A Proper Dog Walk.

Just what is the proper method and time as well as frequency to walk your dog?  There is a right way to walk your dog.  Your pooch should either walk beside you or behind you, never in front of you. You should walk your dog, not the other way around.  It means a great deal in your dog's world.  When you let a dog walk in front of you, you're communicating that he's the one who is in charge of the walk.

How long a walk does your dog need, anyway?  Twenty minutes is a good amount of time to aim for most dogs—even seniors, if they’re in good health.  If your dog is very active, he may need longer, more vigorous walks, maybe even two or more times a day.  Or try slow, short jogs to get your active senior moving.

Proper dog walking is an art.  It is one that has been mastered by the pet care professionals at Critter Sitters.  Twelve months a year a Critter Sitters loving pro is excited to walk your dog…puppy or senior or in between.  Call Sandy at Critter Sitters serving the Southern Fox Valley of Western Chicagoland for an in-home visit at (630) 844-9554.

Could your Dog get Sicker in the Winter?

But the reality is, just like us humans, your canine buddy is susceptible to a range of illnesses brought on by exposure to Chicagoland’s Winter weather. Among these are hypothermia, frostbite, a cold, and kennel cough.  The obvious answer is to make your sure that your four-legged kid is not exposed to the harsh elements any more than they need to be.

What are the symptoms of a canine cold?

1.  Coughing, but know the difference between a cold and kennel cough.

2.  A runny nose…not just a normal wet nose.

3.  Sneezing.

4.  Watery eyes.

At Critter Sitters we understand that the health of your dog is nearly the same as to the health of your two-legged children.  We take extra care when we walk your canine in winter.  Far western suburban Chicagoland can get bitter cold this time of year and we are always aware of that.  Please call me, Sandy Hafenbrack at Critter Sitters serving Aurora, Sugar Grove, Elburn and the surrounding area at (630) 844-9554.

Walking your Dog in the Winter.

So, how cold is TOO cold for your four-legged children?  Here is a general rule of thumb for winter in Chicagoland.  If your dog(s) are medium to large they should be able to handle a 30-minute walk if the temperature is above 20 degrees.  Smaller breeds should be limited to about 15 minutes…and nobody should be out there walking if it dips below zero!

There really is no pat answer.  Observe your canine (as we will).  See how they are handling it.  One thing we recommend, especially around here, is always factor in the wind chill.  That has as much to do with comfort as the surface temperature.  Also, consider snow cover.  And naturally, we recommend a sweater especially for short-hairs.

There is no dog-walking manual for winter weather.  What we bring to the table is experience and care.  We are Critter Sitters of Aurora, Sugar Grove, Elburn, and throughout the Southern Fox Valley.  Our loving staff of pet sitters always considers health and safety first and foremost.  Just give us a call for a free in-home visit at (630) 844-9554. 

It’s More than Just Pet Sitting.

How many homes do you think will be burglarized in America this year…try one in every 35 or so!  When you consider those numbers, it could send chills up your spine.  When you hire a full-service pet sitter to take care of your four-legged kids you should also think about the peace of mind you could derive when someone is checking-up on your castle as well.

Here in Western Suburban Chicagoland and the Southern Fox Valley we are all vulnerable.  This is not to mention the fact that when the master leaves the house that next 10 hours can be very lonely and stressful for the best friend(s) that you leave behind.  Consider safety and the comfort of your pets.

When you hire Critter Sitters you get much more than a pet sitter.  They routinely pick up newspapers and packages that may arrive during the day.  Your home will have a lived-in look if anyone is outside “casing the joint”.  In Sugar Grove and the surrounding area dozens of pet and home owners count on Critter Sitters.  Call Sandy today at (630) 844-9554.

Walk the Dog.

No, not a yo-yo trick, but rather a strategy for your four-legged best friend.  How often your dog needs to be walked mostly depends on what breed you have and its health condition and capability.  There are many factors that determine the number of times you should walk your dog every day.  There are some breeds for whom once a day walks are enough, but some others, especially high-energy ones, require more walks each day.

Walking is very important because it becomes a physical daily routine…just like us humans.  It keeps his bones stronger and keeps him from getting bored and chewing things or exhibiting other destructive behaviors (that might be true of humans as well!).  Plus, it is productive that they socialize with other people and dogs.

You know how important it is to make sure that your dog(s) has/have plenty of exercise.  Now, whom do you trust?  If you live in the Southern Fox Valley around Aurora, Sugar Grove, etc. you can count on the crew at Critter Sitters.  Meet them all by visiting www.alltopcrittersitters.com.  Then give Sandy a call for a visit at (630) 844-9554.

Pet Poisoning.

It is a frightening fact, over 100,000 pets are accidentally poisoned in this country every year.  If and when it happens to your four-legged or feathered friend it is imperative that you do not panic and act quickly.  It starts with safety first by removing all of the potentially harmful products, plants, and foods from their wandering mouths.

