Busy people who love and enjoy their pets, yet may not always have the proper time to care for them due to hectic work schedules, traveling for business or pleasure, or those who may not have the capacity to care for their pets as they used to. Hiring Calvert Ways as your pet sitter is a smart, safe and stress-free solution. Our mission at Calvert Ways is to treat your pets and home with the same love, care and respect we treat our own. 

Easy To Follow Guidelines for Pet Sitting:

Make reservations with us early, especially during holidays and summer months.

Ensure your pet is well socialized and allows strangers to handle them.

Affix current identification tags to your pet's collar.

Maintain current vaccinations for your pets. Also, flea treatment is required all year.

Leave clear instructions with your vet authorizing a visit in case of sudden illness or emergency.

Leave pet food and supplies in one place and with detailed but simple instructions in writing. Leave a measuring cup, for instance, and indicate exactly how much your pet should be fed. A “handful” or “bowlful” doesn’t mean the same thing to everyone.

Buy extra pet supplies in case you're away longer than planned.

Shut off rooms or areas where your pets are not allowed .

Set the thermostat to keep the house comfortable for your pet during your absence.

Give us detailed information, such as your pets eating habits, toilet habits, grooming needs, exercise routines, medications, special habits, favorite hiding places, phobias, etc.

Leave a key with a trustworthy neighbor as a backup, and give them and Calvert Ways each other's phone numbers. Be sure those extra keys work before giving them out.

Show us your home's important safety features such as the circuit breaker and security system.

Put potentially dangerous plants and/or decorations out of your pets reach.

Keep us informed of any plan changes, especially if your trip gets extended.

Leave a contact number of your contractor in case of a house emergency, ex: pipe leak, etc.

Have your own contingency plan, especially during the winter. Provide us with the name of someone, maybe a neighbor, who can take care of your pet should bad weather or other unexpected circumstances prevent us from getting there.

Finally, have a safe and fun trip. And remember to bring our phone number in case your plans change or you just want to find out how your pets are doing. 

Remember, you are the most important part of your pets care plan. You know your pet better than anyone, so we work with you to create a care plan to fit your pets lifestyle!
 

Many pets do quite well at kennels. Most kennels have quick access to veterinary care that can also be very important in certain situations. Our customers and we agree that the pets we look after seem to be much happier and calmer staying at home. Even though it is usually quieter when you are away, we find that most pets settle into a comfortable routine within a day or two after you depart. For our "regular" clients, the adjustment time is usually much shorter or even non-existent as soon as they see our familiar smiling faces. You are the only one that knows what is best for your pets, as everyone's situation is different. Before making your final decision, please read over the Benefits to Your Pet and the Benefits to You on our Home Page.

Who is Not a Good Candidate for In-Home Care

Pets must have a reasonably friendly temperament. Most dogs will bark at a stranger entering their home, but your pets and Calvert Ways should have established a good rapport during the initial interview.

Make sure you’re making the right choice in deciding to leave your pet at home alone for most of your time away. If your pet has medical or behavioral problems such as aggression or history of biting and needs close supervision, a kennel would be the best option.

Obedience Training Tips

Obedience training is extremely important for you and your dog. Training a dog can be an ongoing and lengthy process but is very rewarding and well worth all your time and effort. Remember, when it comes to training, size does Not matter. Even a 'Lap Dog' needs training. We have compiled some helpful hints and commands to get you on your way.

Your Pet and The Law

There are many laws designed to protect your pets.
For Maryland laws, visit http://www.animallaw.info/statutes/stusmdcode11_501_514.htm  
For Calvert County laws/Animal Control, visit http://www.co.cal.md.us/residents/animal/  

Our biggest 'pet peeve' in our day-to-day travels is unleashed pets. There is no reason to let pets off-leash in public. It's against the law and infractions have become so bad that the county is starting to step up enforcement. We see the Animal Control van looking for pets that are unleashed off of their property and pets that have become road statistics every day and it breaks our heart. Please, Please, Please...If You Love Them, Leash Them.....Yes, that means cats too.  It's such a small request to protect so much love. Please use a leash if they are not in a contained area while they are outside. Your dog may be 'trained' but they all have a mind of their own and can break command anytime and your cat will probably not like it but they do not think about getting hit by a car, getting lost, stolen or getting attacked by another animal....it is your job to keep them safe. It is also your job to be considerate to your neighbors. Whether your neighbors have pets or not, they do Not want to clean up your pets droppings.

