My Blog

November 2010 Newsletter

11/23/2010 09:20:00

Happy Thanksgiving

Giving Thanks

As we begin the season of giving thanks, Daniel and I would like thank all the members of our Comfort Crew family. Perhaps we stop in to walk your furry kidz while you are at work during the week. Maybe we stop by while you are on vacation or a much needed weekend get away and give food, water, snacks and plenty of snuggles and games of chase and tug. Of course we cannot forget the kitty boxes and games of stalk the string. Whatever the reason we we come to your door, we want to thank you, very much, for making us a part of the lives of your pets. We know you have lots of choices and we appreciate that you chose Comfort Crew.

Since we get to see our pet clients very often, but our human clients not so very much, we thought it would be nice to send out a quarterly/monthly newsletter with information that we hope you will find useful in the care of your wonderful companions.

We hope everyone has wonderful holiday and safe trips to and from your destinations. Our mission is that during your travels or time away from home whatever the reason we are here to make sure your pets are loved and well cared when you are away from home.

Thanksgiving and Your Pet

We all get excited as Thanksgiving approaches. It means fall color, cooler weather, crispy leaves and of course friends and family. It is important to remember that our furkids are excited too, and there are some things we need to consider as we all gather together for the holidays.

Turkey, duck and goose bones can be dangerous for your pets. They are hollow when cooked and they break and splinter easily. It is best to keep them away from your pet so they do not wind up with bone fragments, which are dangerous to eat.
Candy dishes and other snacks that we love to put out for our guests are wonderful treats for the guest but might not be so good for your animal friends. Remember chocolate and sugar free treats can make them ill.
Bloat can be an issue if your canine is one who gulps his food. And those lovely meals are so tasty and smell so good they cannot help but gulp them down as quickly as possible. Eating a large amount of food quickly can lead to bloat. If possible, feed your dog when he is calm and there are not a lot of strangers around that make them nervous.

Cats Get Stressed Too

Some behaviors that may indicate that your cat is stressed: Spraying, scratching, biting, aggressive behaviors, litter box issues, jumping, becoming reclusive, moping and poor personal hygiene habits.
Some things we can do to avoid a stresses out kitty are: If you are having a party, keep kitty away from the festivities, in a different room, if possible. Always provide a safe, private place for them to hide in the event they become overwhelmed with people and activities. Then, try to spend some quality time with them after the event with lots sweet kitty strokes and soft whispers.

Special Holiday Referral Bonus:

Tell your friends, co-workers and family members Comfort Crew! If they book service with us YOU will receive one free visit per booking. There is no limit to how many free visits you can earn. We also have a blog on our website and would really appreciate your support and comments. Let others know when they visit our site we are your Comfort Crew of choice.

Potty Training

Science has come a long way in the studies of animal behavior, and has given us the knowledge which allows us to avoid making the same erros of the past.

No matter how it seems, your puppy or dog does not misbehave on purpose and potty training failures are not because your puppy is stupid. It is simply a case of miscommunication and one that you can easily fix right away.

Some puppy training mistakes are much more critical than others and are often the cause of several behavioral problems in dogs that you might never think to trace back to this puppy training stage.

Some examples of typical problems that started with subtle errors in training:

Hiding to potty in a remote location of the house
Not pottying outside and then coming back in and pottying in the house
Eliminating in the crate
Excessive whining or barking in the crate
Over submissiveness
Fear or fearful behavior
Submissive urination
Seems to ignore commands
Coprophagia(Stool eating)
Running away from you when you call
Obsessive/compulsive behaviors
Some forms of aggression.

90% or more of dogs that do develop these problems do so because of early puppy training mistakes and miscommunication, which then became reinforced because they went undetected and in turn were repeated on a consistent basis.

This means that a puppy can be 'accidentally', but effectively 'inversely trained' to do just the opposite of what was intended.

No matter what the breed, it is the training and the dynamics of the human/dog relationship that causes a puppy to end up as an adult dog with these kinds of problems. Of course there are some breeds that have more of a propensity for certain problem behaviors, but with the appropriate upbringing these need not be a part of any dog's life.

Puppy Potty Training: Housebreaking Advice

Before you bring a puppy home, plan to take one or two weeks off of work, so you have uninterrupted time to focus on the puppy -- and, in particular, puppy potty training. Otherwise, it will take much longer to housebreak your pup.

