Rex-Treks

I've added another new service: Dog Park Tours!

I'm very excited I would love to help dog owners learn more about the joys of utilizing local off-leash areas!

Check out the details at the bottom of the Services page.

I wrote about Banjo (the vacuum cleaner) when he was a puppy; he's grown now, and I FINALLY got a picture of him to share Check him out in the Photo Gallery! He's so cute

Oh my goodness.

I started a new service offering hour-long hikes in Seattle parks, and what fun! I've been on FIVE now, and they are just so exhilerating! The first two were with little L.J. - one at Carkeek, and one at Hamlin - and the latest three were with Chaska - all at Carkeek. It's just such a treat to get that much nature in the middle of my day.

Check out the pics in the gallery!

Have you ever met someone who was so cocky, you got the sense they felt they had something to prove, which in turn left you wondering if perhaps they actually had a confidence deficiency? Well, it turns out this is the case with many a brash Bingo.

The cause of most seemingly over-confident dog behavior actually stems from an underlying insecurity for which the canid is over-compensating.

When we fail to supply our pets with sufficient structure, consistency, and leadership, they fail to develop a sense of security in the world. The best things we can do for our dogs is maintain control of all their resources, give them jobs with which to earn their valued treasures, help them learn self-restraint, and provide support for them in new or otherwise upsetting situations, so that they learn we have everything under our purview, the world operates in a predictable and positive manner, and they have nothing to fear.

Don't be fooled by zealous Zoe! Have patience, and infect her with tranquility And remember to play with your pooch - nothing bonds like fun!!

Oh boy! Teddy and I sure had a fun walk today.

We went down to the North Shore area of Magnuson Park, where there's a little hidden beach cove we like to visit, as unofficial "Sail Sand Point" visitors. We had a good time cooling off by wading in the pleasant waters of Lake Washington, and then headed over to the larger shoreline, where he found a buoy with which he made a valiant effort to engage in play. When we got back to his secure yard, and got him unleashed, he went on a super-duper zoom spree!

Ahh, to be in Seattle on a warm Summer's day

With all the big booms, bangs, and blasts on and around the 4th of July, many pets flee in terror, sometimes wriggling out of collars, scrambling through windows or fences, and even busting through doors, often never to be seen again. Especially when the humans are too preoccupied to console them, it's important that we know how to keep our pets safe on this most noisy holiday.

This post does not come straight off the sidewalk, but I feel it's important to help spread the word about pet safety during the 4th of July celebrations, since it accounts for the highest incidence of pet loss. Reports of missing pets go up by about 30% after the 4th, and only an average of 14% are recovered by their owners.

There are a plethora of sites with useful tips on the internet, and many include health warnings about sunblock, insect repellant, alcohol, decorations, and bbq food scraps; but those are all made irrelevant by what I consider to be the best advice, which is to keep your pets safely secure indoors.

Here's my Top 10 list for you:

1. Leave your pets at home - you and they will be happier and less stressed.

2. Keep them secure indoors - don't expose them to all the risks outside on this day.

3. Shelter them - place them in a centrally-located room, with no - or covered - windows.

4. Set them up a safe haven - pet-proof, escape-proof, and with cozy bedding.

5. Keep them cool - leave plenty of water for them, and turn on a fan (also helps mask the noise).

6. Have some cover sound playing - turn on a radio or tv, or play a CD made for just such occasions.

7. Consider using calming remedies - herbal supplements, aromatherapy, anxiety wraps...

8. Ask your vet about mild sedatives - if your pet is particularly prone to fright, drugs might help.

9. Tire them out - beforehand, make sure they get lots of fun and healthy activity, and regular meals.

10. Tag 'em - make sure they are wearing your current contact information, just in case.

I hope everyone has an enjoyable - and safe! - 4th of July holiday this year.

Happy Independence, America!

I did FOUR dog-walks today! Whew :-*

And yesterday, I signed up two new clients, in my newly extended service area!

