Tag: happy dogs

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

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.