Lisa Podwirny – Page 11

January 28, 2014January 28, 2014

Advice for Pet Sitters

cat in suitcase
Do you love animals? Need extra cash? Perhaps you might want to consider investing your spare time in pet sitting. There are responsibilities that come along with owning a pet. People need vacations and like to travel and boarding their beloved animal can be expensive. If you are thinking about pet sitting, here are some pointers to help get you started!

Research:

You should do your homework ahead of time. Don’t just keep at the basic “dog” or “cat” Google search. Dig a little deeper. The more you know about the type of breed you are sitting, the better you will be able to adapt to certain situations and maintain its happiness.

Ask Questions:

Find out what is expected of you so that there are no letdowns. Certain pets have certain needs. You never want to walk into a pet-sitting job completely blindsided. Common questions you could ask:

–   How much exercise is expected per day?
–   Should I follow a specific feeding schedule?
–   Are there any allergies I should know about?

Meet and Greet:

Arranging a mini meet and greet is important to assure that you are not afraid of the pet you are sitting. Go over any questions, introduce yourself to the pet, and make sure you and the owner are on the same page.

Communication is Key:

Before the owner takes off on any adventure, make sure you have a list of contact information in case of emergencies. You just never know what can happen and need to make sure you have all of your ground covered. Whether it be an emergency visit to the vet, unusual behavior, or a check in email here and there, make sure you have the information you need!

It’s important to have a good mindset before going into any caretaker responsibility. If a certain breed intimidates you, don’t be afraid to say no. Have fun with it and treat the pet as your own. Once you build a clientele, you could have a small business in the making!

Lisa Podwirny is the owner of Ketchum Mfg. Connect with her on Google+

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January 21, 2014January 21, 2014

Pets That You Can Fit in The Palm of Your Hand

Typically when you think of a pet, the first thoughts that race to the front of your mind are a dog or a cat. In America, those are the two most common pets to have. However, they are not the only pets you can own. Sometimes the most odd and smallest creatures can warm your heart in unexpected ways. Take a look at these palm-sized pets.

Mouse

The benefits of having a pet mouse can include minimal shedding and allergens. They are fairly independent and can entertain themselves for hours. However, like most pets, the happiest of pets receive some one on one attention with their owner. If you are thinking about acquiring a pet mouse, make sure you get over your fear of handling it. The can live for up to three years.

Turtle

Did you know that turtles and tortoises have been on the earth for over 200 million years? If you’re considering a pet turtle, it’s a fun little investment. They can be tricky to care for, but once you get the hang of it are a fun and memorizing pet to have. If well taken care of, a pet turtle can live to be 40 years old!

Hamster

Having a pet hamster is a great way to teach your kid some responsibility. They are super low maintenance and inexpensive. Hamsters are also relatively clean. They keep themselves busy by keeping their habitat organized. Something to keep in mind before getting a hamster, they love to exercise at night. If you are a light sleeper, you might want to reconsider adopting one of these adorable little creatures.

Chipmunk

A pet chipmunk? You can’t be serious. Oh, but I am… totally serious. Although not for everyone, having a chipmunk can be a rewarding experience. As I’m sure you can imagine, a chipmunk is very active. They need a large cage, a varied diet, and defined behavioral treatment. It takes years before they are completely adjusted to you. The cost of owning and maintaining a chipmunk can be expensive. For a proper set up, food, toys, vet visits, and initial cost your looking at anywhere between $500-$1000. If you have the patience and the space, it would be pretty cool to tell people about your pet chipmunk. I mean, dare to be different!

Lisa Podwirny is the owner of Ketchum Mfg. Connect with her on Google+

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January 15, 2014January 15, 2014

Teaching Your Cat To Behave

sleeping kitty

Cats. Those interesting creatures can be a hit or miss. It’s like you can strike gold and get a cuddly little snuggly creature, or you can strike out and end up with an anti-social, no fun, keeps to itself, super rough and tough cat. These ferocious felines are so unpredictable. One thing that’s great about owning a cat is the fact that they are so independent…that if it came down to it, they could totally take care of themselves. So if you’re single, crazy busy, and looking for a companion…investing in a cat might just be what you’re looking for. Intimidated by the unknown? I don’t blame you. However, with the right amount of attention and patience, a cat can totally be trained into the perfect little kitty.

Before training starts it is important to understand that Cats do not speak English. They speak feline. A foreign language that is nearly impossible to learn. They learn by experience. If the experience is good, they will repeat it. If the experience is bad, they will try to avoid it.   With that being said, the key to training a cat is simple (insert laughs here):

Whatever you want your cat to do must be exceedingly rewarding and pleasurable (lots of cat treats).

Whatever you don’t want your cat to do must never be fun or rewarding. It must be unpleasant.

Keep in mind: Reprimanding your cat will usually work against you.

Cats are not like dogs. If you see a wet spot on your kitchen floor, you can’t drag your cat to the spot, yell at it, and send it to the litter box. Doing this will associate “you reaching for them” as a bad experience, and the litter box is a torture chamber. Punishing them makes them stressed out. Stressed out cats will behave badly.

