Lucrative Pet Sitter Jobs

If you are in good health, energetic and love pets then there is no reason for you to sit idle at home. You can make as much as $22 in an hour by doing some pet sitter jobs in your neighborhood. The job involves taking the dog out for a walk and a refreshing break, playing with the dog and then taking it back home. It won't take you more than an hour in taking a dog out and back to its residence. $22 for an hour for one dog is quite impressive. If you can take more than one dog out for waling then you can make more than $50 in an hour. Doing this job twice in a day could make you richer by a few hundred dollars at the end of the day.

Pet sitter jobs are available on the web and you can locate them on the websites that sell pets and their products. A survey revealed that around 60% homes have dogs and 40% have multiple pets. People keep dogs out of their love for animals and also for security of their residences. Dog is a faithful animal and it can also become a trustworthy security guard but it is requires proper cared. A dog needs to taken out for walking and refreshing activities. Since a majority of pet owners are busy in their regular jobs, they can't give proper attention to their dogs. For this reason, they hire dog walkers that can take care of their pets.

The demand for dog walkers increases during holidays when families want to go on vacations leaving their pups in the custody of pet sitters. A popular dog walker can expect brisk business during vacations. Also he can charge high rates on weekends and holidays. A pet sitter might need to take a dog to vet when the dog is ill. Getting the dog checked by a vet also comes under the pet sitting job. If you are willing to work as a dog walker then you can fine many pet sitter jobs in your vicinity.

Students and seniors who are in good health and want to lead an active life would find pet sitter jobs just perfect. For students, these jobs could be a source of earning quick money without putting much pressure on their body and mind. For seniors, these jobs would be an excuse to take long walks and play with naughty pups.

Darin Spehn has been a renowned dog specialist who has a broad experience in serving different dog lovers needs. The author also provides dog owners with relevant information of various kinds of dogs. For more information visit pet sitter jobs and dog walking services.

How Do I Know If My Dog Has Ear Mites, How to Prevent Them and Treat Dog Ear Mites?

Dog ear mites, or otodectes cynotis, are highly contagious parasites that are easily spread between dogs and cats; however, humans cannot contract them. The otodectic mites are parasites that are crab-like in appearance. Although they can live anywhere on your dog, they prefer to live in the ear canal most times. These tiny parasites feed off of tissue fluids or tissue debris and do not puncture skin like fleas do; you will not be able to identify them with a naked eye.

Reasons Dogs Get Them

The number one most common reason for ear mites in dogs is coming in contact with an infected animal. There are different types of mites that feed on canine species such as dingoes, wolves, foxes, coyotes, and of course dogs. Ear mites are transmitted from dog to dog from both direct and indirect contact, but all mites begin their life on infected animals. For these reasons it is important that you care for your dog properly and provide it with a nice clean home and body that is regularly groomed and cleaned. Interestingly enough, ear mites do not jump like fleas; they actually crawl between animal hosts. Direct contact is considered any contact during sleep, play, or fighting. In addition, puppies that are born to a mother infected with ear mites will too become infected with the parasite and require treatment. Moreover, if you have a dog you use for hunting and tracking prey, that dog is at a high risk of contracting ear mites from the prey; this is especially common in wild dogs. Indirect contact on the other hand is still a bit of a mystery. There is still much unknown regarding how ear mites know when to drop off. However, they do drop off the host into soil, grass, dog toys, or bedding and wait for another unsuspecting canine host to come. A much more disturbing way they travel between dogs is via the hands of people. It is said that the mites will crawl onto the person's hands and be transported to whatever animal the person touches next.

Symptoms

When it comes to symptoms of ear mites in dogs, since you will not see them, you will have to look for other signs. Don't worry; your dog will display obvious enough signs of discomfort that you will know. The first symptom you will likely notice is your dog shaking his or her head excessively accompanied by frequent scratching at both ears; the word both is important because ear mites will infect both ears. Since the mites cause pain and irritation, you can gently look inside the dog's ear for severe redness and a thick gooey-like discharge; making sure you clean your hands both before and after. It is common to also notice a large amount of earwax or other debris inside the dog's ear. Some say the debris can look like coffee grounds and there is always an unusually bad smell that comes along with ear mites in dogs.

What Mites Do to Your Pet?

