The post Toronto Pet Parent’s Guide to Brockton Village appeared first on PetsGo Pet Care - Professional Pet Sitting and Private Dog Walkers in Toronto.
]]>Excuse our excitement! Brockton Village is one of our favourite Toronto neighbourhoods. It’s home to OMG Baked Goodness-a regular PetsGo staff hangout and a sweet place that makes puppaccinos for your furry friends. Hop off Lansdowne or Dufferin station and let’s explore this area, leash in hand!
McCormick Park
66 Sheridan Avenue
MacGregor Playground
346 Lansdowne Avenue
Brockton Stadium (surrounding area)
515 Brock Avenue
That Dog Next Door
1230 Bloor Street West
Earth Echoes
1192 Bloor Street West
*None within Brockton Village, these are the closest veterinary hospitals, just outside of the border
Bloorcourt Veterinary Clinic
1079 Bloor Street West
Dufferin Queen Animal Hospital
1179A Queen Street West
Dundas Dovercourt Veterinary Hospital
1338 Dundas Street West
Dundas West Animal Hospital
2160 Dundas Street West
Brockton Village doesn’t have any animal rescues per se, but we are confident that people in this area are fostering lots of furry friends. A great place to look for your new family member is local pet store That Dog Next Door. They have hosted adoption events in the past with rescue organization Save Our Scruff.
Another great resource we recommend is online pet search engine Petfinder ! A complete list of rescues is also available via BlogTO.
*None within Brockton Village, these are the closest dog trainers, just outside of the border
BFF Playcare
981 College Street
Wholesome Canine
2096 Dundas Street West
Dee’tails Dog Grooming
1264 Bloor Street West
That Dog Next Door
1230 Bloor Street West
BFF Playcare
981 College Street
*None within Brockton Village, BFF is the closest located east of Dufferin Street
Bebloor
1369 Bloor Street West
PetsGo is Toronto’s premier in-home pet care service. We help pet parents relax and enjoy their travels, knowing their pets are happy and their home is secure. Our online app makes it easy to book services from anywhere, and receive real-time updates with every visit!
I love helping Toronto pet parents find the best services and products for their pets. If you’re in a different neighbourhood, or if there’s any pet resource missing from this list, don’t be shy! Simply leave a comment below, or join our Facebook Group for Toronto Pet Parents. Our beloved members would be happy to help!
The post Toronto Pet Parent’s Guide to Brockton Village appeared first on PetsGo Pet Care - Professional Pet Sitting and Private Dog Walkers in Toronto.
]]>The post Ultimate Resource List for Senior Dogs (and Disabled Dogs) in Toronto appeared first on PetsGo Pet Care - Professional Pet Sitting and Private Dog Walkers in Toronto.
]]>Who can resist those soulful eyes, that gentle demeanour, and the soft grey muzzle? It’s no secret that we at PetsGo LOVE senior dogs. And they love us back—for good reason.
PetsGo is the only dog walking company in Toronto that uniquely provides private walks. We believe in quality over quantity–and for that reason, we don’t walk in groups. This is precisely why we are a perfect fit for older pups—we can walk as slowly, and stop as often, as they need.
Created with the invaluable help of Four Paws Rehab & Fitness, here is our curated list of resources for the senior dogs (and disabled dogs) of Toronto:
Note: Most of these products can be purchased from Four Paws Rehab at 931 Queen Street West. Otherwise, you can find them at handicappedpetscanada.com.
We hope you’ve found these resources helpful! If there’s anything we can help you with for your senior or disabled dog, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
The post Ultimate Resource List for Senior Dogs (and Disabled Dogs) in Toronto appeared first on PetsGo Pet Care - Professional Pet Sitting and Private Dog Walkers in Toronto.
]]>The post Toronto Pet Parent’s Guide to Bloordale Village appeared first on PetsGo Pet Care - Professional Pet Sitting and Private Dog Walkers in Toronto.
]]>Bloordale Village is a small neighbourhood that packs a real punch. It’s a multicultural mixture of restaurants, hip art galleries and bike shops. Animal lovers also love this part of Toronto-a place that well-loved independent pet stores call home. So sit back, grab your pet cuddle buddy and enjoy our pet parent’s guide to Bloordale Village!
Erwin Krickhahn Park
121 Rankin Crescent
*None within Bloordale Village. Erwin Krickhahn Park is located just west of the neighbourhood
That Dog Next Door
1230 Bloor Street West
Earth Echoes
1192 Bloor Street West
Bloorcourt Veterinary Clinic
1079 Bloor Street West
*None within Bloordale Village, this is the closest veterinary hospital, just east of the border
Bloordale Village isn’t home to any animal rescues that we know of, but Toronto residents love pets! We are sure there are people in the area who foster lots of adorable pets through various GTA animal rescues.
