some people harness up their potbellied pig and take them for a walk.

Most pigs are fed twice a day.  Their diet consists of commercial, pelleted feed made especially for potbellied pigs, supplemented with fruits and vegetables.   Some owners even give their pigs a children’s chewable multi-vitamin daily.  They also like plain air-popped popcorn, and carrot slices.

In nature pigs are prey, not predators.  Even though pigs weigh 100 to 200 pounds they can still fall prey from predators, especially dogs. They must have a safe and secure place to stay during the time they spend outdoors.  In the summer they need plenty of fresh water, shade and sunscreen. They also need clean water to splash around in due to the fact they do not sweat.  Many owners provide a child’s plastic wading pool.  Even a spray mist from the hose in the summer works too.  Even though the pigs are given plenty of toys to play with, they even need the time outdoors to do “pig behavior” such as grazing, rooting and rolling on the ground.

You can find a more complete source of information on potbellied pigs on the following website: http://www.petpigs.com

Let me know how much you enjoyed this article.  I would welcome comments on how your care for your potbellied pig.  I also welcome photos of your family potbellied pig to showcase on my website.