WALKS
NECESSARY REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL PET SITTING SERVICES
In order for a dog to be approved as a buddy in the Whiskers and Paws family, there are necessary requirements
- Proof of current vaccinations including bordetella
- Flee prevention program from May to November
- All dogs must be neutered/spayed with the exception of puppies
- Dogs must be a minimum of 16 weeks after all their shots for group walks
Before providing you with our pet sitting services, we meet with all prospective clients and their pets at their home, or where they will be picked up for the walk. During this meeting we discuss with the client the pet’s personality and temperament so that we can determine which walk might best be suited for the dog.
GROUP DOG WALKING
You have a choice of having your dog walked with a group or privately on its own.
We require that puppies starting in our groups have finished their entire series of puppy shots, and have been cleared by their veterinarian to be around other dogs. This is usually around four months of age.
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This is a very important time for a puppy to learn how to play with other dogs, how to behave in a group, and how to relate to new situations in the outside world. For this reason we encourage puppies to start going out with the group as soon as they have finished their shots, however we have dogs starting at all ages. It just may take older dogs a little longer to adjust to the routines.
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In order for dogs to be healthy and happy they need social contact with people and other dogs. Dog are taken in small groups of not more than 4 or 5 for their daily walk. Groups are determined by sociability, likes and dislikes, age and owner’s schedule as well as location. We keep the dogs in the same group of friends and with the same person. A dog’s routine is critical to their well-being.
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Depending on the group’s interest, activity level and the weather, the walk usually starts with a half hour period of consistent playing, chasing each other, playing ball or running after a stick. This is followed by a half hour walk. The emphasis for younger dog groups is usually more on running and playing, for the older dogs the emphasis is more on the walking. Exercise time will always be 1 hour. Water and treats are always provided.
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The walks take place in safe areas and the running and playing normally takes place in dog parks or safe green space where allowed.
Dogs are encouraged to have fun in the safest way possible while not endangering themselves or others.
PRIVATE OR SEMI-PRIVATE DOG WALK
Private dog walking will consist of playing, running etc. If your dog loves to run etc., please let us me know as I can incorporate a half hour jog along the canal or other areas with some play time with a toy of its preference.
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Private or Semi-private walk (owners who owns more than 1 dog or dog’s neighboring paw friend) rules are basically the same as the group one with the exception that your dog will be walked for a period of 45 minutes.
RULES OF CONDUCT FOR GROUP DOG WALKING
Dogs are expected to be trained to follow certain rules of conduct while out with their groups
- Dog will be on leash to and from walk until a safe dog park or green space is reached for their play time
- Aggression and bullying is not tolerated
- If off leash in a park etc, dogs must stay within ball throwing distance of their walker
- Incessant barking while on the walks is discouraged
- We also require appropriate behavior when in the proximity of people and other distractions