Dog ear mites not only cause itching and pain discomfort; they can also lead to more serious complications. Ear mite infections can lead to skin infections, while the excessive scratching and shaking of the dog's head can cause a blood vessel on the ear flap to rupture. If this happens, you will notice the dog's ear flap to swell which will cause severe pain for your dog. Ear mites in dogs can also lead to the development of a hematoma on the dog's earflap. If the hematoma has a chance to grow, it will require surgery for removal which can become rather costly. Finally, ear mites can impair your dog's hearing with a build-up of the coffee ground-like discharge in the ear canal.

Treatments

You have two options for treatment of your dog's ear mites, and that is to do it yourself or take your dog to the veterinarian. Let's start by saying that if you are inexperienced or more importantly, unsure if ear mites are the problem, it may be a good idea to go ahead and see the vet. However, either way the first step in treatment will include a thorough cleaning of the dog's ear to remove debris and other waxy substances to allow the medication to reach the dog's skin and not just make contact with the wax. The best way to clean the ear is to use cotton balls and canine ear cleaner; depending on the severity of the build-up and the temperament of the dog, the vet may require sedation of the animal. When the cleaning is completed, the vet will usually prescribe either an antibiotic or anti-inflammatory medications. It also common to see topical ointments and drops used to get rid of ear mites in dogs. The last, and most important, thing to remember here is that you must treat your entire home and yard in addition to each pet you have in the household; not forgetting to finish a complete round of the medication for each animal to ensure you kill the entire ear mite population on the dog.

How to Prevent?

There is no sure fire way to prevent your canine friend from developing ear mites, but there are several things you can do to reduce the risk. First, you can avoid contact between as many unknown animals and your dog. In other words, you should try to only subject your dog to other animals you know are taken care of. In any case, it is important to always pay close attention to the behaviors of your dog so that you will quickly notice signs of pain or discomfort. Your best bet will be to contact your vet at the first sign of any problem. You can help your dog out immensely by providing him or her with care early to prevent serious complications or too much pain for the animal. Anyhow, the best way to dramatically reduce the risk of catching dog ear mites is to have your dog regularly groomed. A regular grooming will allow you or another expert to clean your dog's ears regularly; thus increasing your chances of catching a case of ear mites in dogs early or preventing them all together by keeping them very clean.

My Dog Has Mange: What Should I Do?

Just like any dog lovers out there, I try my best to give my dog the best possible care he needs. So when I found out that my dog was itching uncontrollably for days, whimpering and crying, and biting in to his skin, I immediately realized what was happening to my dog. I found out that my dog had mange, and that he needed to be treated immediately.

What is Mange?

Mange is a skin disease caused by parasites that may cause severe itching to your dog. Mange has three forms known as sarcoptic, demodectic, and notoedric. Sarcoptic mange ( sarcoptes scabei ) also known as scabies, may lead to intense itching and skin lesions to animals that is caused by tiny mites. Demodectic (demodex canis) however, is the uncommon form of mange. The demodex mite can cause your dog to have dermatitis, hair loss, and secondary skin infections that can lead to skin lesions. Notoedric (notoedrescati) is a contagious disease. The mite responsible for this is similar to those of a sarcoptic mange.

What are the Symptoms of Mange?

Mange is common among puppies and dogs that are less than 18 months. The symptoms can depend on the type of mange that is present on your dog. These symptoms can either be hair loss, severe itching, frantic scratching, body sores and scabs, bald spots and reddened skin. These symptoms may be visible on the face, legs, elbows and your dog's ears, and it can immediately spread on your dog's body.

Is there any Treatment?

Mange can be cured. I immediately gave our dog treatment for his disease. But if your dog is still a puppy, from ages 18 months and under, it is more advisable to have your puppy injected with the medication (skin treatments are toxic for dogs, especially when it's used frequently) so he won't have to lick it off of his body. After that, you need to go to your vet every week to have him checked to see if there was any progress or improvement with the health of your dog.

You can also prevent mange from spreading to other pets and even humans by isolating your dog while he gets his treatment and medication. You need to regularly replace his bedding and clean his collar so the mange won't breed or stay on his collar and bed.

But as always, prevention is always better than cure. So it's always better to have a regular check up with your veterinarian to ensure your dog's health. And always provide the proper nutrition you dog needs as the healthier a dog is, the less likely he is to be affected by any illness or disease.

