First, I'd like to say that Finn is doing much much better now. She's eating normally and she has gone on a couple of 20 minute walks and seems to be more peppy. Thank goodness! We are unsure about how to proceed with finding a new vet. But we are mulling it over, and of course, we shall let you know. Thank you for all of your kind words!
Now, our regularly scheduled post for today was this:
We've hired a dog walker!...kind of. She has come twice. The first time, we asked her to give Finn a walk at about 2 in the afternoon. When we got home that night, we thought Finn was ramped up a tad bit more than normal. She had chewed her way into a cardboard box, behavior we hadn't seen in her for months and months.
The second time, we asked her to give Finn dinner and let her out, since we were at an evening family event on a weekend. When we got home, we thought she would be asleep, but she wasn't. I felt like she was waiting at the door for us.
I am sure this has nothing to do with the dog walker herself. She came to us highly recommended, and Finn just adored her when we met with her before we hired her.
Do you use a dog walker? How often do you use him or her? Any behavioral side effects? I feel like the more we use her, the more used to her/the situation/the midday walk she will be. Any suggestions?
I sorry to hear Finn wasn't feeling well, but that she is doing better now!
ReplyDeleteI'm the dog walker here so I'm sorry I don't have anything advice but I do know that Leroy seems to always more energy after a walk then before, he seems more fired up and I have no idea why!
Mommy is still trying to find the perfect harness for us. We seem to be escape artists. Needless to say we don't have a hired dog-walker. What was in the box that Finn chewed thru! Bet it was yummy whatever it was!!!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear Finn is on the mend!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes Molly
We have a dog walker twice a week on our late work days. Pip doesn't walk much anymore so basically the person just takes him out in the back yard and plays with him for a little while. I think he seems more relaxed on the day she comes - cause he doesn't like to be alone so having her stop by for a visit really helps.
ReplyDeletePoor Finn and poor you. Just been catching up on your recent blog posts. That sounds awful with the vets. Hope you can find a better service somewhere else.
ReplyDeleteI've never had a dog walker since I was here. I would guess it might just be excitement of seeing someone new and having a break in routine. The LOTH always says I'm a creature of habit and if my routine gets changed a bit I can be a bit excitable (well.... as excitable as a couch potato greyhound ever gets).
Love and licks and good luck with everything, Winnie
I am glad to read that Finn is feeling better.... What a relief!! I hope you find your new vet soon!! ;-D
ReplyDeleteHmmm.... I used to walk our former neighbors' dogs. That was an interesting job!! I was paid well to care for three miniature Dachshunds. Ivy, Allegra and Luna were their names. But, beforehand, I walked our neighbors' two mutts.... I was responsible. That is what you need to look for in a dog walker. Responsibility. Good luck!! ;op
Maybe she was just exited and trying to tell you about her day? At least she sounds much better of late - phew! I am jealous though, I'd love a good box to chew through! x
ReplyDeleteI dont have a dog walker but maybe Finn was just happy to have some company. Glad that Finn is feeling better and yah, that is bad about your vet, Ours is very accomadating and gets you in asap. Hope you find a good one.
ReplyDeletewags
Jazzi
So good to hear that Finn is doing better. We hope you can find a good vet. Maybe you could ask some of your neighbors for a recommendation.
ReplyDeleteMom is our dog walker, she doesn't trust anyone else to keep us safe. But we sure would love to get more walks. Maybe Finn just needs to spend more time with the girl.
Have a great week.
Woos - Phantom, Thunder, Ciara, and Lightning
Gosh I don't know about that one.... I would guess that any change in routine could be upsetting though. Glad she feels better!
ReplyDeleteOh Finn, I have been out of the loop! Sorry you werent feeling so good! Hope it is all under control now thought!
ReplyDeletehey Finn,
ReplyDeleteSo furry happy to read you are doing better. Eating will give you strength and walkies are great exercise, so keep up the good work! My paws are crossed for you that you continue to heal and stay healthy!
For Finn's Mom: I have never had a dog walker so I am sorry I have no advice. Perhaps, as Kirsten wrote, just the change in the routine has caused Finn to be more excited. Hopefully as she becomes more familiar with the dog walker and the routine then she will settle down. Good luck!
Suka and K
Hey Finn!
ReplyDeleteWow, I was away for a few days and didn't know you had the sickies! I'm so sorry, but I'm glad to hear you are feeling better now. I bet that new walkie peep just has your schedule and system a little out-of-order and you are a little keyed up about it. A few more visits and I bet it will all calm down. More walkies is always a great thing!
Grr and Woof,
Sarge, COP
Glad to hear Finn is feeling better. We don't use a dog walker, but I wonder if it is just the change in routine that has Finn off-kilter?
ReplyDeleteI've never used a dog walker because Whisky doesn't go for walks often. And since I am home most of the time, we just spend time playing at the garden area.
ReplyDeleteIn our area the dog walkers are more expensive than daycare so we had used a wonderful daycare on a horse farm. Sadly our daycare provider stopped her services due to health issues so we are on the hunt again using family and friends as stop gaps until we can find another option.
