Tag: Dog walking

2024 & More!

Posted on by Invermere Pets

Dog walks, pet sitting dates, and time away in 2024!

Invermere Pet Services now offers dog walks four days a week. Reach out to sign up for Monday, Wednesday, Thursday or Saturday walk spots. These days fill up fast!

I will be taking a bit more time away in 2024. My family is in Vancouver and spending time with them is becoming more important. I’ll always give lots of notice for my time off. * I’ll be away: Feb 25 – March 5 and May 11 – May 19 and June 23 – July 10 *

There are limited pet sitting dates available in the spring. Contact me for rates, dates and details to keep your pet happy and healthy while you enjoy your vacation!

Thanks to all my clients and good dogs and cats for trusting me and keeping me active and busy! I love my daily walks and adventures. I appreciate the support! : ) Shannen

On-leash walks.

Posted on by Invermere Pets

Why I choose to keep dogs on-leash.

I believe the most important part of dog walking is bringing your dog home at the end of the walk (call me crazy!) I always keep new-to-me dogs on a leash until we get to know each other better. Walking on a leash builds a connection because we are (literally) connected! A leash is a great communication tool and provides lots of valuable feedback.

Keeping your dog on a leash keeps everyone safe. Your dog might have great recall with you, but will they listen to someone new? Is your dog a runner, wildlife chaser, or garbage snacker? Is your dog spooked by loud noises, startled or distracted? These are some of the little unknowns and risks that I would rather not explore.

But my dog needs to run off leash or with a pack to be tired!

You might think, “My dog needs to run off leash in order to be tired.” I can move pretty fast, ask anyone that has ever tried to walk with me. I cover a lot of ground so your dog will get plenty of physical exercise. Walking with a different person will keep their brain switched on, which in turn will also make them tired. It’s a new person to listen to, new places to walk and there are so many different smells along the way to keep things really interesting!

Some people confess, “My dog pulls!” Mine too, but we keep training every day! With your dog, I work on leash skills while we get to know each other. We practice a nice calm sit at the door, we stop on our walk for check-ins, or we do drills to help with leash awareness and handling.

And, after time, your dog might progress to off leash fun – some dogs may never get to that point – and that’s ok! When your dog is so excited to see me on our walk days, then we can try off leash time in small controlled settings. Sometimes we go to an empty tennis court to do quick recall drills or we will go to quiet trails or parks and spend a few minutes to build up to more off leash time.

Keeping your dogs happy, healthy and safe is my top priority. Keeping your dog on leash is the best way for me to keep that promise!

Thanks again for choosing me and keeping me busy!

: ) Shannen

Fall and Winter 2023

Posted on by Invermere Pets

Welcome to September and the home stretch of the last few months for 2023.

July and August were smokin’ hot and the Columbia Valley was packed with summer tourists. I stayed busy pet sitting, dog walking, working part-time and enjoying some summer fun.

Overnight pet sitting dates for September, October and November are fully booked. I can only be in one place at a time so my dates book up fast! Home visits for your feline friends are still available during these times – send me a message if you need kitty visits.

I’ll be away for the Christmas holidays to spend time with my family and friends in Vancouver (December 23-January 6). If you are planning a winter get-away in the new year send your requests for dates in soon!

Thank you for all the support and referrals! I hope to be able to offer more weekly dog walks spots in the future!

Tell your dog I said Hi!
~Shannen

Summer Pet Updates

Posted on by Invermere Pets

WOW, can you believe it is already MAY!? Spring is really settling in and the temps are finally warming up. In the sunny afternoons it feels like we almost skip spring and jump right into summer! Keep reading for my summer pet updates!

My Monday and Thursday dog walk days continue to keep me busy and active! Some days I walk 8-10 dogs and really get those steps in! On warmer days we might enjoy a quick dip in the lake to cool off and I make sure to carry water so we all stay hydrated.

** I will be away June 27 – July 16 **. There is no pet sitting or dog walks during those weeks! Pet sitting availability becomes limited as summer approaches. But, if you are going away, contact me as I may just have a few days available to fit you in! Fall and winter bookings have also started to trickle in so if you are planning a vacation book your pet sitting dates early!

THANK YOU to all my super dog and cat clients for keeping me busy.
I appreciate the support so very much! ~Shannen

Happy September!

Posted on by Invermere Pets

Availability updates for Fall and Winter

What a brilliant and busy summer! Thanks again to all my wonderful doggos and PAWsome kitties for keeping my summer full of walks and cuddles.

September is here and I am off for the next two weeks to enjoy my work with BC Bike Race helping riders at the Aid Station! All walks will resume on October 3.

Winter pet-sitting bookings are filling up fast. I will be away Nov 27-Dec 5. I’m already booked for the Christmas break but can still accept clients needing home visits only. If you are planning a winter holiday or spring break getaway in the new year, secure your dates soon!

Thanks again to all my dog-walk and cat clients. Honestly every dog is my favorite and I love my time with all the fun, silly, goofy, cuddly and happy pets I can take care of.

: ) Shannen

Winter Availability Update!

Posted on by Invermere Pets

Welcome to Winter – the holidays are coming and the snow is here!

*NEW SCHEDULE* Dog walking days and times are available Monday, Thursday and Sunday.
Dog walking times (approximate) are 9:00am, 10:30am, 12pm (one hour only), 1:30pm and 3pm.

If you are planning a family visit or sunny vacation book your pet sitting dates now. I have limited availability during the winter months and dates will fill up fast. I am happy to come and pet sit at your place! This keeps your pet comfortable in their regular routine and environment.

Overnight stays or (my) home boarding is very limited and all guests must be approved by my *manager (*my 1 year old puppy Mavi needs to meet your dog first!)