Christina Graham has been a veterinarian surgery tech and/or dog groomer for over 15 years. And in those years has gained an invaluable knowledge regarding a dogs health and nutrition. That's why she created DogVitaminFacts.com to dispel any false myths and offer an honest helpful insight into the importance of good nutrition and a quality dog vitamin supplement for your dog. Go to DogVitaminFacts.com to learn even more.

Glucosamine Can Be a Wonder Drug For Your Dog

Glucosamine is amazingly effective in treating arthritic pain in dogs. Hence, it can turn a lethargic, sad-looking, old dog into an excited, happy one. This ability has earned this supplement a reputation for being a wonder drug for dogs. However, a pet owner should be well acquainted with the following information about this supplement in order to embrace it.

How Glucosamine Works With Your Dog

Glucosamine is a naturally occurring substance produced by the dog's body. However, as the dog gets older, the production declines. This is the reason why it is advisable that older dogs be given this substance in supplement form. This cartilage-building block is useful in many ways such as preventing arthritis by providing the dog with more flexible cartilage, and by lubricating the joints for smooth movement.

Recommended Dosage

The dosage depends on factors such as the dog's weight, the type of glucosamine, and whether the dog is under another medication. It is important that a dog owner suspecting his or her dog of canine arthritis should let the dog be examined by a vet. The vet will provide advice on the best form of this drug to be given to the dog and how to administer it.

In general, a dog weighing less than 10 lbs. should be given a daily dose of 300 mg of glucosamine. While those weighing between 11 lbs. to 29 lbs. are given up to 600 mg per day and dogs of 30-59 lbs. in weight should get twice this amount. Similarly, dogs weighing from 60-120 lbs. are given 1800 mg of glucosamine daily. However, it is recommended by a majority of vets that dogs should be given a double dosage of glucosamine for some weeks at the beginning. Then the dosage quantity is gradually reduced as a dog shows some improvement.

Types of Glucosamine

Glucosamine comes in the form of tablets, liquid, powder, or capsules. It is also contained in some dog foods. However, dogs with moderate or severe arthritis require more than treated snacks and food. Research shows that glucosamine in liquid form is the easiest to administer since it does taste better to the dog. And the liquid form is easy to give to a finicky dog by mixing it in with the dog's food.

Is Improvement Guaranteed?

Though effective, glucosamine does not always work perfectly in all dogs. This failure may be due to insufficient dosage or the need for anti-inflammatory drugs in addition to glucosamine. Lastly, it takes time, even as much as six weeks, to have noticeable results. This is especially true for dogs with severe arthritis.

Glucosamine is the ultimate option for dogs with canine arthritis. It is even available over the counter but you should seek a vet's advice before buying and administering it. The pet owner must ensure that they administer the right dosage to their dogs in accordance with the factors above. You should also give your dog additional supplements as well, so as to help them in regaining their health and enable them to enjoy free movement with no pain and discomfort.

Learn about glucosamine help for your dog by visiting my site. To see how to help with your dog's arthritis, click here.

How to Properly Deal With Fleas on Your Dog

Fleas can be very irritating and annoying, not only to our dogs, but to us as well. You'll find yourself itching and scratching along with your dog, because fleas don't only feed on dogs and cats. They will feed on any the blood of mammals, and yes, that includes humans too. So how does one deal with fleas?

What are Fleas?

There are a wide variety of fleas however; there is only one type of flea that cause dogs the most problems. This flea is also known as Ctenocephalides felis. Fleas are tiny parasitic insects with no wings that have 6 legs, and hind legs made for jumping long distances. Did you know that a flea can jump up to 30 feet? That's why these fleas can also be a nuisance for pet owners and can cause severe itching on us too.

How do I Prevent Fleas?

This may sound too obvious, but the best way to prevent your dog from flea infestation is cleaning and grooming your dog regularly. If your dog isn't infested with these tiny creatures yet, you should give your dog regular baths with flea repellent shampoo. But if your dog already has fleas, you can also buy flea shampoos over the counter to get rid of this tiny critters feeding on your dog. Try to avoid spot on treatments, as this can be toxic, and even deadly. You can try hot spot treatment sprays. It gives immediate relief to your dog. I give them to my dog, and it works great. Of course, it never hurts to consult your veterinarian for medications for these parasites.

