Spring brings lots of new...and puppies too!

Hey all!


So excited for the spring weather and the newness that comes along with it...trees budding, grass growing...and puppies being born! It is a great thing to add a puppy to your family. They are an addition of unconditional love, a wonderful way to bond with your kids and teach them responsibility too.

It is work to get a puppy...everyone forgets how much work they require in the first couple of months. Very true...but it is also easy to be a successful puppy trainer withour going to training school! The key to your success is easy ~ repetition and consistency!


First things first...get that pup on a regular schedule for eating, sleeping and doing his business....and that is all you should focus on for the first couple of weeks. Find a nd use a key word, like "potty" or "outside" and use it EVERY time you go out to take care of business.....which is pretty much every time you go out with a pup that's 8 to 12 weeks old. MAke sure you take him out first thing in the morning and last thing at night...set your pup up for success! It's better to praise the good work he does than have to correct bad habits because you didn't play your part.


Next...start having regular, 10-15 minute training sessions. Use training treats to help reinforce when any desireable behavior is acheived! Lots of verbal praise and a good scratching of the ears is also helpful!


We offer a Puppy 101 session to interested clients. I'll come and help you establish a schedule and routine. Give you helpful tips and some basic training methods to get you off to a good start with your pup. If you are interested, give us a call, we're happy to help you out!


Whatever you do, just be sure to GET OUT THERE! HAVE FUN! Run, walk, play with your pup as often as you can....puppies have TONS of energy and need to burn that off to help them be well behaved. There's a reason we say, "A tired dog is a happy dog with happy owners!"
 
~ Happy tails and trails
Debbi and the Griffindales, Roy, Jack & Lola

Maybe a Bunny is the pet for you . . .

Okay, so it's the season of the bunny rabbit...I know we all think they are cute. But did you know they make great pets? I only got my rabbits, Cotton and Noah, about a year ago. I am smitten....they are great pets. I will say, my rabbits are outdoor rabbits and that limits our family interaction with them but....if you have an indoor rabbit....they can be great house pets just like a cat!




Did you know that rabbits can pretty easily be littler box trained? Even though our two males are outdoor rabbits, living in individual hutches, they are both litter box trained. It makes cleaning up their hutches much easier. Bunnies are VERY clean by nature, self-grooming all the time. It is rare that your rabbit would need a bath, in fact it is recommended to not ever submerge a bunny in water. They do frighten easily so take care to slowly get to know your rabbit.



I spent a good amount of time handling my bunnies. They are comfortable with me and allow me to hold them. I even get Bunny Kisses - a special show of affection - only when a rabbit has bonded with you. Noah is the only one to give those to me....Cotton is not quite there yet. The more time you spend with your rabbit, the better you will know him and themore he will trust you.



If you choose to get a rabbit as a pet, regardless if male or female, if you plan for it to be a house pet, plan to have it spayed or neutered. Mine are not and so theneed for separate hutches...we have 2 males and they fight! A female rabbit is called a doe and the male is called a buck.



This is just the tip of the iceberg, so to speak...there is LOTS more information on the internet as well as magazines and books at the library or at a pet supply store. Read up because as with any pet, a rabbit has a commitment and responsibility that comes with owning it. They can live up 7-8 years, do have some diet needs that must be met and require vet care once in a while. So you will have to be a responsible owner, there is no such thing as a completely care-free pet. Many people love their pet rabbits and I have joined the ranks of those people...I love my bunnies....



As we head into Easter this week, give some thought to a pet rabbit if you are hesitant about a cat or a dog. Ther eis still a commitment but you may find the bunny to be what you're looking for!

Spring Walk Reminders!

Pawesome Pals Dog Walking and Pet Sitting Services

Hi everyone....


Just a quick word about your spring walks....be prepared! So we are racing right back into flea and tick seasons...oh joy! Get your pet protected! Buy now while you can get ahead of them!