Your dog, wants to please you. They love you and their lives are surrounded by the only sole purpose of pleasing you. Cats, don’t care. It is important to remember this. The best way to “punish” your cat is to basically increase their playtime. Give them a reason to behave not a reason to misbehave. I know, it sounds twisted and complicated… but who said cats aren’t complicated? No one.

Use the Positive Reinforcement Training Method.

begging kitty

To speed up the process, use tasty treats and a clicker. I’m sure you would have guessed the tasty treats part to this process, but a clicker? If you don’t have a clicker on hand a pen will work just fine.

The instant your cat does something you like, click, and then offer them a treat. The click lets your cat know the instant he does the right thing… it will help him catch on faster. Like humans, cats learn through repetition. Like a human with attention deficit disorder, cats get bored easily.

Keep your trick time short, and switch up the drills when they start to catch on.

Some people crave the challenge of the Cat. It takes some work to make them love you, but when they do, they’ll love you like no one else will. I hope this post helps you bond with your feline friend.

Please feel free to leave other tips and tricks in the comment section of this blog.

Lisa Podwirny is the owner of Ketchum Mfg. Connect with her on Google+

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January 7, 2014May 13, 2019

The Best Types of Guard Dogs

So you want a guard dog? I mean, why not. Not only can they be trained to protect you, but they can also be transformed into loving adorable family members. Pretty much sounds like a win-win. Depending on what you’re looking for and your lifestyle, different breeds may be better than others. You can expect confidence, devotion, and alertness when it comes to guard dogs. Check out these breeds that are naturally born with that protective gene. Typically speaking, you want to aim for the herding and working groups.

Rottweiler

Rottweiler Dog

An intelligent and beautiful breed, the Rottweiler is known to be extremely loyal to their owner. With proper training and socialization, the Rottie would make a great family pet.

German Shepherd
Extremely quick learners; the German Shepard is a popular favorite in the police dog categories. They present a calm nature in a household setting, but are quick to react to unknown threats.

Bullmastiff

Bull Mastiff Dog

What this dog lacks in height, it gains in muscle. The Bullmastiff is a fearless and confident pup that thinks independently. This breed is not for everyone. They are possessive, territorial, and have a distinct sense for who does and does not belong on a property.

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

Big and strong, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is both affectionate and enthusiastic when it comes to pleasing their owners. They also have superb listening skills, which is essential when it comes to sensing anything out of the ordinary.

Doberman Pinscher

Doberman Pinscher dog

Known for their speed and stamina, the Doberman Pinscher would be a great dog to have to protect your land or property. Gentle, loyal, and loving, this pup can be also be a superior companion to add to any family.

Now, before you jump into any crazy decision… when adopting any pet you must make sure you have the time, money, and patience to give to your new friend. Great things happen over time. Proper training and attention is essential when deciding to own one of these great pets.

Lisa Podwirny is the owner of Ketchum Mfg. Connect with her on Google+

Ketchum Manufacturing provides dog id tags & pet id tags in case you misplace your pet.

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December 31, 2013

2014 New Years Resolutions For You And Your Pet

Leading into the New Year, you have to remember that goals aren’t just for people. The start of a new year can signal a fresh start for pets too. Everyone always wants to be more active and healthy, why not incorporate your pet in those goals too. Here are five good resolutions you and your pet can conquer together.

1. Be Active Together

From hiking to kayaking, taking your pets with you on your new exercise is actually easier than you may think. Not only is it a great way to bond, but also both owner and pet will acquire the benefits of a healthy physical activity.

2. Schedule a Doctor Visit

Similar to yourself, you want to visit a doctor at the start to a new year to make sure everything is normal, up to par, good to go. The same type of routine should go hand in hand for your pet. Yearly examinations by the vet are important. Not only can they can give you important insights about their weight, but a yearly visit also acts as a preventative screening to catch or address any diseases or illness early on.

3. More Playtime

It’s a known fact, cats can be lazy. If you incorporate more playtime into their daily routine, it essentially acts as means to get them off the couch! Experiment with different toys in order to understand what really gets them going. For example, try lasers and catnip for the ultimate experience. Do you have extra cardboard boxes from Christmas? Re-gift it to your feline friend, I’ve hear it can totally satisfy their desire for hiding out.

4. Groom more Regularly

This is such an important step to try and do more often. Not only does brushing your pet weekly remove the amount of fur you find around the house, but it also helps maintain a sharp looking healthy coat. Believe it or not, daily grooming also acts as a bonding experience between you and your pup. It shows them you want to take care of them while giving them a gentle massage with the brush bristles.

5. Challenge them with more tricks

You might be thinking about starting a new hobby doing something more creative for your own self. The same goes for your pup. Mental stimulation can help reduce dementia in older animals. Don’t just give them the treats—make them work for it! Teaching your pet new tricks is a great way to keep their brain active. Keep them engaged. Learning is a virtue.

Personally speaking, my new years resolution is simple. Be Happy. More posts to come next year. Cheers! Make this year the best one yet.

Lisa Podwirny is the owner of Ketchum Mfg. Connect with her on Google+

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