Bethany Burleson: Companion Animal Services

There are many leashes and harnesses available these days to choose which is best for the safety and comfort of both you and your dog. Here are my thoughts regarding retractable leashes for walking dogs (and cats and other animal companions). Please watch this brief video and share whether or not you prefer retractable leashes and if you have anything else to add.  Thanks for stopping by. Don't forget to subscribe to my new YouTube channel for lots of helpful tips and information. Plus, I share cute animal videos from time to time as well, so if you're an animal lover like I am, you'll love it! Go here --> Beth's Dog Walking Files and Cute Animal Videos <-- and click the red SUBSCRIBE button.  

Most people don't think much about how different jobs are affected during catastrophes such as the health crisis we continue to face worldwide at the moment. Almost all jobs have been affected in some fashion. Some are not working at all while others are overwhelmed with work. I made a quick video to let you know how I, personally, as a professional dog walker and animal caregiver, have been doing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please let me know what you think and offer your opinions! Thanks for stopping by and watching, and I hope you stay well!

If you're a dog walker or have animal companions of your own, it's inevitable that there will be days you must face bad weather. A little rain is an inconvenience for sure, but what about ice, torrential downpour, tornado warnings, and other weather threats that can pose significant danger? I have a separate post regarding extremely hot weather , but that doesn't cover things like storms, winter weather, and other concerns. Good communication with pet parents - do they work from home during bad weather? Many teachers have off and some people can telecommute at times. Do they have a neighbor who can assist if the weather is too bad that you cannot make it over? If you fear for your safety because driving conditions are too bad, make that clear to your clients. Also communicate if visits may be modified, such as visits cut short, on extreme days such as these. Dress appropriately. On hot days, obviously dress cool and wear protective gear if possible, such as wide-...

It's bound to happen when you are a dog walker or dog sitter. Every now and then you may get a client with an anxious dog. The dog might have been traumatized, perhaps has a health issue, or is just naturally have a  timid personality. There are certain things you can do to make sure your meet and greet as well as subsequent visits with the anxious dog goes as smoothly and incident-free as possible. Give the dog time. Some dogs take A LONG time to warm up to new people. Don't force interaction, even simply petting a nervous dog can spell disaster. When I meet any new dog, I always let the dog lead. I enter the home when prompted and typically let the dog sniff me. I am as gentle and quiet as possible, avoiding eye contact and crouching down to a lower stance (kneeling more or less, not bending or hovering) until I get a feel for the situation. Sometimes it helps for the first meeting to be at a neutral location. Some pups tend to be more anxious and possibly territo...

Although I have loved animals as far back as I can remember, I never wanted to be a vet. However, I never even considered or dreamed I'd have a job as a dog walker and providing other companion animal services. How I got here really seems like fate and I couldn't be happier or luckier! In fact, I really don't know why I never considered this when I was younger. I was working in sales for a large company and making decent money when they decided to close our office. To relocate I would have needed to apply, interview, and commute over an hour to a new location. I honestly hated the job and wasn't sure what my path was at that point. A week or two later, as luck would have it, I discovered I was pregnant. I tried to be creative and attempted a few MLM and direct sales companies, but I didn't really know how to market best and get my sales up to a point where I could contribute to my family's finances. Obviously I wanted to find a way to assist in paying th...

It's a delicate situation when a client has fleas. Sometimes the client doesn't know their dog has gotten fleas. Sometimes they know and just don't tell you. Regardless of whether the client is aware, there are some precautions you can take to not spread the fleas to other client's homes or to your own home. Fleas are itchy and uncomfortable for the dogs or other animals that are unfortunate to have them. Fleas are parasites and can spread very quickly. They can be difficult to get rid of because they constantly lay eggs and they are so small they can be hard to even see. Firstly, the client needs to be made aware of the situation (just in case they don't know) so they can get it taken care of. I had a client who didn't know he had fleas and was actually very embarrassed, but I assured him it was nothing to be ashamed of and I let him know the best ways to get the situation under control. It can take weeks to eliminate a flea problem. In the meantime, ...

If it's hot outside for us, especially with high humidity, you know it's going to be hot for dogs covered in fur! There are many dangers dogs can face in the hot weather, just like humans, such as dehydration and heatstroke. Here are a few common sense ways to keep dogs and other companion animals safe in the heat, and there are resources linked below with more information if you'd like to do further reading on this topic. As a dog walker or someone who has companion animals, it's crucial to know this information.  Before I begin, if you live near Columbia or Ellicott City and would like to book my companion animal services, please click here to visit my main page.   1. NEVER LEAVE ANIMALS IN PARKED CARS!  Even with the windows open, it can get extremely hot inside a car that's not moving or running air conditioning. Luckily, many places are making it illegal to leave animals in cars and some places are supporting movements where people can break the ca...

   With years of professional experience with excellent reviews and references from all my clients, I am available in Columbia, Elkridge, parts of Ellicott City, and nearby areas in Maryland. I have been an animal lover since a small child and cared for many different types of animals throughout my life.  I'm typically available Monday through Friday with limited Saturday and Sunday availability.  Dog walking and check-in visits  Cat check-ins and litter box cleaning Small animal care (chinchillas, rats, mice, rabbits, etc.) Fish and reptile care and other services on a case-by-case basis I am happy to water plants and do other small tasks as part of my fee (no additional charge). At this time, I do not offer boarding or overnight services.  LET'S GET IN TOUCH Contact me so we can discuss your needs as well as schedule a meet and greet to see if I am the right fit for you and your companion animal(s).  You can con...