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Introducing a New Baby

Posted on November 17, 2016March 28, 2017 by City Sit Stay

Begin preparing your dog for the new arrival as soon as you can.

The more time you spend training your dog, the easier it will be for your dog to adjust.

Months in advance

work on your dogs general behaviour is to a good standard. Teach him not to jump up, not pull on lead and come when called
make sure your dog is healthy and up to date with worming and flea treatments
allow alone time for your dog to get him used to sometimes being left alone
if you don’t want your dog in the nursery, start practising this before baby arrives
practise walking with a pram/stroller so your dog gets used to it
practise playing baby sounds wither on your phone or on tv and reward your dog for not reacting

When Baby Arrives

Try not to make a big deal of the arrival of the new baby
Give your dog lots of treats and rewards for being calm around baby
Exercise your dog to reduce energy levels inside the house
Use boredom buster toys (kongs, pizzle sticks, etc) to keep your dog busy while you are spending time with the baby

Remember never leave a baby or child alone with any dog

Flea Time

Posted on July 25, 2016April 24, 2017 by City Sit Stay

Sadly it’s that time of year again- Flea time.

Fleas are quite possibly the most annoying pet parasite and make a pet owners life a misery. Here are a few tips on how to spot fleas on your dog and how to get rid of them .

Thankfully in most areas, fleas only appear in the warmer months but we know in some areas these little blood suckers are a year round problem.

How to Spot Fleas

If your dog has started to itch more than normal, it’s “armpits” are warm and red, and your pet is experiencing balding in certain areas- it is time to check for fleas.

Fleas love the back of your dogs neck and the base of the tail where the hair is thicker.

Invest in a flea comb.

A flea comb is a speical fine toothed comb that you comb through your dogs fur picking up fleas and flea dirt as you go.

Wash all Dog Bedding

Fleas love to hide in your pets bedding and soft toys. They also use these fabrics to lay their eggs (gross). Grab all the pet bedding and soft pet toys and wash on a hot temperature to kill any fleas or eggs.

Clean the House

Fleas love carpets, rugs and any soft furnishing. Use your vacuum to pick up any fleas or flea dirt on furniture and steam clean rugs or carpets if you can.

Natural Flea Killers

We have had a lot of luck using “Apple Cider Vinegar” mixed with water.

Mix 1 cap full of Apple Cider Vinegar with 1 pint of water.
Mix together in a spray bottle and spray over your pet

You can also add Apple Cider Vinegar to you dogs daily water dish as it not only fights fleas but gives your pup a nice shiny coat

Diatomaceous Earth is great to prevent fleas or when you have a small infestation

Sprinkle over unused dog bedding and carpets and leave to sit for 4 days. Vacuum up.

I have heard of people using this directly on their dogs but have never tried that.

Some plants are great at preventing fleas

Plant Rosemary, lavender and citronella to keep fleas at bay. Either plant in your garden or have them in pots in your apartment.

Hope these tips and tricks help. If you have any other ideas for dealing with fleas, please share below

Choosing the right Dog Walker

Posted on March 24, 2014March 22, 2014 by City Sit Stay

We have so many clients asking us which NYC dog walking companies we would recommend and what questions to ask that we have put together some important questions to ask any potential dog walker.Â

As many of you know from the bio page, City Sit Stay founder Kimberly Freeman started off her “dog career” at Sit Stay which grew to become the biggest dog walking, pet sitting and behavior center on the east coast of Scotland (so she knows a thing or two about what questions to ask a dog walker)

In New York City, having a dog walker is considered the norm as people work such long hours. These are some things to consider asking your new potential dog nanny

Do you own a dog?

How long have you been doing this for?

Are you insured?Â

What happens in a pet emergency?

What are the most common emergencies you have dealt with so far?

If you are sick, who covers your walks?

How many dogs do you walk at a time?

If you pick up other dogs on route, what will you do with my dog?

Do you use dog runs or street walking?

What do you do in extreme weather (NYC heat waves and snow storms)?

Will you do private play visits if my dog is not fully vaccinated?

Can you please provide 2 references/link to a yelp page?

Remember that the dog walker is there to make your life easier, so if you need walks at specific times, your dog needs to use a special leash/harness or requires meals after each walk, make sure they know that and can accommodate you.

NeverÂ give anyone keys to your apartment without having met them first. You are not just trusting this person in your personal space, but also with your dog!

Teaching Right is Easier than Fixing Wrong

Posted on March 22, 2014March 22, 2014 by City Sit Stay

Urban dogs (especially those in New York City) face hundreds of challenges every day, so it is really important to help your dog understand what is expected of them. Rewarding good behavior and preventing bad behavior is the central goal in dog training. Choosing to focus on rewards rather than punishment is the fastest way for your dog to understand what is expected from them. Setting your dog up to succeed (rather than fail) helps Fido learn faster and also prevents a lot of anxiety on your part.

Right Behaviors

– peeing/pooping in the right place

– walking nicely on leash

– sitting to greet people

– listening to your commands (sit, down, stand)

– playing nicely with new dogs

– impulse control with food bowl

Wrong Behaviors

– Jumping to meet people

– Counter Surfing

– Barking when alone/for attention

– Peeing in the house

– Chewing on clothes, wires, shoes, etc

– Chasing the cat/other dogs

-Digging

– Guarding Objects

-Ignoring you

– Stealing trash

Dangerous Foods For Dogs

Posted on February 15, 2014February 13, 2017 by City Sit Stay

Socializing Your Dog

Posted on February 10, 2014March 19, 2017 by City Sit Stay

Playing With Your Dog

Posted on January 10, 2014March 22, 2017 by City Sit Stay