Puppies learn new skills at different rates. It will take time for your puppy to develop a firm understanding of where it's acceptable to potty and where it is not. It will take time for your pup to consistently understand that all of the house is the den, an area not to be soiled.

Puppies need to relieve themselves frequently, sometimes as often as once an hour. There will be many accidents, especially at first. Never lose your temper at the puppy, and always use simple, consistent one- or two-word commands. If you do not, your pup could become frightened and confused about what you expect.

Puppy Potty Training First Steps?

The first step in puppy potty training requires that you learn the clues that indicate your puppy needs to potty. These clues are: restlessness, sniffing the floor, or returning to a previously soiled spot. Your pup will need to potty about 5-20 minutes after eating, sleeping or playing. When you take your puppy outside to potty, to to the same spot each time and don't play. You want your puppy to focus on one thing only during puppy potty training -- going in the right area. As soon as your puppy potties, praise enthusiastically. Give your puppy a small food treat to reinforce the positive behavior. While your puppy is going potty, praise very softly so you don't interrupt the behavior. Be enthusiastic after your puppy is done.

While you're puppy potty training, you must keep the puppy close to you always so that the puppy does not have the opportunity to fail. This means starting the puppy out in a small area of the house and following the puppy nonstop. Alternatively, attach one end of a leash to the puppy and the other end to you, so that the puppy is no farther away from you than the end of the leash.

When you are not able to watch the puppy, put the puppy into a kennel. Or, if you have a fenced yard and the weather is good, you can put the puppy outside. However putting the puppy outside when you aren't watching means you lose the opportunity to reward. The kennel is a preferable training tool. A young pup 7-9 weeks old should be in a kennel for no more than two hours at a time. A puppy cannot control itself for longer than that.

Accidents During Puppy Potty Training

If you catch your puppy in the act of going potty in the house, you can do one of two things. The most common advice was to correct with a firm no and immediately take the puppy to the proper toilet area. This may not effectively discourage the puppy from going indoors. What often happens instead is that puppies learn to make sure you aren't watching when they go indoors, so they go behind the couch, in a closet, etc.

Newer understanding of dog behavior says that instead of punishing on the spot, you do everything you can to prevent indoor accidents. If they happen, ignore them. You don't want to give the dog any attention for this mistake. Simply put the puppy in its kennel, or outside, when she's finished, say nothing and clean up the mess thoroughly using an enzymatic cleaner. Then redouble your efforts to get the puppy out before there is an accident.

Rubbing Nose?

Don't ever hit a puppy for accidents. You'll frighten or confuse the puppy if you do so. Never punish a puppy after the fact. Remember, a puppy thinks it is being punished for whatever it is doing at the time of your correction.

The same thinking applies to rubbing a puppy's nose in his or her mistakes -- don't do it. The pup is not capable of making the reasoning leap that this is an area previously soiled, and that's why you are punishing. Dogs are oriented to the present.

What Happens During Training When Your Puppy Does Not Potty?

If you take your puppy outside and nothing happens, return the puppy to the kennel for 5-15 minutes. Then take the puppy outside again for a few minutes. Repeat this cycle until the puppy goes. As soon as that happens, the puppy can stay outside the kennel. This kind of routine helps the puppy focus on going when you want the puppy to go.

The Leash, Outside and Puppy Potty Training

As your puppy starts to get the routine, beging training to also go potty while on the leash, in areas other than your yard, and on varied surfaces. When you travel, your puppy will have the confidence and experience to go wherever you need the puppy to go.

You and your dog will make lots of mistakes during this time. Your puppy will do fine as long as you strive to be as consistent as possible. Your occasional training errors and frustrations will not permanently scar your dog. Dogs are quite resiliant. And so are you!