Did you also know that fleas love to attack weaker dogs and cats? Fleas prefer to attack malnourished dogs because of their poor and weak immune systems. That is why it is essential for pet owners to give their dogs healthy diets and maintain great nutrition. Try to avoid chemical preservatives in your dog's food, and always look for meat as the first ingredient. And just like humans, dog needs vitamins to boost their health and immune system too. There are natural supplements out there that are 100% pure, safe and effective. Vitamins can help strengthen your pet's skin and immune system that can be caused by flea bites, or allergic reactions from the saliva of the flea, and other possible infections.

So remember, if you want a happy and healthy dog, regular grooming, and good nutrition is the best way to protect your dog.

Christina Graham has been a veterinarian surgery tech and/or dog groomer for over 15 years. And in those years has gained an invaluable knowledge regarding a dogs health and nutrition. That's why she created DogVitaminFacts.com to dispel any false myths and offer an honest helpful insight into the importance of good nutrition and a quality dog vitamin supplement for your dog. Go to DogVitaminFacts.com to learn even more.

Simple Facts About Dog Crates

The best thing about taking care of dogs is that they will love you if you love them back. A lot of people choose to take care of them, because they are fun loving animals and they protect you from any harmful situations that threaten your safety. Just like humans, they also need a place where they can feel at home and safe. This is the main reason why most pet owners invest in good dog crates. You can't bring your pets with you all the time, so you need a place where they can stay while you are away. This will protect them from anything that is dangerous in your environment. If you are interested to learn more, here are some simple facts about these things:

• The first thing that you need to do when you have a pet is to find out how to take care of them. You can learn this from books, or from family and friends who have been doing this for a long time. You also have to secure their basic needs such as food, shelter, dog beds, and many more. You should also make sure that you regularly take them to the vet for their vaccines.

• When looking for dog crates, the first thing that you need to do is look into your options carefully. Visit pet stores near you, and ask about the different units that they have. You can also look into hardware or department stores that sell these things. That way, you will have a lot of options.

• Before you make a decision, figure out the type of dog crates that you need, and find out if you are going to be travelling with your pet often, or you just plan to leave them at home. If you prefer to leave your pet at home, make sure that you purchase a wired crate that will give them enough space to breathe. This is also convenient for you, because you can easily play and check on them. If you are travelling, go for the soft ones that you can easily carry from one place to another.

• When choosing a size for them, pick something that is twice their size. You want to make sure that they can easily move around while they are inside. If you have a puppy and they are too small, you can buy those crates that have dividers. This will allow you to extend their space as they grow up.

• Aside from the crates, your pets will also need dog beds. You don't need to stress out in looking for these items, as they are available in the market. If you want, you can also create something on your own. Your main goal is to make them feel comfortable at all times.

Being a pet owner comes with a lot of responsibilities. To ensure that they have everything they need, try to learn more about them. This will keep them happy and make things more convenient for you. Dogs are fun to have around, so if you want to take care of one, make sure that you know how to do it well.

For more information about dog crates and dog beds, visit our website dog-barrier.com.

How to Become a Good Dog Trainer

Learning how to become a dog trainer can be both exciting and tough, but the first thing you have to ask yourself is whether you are interested in training dogs. Another thing to consider is whether you are willing to work with people, because the training required to become a dog trainer obviously involves interacting with people who will do the training. The type of teaching depends on what level of skills you want to achieve. Most people would like to teach just their domestic buddies. Even with your own dogs, the teaching requires time.

Dog trainers do not need federal or state certifications. Someone who coaches his or her pet can be called a trainer. Those who earn money teaching dogs may call themselves professionals in the area. Finding a true professional can actually be a challenge, but before you find one, find time to learn about animal behavior, specifically about those of dogs. There are books and instructional materials available online.

Teaching yourself without the help of others can be tough. No dog trainer has learned the art and science of teaching these pets alone. But do not seek a professional coach just yet. Consider finding someone you know who has dogs and trains them well. You probably have at least one friend who trains dogs. How about asking them for free tips?

