Convincing Your Family to Get a Dog

Do you really, really want a dog? Does your family object to your dream of bringing a furry friend into the house? You don’t need to fret – there are ways to butter up your loved ones and pave the way for a tomorrow filled with slobbery tennis balls and bacon flavored treats.

Photo Copyright by Maja Dumat, used here
under the Creative Commons License. 

The first thing you can do is avoid bringing up the subject. Don’t tell people fifty times a week that you strongly desire a dog. This may annoy the individuals you talk to, and they may sour on the whole thing. Give everybody time to sit and think about the idea of having a dog. Show understanding and patience – never pout or press the issue. This doesn’t mean you can’t think about dogs at all, you simply have to keep it to yourself as much as possible until the right time comes.

Let your family know that you don’t have to spend a fortune on the well-being of the dog. There are many affordable alternatives to the care and feeding of a pet. For example, it’s possible to purchase toys on clearance at local pet stores. You can take Fido to doggie day care or hire a dog walker without the worry that your wallet will suffer. Put in the research and show your family not everything costs an arm and a leg – in this case, paw.

A dog is a wonderful addition to any household. Dogs provide companionship and affection, and you would be hard-pressed to find a better alternative to owning one. Despite this, some people may not immediately warm to the idea of having an animal in the house. You have to present them with the right information. Find the best breed and plan for your family and you can’t go wrong.

About Bewaggle:

Bewaggle is a brand new KIND of pet sitting company, unique in the entire nation! Bringing a new level of professionalism, training, and security to the pet sitting industry, we offer pet sitting, dog walking, puppy training, basic obedience training, and more. We are bonded and insured, background checked, professionally trained and supervised. And each sitter is backed up by a team of each qualified professionals. All our sitters are trained in Pet First Aid, Pet CPR, Professional Standards, Emergency Response and much more. 
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Socializing with Your Dog When You’re In a Bad Mood

We all have our episodes. Maybe you missed the bus that takes you to work, or perhaps somebody spilled a drink on your new sweater – you know, the one you saved for months to afford? No matter what we come across during the day, in the end we have to go home. Home is where your family is, and that includes your dog. How can you avoid taking out your frustrations on your beloved pet? It isn't as difficult as you might think, and it doesn't involve spending money.

Don’t Overindulge Your Dog, No Matter How Tempting

Photo Copyright by Samuel Cockman, used here
under the Creative Commons License. 

Some people shower their pets with gifts when they get home. They may do this to repel feelings of unhappiness and guilt – don’t make this mistake. If you stop at the store and purchase an armful of stuffed toys, the household budget could crack under the strain. By the same token, try to stop yourself from giving your dog too many treats. Don’t sacrifice your dog’s health in your quest to feel better for a few minutes. 

Keep Your Distance

If you have the urge to yell, walk away until you calm down. Screaming at your dog benefits nobody, especially if the dog isn't misbehaving. You might confuse your dog and make a bad situation worse.

Everybody has a lousy day every now and then, but you don’t have to vent your grievances on your pet. Take the time to think the situation through, and don’t do something that may come back to bite you in the future. Our furry friends can teach us a lesson in living life in the moment, so grab that squeaky toy and get playing!

Be wise… Bewaggle!

About Bewaggle:

Bewaggle is a pet services company located in Central Florida. We offer pet sitting, dog walking, puppy training, basic obedience training, and more. We are bonded and insured, with background checks and references. Be wise... Bewaggle!

