It is no secret that we love our pets and want the best care for them at any age. Your cute little puppy becomes a senior pet before you know it. As pets age, they often have special needs regarding their care. What is the best option? Who can you trust?

Bringing home a new puppy is more than just puppy kisses and cute videos on social media. New puppies have special needs. Their immune systems are not ready to take on the world until they have had all of their vaccinations. There are critical socialization and fear periods. They need to learn things like potty training and basic obedience. Maybe you are crate training them. Separation anxiety may be an issue. We want to help you with you new puppy. Don't feel guilty because you have to work. We love puppies and will customize a package perfect for you and your new fur baby. It's easy! Schedule a meet a greet with a couple of clicks today.

This is exactly what you think it is. We offer various lengths of walks from quick potty breaks to long hikes or walks. The length of time is up to you. We can come as often as you need for your dog. We can also walk your dog in a group or privately. The choice is yours. We never walk more than 3 dogs together at one time for safety reasons. Group walks are among easy-going dog-friendly dogs. No aggressive or reactive dogs for the group walks. We do not introduce dogs to the pack walks that we have not personally walked previously. Again, this is for safety reasons. Sometimes dogs behave differently when they are around new people and new dogs.

If your dog is shy, we are happy to provide solo walks. We specialize in shy timid dogs. We will take the time to let your dog feel safe before we ever leash them up and take them for a walk. We never force shy dogs to do anything until they are comfortable with us.

Have a puppy that pulls, lies down on walks, or nips? No problem. We are great with puppies too.
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Older, slower dogs are ok too. We are happy to accommodate dogs that want to do more sniffing than walking. We love being outside as much as your dog does.

We can check on your pets for 30 minutes, by the hour or overnight. Maybe you have cats? Older dogs that just need a potty break? Animals on medication? All of our sitters are insured, certified in Pet CPR and First Aid. Puppies that need company? Maybe your dog is leash-reactive but is great otherwise? We can help with all of that.

​Pet sitting is a wonderful option for a pet that does better in their own home. Pet sitting is the safest option. You know your house and yard are already escape proof. You also don't have to worry about any other dogs or illnesses. We don't even offer boarding because pet sitting is so much safer. We can stay overnight if you want that but we are just as happy to check in on your dog and go home to our own beds.

Many different types of pet sitting options are available. If we don't have a package that is perfect for you, we will create one.

With pet sitting, you don't have to worry about your dog that has separation anxiety. We will spend as much time with your dog as you need.

Of course, we do all the normal pet sitting things too like bring in your mail and keep an eye on your house by making it looked lived in. We clean up after ourselves and make sure your dog gets potty breaks and meals on their normal schedule too.

Betty, my 3 year old border collie is available for dogs that enjoy the company of other dogs on sittings that I provide (she is my dog after all). We have one client (an American Staffordshire Terrier) that currently loves for Betty to play with them because Betty has such a great dog-friendly personality. She is great at adjusting her play style depending on the size of the other dogs. She always plays so gently with the toy breeds too. We have a chihuahua in our household and she puts up with a lot of rough play from him. She's great with large or small dogs as long as they are dog-friendly, neutered/spayed and up to date with all vaccines as she is. The safety of the animals is and always will be our primary focus so this option is only for dogs that are a good fit and get along well. Dogs are never left alone unsupervised while pet sitting unless they are from the same household or can be separated.

If we sound like what you are looking for in pet care in the Tarzana, Encino, or Woodland Hills area of Los Angeles, California, we hope to hear from you. If you have questions, give us a call. We are always happy to help. (818) 201-6298

Fall is a great time to enjoy some dog-friendly local activities in the San Fernando Valley and surrounding areas of Los Angeles. Here are a few of my favorites coming up.
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​Fashion Show Play Date
Join Healthy Spot for their Fall Fashion Show Play Dates so your pup can strut their stuff on the catwalk, or as they like to call it, the Dogwalk! Dress your pup in their most fabulous fall outfit and they could win best dressed.
Plus,

• Everyone Who Attends Will Be Entered To Win A Canada Pooch Sweater or Jacket
• K9 Natural Treat Bags For The First 20 Guests
• Refreshments For The Pet Parents

For the safety of all dogs our daycare room is restricted to dogs 30 LBS and under. Pet parents must be present with their dog at all times. Vaccinations must be up to date. Dogs must be spayed and neutered.

​Paint and Wine For Pet Lovers
At Pet-I-Tude Granada Hills
Pet lovers come join us for our 2nd paint and wine party at Petitude. Let your inner artist come alive!! You will be taking part in this artistic retreat, perfect for friends who want to enjoy an evening of putting their brushes to good use while sipping wine at the same time. What can be better than that?
The cost is $35 per person. Only limited seating available, so please reserve soon. Must be paid for in advance by 9/21.
Call the store to reserve seating 818-832-0771

Working Like a Dog Book Release Party
From the Facebook page for the Party:
Come celebrate the Working Like A Dog book release in DTLA at Concrete Jungle Brewery on Sunday October 1st! (725 Kohler St, Los Angeles, CA 90021)

We couldn't have done this book without all of you and your incredible working dogs and so it wouldn't be complete without a celebration together... dogs included.

Grab a beer, meet other dogs and their owners from the book, bring some friends and your dog, pet some dogs, and catch up!

This event is dog friendly! Please only bring your pet if s/he is comfortable around other dogs and humans for the safety of everyone attending.

Books for purchase:
If you would like to pick up a book at the event please send us an email at workinglikedogbook@gmail.com stating if you would like to pay in advance or at the event. Thank you!

We look forward to seeing everyone.

UPDATED: Kid friendly!


Strut Your Mutt in Los Angeles
​October 21, 2017 | Exposition Park
Registration: 1:30 pm | Walk: 3:00 pm | End: 6:00 pm Looking for a way to get in some cardio exercise and raise money for a cause at the same time? Join us for this year’s Strut Your Mutt in Los Angeles!
Homeless pets in L.A. were really wagging their tails at last year’s event. That’s because nearly 3,600 people and 2,700 dogs strutted and raised nearly $560,000 to help save their lives. And this year, we’re hoping to raise even more money for the animals!
Together, let’s strut to save Them All!

Believe it or not, September is Natural Disaster Preparedness month. This seems appropriate with forest fires blazing in much of Washington, Oregon, and California. Texas is just starting to recovery from Hurricane Harvey.  And, Hurricane Irma is just starting to wreak havoc on the East Coast. Of course, we need to be ready here in California year-round for earthquakes as well.
    
There are a few basic things to do well in advance of a disaster to be ready for whatever Mother Nature may throw your way:

Professional pet sitters and home pet boarders love baby gates.  They are great for door dashers, puppies, and skittish dogs that want to run out the door at every opportunity.  Of course, you will want to train your dog to not dart out the front door.  This can take some time. But, while you are training them, a well placed baby gate in front of the exit is a great safety precaution. 

These also come in handy when you want to separate dogs that are getting a little too rowdy, or to keep a pet out of a room that you want to keep off limits to the dog. 

Does your dog scratch at the door when you leave - but you don't want to crate them? A baby gate can curb this as well.  I personally prefer a crate for safety when you are not home. But if you are comfortable leaving your pet free and roaming but want a little extra safety when you open the door upon arrival, a gate will often help. Bonus tip: if the scratching is minor, 3M makes a film that will protect a door as well.  It is clear and resists tearing.

These gates can be picked up at garage sales and Facebook Marketplace for anywhere from $10-30 and up.  When not in use, they can be stored under a bed or in the back of a closet.  Hope you enjoy today's tip of the day!