ReplyDeleteSorry to read about your vet issues. It is so important to find the right vet. My parents had a horrible experience with one of the local vets and changed to the "new" vet in town many years ago. She is amazing and all these years later Bailey and Katy are fortunate to have her services.
We've never used a dog walker, but will be interested to hear how it all turns out.
ReplyDeleteWe are glad Finn is feeling better!
Sam
I am thrilled that you are better.... and that you are getting a NEW VET !
ReplyDeleteDon't use a dog walker... butt you might try asking at churches ... to see if there is a Teen who would need some summer work. OR maybe even a recent retiree.
We are so, so glad to hear you are feeling better Finn!
ReplyDeleteI've never used a dog walker for our gang, but have found that canyon (for example) is much more energetic when he gets more exercise, compared to days when we just chill out. As a result, I've started trying to teach him that just because we play a half hour of fetch, doesn't mean he should go all crazy so we play another half hour right away. To be honest, this little lesson is going slow lol!
Brooke, Cessna, Aspen, Canyon & Rogue
We have used them once in a while but never consistently
ReplyDeleteStop on by for a visit
Kari
http://www.dogisgodinreverse.com
Glad she's feeling better! I'm the dog walker, so no advice for you there
ReplyDeleteNola's Mom
I'm so glad Finn is feeling better. We've never used a dog walker. We have gotten family or friends to do it and even then we do see some anxiety behavior. Bassets don't like change! Maybe Finn is just being finicky about change, too. :)
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that Finn is on the mend. We have never used a dog walker, but have had dog sitters at our home.
ReplyDeleteThe dogs seem to do fine...I think it is harder on us...we worry a lot!
Wyatt's mom
Sorry for Finn, but we're so glad that she feels better now. our thoughts are still with him..
ReplyDeleteDog Fence
Pet Solutions.com
Glad to hear Finn is feeling better! The walker sounds kind of fishy, though. Sounds like she's either not showing up as planned, or she's in and out in a flash. Poor Finn. We don't use a walker, but there are so many out there, there has to be someone you can trust!
ReplyDeleteKisses to Finn on continuing to feel better!
I was sorry to read that Finn has been sick. The dog bowl issue I can relate to. Lee's first Scot got really sick once and he refused to eat out of his bowl ~ even when he was over his illness and on regular fool that bowl was just taboo. Well guess what she kept the bowl and I inherited it, works fine for me.
ReplyDeleteLee works from home 80% of the time. Home office New York. When Lee is not here I just have to suck it up and be by myself.
Sweet William The Scot
We don't have a dog walker, but can say that anyone who comes by the house unexpectedly is sure to BUG US OUT. Might just take a while for that to calm down. I would say that good references buy you at least a few more chances.
ReplyDeleteKitty+Coco
Hi Finn and Mom, saw your blog at Madi's!
ReplyDeleteOur son is a dog walker and he has a following of pets that he's walked for 8 years. In fact, when we visited him in Chicago, I wanted to meet his "clients". It is the highlight of their day to see him and go for walkies! Perhaps it is this new activity that has Finn all worked up. She's a young dog, they have a whole higher energy level! Also, make sure the walker isn't leaving treats that you don't know about. Our Raider, the golden, had a sensitive stomach that would set him off. Dog walkers certainly help make the day less long!
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteHmm... that's pretty interesting as an observation. I bet it's just random excitement about a new routine and calmness will return soon. I wanted to hire a dog walker for Desmond a few months ago, but for one I am super nervous about someone being in my house/having access to my house and for two, I don't know of any dog walkers who have reactive dog experience.
ReplyDeleteSince I came to live with mom and dad, I've had a dog walker every day mom and dad have to go to work. On weekdays, they leave at 8 and aren't home until 5:30, so I need someone to come walk me mid-day because that's a really long time to be alone. Mom's advice is to make sure you use an established (and preferably bonded) dog-walking service that has substitutes available for when your normal walker can't make it. Unfortunately some dog walkers don't come and/or don't spend as much time with the dog as they are supposed to, and there's no way of knowing unless you have a security system that tells you when they come and go. But just because Finn is extra excited the day the walker comes doesn't mean the walker isn't doing their job -- it may just be the change in routine and having a new exciting person come to the house when mom and dad aren't home. Of course, I chew through boxes on a regular basis (whenever I can get to one when mom and dad aren't home -- they usually put them all away where I can't find them), so my mom's advice is to try to make things like that inaccessible (party pooper that she is). Good luck!
ReplyDeleteyour pal,
Garth
:-) I do know of a dog walker in the village. Not sure if she does long haul though :-) Good luck with your dog walker... good to hear your slightly better Finn x
ReplyDelete:-) X X X
It's important that you let your walker know exactly where you do and don't find acceptable for your dog to go. If there is a dog park or run nearby, let your walker know whether or not you're happy with them taking your dog there during the day.
ReplyDeletewicker park dog walker