Here are some helpful tips to remember –

1.  What did your pet digest and when?
2.  How much did they intake?
3.  Know the pet’s current weight.
4.  What is your pet’s medical history?

These are all important steps to insuring that your pet survives this scary incident.  When you cannot be around all day you want the peace of mind that comes with having the area’s best pet sitting service look in on your pet and your home.  In Aurora, Sugar Grove, Elburn and surrounding Chicagoland that answer is always Critter Sitters.  Call Sandy today at (630) 844-9554 for a visit to your home

She Talks to the Animals.

And the Queen of cats and dogs in the Western Suburbs of Chicagoland is…envelope please…Sandy Hafenbrack.  If you don’t already know the owner of Critter Sitters, located in Sugar Grove, and her amazing team of pet sitters, then GET to know them.  They are your pet’s second-best friends!

About three decades ago she started with one basic premise.  When you have to be away from your residence, your dogs, cats, rabbits, fish, rodents, birds, and reptiles would be better off if they were able to stay at home than being “shipped off” somewhere.  Why would anyone think otherwise?

Here is the bottom line, you never again should have to worry about asking family, friends or neighbors to care for your pets while you are away.  Sandy and her crew are caring, compassionate, thorough, knowledgeable, and reliable.  What else could you ever ask for?  Call Critter Sitters for a free in-home visit in the Sugar Grove, Elburn, and Aurora area.  That phone number is (630) 844-9554.  

Count on Jill for whatever your pet needs!

Jill loves all creatures great and small.  Whether it’s gerbils, hamsters, fish, birds, cats, dogs, even pot-bellied pigs…Jill loves them all like her own.

Jill, along with her husband and children have lived in Sugar Grove for years and has cared for four-legged loved ones for decades.  No one cares for your furry friends the way you do…or do they?  You may be pleasantly surprised when you hire Jill to pet-sit.  You may ask her to move in…check with her family first!

Jill is just one part of an amazing team of caring, loving, detail-oriented, pet-sitting professionals who work for Critter Sitters in the Sugar Grove, Elburn, Aurora Illinois area.  Call Sandy who is the president and visit www.alltopcrittersitters.com to see the team.  That phone number is (630) 844-9554.  You can call with confidence!

Call on Beth for Your Pet Sitting Needs!

Beth is here to cater to your four-legged kids!  Beth is one of the major reasons why hundreds of people living in the far western suburbs of Chicagoland choose Critter Sitters to care for their creatures great and small.

For the last year and a half Beth has devoted her time to making sure that YOUR 4-legged children get the best care possible.  Sandy (the owner) did not just choose her on a whim.  Beth was carefully vetted.  It started with the fact that Beth had been caring for animals for 40 years!!

She knows that your dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, fish, and little furry friends are a part of the family.  When you can, or must travel, or are absent during the day they need the same care that you would provide them.  That’s where Beth and the team from Critter Sitters comes in.  If you live in Southern Kane County please call (630) 844-9554.

You’re Going to be Gone for HOW Long?

Most of the year if you leave home it is for a day or perhaps a weekend.  In the summer, you may be absent from your castle for weeks.  Vacation should not be stressful worrying what’s going on back at home!  Small animals which can be left safely for a day or two are in danger if left alone for weeks.

Your gerbil, rabbit, guinea pig, macaw, even your expensive fish need care if you are going to be gone for a couple of weeks.  And what about your home itself?  Shouldn’t someone be looking in on the household periodically to insure safety and security?  You know the answer to that…of course they should!

If you live anywhere around southern Kane County in Chicagoland you can trust one of the best pet and house sitters in the land.  Sandy, or someone on her trusted team will look in on your home and your little critters while you relax worry-free hundreds of miles away.  Call Sandy today to arrange an initial visit at (630) 844-9554.

Walk the Dog.

Wait, wasn’t that an old yo-yo trick?  No tricks here, just common sense.  Your dog should be walked on an almost daily basis, and intellectually you know that.  The benefits of a canine walk not only benefits their physical well-being, but also staves off boredom which can lead to bad behavior such as chewing.  So…walk off that excess energy!

How often should a dog be walked?  Well, it depends on the breed somewhat.  As a general rule it would be nice if your dog could take a brisk walk twice a day for 15 minutes at a time.  You say, hey I have to work all day and come home to a household that needs looking after.  What do I do about my four-legged child’s welfare?

Voila…enter Critter Sitters!  We walk dogs and provide many other pet care services.  Find out what a difference that extra walk per day could mean for your best friend.  Please contact me…Sandy Hafenbrack to get all of the details.  We invite you to visit our website at www.alltopcrittersitters.com for more details.  That phone number is (630) 844-9554.