So in the spring months lots of parks are newly busy with eager pawrents taking their pals out for walks. Try to remember some courtesies for your fellow pawrents and their pets. For instance, if you have a jumpy dog, please say so before someone approaches and gets 2 paws in the face. Got a growler? Please do the polite thing and step out of the flow of traffic for smaller or calmer pets to pass. Just remember, you know your dog is great but there are differnt strokes for different folks....and lets not forget that we often walk in places where there are non-dog owners walking (perish the thought!) but we must be courteous and allow them to enjoy the park without feeling any distress because of our furry friends' presence. Don't forget water, water, water...for you and your pet....stay well hydrated! and Lastly...safety! DO not wear headphones, be alert and mindful of your surroundings, always have your pet leashed and if you are walking in a park please do a few things; tell someone where you are going to be and for how long, bring a whistle, and always carry a freshly charged cell phone! Oh yeah, a couple extra dog treats won't hurt either! After all that....HAVE FUN! HOPE TO SEE YOU ON THE TRAILS!

Great visits even in lousy weather

Hey there Pawesome Pals Gang!

What a beginning to the month of March....such lousy weather but the sunny spirits of our doggies has kept us going!  Thanks so much for your continued support and your commitment to the well being of your pups!  Exercise is as critical to good health in our pets as it is to us. 

Come to think of it, it's getting to be that time of year when we are outside with our pals more and more.  A quick reminder to use the flea and tick preventative....SO important here in the South Shore area....ticks and lyme disease are prevalent in our parts.  A good friend of mine, Jessica Falzone ~ owner of A Pet's Peeve has already mentioned she finding ticks on the dogs she's grooming NOW.  Take heed...get that stuff on your furry friend now.

And when you are out and about...be sure that your pet has an updated identification tag, secure leash and well-fitting collar.   Also think about micro chipping if your have not done so.  It generally runs about $30 to $50 per chip depending on where you get it done and then to register the chip with a company is about $15 to $20 per year, per pet.  This puts the chip into a national or at a minimum regional, database.  Many Vet's and shelters, along with Animal Control Officers, have acces to scanners and this information.  If you ever lost your pet, this increases the chances of a safe return!

We all love to be outside and go for hikes but remember to bring water not only for you but for your furry friend as well!  Staying hydrated isn't just for summer, it's necessary all year long.

So yeah, here are a few pictures....good stuff going on....

OOh, check us out on FACEBOOK.......

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hanson-MA/Pawesome-Pals-Dog-Walking-and-Pet-Sitting-Services

Love to have more fans! Thanks everyone!

Our very first post ~ February 23, 2010

Hello. . .and welcome!

We love to talk about all things dog, cat, bunny . . .you get the picture. . . .all things PAWESOME!  We at Pawesome Pals are blessed to be growing over the last two years and are riding the economic waves of ups n downs but seem to be getting it right. At least our clients and their pets are telling us so....

We've found we are suited very well to the needs of many pet owners and ocassionally, not to others.  As a pet owner there are so many varied options out there in terms of pet care.  We do not provide group walks, we do feel strongly about giving your pet our attention during our visits and will never walk more than 2 or 3 dogs at a time.  If a solo visit is what is best for your pal, then so be it,  or we can provide companionship by having your pet visit with one of our own dogs that ocassionally accompany our service providers. Pawesome Pals has a philosophy that encompasses compasion, caring and a personal touch. We do some training but are not here to fix major behavioral issues....we have some friends that can help you with that if necessary. We also know a great mobile groomer and where to buy some really great pet care products. So, who are we?

We are full-time, professional pet care providers (pet sitting and dog walking, primarily) that believe in the value of consistent care provided by the same people routinely ~ thus providing a great relationship with both the pet and the pawrent.  We like to be an extension of what works for you in your pet family.  We certainly will provide some direction and training assistance if necessary, especially if you have a puppy.  However, we know that most pets have a routine with their owners and sometimes that's what we need to do. . .simply help you continue the routine you have established.  We like to think of ourselves as a support team to enable the happiness and well-being of your pets. We love to see your pals wagging tail!

We will be as involved as you like ~ visiting two times a day for puppy care and training, to facilitate house breaking and basic manners, or we can simply provide a good brisk walk for your pup 2-5 days a week - whatever your work schedule requires.  We are as devoted to your pets as we are to our own. 

Please feel free to visit our website for more information about our services.  Simply click on the image at the top of the page to get there....we are looking forward to sharing all things pawsible with you...about our walks, pet care and safety, health tips, seasonal hints and ocassionally stories about our adventures with our pets and clients.

Thanks for checking our Pawesome Pals blog....

Wishing you a pawesome day....

                                Debbi Griffin, Owner

                                Pawesome Pals

                               Making pets happy,
                               one wag at a time. . .

               http://www.pawesomepals.com/