Halloween Safety

10/17/2010 15:05:00

Have a SAFE and SCARY Halloween - Your Comfort Crew
Belinda Link and Daniel Link

Halloween Safety

Halloween may be fun for us but it can be a traumatic and even dangerous time for your pet. Here are a few common sense tips to protect your pet on Halloween:

Keep your pet in a separate room from the front door during the trick-or-treating hours.
Dogs in particular may feel the need to "protect" their home and humans" against your bizarre-looking visitors. Frightened pets may dart out through the open door.
Have some extra special new toys or chew bones around for your pet. It will relieve stress and occupy them for the evening.
Keep a close eye on your pets, and don't leave them out in the yard - especially cats. There are plenty of stories of vicious pranksters who have teased, injured, stolen, or even killed pets on this night.
Trick-or-Treat candies are not for pets. Chocolate is poisonous to many animals, and tin foil and cellophane candy wrappers can be hazardous if swallowed.
Don't dress your pet in a costume unless you know they love it. This may put added stress on the animal. If you do dress up your pet; make sure the costume isn't constricting, annoying or unsafe, and does not obstruct their vision.

A man Walks Into a Pet Shop .... and says: "Have you got any dogs going cheap?" And the shopkeeper replies: "Sorry all the dogs here go WOOF!"

Would you tell others about our service?

10/17/2010 15:02:00

Please post your comments about your experience with Comfort Crew Pet Sitters.....

How do you celebrate the holidays with your pet?

10/14/2010 08:39:00

How do you celebrate the holidays with your pet? Share your pics and holiday wear .....More Holiday Pics to Come

Tips for Better Pet Photos

10/09/2010 09:38:00

Simple ideas can help you take better animal photos. By following these suggestions, you can upgrade your pictures quite a bit.

1. Go Digital! Today’s digital cameras are reasonably priced and loaded with more choices than traditional print cameras. Take advantage of incredible enhancement options and editing capabilities.

Visit your local supermarket or drugstore and use their in-store machine, which allows you to crop and create color enhancements. Cropping can turn a mediocre picture into a stunning photo. To learn more, consider enrolling in an adult education course. Many community colleges offer adult education and/or non-credit courses in photography for very small enrollment fees. As an incentive for your business, and for appreciation for your purchase, certain camera stores even offer free camera workshops.

2. Preparation is half the work-power up! When spontaneous photos present themselves you want to be ready. Keep your fully charged batteries nearby and easily available. Rechargeable batteries are environmentally friendly and recommended. If possible use an adaptor to connect to a power outlet and always keep regular batteries for backup.

3. Get Vertical! Most people hold a camera in the conventional way – horizontally. That works fine if you’re taking a photo of four dogs; you want to see them in a horizontal plane. If you’re shooting an individual subject, position your camera vertically. Make the subject the major focus of your print, not the background. For example, imagine a magnificent Great Dane sitting at attention. That picture demands to be vertical. Dachshunds, though, are the exception, sitting or standing, they’re always horizontal.

4. Fill the entire frame with animal, not background. Move or zoom in and fill the frame with your subject. A major error in many photos is to stand too far back from the subject. With zoom lenses, you can really come in close.

Learn to edit. Cropping removes unnecessary background that distracts from your main focus. If you want to show hummingbirds at a feeder, crop out the house or the BBQ grill. Look at professional photos in magazines. You won’t see much wasted space.

5. Where is your point of interest? Too much in a photo is clutter. At first glance, the viewer ought to be able to recognize the subject. Take some time and plan out a photo, keep a central focus in mind before you snap the shot.

6. Have patience! Animals don’t follow directions – at least my cats don’t! They don’t understand cameras, how to pose or what you’re trying to accomplish. So take breaks and offer special treats and rewards for good behavior.

In addition to frequent breaks, always stop when an animal gets uncooperative or uncomfortable.

7. Get Creative. An extreme angle distorts a picture. If your animal is above or below you, move to its height to shoot the photo.

Photography has no limits, so don’t you limit yourself. Always be flexible and willing to make adjustments, whether it’s the animal or the weather that’s uncooperative. Adapt to the unpredictable nature of Mother Nature and her animals. Go with the flow, and go wherever the animal goes.

Take lots of photos, have fun with your animals, and enjoy your photo taking!

Maryjean Ballner www.catanddogmassage.com

Water as an Essential Nutrient in Canine Nutrition

10/09/2010 09:16:00

Though canine nutrition is complex, water is essential to the canine diet. Water is probably the last thing most people think of when they ponder pet nutrition. However, water is the most essential nutrient for survival for a dog. Without water, death can occur in as little as a few days.

The Role of Water in Canine Nutrition

Water is essential for almost every physiological function that occurs within the canine body.