Training Tip

YOU GET WHAT YOU REINFORCE – NOT NECESSARILY WHAT YOU WANT

When your dog does something you don't like, chances are, it's something you have been reinforcing, maybe without even realizing it.  For example, think about a dog that begs at the table.  He sits beside you, whimpering, and maybe he puts a paw on your leg.  You tell him no, but he comes back a moment later and starts whimpering again.  And again with the paw.  Maybe he gives you that irresistible tip of the head, and another little whimper.  And then, he seals the deal by placing his chin on your knee.  He's so dang cute.  How could you resist?  So you break of a nibble from your dinner and give it to him, saying, "OK, fine, here's a bite. Now go lie down."   Your dog has just learned that if he persists, he will get you to do what he wants.  He's not about to go lie down, he's going to continue the whimpering and pawing, because that's what you've reinforced.  The solution is simple, but not always easy.  You have to ignore his begging completely, and ask him to do something for you (like “sit”). A you can NEVER give him a treat while you're sitting at the table, because doing so would only encourage him to beg.  If he's a good boy for you while you eat, reward him with praise and treats AFTER you've finished your meal. 

Be Wise... Bewaggle!

About Bewaggle:

Bewaggle is a pet services company located in DeLand, Florida. We offer pet sitting, dog walking, puppy training, basic obedience training, and more, in the convenience of the customer's home.  Every Bewaggle employee is bonded, insured, professionally trained and has undergone a background check.  Be wise... Bewaggle!

A Word About Puppy Training

Puppies are constantly learning. They absorb information like a sponge and even when class is not in session your puppy is learning.

They are smart and they quickly pick up which behaviors pay. You may be inadvertently teaching your puppy bad behaviors. For example: if your puppy is constantly crying in the crate, it is because you have taught him that crying gets your attention. If you talk to him, go to him, or tell him to stop you are giving him attention. Your reactions teach your puppy that crying gets your attention and any attention is better than no attention.

Is your puppy getting rewarded for bad behavior? Rewards are attention, play, praise, and food. Are you playing tug-of-war with your socks? Petting him when he jumps up on you? Giving him treats at the table? If so, you're rewarding bad behaviors, and he's learning that those behaviors earn him rewards.

Everything you do with your puppy teaches him SOMETHING.  It's your job to make sure he's learning exactly what you want him to learn.

Be wise... Bewaggle!

About Bewaggle:


Bewaggle is a pet services company located in DeLand, Florida. We offer pet sitting, dog walking, puppy training, basic obedience training, and more, in the convenience of the customer's home.  Every Bewaggle employee is bonded, insured, professionally trained and has undergone a background check. Be wise... Bewaggle!

Do You Have a Pet First Aid Kit?

We have first aid kits and supplies for people in our homes and in our cars but our pets tend to get overlooked. Your pet is a valuable member of your family and pets are just as likely to get injured or have an accident as any other member of your family. So be prepared and have the tools that you need for when your pet has an accident. You will be happy you did.

The ASPCA suggests that your first aid kit should include:

• Pet First Aid Book
• Phone numbers: veterinarian, nearest emergency veterinary clinic (and know how to get there!), poison-control center or hotline (such as ASPCA poison control center at 1-800-426-4435)
• Paperwork (in a waterproof container or bag): proof of rabies vaccination status, copies of other important medical records, current photo of your pet in case he gets lost
• Nylon leash
• Self-cling bandage (Stretches and sticks to itself but not to fur—available at pet stores and through pet supply catalogs)
• Muzzle or strips of cloth to prevent biting (as long as pet is not vomiting, choking, coughing, or otherwise having difficulty breathing)

Basic supplies

• Absorbent gauze pads
• Adhesive tape
• Antiseptic wipes, lotion, powder or spray
• Blanket (foil emergency blanket)
• Cotton balls or swabs
• Gauze rolls
• Hydrogen peroxide (to induce vomiting when directed by a veterinarian or poison control)
• Ice pack
• Non-latex disposable gloves
• Petroleum jelly (to lubricate thermometer)
• Rectal thermometer (your pet's temperature should not rise above 103°F or fall below 100°F)
• Scissors (with blunt ends)
• Sterile non-stick gauze pads for bandages
• Sterile saline solution (sold at pharmacies)
• Tweezers
• A pillowcase to confine your cat for treatment
• A pet carrier