Of course, not everything is free. The next thing to do is get serious with it. By getting serious, that means educating yourself. There are many ways to educate yourself. One is by looking for online courses on how to train a dog. Aside from an online course, you can also buy books for supplemental information. Some of the books you should be reading are Nicole Wilde's "So You Want to Become a Dog Trainer" and Terry Ryan's "Coaching People to Train Their Dogs". You may be able to find more books of these authors.

Reading books and instructional materials alone will not necessarily make you a good coach for these pets. Developing skills involves work and actual experience in dog handling. If you have dogs at home, you should find it easy to learn how to train them. However, keep in mind that there are different needs. Different kinds should be trained in different ways. If you are after becoming a professional dog trainer, you should learn how to train different breeds. So, your experience with your own pets at home is not enough.

What about asking to become a volunteer at a local dog shelter? Since raising your own does not necessarily make you a good candidate for training, it's an advantage to have experience with unfamiliar dogs.

Training classes are your final and most important recourse. Lessons are based on animal psychology, particularly involving positive reinforcement approaches. Lessons involve actual demonstrations of the professional training in handling dogs.

Should you enroll your pet? You should, because it's better to go with the teaching and have your own pet to practice on. Have patience, though, as you will not get results in a few days.

For more information about how to become a dog trainer and how to train a dog, visit our website howtotrainadogeasy.com.

Benefits of Oatmeal Shampoo on Dogs

If you own a dog then you are well aware of some of the problems that dogs can suffer from, including dry itchy skin, dandruff, skin irritations, such as flea or tick bites, hot spots, etc. All of these conditions will serve to irritate your dog, causing him to scratch, roll around on the floor and even bite at the irritated area. There are hundreds of different types of medicated shampoos on the market for dogs but none work as well as an oatmeal shampoo.

Why oatmeal? Oatmeal itself is a cultivated crop that is mostly used as a breakfast cereal. However, colloidal oatmeal (oatmeal that has been ground into a powder for use in pastes and baths) is the best type for treating skin conditions. It is a natural skin soother, containing natural chemicals such as phenols and avenanthramides, which are beneficial for treating skin irritations.

The benefits of using oatmeal shampoo on your dog are many. It has the ability to restore the PH balance of your dog's skin, thus preventing bacterial and fungal skin infections from flaring up. Unbalanced PH and zinc deficiency are 2 of the major causes of irritation.

Oatmeal shampoo also has the benefit of moisturising your dog's skin. This helps to stop conditions such as dandruff and psoriasis from starting and stops your dog from shedding dead skin everywhere. The shampoo will also serve to remove dead skin and hair from your dog's coat, allowing new layers to start growing.

Oatmeal shampoo is a gentle shampoo. It does not further irritate the skin, like some medicated shampoos do. Used regularly it will also leave your dog's coat shiny and soft and will not leave unnatural odours behind.

Dogs are not immune to insects. Insect bites can literally drive your dog round the bend, causing them to chew and scratch at the affected area. This in itself will cause problems such as loss of hair and skin and will make the bite area a lot worse. Mosquitos, Fleas and ticks are probably the 3 worst offenders and regular use of oatmeal shampoo will soothe the area and stop your dog from attacking itself.

Dandruff is one of the more common skin conditions a dog can suffer from and is normally an indication that their diet is not sufficient or they are not getting enough vitamins. As well as changing your dog's diet, regular use of an oatmeal shampoo will ensure that your dog's skin is moisturised enough to stop the skin from drying out.

Oatmeal shampoo is excellent for soothing a dog's skin to ease any minor skin irritations, bites and itches. It can be used on a more regular basis than a lot of shampoos currently on the market because it doesn't irritate the skin and isn't harsh and, unlike many other shampoos it doesn't strip the natural oils from the coat. It also leaves the dog looking and smelling clean and his coat will be soft and shiny. Used regularly and correctly it will benefit both you and your dog for years to come.

Are you looking for more information regarding dog shampoo? Visit http://www.evolutionsupply.com/dog-shampoo.html today!

Outdoor Dog Gear for Your Active Pet

Do you live a very active life? Is hiking and boating some of your favorite activities? Does your dog like to tag along with you? If you answered yes to these questions, then you need outdoor dog gear for your active pet. Taking your pet along for these activities is a lot of fun.

Dogs can be very entertaining and doing these things together can help build that bond between you and your pet. Here are a couple of items that can help keep your pet safer and make your trips more enjoyable.