Water provides a means of transporting nutrients to the cells that require those nutrients and provides a means of moving waste products out of cells.
Water is necessary for the completion of many chemical reactions that occur within the body of a dog.
Water aids in the dissipation of heat and helps regulate the body temperature of the dog.
Gas exchange within the lungs requires water to take place.
The joints, body organs and nervous system of the canine body are lubricated and cushioned by water.
Water is present in the cells, body tissues and body fluids of all dogs and is responsible in part for maintaining the shape and flexibility of the canine body.

Sources of Water as a Nutrient

Water is used in a variety of functions in the canine body and water losses will occur during the course of the fulfillment of these functions. These losses must be replenished with fresh water supplies.

Dogs have several sources of water available to them.

Drinking water is, of course, the most abundant and easily supplied source of water.
Foods often contain a varying degree of water as well and can contribute to the overall consumption of water.
Metabolic processes that take place within the body of the normal dog also provide a small portion of the quantity of water needed to adequately support the canine body.

The amount of water present in the food will vary depending on the type of food. Canned food generally contains a larger volume of water than a comparable meal consisting of dry food. Pets that consume larger volumes of water through their food will require a corresponding lower volume of drinking water.

Factors that Affect Water Consumption

Numerous factors will affect how much drinking water is necessary for an individual dog on a daily basis.

Environment, including the temperature and humidity, plays a role in determining the drinking water requirement of dogs.
Physical activity will increase the water requirement. Working dogs, such as those that are participating in hunting or racing activities, will require more drinking water than pets that are not undergoing physical labor.
Female animals that are lactating will have increased water requirements.
Stress, illness and fever may also impact the water requirements of an individual dog.

The Result of Inadequate Water Consumption

Water, as a nutrient, is necessary to sustain life in the canine. Dogs that do not consume adequate amounts of water will become dehydrated. A 10 percent deficit in the body's supply of water will cause severe dehydration and possibly death.

Inadequate water consumption may occur as a result of illness or other stresses that cause the dog to decrease its water (or food) consumption. It may also occur due to lack of availability of water.

Water is an essential nutrient in canine nutrition. Dogs that do not consume enough water are not able to survive. Life cannot be sustained for longer than a few days without the consumption of water. Though a deficiency in other nutrients, such as protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals, can cause serious problems for a dog, lack of water creates a life-threatening situation much more quickly than a deficiency of any other nutrient in the canine diet.

Role of Carbohydrates as Nutrients in the Diet of Dogs

10/09/2010 08:49:00

Today's dog owners have literally hundreds of choices when it comes to the question of the canine diet. Dry food, canned food, holistic diets, RAW diets, commercial foods, homemade foods -- the list seems to go on forever. However, one of the big controversies in canine nutrition today centers on the use of carbohydrates in commercial pet foods. This article presents a basic course in carbs and how they affect a dog's nutrition.

The primary role of carbohydrates in canine nutrition is to supply energy. However, carbohydrates play other roles in the dog diet also.

There are several primary nutrients necessary in the diet of all dogs: water, proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Of of these nutrients, proteins, carbs, and fats are the nutrients that are responsible for meeting the energy requirements of the dog.

Types of Carbohydrates Found in the Diet of the Dog

Carbohydrates are divided into simple and complex carbohydrates. Simple carbohydrates include the mono-saccharides and disaccharides, including glucose, sucrose and fructose.

Complex carbohydrates, or polysaccharides, are made up of long chains of simple sugars. Complex carbohydrates can be further separated into non-fiber and fiber complex carbohydrates. Fiber carbohydrates may be soluble or insoluble in nature.

Common Sources of carbohydrates in dog diets include grains such as corn, rice, barley, wheat and oats. These grains may be further processed by grinding, flaking and/or cooking to increase the palatability and the digestibility of the food source.

Carbohydrates and Energy Production

Dietary carbohydrates enter the intestinal tract of the dog, where enzymes produced in the pancreas and the small intestine digest them, converting them to mono saccharides (simple sugars such as glucose). These mono saccharides are absorbed into the bloodstream from the intestinal tract and are then distributed to the various tissues and organs within the body, where they are either sued to produce energy or stored for future use. The energy produced by the metabolism of carbohydrates is used to fuel the numerous biological and metabolic processes necessary to the normal functioning of the canine body.