Contact me if you have any questions or to arrange a free meet and greet with you and your pet. I love to help keep your pets happy and healthy in Invermere, Radium, Fairmont and the beautiful Columbia Valley. ~Shannen

Other Boarding or Pet Services in the Valley:

Boarding or Daycare at Unleashed!
Contact: 250-347-9933

Shannonbrook Boarding Kennels in Windermere
Contact: 250-342-6188

Kootenay Kritters Dog Walking or Petsitting
Contact: 250-755-6334

Fall Availability Update!

Posted on by Invermere Pets

What an incredible summer – THANK YOU for keeping me busy and active. I can’t believe I am nearing the end of my Parks contract (how has it been 5 months!?) Don’t worry, I still have time for my favorite dog walks on Wednesdays and Thursdays!

*I am away from Sept 25 until the end of October*. I have a two week contract for BC Bike Race in the Okanagan and then I will be going home to Vancouver for a long overdue visit with my family and friends. (I CAN’T WAIT!!)

I hope to see all my favorite 4 (and 3!!) legged friends when I return in November. I will be ready for all the winter walkies and home visits that you may need. Thank you again so much for sharing your pets with me.

~Shannen

Winter dog walking is coming!

Summer Availability

Posted on by Invermere Pets

Summer is here and Invermere and the Columbia Valley are getting busy! I currently have a full-time contract with Parks Canada in Radium. I am still available for dog walks, pet visits and some (in your) home/pet sitting.

Dog Walks are available all day Wednesday and Thursday (my days off). I often have Friday or Saturday mornings off and I am available some evenings after 5pm. I will do my best to make something work with you and your dog!

Overnight or (my) home boarding or day care is very limited and all guests must be approved by my *manager (*my 10 month old puppy Mavi needs to meet your dog first!) I am happy to come and pet sit at your place!! This also helps to keep your pet comfortable in their regular routine and environment.

Contact me if you have any questions or to arrange a free meet and greet with you and your pet. I love to help keep your pets happy and healthy while you are visiting Invermere, Radium and the beautiful Columbia Valley. ~Shannen

Dog Walking

Other Pet Care Providers in the Valley are:

Unleashed Pet Care : 250-347-9933
Kootenay Kritters : 250-755-6334
Valley Pet Care : 778-554-2708

Check your pets for ticks!

Posted on by Invermere Pets

Spring is here and as the weather gets warmer it is so tempting to take our dogs on longer walks outside and explore new hikes in the area. Keep in mind spring is also a time for ticks and other parasites to be lurking in the tall grasses and small shrubs near the trails. Always check your pet for ticks after any outdoor adventure and note any changes in behavior to your vet.

If you do happen to find a tick on your dog, it’s important that you know how to remove it. There is a rumor that using a match to remove a tick is the best way. However, you are more likely to end up burning your dog’s skin than removing the tick.

Instead, follow these steps to make sure you’re removing the tick from your dog’s skin properly:
Check your pets for ticks
Check your pet for ticks after each outdoor adventure!
  • Clean the area surrounding the tick with alcohol.
  • Use tweezers to grab the tick by the head, not the body.
  • Pull upwards until the tick detaches. Some vets advocate turning the tick clockwise if it has burrowed deeply into the skin.
  • If you pull the tick off, but the head is still attached to your dog’s skin, don’t worry. The head will most likely fall out on its own.
  • Clean the area to prevent infection, and you can always consult your vet if you’re still worried.
  • Once the tick is removed, do not crush it, as the blood it carries can be dangerous and harbor disease. Also, do not flush it down the toilet, as it can potentially crawl back out. Ticks are resilient.
  • Instead, put the tick in a closed jar and drown it with alcohol. Your vet may ask you to keep any ticks that you’ve found on your dog for testing. That’s especially likely if it’s a species known to carry Lyme and your dog hasn’t been vaccinated.

Consult your local SPCA or vet clinic for preventative treatments or concerns about fleas and ticks! We take care to keep all dogs on a leash and do a tick check after each walk in the local trails. Contact us for more details about dog walking services.

Top 5 Reasons to Hire a Dog Walker

Posted on by Invermere Pets

1. Time. Your dog likes long afternoon walks and you only have 20 minutes until the next zoom call. Maybe you need to clean the house and your dog doesn’t know how to vacuum. Maybe you just want two hours of YOU time to read a book or have a hot bath uninterrupted, hello – self-care! Whatever the reason, we all know there is never enough time in the day, let someone help you with the task of dogwalking.

2. Training. Your dog already knows you and your routine. All dogs have cute behaviours that we let slide and don’t correct as often as we should. These small nuisances can turn into bigger issues in the future. Having someone work one-on-one with your dog can improve on-leash behaviour and skills training. A dog walker can help correct these behaviours and instill good manners.

3. Health. Regular exercise helps keep your dog in shape and at a healthy weight. Getting outside is both physically and mentally stimulating. There are smells to sniff and things to see and hear. Engaging all the senses is a great way to give your dog an all-around workout. Exercise is good for your dog and a tired dog is a happy dog… (and a happy owner!)

4. Weather. Let’s face it, on some days the weather outside is frightful. You have the fireplace roaring and you’re in your comfy clothes, the last thing you want is to be outside for hours. Let someone else navigate icy streets, cold temps and winter weather.

5. Socialization. Socializing your dog with other people and situations helps build their confidence. It can introduce your dog to new walking routes and trails and positive interactions. They have an enjoyable time on their walk, but they are also super happy to see you and come home! A weekly walk gives them some excitement and helps keep your dog happy and healthy.

6. (BONUS REASON)… someone else can pick up dog poop!!

Hire a Dog Walker
Hire a Dog Walker and your dogs will Thank You!