Life Jackets

If you spend a lot of time around water, get your dog a life jacket. Dog life jackets are perfect for pets that enjoy riding along on the boat or playing in the ocean. The life jacket will help keep him safe anytime he's in and around water.

Not all dogs are great swimmers, especially in rough waters. If you take your dog with you fishing, boating or to the beach, you won't have to worry about her struggling in the water especially if the currents are strong. Anytime you're around water, there is the possibility of an accident. For example, your pet could fall off the boat or be swept away by a strong current. A life jacket will help keep her afloat in any situation whether she's just having fun or if an emergency occurs.

Life jackets are perfect for elderly dogs or those with arthritis or joint problems. Swimming can help dogs get the exercise they need without putting added stress on their joints and a life jacket will make it easier for him to swim.

There are several different types of dog life jackets available suited for different breeds and types of water. Some are made with mesh under the belly so the water will drain quickly and the life jacket will dry faster. Some are designed with reflective strips to make your pet more visible and others have added buoyancy for rough water like what you'll find at the beach.

Dog Backpacks

Outdoor dog gear also includes dog backpacks. These are great for hikers, hunters, campers and they even come in handy for a trip to the park. Your dog needs supplies just like you do. She'll need food, water, treats and toys so why not let her carry her own supplies. The extra space will make things a lot easier for you.

The saddlebag design distributes the weight evenly so it won't put too much weight on your pet's back. This makes them more comfortable and prevents strains. They have storage pouches where you can keep things separated so you can find what you need fast and easy. Most all dog backpacks have adjustable straps for a snug fit and reflective trim to keep him safer.

Most dogs don't mind wearing a backpack. They can sense they're doing something good and it makes them feel needed. However, you may need to go on short trips at first until he gets used to it. Outdoor dog gear makes it easier for your active pet to get the exercise needed to stay healthy, fit and safe.

Teaching Your Dog The Heel Command

Teaching your dog the Heel Command is very useful in many different situations such as crossing the street when cars are passing by or when walking in the park and there is another dog or any other strong distraction that might interrupt your walk. The Heel Command is loose leash walking with added limits to your dog's position. The dog must stay within a foot or two of your left knee and sit automatically when you stop walking. Complete attention is required from both the dog and his handler and at times can be quite tiring for both until the heel command is mastered.

To start shaping the heel command from loose leash walking, have your dog's favorite treat in your right hand and hold the leash in your left with just a little bit of slack when the dog is sitting level with your left knee.

Next, say your dog's name and Heel as you start to walk at a brisk pace while keep the dogs attention on you or the treat. Remember to use a happy tone and reaffirm you dog's actions with Good Dog or Good Girl. As you come to a stop, tighten the leash to stop the forward motion. When your dog stops mark the action again with the Good Dog cue and reward him or her with the treat.

Keep repeating this and gradually increase the amount of steps and start adding right and left turns into the routine. If your dog gets more than a foot away from your knee in any direction then repeat the heel command as you turn in the opposite direction. Slap your left knee to encourage your dog to follow before the leash gets to tight.

You never want to pull a dog back or forward with the leash as this will trigger the opposite reaction in the dog and is a battle that is not necessary. When you are walking, always keep some dog treats in your right hand. That way you can occasionally lean over and reward your dog as you walk when he is in the right position.

Quick Tip:

Research has shown that dogs are very sensitive to the tone in your voice. To a dog, a happy high-pitched tone helps to motivate them to move or come towards you. A dog mother uses a high-pitched whine to call her puppies towards her. You want to use this voice when you want your dog to come, sit, or heel. Use a stronger deeper tone when you want your dog to stay, get off, or stay.

The Importance Of Setting Training Goals:

You should have short-term, mid-term and long-term goals before you star working with your dog. A short-term goal (achieved in a few weeks) may be something like having your canine friend sit and stay for one minute. A mid-term goal may be having your dog walk loosely on a leash and follow the heel command while walking in a strange place. A long-term goal may be having your dog participate in and organized dog-sporting event. Remember to keep the goals realistic at each level and you and your dog will be much happier.

Ruff... Ruff... Digga... Digga... and happy dog training to you and your dog.

For more dog obedience tips and ideas visit: Dog Obedience Training 101.com