At Home Obedience
Your House, Your Dog, My Expertise!
Welcome!
If you're like us, your pets are family members.
When you can't be home for them, whether because of work, vacation or other obligations, you want them taken care of with the same love and attention you give them.
That's exactly what we do at At Home Obedience.
At Home Obedience offers a multitude of services for a variety of pets. We can also handle various home services which, by making it appear that your house is occupied, can be a crime deterrent.
Choose the schedule and a la carte services you want, and we'll do the rest.
Pet Services include:
- Feeding
- Walks: 30- or 60-minute
- Brushing
- Belly Rubs and Play Session
- Administration of medicine
- Litter box cleaning
- Transportation to vet or groomer
- Overnight and extended stays
- Poop pick up
Not just for dogs! We can service cats, parrots, small mammals and fish!
Home services include:
- Watering plants
- Bringing in newspapers/mail
- Turning on/alternating lights
- Opening/closing blinds
- Carrying trash in/out
Choosing the Right Pet for your Family:
Selecting a dog to add to your family is an important decision. Unfortunately, too often we make the decision with our hearts and not with our minds.
We want to pick the extra shy puppy, the rescue dog who may be put down, or the cute little puppy that soon grows to be 100 pounds.
We don't think about our work schedules, children's schedules, our own physical activity level, the size of our yard and a number of other factors.
Before you move forward to add a dog to your family ask these questions: Does anyone in the family have pet-related allergies? Does every member of the household agree with the decision?
At Home Obedience offers Pre-Dog Counseling. Get the right forever friend with the help of a professional.
Be prepared with answers to the following questions:
What is the right breed to incorporate into my family lifestyle?
Strong, active dogs may be too much for families with small children and the elderly. Small, delicate puppies may be too fragile for play with small children. Sometimes we select a breed because "our family has always has Labrador Retrievers." Look at your current lifestyle requirements.
How much time does your family have to care for a dog? If you work long hours, how will you exercise your puppy and provide appropriate opportunities to potty?
Do you live in a rental?
Always check with your landlord to see if pets are allowed, or if there are any breed or size restrictions. Choose small to mid-size less active breeds. Even these dogs need to be walked several times a day. Avoid common 'barking' breeds.
Do you have a fenced yard?
You can compensate for a small or unfenced yard by committing to long walks or playing in public parks or dog parks regularly. No dog should be left alone in a yard for hours at a time unsupervised. This is never a replacement for exercise.
Do you have children or grandchildren that visit often?
Mid-sized and large, non-aggressive breeds work best for families with children. Some breeds are simply less tolerant of fast moving children. Others want to 'herd' children at play by barking while nipping at heels and pant legs.
Do you already have a pet?
In general, dogs are happier in pairs. That being said, there are 'best' times in the life cycle of a dog to add another. Puppies (under 2 years old) are often very accepting of another dog. Older pets (over 7 years old) can be accommodating to the addition of a puppy - as long as boundaries are respected.
Existing pets in the home must be considered. Some breeds have escalated prey drives.
Who will be the primary caretaker of the dog?
Younger children can learn responsibility with age appropriate pet-related chores. Are your children going away to college in just a few years? Is this the pet what you want as an empty nesters?
Can you afford the obligation of responsible pet ownership?
The cost of food, toys, beds, chews, treats, collars, leashes, and crates is just the start of the costs associated with responsible pet ownership.
In addition you must plan for the cost of veterinary care, training, grooming, boarding, day care.
This can make that 'free puppy' become a significant family financial decision.
Consider breed grooming requirements.
Long-coated dogs require daily brushing. Short hair dogs require less brushing, but shed often year-round. Some breeds - such as poodles - do not shed but require professional grooming to maintain their coats.
Consider the innate behaviors of the breeds under consideration.
Do you want a watchdog? A playmate for children? A cuddly couch potato? A companion for jogging and hiking?
Understand that owning a dog is a long-term commitment.
Just like children, you are ultimately responsible for your dog for the rest of its life. This can average 12-15 years for most dogs.
Finally, are you personally committed to making this dog a Good Citizen?
A well-trained dog is a welcomed nearly everywhere - public parks, dog parks, sidewalks, sporting events and other people's homes - just to name a few. People who train their dogs keep their pets longer and report a higher level of satisfaction with pet ownership.
Contact us today to schedule services or for more information.
Ask about our special offers!