Check in with local pet store That Dog Next Door. They have done adoption events with rescue organization Save Our Scruff in the past.
At PetsGo, we also suggest using Petfinder ! BlogTO also has a complete list of rescues as well.
All Dogs Pet Services
709 Lansdowne Avenue
Dee’tails Dog Grooming
1264 Bloor Street West
That Dog Next Door
1230 Bloor Street West
BFF Playcare
981 College Street
*None within Bloordale Village, BFF is the closest located west of Dufferin Street
PetsGo is Toronto’s premier in-home pet care service. We help pet parents relax and enjoy their travels, knowing their pets are happy and their home is secure. Our online app makes it easy to book services from anywhere, and receive real-time updates with every visit!
I love helping Toronto pet parents find the best services and products for their pets. If you’re in a different neighbourhood, or if there’s any pet resource missing from this list, don’t be shy! Simply leave a comment below, or join our Facebook Group for Toronto Pet Parents. Our beloved members would be happy to help!
The post Toronto Pet Parent’s Guide to Bloordale Village appeared first on PetsGo Pet Care - Professional Pet Sitting and Private Dog Walkers in Toronto.
]]>The post The Misunderstood Muzzle appeared first on PetsGo Pet Care - Professional Pet Sitting and Private Dog Walkers in Toronto.
]]>Take a look at the photo above—what is your gut feeling about this dog? Is he a bad dog? Aggressive? A danger to society?
I can tell you with 100% certainty: NO!
This is one of our beloved four-legged clients, Kirin. He’s an eight-month old Shiba Inu, and he’s the farthest thing imaginable from a bad boy. Kirin loves walking, playing, wrestling with his sister, posing for photos, and learning tricks.
He also happens to be fearful of certain situations while we’re outside, and this fear manifests itself as leash reactivity.
I asked my friend Camille Salter, a professional dog trainer and owner of All Dogs:
“Leash reactivity is most often a fear-based response to a dog’s particular triggers while on leash. We believe it has to do with the loss of autonomy they experience (in terms of distance) while on leash between themselves and that which makes them fearful.
With no other recourse, the dog ‘reacts’ with barking, lunging, snarling, growling, etc.”
You might look at a muzzle and think it’s cruel or inhumane. In reality, muzzles are one of the most important training tools for a leash-reactive dog. It serves two main purposes:
– To reduce the risk of a bite incident in potentially-triggering situations
– To help develop a dog’s confidence through positive associations with the environment, rather than punishment or fear.
It’s important to note that a muzzle is NOT a punishment, and NOT the solution to Kirin’s reactivity. It’s a proactive measure used in conjunction with consistent training and behaviour modification.
There are many benefits to muzzle training a fearful dog, even if you don’t think there’s a bite risk. In an emergency, ANY dog has the capacity to bite, especially if they’re in severe pain. If they’ve previously been muzzle trained, you can perform first aid and transport them more safely.
If your dog is fearful and struggles with leash reactivity, it’s important that you teach your pup to love the muzzle first. You should never force the muzzle onto your dog—it should always be a positive experience for them. Otherwise you might be teaching them to fear you every time you approach them with the muzzle in your hands. That wouldn’t be very helpful!
The following video from Maureen Backman at the Muzzle Up! Project lays it out simply and effectively:
The Muzzle Up! Project is an organization that promotes safety and education on muzzles and reduce the stigma faced by dogs who have to wear them. They have a number of incredibly useful resources including several instructional videos, and some comparison guides, etc.
The post The Misunderstood Muzzle appeared first on PetsGo Pet Care - Professional Pet Sitting and Private Dog Walkers in Toronto.
]]>The post Toronto Pet Parent’s Guide to Seaton Village appeared first on PetsGo Pet Care - Professional Pet Sitting and Private Dog Walkers in Toronto.
]]>Seaton Village has a small town feel even though it’s located in the midst of city hustle and bustle. For dogs and humans alike, Vermont Square Park acts as the community gathering hub-the perfect place to spend a free afternoon. Enjoy our pet parent’s guide to Seaton Village!
Vermont Square Park
819 Palmerston Avenue
Euclid Avenue Parkette
711 Euclid Avenue
Bark and Meow Pet Supplies
712 Bloor Street West
Bathurst-Dupont Animal Hospital
1012 Bathurst Street
There are no known animal rescues in the Seaton Village area-but we are sure there are people in the community who are fostering. PetsGo suggests searching on Petfinder for your perfect new family member! BlogTO also compiled a list of rescues you can look into.