Additional useful items

• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl®) if approved by a veterinarian for allergic reactions. Vet must specify correct dosage for your pet’s size.
• Ear-cleaning solution
• Expired credit card or sample credit card (from direct mail credit card offers) to scrape away insect stingers
• Glucose paste or corn syrup (for diabetic dogs or those with low blood sugar)
• Nail clippers
• Over-the-counter antibiotic ointment
• Penlight or flashlight
• Plastic eyedropper or syringe
• Rubbing alcohol (isopropyl) to clean thermometer
• Splints and tongue depressors
• Styptic powder or pencil (sold at veterinary hospitals and pet supply stores and your local pharmacy)
• Temporary identification tag (to put your local contact information on your dog’s collar when you travel)
• Towels
• Needle-nosed pliers

In addition to the items listed above, include any items recommended by your veterinarian specifically for your pet. Check the supplies in your pet first aid kit occasionally. Replace any items that have expired.

Be Wise... Bewaggle!


About Bewaggle:

Bewaggle is a pet services company located in DeLand, Florida. We offer pet sitting, dog walking, puppy training, basic obedience training, and more. We are bonded and insured, with background checks and references. Be wise... Bewaggle!

Housebreaking 101

The easiest way to housebreak a puppy is to crate train him. Wild dogs and wolves live in dens. So a crate is not a depressing cage to a dog. A crate makes a dog feel safe and secure - this is my house and nothing is going to hurt me here.  This is how dogs naturally feel about crates. We need to keep it that way so you must never use the crate as a punishment. The first thing you have to do to crate train your dog is properly introduce him to the crate. Take your puppy to the crate with some tasty treats that he will love. Through some treats into the back of the crate. When your puppy goes in close him in. Puppies will whine at first - IGNORE the whining. If you give him any attention you will have taught him that whining gets him what he wants and it will be difficult to break him of it. Once your puppy is nice and quiet praise him. Tell him how happy you are that he is being quiet in his crate.


Got a new puppy? Having trouble with house training? Here is the best way to housebreak your puppy.

Dogs like to be clean and like to live in a clean space. They don't eliminate (pee or poop) in their den. Which is why crate training is essential to housebreaking. Puppies should spend most of their time in the crate. Anytime that they spend out of the crate they need to be closely monitored - this avoids accidents and damage.

Take your new puppy out every hour to eliminate. Puppies can't hold it for very long - approximately 1 hour per month of age. So a two month old puppy can only hold it for 2 hours (don't leave them in the crate for too long or they will eliminate in there). You should only spend about 2-5 minutes waiting on them to go. Give a command for eliminating, we use "go park" but you can use whatever command you like. If he eliminates give lots and lots of praise - "good park" and tell him what a good dog he is, rub him all over, and give him a treat. When you go back inside it's time to play with your puppy. Only empty dogs are allowed to have play time in the house. If your puppy didn't eliminate within 2-5 minutes he goes back in the crate. This will teach your dog that he has to go when you tell him to or he doesn't get to play inside or go for a longer walk.

If you notice your puppy starting to circle, looking for a place to eliminate in the house scoop him up and take him outside. If he starts to go inside - stop him (a shout should do it), scoop him up, and take him outside. When he eliminates outside praise him as usual. Your puppy will soon figure out that he only gets paid when he goes outside. If you follow these rules you should never have an accident in the house but if you do and you don't catch your puppy in the act don't punish him. He won't know what you are upset about. Just clean it up with a good pet odor remover. If you don't your puppy will still be able to smell it and think that it's okay to eliminate there again.

Never paper train your puppy - this sends the wrong message. You are letting your dog eliminate on something in the house don't be surprised when he then thinks it's okay to eliminate in the house when the paper is gone. If you start paper training it's going to be harder to actually housebreak your puppy. A dog is either housebroken or isn't. There is no 90% housebroken. He either gets it or he doesn't, and if he isn't housebroken he just needs more work.

Be Wise... Bewaggle!


About Bewaggle:

Bewaggle is a pet services company located in DeLand, Florida. We offer pet sitting, dog walking, puppy training, basic obedience training, and more. We are bonded and insured, with background checks and references. Be wise... Bewaggle!