One of my new clients is a big brown Labradoodle named Banjo. (I still need to get a picture of him!) He is not a year old yet, and he is very well-mannered, but still quite orally fixated. I was informed that he is in the minority of dogs who actually consume much of what they put in their mouths - namely the non-edible stuff. On our walks, he is rather like a hound dog, with his nose affixed to the ground, and he repeatedly picks things up to chomp or chew. It's an ongoing job to keep him from eating all that we pass!

Today, I spotted a tennis ball, and had an idea. I directed his attention to it, and he happily picked it up. I encouraged him to come along and carry it with. He stopped a moment to examine it a little, and then obliged. It worked out impressively well! He did stop occasionally to lie down with his new toy, free up his tongue for a spell, nose the ball around a bit, gnaw on it a little, and then I would call him on to continue our walk. He carried it with him the whole rest of the walk, and even played with it on his own, back home in the yard. I was thrilled because he was happy and his mouth was safely occupied!

It is worth noting that the standard fuzzy green tennis balls can be a hazard to those dogs who like to destroy toys and consume the bits, as they have the potential to cause blockages. However, I've seen quite a few felt and rubber remnants in canine stool, so I know they can be passed, too.

Lesson learned: try a "pacifier" for those avid vacuum cleaners!

Ooo-wee! I did THREE dog walks today!

Looks like business is starting to pick up! I also have three walks tomorrow.

I started out with the marvelous Mercedes poodle, and we discovered Sunset Hill Park - what a treat! (Despite her residing outside my stated service area, she is a temporary client, so I made an exception.) Then I headed east to take out the appealing Apollo husky. It was our first walk together and we had a great time. After that, I jetted up to grab L.J., and we explored her neighborhood while persisting in our leash work with continued improvement.

Whew! What a day

I bravely set out yesterday with a trio of terrors - er, terriers. They were all bundles of energy and eargerness! I committed to help them learn a more suitable - and more comfortable! - walking style. I shortened up their leashes, and kept them close for better leverage and improved response time. Each time they pulled enough to put tension on the leashes, I stopped. I then waited, often calling their names to help them redirect their focus. When slack was returned to the leads, it was accompanied by verbal praise and smiles from me, and rewarded with the continuation of our walk - albeit briefly, before the next halting and waiting.

It is important that dogs NOT learn that pulling gets them to where they want to go and that it, in fact, actually slows or stops the forward motion. Sometimes, I even pulled them back toward me, as I walked backward a few paces, and then switched back to the forward direction, praising them for being near to me, on loose lines.

It is also important that dogs recieve feedback - POSITIVE, as well as negative - on a regular, if not constant, basis. Just telling them what NOT to do, doesn't inform them on what you DO want them to be doing, and is therefore an incomplete and unproductive message. Some dogs are eager to please, and find the praise alone rewarding, while others will prioritize your pleasure somewhat lower, but will still benefit from the communication, and will be more willing to work with you when they have a better understanding of your plan.

The one out of those three that I've been working with all week is showing impressive improvement.

Well, in the past few weeks, I have been busy meeting new people, signing up new clients, walking new dogs, and making friends at every step!

I now have little Lilly doxi on my walk list, as well as her neighbor, lovely Lucy cocker. They are very sweet girls, and today, they got to enjoy each other's company on a shared walk for fun. It was an entertaining experience since Lilly has a tendency to lag behind and put on the brakes, while Lucy likes to bounce around my legs, hoping to score treats, or run ahead and pull a little. Sometimes it felt like being drawn and quatered! Well, not really, of course. We worked it out and had a fantastic walk, exploring the scents of the day.

Another new addition to my "Rolodex" is a wonderful little pet supply store, called Health Mutt! The amazing owner and I have joined forces in our marketing efforts to further promote our respective goods and services - an exciting development, indeed! DEAL ALERT: Get a $10 coupon for use at Health Mutt when you sign up with me for regular dog walking service! To top off the bonus of that new friendship, I will also begin walking her dogs next week!

Looking forward to the continuing development of my newest adventure... Rex-Treks marches on.