Camille Salter – All Dogs Toronto
Rover Achiever
882 Manning Avenue
Bark and Meow Pet Supplies
712 Bloor Street West
PetsGo is Toronto’s premier in-home pet care service. We help pet parents relax and enjoy their travels, knowing their pets are happy and their home is secure. Our online app makes it easy to book services from anywhere, and receive real-time updates with every visit!
I love helping Toronto pet parents find the best services and products for their pets. If you’re in a different neighbourhood, or if there’s any pet resource missing from this list, don’t be shy! Simply leave a comment below, or join our Facebook Group for Toronto Pet Parents. They would be happy to help!
The post Toronto Pet Parent’s Guide to Seaton Village appeared first on PetsGo Pet Care - Professional Pet Sitting and Private Dog Walkers in Toronto.
]]>The post Toronto Pet Parent’s Guide to Trinity-Bellwoods appeared first on PetsGo Pet Care - Professional Pet Sitting and Private Dog Walkers in Toronto.
]]>Trinity-Bellwoods: home to the famous dog bowl and its park, the exclusive place to find Toronto’s famous white squirrels. If you are a dog owner in this area, you know this is a hot spot for four-legged friends.
Trinity Bellwoods Park / Dog Bowl
90 Queen Street West
Fred Hamilton Playground
155 Roxton Rd
Roxton Road Parkette
45 Roxton Road
Osler Playground
123 Argyle Street
The Dog Bowl
984 Dundas St West
Helmutt’s Pet Supply
865 Queen Street West
Pet Uno
675 College Street
Unleashed In The City
211 Ossington Ave
Queen West Animal Hospital
931 Queen Street West
Dundas Euclid Animal Hospital
840 Dundas St West
Trinity-Bellwoods isn’t home base to any animal rescues, but it’s a safe bet that there are lots of people fostering all kinds of pets across Toronto. PetsGo recommends using Petfinder, an online search platform, to help you find your newest family member. BlogTO also has an extensive list of Toronto rescues you can explore.
Camille Salter – All Dogs Toronto
When Hounds Fly
1108 Dundas Street West
Timmie Doggie Outfitters
867 Queen Street West
Animal Haus at Queen West Animal Hospital
931 Queen Street West
Unleashed in the City
211 Ossington Ave
PetsGo is Toronto’s premier in-home pet care service. We help pet parents relax and enjoy their travels, knowing their pets are happy and their home is secure. Our online app makes it easy to book services from anywhere, and receive real-time updates with every visit!
I love helping Toronto pet parents find the best services and products for their pets. If you’re in a different neighbourhood, or if there’s any pet resource missing from this list, don’t be shy! Simply leave a comment below, or email me at [email protected] to let me know.
The post Toronto Pet Parent’s Guide to Trinity-Bellwoods appeared first on PetsGo Pet Care - Professional Pet Sitting and Private Dog Walkers in Toronto.
]]>The post 7 Pet-Themed Valentines to Send to your Bae appeared first on PetsGo Pet Care - Professional Pet Sitting and Private Dog Walkers in Toronto.
]]>You’re my favourite treat dispenser.
I can’t keep my paws off of you.
We here at PetsGo always love a good laugh from a cheesy joke, especially pet themed ones!
As a countdown to Valentine’s Day, we decided to bring back the 90’s in these original online cards made just for you. Share them, tag a loved one, and let this throwback get you in the furry mood for love.
The post 7 Pet-Themed Valentines to Send to your Bae appeared first on PetsGo Pet Care - Professional Pet Sitting and Private Dog Walkers in Toronto.
]]>The post Does Your Dog Walker Have a Back-Up Plan? appeared first on PetsGo Pet Care - Professional Pet Sitting and Private Dog Walkers in Toronto.
]]>It’s three minutes to 9 PM on a Friday. The PetsGo office is already closed for the weekend, and I’m spending some time with my husband, looking forward to some quiet days ahead. Then, my phone buzzes with a text from PetsGo employee Shane: “Hey Sarah, everything’s ok but I was hit by a car door on the bike today and thrown onto the street and I think I’ve broken my finger, just in the ER,” it starts.
If you got that text from your dog walker, what would you do? Let’s say your walker is a sole proprietor. This means no staff, which means no back-up walker. You work long hours and you know your dog can’t handle being alone all day. You’d be tasked with either finding a last-minute replacement to let your pup out that week, or you might even need to take time off from work.
Now, imagine you got that text from your sole-proprietor pet sitter while you’re in line to board a cruise ship. That’s exactly what happened to Sandra, a family friend of mine (note: her name has been changed for this article). The person in charge of looking after her two dogs called and told her they were in a car accident and wouldn’t be able to pet sit anymore. Since there was no back-up plan, Sandra was forced to cancel her trip and book the next flight home.
