Ho! Ho! Ho!
Today, I am so excited to tell you that the big day has finally come, and Bewaggle is ready to serve your pet sitting needs for the holidays! We've hired some amazing people, and I know you are going to love your pet sitter when you call Bewaggle!
We're still looking to hire more pet sitters in Seminole County, so if you know anyone who would like to work part-time in their own neighborhood, details are available on our website: www.bewaggle.com/employment.html It's not steady work - at least not yet. That's just not the nature of our business - but for someone who truly loves animals, it's the funnest job on earth! We're looking specifically for retirees or any mature adult who has a very flexible schedule and who has a big heart for our clients' pets.
This month's Spotlight includes two great articles for pet lovers. The first explains why Workers' Compensation is such a huge deal in the Pet Sitting industry, and the second is a follow-up to our blog series on Overweight Pets. If exercising your dog is a challenge, this may provide a solution.
As always, I'm excited to share our news and some valuable information with you. Read on and share in the excitement!
At your service,
Marianne Carlson, Co-Founder
Bewaggle, LLC
386-956-0256
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 What's Worker's Comp Means to You | 
If you have someone come to your home to care for your pets while you're away, this article could save you a ton of money and headaches. Whether your pet sitter is a friend, a neighbor, a relative, or a "professional" pet sitter, the risks are very real. If your pet sitter gets hurt while she's on your property, you are liable for her medical expenses... unless she's covered by Worker's Compensation Insurance.
Even if your pet sitter is "Bonded and Insured", that insurance doesn't cover any injuries to the sitter herself. Only Worker's Comp covers that. And in Florida, the only pet sitters who are covered by Worker's Comp are those who are employed by Bewaggle. The only ones.
Before you hand your house keys over to someone, please consider the risks! You won't even be around to verify that the injury they could be claiming actually happened on your property. Your homeowner's policy might cover it (or it might not!), and at the very least, you'll be in for some insurance claim paperwork.
Bewaggle pet sitters are actual employees of our company, and we are required by law to provide them with Worker's Compensation Insurance. If one of them gets hurt on the job, they have a level of coverage no one else in our service area can offer. It's one more reason we say, "Be wise... Bewaggle!"
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| Training your dog to walk on a treadmill |
Just like humans, dogs need regular exercise, and depending on the breed, your dog may need more exercise than you do - A LOT more! In fact, lots of dog behavior problems are directly related to a lack of proper, consistent exercise. Many veterinarians now recommend we train our dogs to walk on a treadmill so they can get the workouts they need, regardless of the weather.
Several brands of treadmills are designed specifically for dogs, and you can read a review of some of them by clicking here. But if you already own a treadmill for your own use, you can train your dog to use that one, with a little time and some tasty treats. (Small bits of cooked chicken will almost always do the trick.) Take a slow, gradual approach, and reward every small bit of positive progress.
Begin by just getting him used to the sound of the treadmill. Have him lie down with a favorite toy or treat and reward him when he will stay while it's running. Then turn off the machine, and entice him to put a foot on the belt. Reward him the second his foot touches the belt. Once he's happy to put a foot or two on the belt, entice him to stand on it, and then to walk on it, with the power turned off. Reward anything that looks like a step in the right direction!
That's plenty for day one, and you'll want to repeat that for a few days. Your first goal is to get him very comfortable - and happy - walking around on the stationary belt, or standing happily next to the machine while it's running. Then, after a few days of that, you can turn it on. To do this, place your own feet on the rails, standing at the front, facing the back of the belt, and call him onto the machine, facing you. Once he's on there, start the machine very slowly, and lure him toward you with treats. There are several good videos on YouTube that show this in action. Here's one you may find helpful. Step by Step Treadmill Dog Training
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Training Tip
|  If your dog jumps up on you or your guests the minute you come in the door, here's a quick tip to help stop that behavior. Whenever he jumps on you, turn around with your back to him. Never start petting a dog that has his feet on you. This will only encourage him to jump up. He wants to see you, so he will come around in front of you again. This is when you should put your dog into a sit, and start petting him. If he jumps up again, start over. You have to show your dog that jumping up does not get your attention. He needs to know that sitting for you is what pays, so when he is sitting, it is time to pour on the love, or even give him a tasty treat. Your timing is important, so once his butt is on the floor - reward. |
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Oh For Barking Out Loud!
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Oh for Barking Out Loud!
is the Bewaggle blog, where we post articles relating to the care and enjoyment of your pets. Here's a sample from our recent posts:
Overweight Pets: Part 1
Just like humans, pets are at risk for serious health issues when they are overweight. We've written a series of blog posts to help you get a handle on your furry friend's weight.
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