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Walking your German Shepherd around strange dogs

“Black German Shepherd” by Charles Willgren is licensed under CC BY 2.0

What’s the best approach if you see a strange dog coming your way while you and your German Shepherd are on a walk?

First, make sure your GSD is on a leash. Whether the other dog is on leash or off, you can’t avoid an encounter with the other dog if you can’t control your dog, so call your GSD to you and snap a leash on.

Once the leash is on your dog, move out of range of the other dog if at all possible. If not possible, talk in a happy voice to your dog, laughing, singing if need be, and encourage them to keep walking with you. As much as possible, ignore the other dog. Feed your dog treats, offer him or her a favorite toy or stick, or break into a light jog.

If the other dog approaches and insists on greeting, keep your German Shepherd moving. Do not allow the greeting to turn into a spat. When possible, call out to the owner of an unleashed dog and ask them to leash their dog at least while you pass. This is polite etiquette, whether on trails, the street, or just out in the field.

Five questions to ask when
hiring a pet-sitter

“Pete1” (cropped) by Todd Petrie is licensed under CC BY 2.0

 

With so many pet care options for travelers, how do you choose between a traditional boarding kennel, a professional pet sitter, friend or relative to care for your German Shepherd?

Pet-sitting is a great option for German Shepherd owners whose dogs are comfortable and happy inside the home, or owners of multiple dogs who do not want their animals to be separated during their absence. While some of the advantages over traditional kenneling — such as lower stress and arousal levels, comfy surroundings and familiar routines — are obvious, there are some additional advantages to pet-sitting, especially if you take the time to carefully select a professional pet sitter.

Other advantages to choosing a professional pet-sitting service over traditional kenneling or a friend or relative include less exposure to disease-causing organisms; personal, one-to-one care for your dog; expert attention to your dog’s health and routine; no travel stress or complications for your dog; and peace of mind knowing your home is being cared for, as well.

Here are five questions to ask a professional pet sitter:

  1. Are you licensed (if required), bonded and insured? Insurance is the hallmark of a professional pet sitter, and demonstrates the sitter’s commitment to his or her business, and to your German Shepherd.
  2. How many other clients will you have while caring for my dog? Professional pet-sitting is busy and demanding job, and while a full schedule is a sign of good business, an overly full calendar can be detrimental to your pet’s needs.
  3. Can you provide references? A professional pet sitter should provide at least three references from clients who have used his or her services in the past year.
  4. Will I be able to contact you while I am gone? Pet-sitting, like most entrepreneurial endeavors, can mean long or unusual hours, so make sure your sitter has a cell phone or e-mail address available should you want to check on your pet. Keep in mind, however, that pet sitters also need to sleep, and may have set hours for communication.
  5. Are you familiar with and comfortable handling all types of dogs? German Shepherds are, by nature and breed description, often reserved with strangers. Although you may not have an excitable, aggressive or overly fearful German Shepherd, many in the breed take some time to warm up to new people. If you have such a pet, and the pet sitter you choose has little experience with the type, be sure to provide the pet sitter detailed instructions and information on your dog. Better yet, see if he or she will arrange a few free or discounted visits to get to know your animal while you’re still near home should a problem arise.

To find a professional pet sitter, ask your veterinarian, dog training instructor or groomer for recommendations. Pet-sitting organizations, such as Pet Sitters International, also have search directories available on the Internet to help pet owners locate a professional.

Top 10 Pet-Friendly Places to Stay

Planning on taking your German Shepherd along on vacation? A survey released by TripAdvisor lists the top 10 accommodations for pet owners and their furry friends.

TripAdvisor, an online travel resource guide, surveyed more than 1,100 travelers and more than 700 pet owners around the globe. Almost half of those surveyed said hotels should be more accepting of pets.

A TripAdvisor representative said bed and breakfast establishments are popular with pet owners.

“Animal lovers might be even pickier about travel accommodations for their pets than they are for themselves,” said Michele Perry, director of communications for TripAdvisor, in a news release. “B&Bs dominate our pet-friendly accommodations list because they do a great job catering to the most finicky pet owners.”

The survey awards Best Western the title of most pet-friendly hotel chain, with Holiday Inn and Red Roof Inn on its heels. The top Best Western, according to pet-friendliness ratings on TripAdvisor, is the Best Western Lake Norman in Cornelius, N.C.

Pet Peeves

Thirty-five percent of pet owners surveyed say they take shorter vacations, and a quarter take shorter vacations because of their pets. Only 12 percent said their pets thwart their vacation plans.

More dog owners put importance on pet-friendly traveling, with 64 percent insisting on pet-friendly places to stay, compared to 38 percent of cat owners.

Most concerning for owners traveling with pets? Twenty-nine percent of dog owners and 48 percent of cat owners worry their four-footed companions will get “stressed out.”

East Coast, West Coast

A few highlights from the top 10 include the TierraLinda Bed and Breakfast, Galena, Ill. The survey’s first-rated hotel offers dog and their owners a nature-themed paradise. A forest for hiking and lake for swimming ensures a good time for both two- and four-legged travelers.

Besides the colorful canine-themed artwork in the Sleepy Dog Guest House, in Bisbee, Ariz., solitude allows for frolics on leash-free trails and fenced yard. Got a disc dog? A lot is set aside just for tossing a Frisbee.

For cats and dogs with luxurious tastes, The Hotel Marlowe is an eight-story hotel located in Cambridge, Mass. Special packages, such as the finicky feline pampering kit or the man’s best friend pampering kit, both contain freshly made treats from a local pet bakery.

And the Ocean Lodge in Cannon Beach, Ore., boasts oceanfront views no beach hound could resist. Rooms include private decks and beach access, and pet packages are available. A dog wash at the lodge provides a rinse for sandy paws.

Top Ten

  1. Top Dog: TierraLinda Bed and Breakfast, Galena, Illinois – Average nightly rate: $135.
  2. Dog Show: The Sleepy Dog Guest House, Bisbee, Arizona – Average nightly rate: $95
  3. Lassie Locale: Gazebo Inn Ogunquit, Ogunquit, Maine – Average nightly rate: $144
  4. Canine Cottage: Spruce Moose Lodge and Cottages, North Conway, New Hampshire – Average nightly rate: $124
  5. Pet Stop: The Ocean Lodge, Cannon Beach, Oregon – Average nightly rate: $220
  6. Basket-Hound: Cambria Shores Inn, Cambria, California – Average nightly rate: $232
  7. Hotel Marlowe, Cambridge, Massachusetts – Average nightly rate: $288
  8. Animal House: Courtney’s Place, Key West, Florida – Average nightly rate: $104
  9. La Quinta Inn and Suites South Padre, South Padre Island, Texas – Average nightly rate: $177
  10. Hotel Monaco Denver, Denver, Colorado – Average nightly rate: $247.