As soon as I made sure Shane was ok, I wasted no time in deploying our back-up plan. I asked him to keep me updated on his condition, and I cleared his schedule for the following week. Because the PetsGo team works together, we’re all familiar with the routines of all PetsGo clients. And if there’s any question, all the details are within each client’s account on our Time to Pet system. Our other staff members were able to pick up Shane’s visits, and nothing needed to be cancelled during the couple of weeks that he was recovering. It was really as simple as that.
Thankfully, Shane’s injuries weren’t severe, and he was back at work pretty quickly. But this accident was a reminder of the importance of having back-up plans in place before you need them. I pride myself in running a tight ship here at PetsGo, and for that reason, our clients know we have their back if anything unexpected occurs.
The post Does Your Dog Walker Have a Back-Up Plan? appeared first on PetsGo Pet Care - Professional Pet Sitting and Private Dog Walkers in Toronto.
]]>The post Poisonous Foods for Dogs appeared first on PetsGo Pet Care - Professional Pet Sitting and Private Dog Walkers in Toronto.
]]>They’re just so cute, how can you resist?
Maybe it’s those sad looking eyes, the sound of a whimper, or a carefully placed paw right on your arm.
Dogs and cats can beg for human food, looking at it as some of the best stuff out there. Although on the surface it may seem harmless, it’s important to know what foods can be potentially dangerous for your furry friend.
We’ll look at some of the top foods to keep safely away from Fido or Whiskers according to the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA).
Keep chocolate locked up and away from sight.
The CMVA states that one ounce of milk chocolate per pound of body weight is enough to cause a potentially lethal dose of this sweet treat.
Theobromine, caffeine and methylxanthines within chocolate are toxic to animals.
“A good rule of thumb is that the darker the chocolate the more toxic it is,” CVMA explains.
Don’t forget that candy or chewing gum in your jacket pocket. They may seem small but the ingredients within them can be very dangerous to dogs.
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol found in a variety of sweets and baked goods.
The CVMA says exposure leads to a low blood sugar crisis, liver damage or even liver failure and potential death.
Make sure to do a clean sweep of your house (including emptying those jacket pockets) to make sure Rover never has the chance to stumble upon xylitol in your food.
What lives in uncooked food? Bacteria!
The kitchen can be a chaotic place but it’s important to keep things sanitary, for Fido’s sake! Make sure any surface that has touched uncooked meat and seafood is carefully cleaned: think countertops, cutting boards and knives. Wash your hands thoroughly before giving Rover a good scratch under the chin.
Another potential danger with meat? Bones.
“Raw and cooked bones can splinter and lead to damage, obstruction or even rupture of the digestive tract. Chicken bones are particularly problematic, as they tend to break into sharp shards,” CMVA says.
The CMVA also suggests frequently checking for recalls of treats like jerky, pig ears, calf hooves and rawhide.
Find a complete list of current food recalls here.
For peace of mind, the CMVA suggests baby proofing the home. Have locks on the cupboards and keep poisonous foods out of reach.
If you’d like to learn more, read the 10 Foods You Have At Home That Are Toxic To Pets.
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]]>The post Dental Health Tips for Dogs and Cats appeared first on PetsGo Pet Care - Professional Pet Sitting and Private Dog Walkers in Toronto.
]]>Show me those pearly whites.
Pets, like people, need to have their teeth and gums cleaned and checked regularly to ensure good oral health.
It’s important to take the time to examine your dog or cat’s mouth on a consistent basis. That way, you’re ensuring a happy and healthy pet!
According to the Canadian Medical Veterinary Association (CMVA), here is what you should look for when it comes to your four-legged friend.
• odour-free
• healthy, white, evenly spaced teeth
• pink, glistening gums that are tightly adherent to the teeth
• bad breath
• trouble chewing
• increased saliva (drooling)
• swelling or redness of gums
• abnormal tooth colour
• missing or broken teeth
• lumps or swellings around the teeth
• inflamed or sore lips, oral cavity, tongue, palate or tonsils
• diseases of the eye may be related to disease of the upper molar teeth
Inflamed, red gums and a buildup of yellow tartar to the teeth might be a sign of early periodontal disease.
Regular visits to the veterinarian’s office for dental cleanings are highly recommended. For an extensive examination and cleaning, know that your pet will need to be put under anesthesia.
So what should you be using to keep your pet’s dental health in check?
The Veterinary Oral Health Council has pre-approved products when it comes to plaque and tartar control. View their extensive list here.
Remember, regular brushing, a proper diet, and chewing exercises through toys can all help towards a healthy mouth.
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