Archive for July, 2008

Handling and Caring Small Dog Care

The basics of small dog care are pretty much the same with all other sizes of dogs. They all need shelter, food, water and lots of loving. The sizes of the food and quantity of the water may differ between small dogs and big dogs but the loving is all the same. Small dog care may seem easier for some owners because there is little food to prepare, a smaller body to groom and smaller mess to clean up.

Food Tips For Small Dog Care

Choose dry food that has bits that your smaller dog will be able to bite comfortably. Some of the smaller dogs have a difficult time getting big sized food bits into their mouth to bite and chew. Bear in mind that small dogs also have small teeth that may break easily if the food is too tough for them.

Small dog care must also focus on the amount of food that you provide your dog. Try to give proportionate amounts of food to your smaller dog. One cup may suffice for smaller dogs and it is best not to overfeed or put too much food in its bowl. Some dogs tend to scarf down whatever food they see and end up with an engorged stomach or distended stomach.

Small Dog Care Grooming Tips

Grooming a small dog can be easier than a larger dog because you can lift and turn a small dog to clean easily. Other than that, the basics in grooming apply to all sizes of dogs. A small dog care tip is to trim the nails more frequently than larger dogs. This is because small dogs tend to have things quite easy and are carried around by their owners or spend their days on the couch. Their nails may not wear down as naturally as larger dogs.

Small dog care still requires daily brushing, which is similar to that of larger dogs. The size of the brushes and combs may be smaller to fit the dog size. Brush your smaller dog gently because you might accidentally yank it due to its lightness.

Small dog care is supposed to be even less expensive than caring for larger dogs but smaller dogs are more pampered by their owners, which is why they their owners spend more on them. Small dog care is not that different from caring for medium sized and large dogs. Owners just need to regulate according to the size of the dog.

Dog Sitting Services

Dog Sitting Services and Dog Sitter

A dog sitter is someone who provides dog sitting services to pet owners who need somebody to take care of their dogs for a certain period of time. Dog sitting services can either be given through dog kennel facilities or at home.

Dog Sitting Services At Dog Kennel Facilities

Dog kennels are places or facilities where dog owners can leave their dogs for a given amount of time. Each dog kennel provides different and unique services. However, a good dog kennel will and should provide the basic services.

The basic services dog kennels provide is, first and foremost, shelter. Your dog, once registered for a dog kennel, will have its own space in the facility. Another basic dog sitting service that kennels provide is to feed your dog with the right food at the right time.

Another basic dog sitting service is regularly bathing your pet dog as well as grooming him or her. Providing regular exercise such as dog walking is another dog sitting service that kennels provide to pet owners.

Dog Sitting Services At Home

Aside from dog kennels, you can also avail of dog sitting services right at your doorsteps. Just like in dog kennels, your pet dog is given the proper and most basic dog sitting services. The only difference however is that your dog does not have to leave the comforts of your home.

Typically what happens is that a dog sitter comes over to your house and gives dog sitting services to your dog. One advantage of this however is that some dog sitters provide extra services. Instead of just taking care of your dog, you can also ask them to take care of your house.

Dog Kennels Or At Home: Which Is Better?

Both provide the same basic dog sitting services. The only difference is the location and none is better than the other. So all in all, this actually boils down to preferences.

If you feel more comfortable leaving your dog in the hands of the staff of a dog kennel then go for it. You just have to remember though that dogs are just like humans. They may need some time to adjust to a new environment so before putting them in a dog kennel, make sure that they become familiar to the location first.

If you choose to hire a dog sitter to provide dog sitting services at home, one thing you have to make sure of is that you fully trust that person to come in and out of your house each and everyday you are away.