Dogs are capable of producing adequate amounts of glucose through the process of gluconeogenesis (the process of generating glucose from amino acids and glycerol). Therefore, carbohydrates are not considered to be essential dietary nutrients for dogs even though glucose is metabolically necessary for them.

Differences in Carbohydrates Metabolism and Nutrient Needs Between the Dog and the Cat

In the dog, the addition of carbohydrates to the diet can make it easier for the pet to meet the nutritional need for glucose without using protein as an energy source. This can spare protein for more important usages, such as maintaining and repairing body tissues, and result in a more efficient use of protein sources.

In the cat, the metabolism of proteins and carbohydrates are a bit different than in the dog.

* Cats use hexokinase to metabolize glucose within individual cells, unlike dogs, where glucokinase is used. Hexokinase works at a slower rate than glucokinase.

* Cats do not produce amylase in their saliva, as dogs do. Amylase is an enzyme that aids in breaking down carbohydrates.

* Cats have lower concentrations of the enzymes that digest carbohydrates than dogs.

* The process of glucoeogenesis in cats is always active, unlike in dogs. This difference in the rate of gluconeogenesis results in an increased protein requirement in the cat versus the dog.

Collectively, these differences mean that cats can convert protein to energy more efficiently than dogs. Therefore, the effect of the addition of moderate to large amounts carbohydrates to the diet of the cat is less helpful than in the dog. However, the addition of small amounts of carbohydrates to the diet can still be beneficial for cats, resulting in more protein being available for tissue repair and maintenance.

The Role of Fiber as a Nutrient

Fiber,a specific form of carbohydrates, should be present in all canine diets. Fiber plays several roles.

* Soluble fibers, sometimes called prebiotics, are utilized by bacteria within the gastrointestinal tract of the dog and produce short-chain fatty acids, which aids in promoting the growth of additional beneficial (or probiotic) bacteria and helps crowd out pathogenic (disease-producing) bacteria.

* Both soluble and insoluble fibers positively affect gastrointestinal motility and the passage of ingested food through the gastrointestinal tract.

* Dietary fiber also helps promote gastrointestinal health by collecting debris and dead cells that accumulate in the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract.

* In addition, dietary fiber plays a role in making the dog feel satiated, meaning that the pet feels full after ingesting a meal with an adequate fiber content.

Common sources of fiber in the diet include cellulose, corn bran, beet pulp, rice hulls, soybean hulls and many others.

Other Roles of Carbohydrates in Canine Nutrition

Carbohydrates also aid in the production of many other substances needed by the body of the dog by contributing carbon atoms and sugar molecules for their construction. These substances include non-essential amino acids, glycoproteins, glycolipids, lactase and Vitamin C.

In Summary

While carbohydrates are considered to be non-essential dietary nutrients for dogs, they nevertheless play an important metabolic role in canine nutrition. Though dogs are capable of producing adequate amounts of glucose to meet their energy needs through the metabolism of protein and fats, the addition of carbohydrates in the proper amounts can make protein metabolism much more efficient. In addition, carbohydrates in the form of both soluble and insoluble fiber play important roles in keeping the canine gastrointestinal tract healthy.

About the Author: Dr. Laurie Huston has worked as a veterinarian for the past 20+ years, with a special interest in educating pet owners on the various health care strategies that can protect their pets against infectious diseases, parasites and other dangers. www.pet-health-care-gazette.com

Welcome to Comfort Crew Pet Sitter

09/21/2010 17:20:00

We are a family owned business and hope to serve your family with dependable, knowledgeable pet care. We are native Texans and have lived in Northeast Tarrant County all of our lives. We currently share our home with Buster, an 80 pound Shar-Pei Mix; Mobey, a 60 pound hound mix, Bear, 45 pound Shar-Pei. and the most current addition to our family is Shorty, the feisty Pomeranian.

Meet our Pets:

1) Shorty 2) Buster 3) Mobey & Daniel 4) Bear

Because we have had such wonderful clients we continue to grow a little each year. We hope that this ensures that we are around for years to come and will continue to serve the cats, dogs, fish, birds and ferrets that we have met over the last couple of years. We appreciate and cherish the repeat business and referrals from you our current clients and look forward to meeting our future clients.

I hope to use this blog as a way to furnish training tidbits and information that you might find helpful in caring for your animal friends.

Have a wonderful day....

Comfort Crew Pet Sitters