Summer Season

With the summer season upon us, I thought I'd post part of an article I recently read on middayplaypetsitting about why your pet may be a good candidate for a dog walker:

1. You work long hours (and sometimes overtime) and your pets need a break during the day especially if they are placed in a crate during that time.
2. Your pet has put on a few extra pounds and could use some more exercise. Keeping your pet ‘s weight maintained will also mean your pet is healthier and that equals fewer vet bills.
3. No one likes to walk in the door after a long day’s work and be greeted with a pet mess. A walk during the day will help prevent accidents.
4. Additional exercise for your dog may help prevent destructive behavior like chewing and digging.
5. An extra walk can also help with annoying behaviours like excessive barking or begging.
6. If you have a new puppy, forcing them to go all day without a potty break could cause damage to their bladders. Besides giving them a bathroom break a dog walker will also help reinforce puppy’s good habits.
7. It’s hard for pet owners to not think of their dog as a family member or even as one of their children. Leaving them cooped up all day can give a pet owner a guilt complex. Hiring a dog walker can give you peace of mind knowing that someone is giving your buddy extra attention during the day.
8. A dog walker can help teach your dog manners and correct aggressive behavior around other dogs.
9. Our lives are getting busier and sometimes it’s hard to give your pet the walk he deserves.  While a five minute walk in the yard may allow him to relieve himself, it is no where near the amount of daily exercise your pet needs.
10. A walk will also mentally stimulate your dog’s senses. While he is on a walk, he will get to see, smell and hear things he doesn’t normally. Stimulating your pet’s mind is another way to help him stay out of trouble. A half hour of mental stimulation is equivalent to 2 hours of physical exercise.

If any of these situations sounds like they fit you and your life, then it may be time to consider hiring a dog walker.  

And don't forget, Hounds on the Housatonic also offers pet taxi and vacation sitting services, in addition to dog walking. 

Hope everyone has a wonderful summer!

Cat Sitting

So I've had a few inquiries into cat sitting.  Below you will find the rates and description for that service as well.  If you have both a cat and dog, please contact me and we will discuss your situation since each one is different.

$10/ 20 min visit for up to two cats
$5/ per additional cat

Each visit includes food, water, and play time.  Each day includes a litter box change.

If your cat is an indoor outdoor cat and simply needs to be let in and out of the house in the morning and evening it is a $15 daily.

Specials...Dicounts...Savings

Book 3 or more dogwalking visits per week and receive a 10% discount!

Visits must be booked together in advance.  Does not apply to daily or overnight pet sitting.

Services and Rates

Dogwalking

$10/20 min

$20/45 min

$5/per additional dog

Includes a walk or romp in the park suited to your pets needs, fresh water, and lots of TLC.

Doghike

rates dependent upon length of hike.

Available upon request.

Daily and Overnight Pet Sitting

$25/per day
$5/per additional pottybreak
$10/per additional dog

Includes two twenty minute walks, one five minute potty break, 
food and water changes.

Only available in your pets home at this time.