As the law states....Calvert County has a leash law for dogs, meaning if a dog is off the owner's property it must be on a leash; and a control law for cats, meaning if a cat is off the owner's property it must be under a person's control.

Some pet owners may not like it when they are told to restrain their dogs, but the law is in place to keep everyone safe, especially your pet. We know your dogs are friendly but that is not the point. No matter how well-trained, animals are unpredictable and anything is possible. If you do not have a fenced in yard, live on a farm or large parcel of land where your dog can run, there are two Dog Parks nearby where your dog can run and socialize with others;

Calvert County

Grays Road Dog Park
2695 Grays Road
Prince Frederick, MD 20678

Large Dog Area and Small Dog Area, Fenced. Directions: From MD Rte. 4, Turn onto MD Rte. 506 Sixes Road 1.9 miles. Turn left onto Grays Road 0.5 miles

St. Mary's County

John G Lancaster Park
21550 Willows Road
Lexington Park, MD 20653

The new dog park is open daily with one large dog run and one small dog run. Water is available on site along with waste disposal bag. Pet owners are responsible for the actions of their pets and must clean up after them. Directions: Route 246 to Willows Road, park is located 1/2 mile on the left.

Happy Healthy Pets

Your pet will rely on you to keep them in good health. A proper diet, regular exercise and grooming, and routine check-ups at the veterinarian will help keep your pet in top form. It's also important for you to get to know your pet's habits - eating, drinking, sleeping, and so forth - since sometimes a variation in those habits can be an indication that they are not feeling well.

Proper Diet - There are many brands of food to choose to feed your pets properly to ensure they are healthy and live a long happy life. Beware of foods that have a variety of colors, red, yellow, green, etc. These foods are loaded with fat and are the equivalent of you eating fast food every day. The best food is brownish color, for example, food sold by your vet, Purina One, etc. If you are unsure about food portions to feed your pet, please check with your vet. Please do Not overfeed, food does not equal love. Obesity in pets causes a lot of the same problems it does in people. An overweight pet is prone to a host of related problems, including: diabetes, joint, ligament and tendon difficulties, breathing and heart challenges. Overweight cats can even develop skin problems from not being able to groom themselves properly. The overall impact on comfort and longevity can be dire. The good news is that it's not as difficult to trim down pets as it might be to fight your own battles with the bulge. After all, pets can't open the refrigerator on their own, what pets eat is wholly dependent on what we give them. If your pet is overwieght, please check with your vet about the proper method of reducing your pets individual bulk. Do not put them on a 'Crash Diet'. It took them time to get that way and should not be expected to change overnight. If you feed your pet dry food, we recommend an autofeeder. There are several brands and styles to choose from. We purchased the Ergo Medium Autofeeder for our Woogie because he had no limit when it came to food and would eat until he became sick. It worked great and is still working now for Garrett. We set the timer to when and how much, fill it once a week and that's it....now we have more quality time for other things like playtime, grooming, walking, etc. The autofeeder is also great for puppies that inhale their food in a gulp. The food comes out slowly which gives them no choice but to eat slower. If you have a standard water bowl, don't forget to give them fresh water at least once a day. Plenty of fresh water is just as important as the proper food. Remember, your pet has a waistline too. If it gets closer to the floor every day, it's time to act.

Proper Exercise - Your pets need exercise just as much as you to maintain a long healthy life. They love to move, especially if you are moving with them. Leash walking is one of the best exercises...Yes, even for your cat. How long you walk will depend on your pet and your pet breed. No less than a 30 minute walk is recommended every day for all pets. Larger, stronger breeds of dogs should be at least a one hour walk every day. If you have 'a puller', we use the Easy Walk Harness which has the 'D' ring on the strap that goes across the chest. When you use the leash attached to the regular neck collar or harness with the 'D' ring on their back, it gives them more power to pull. If  you have is a standard collar, keep it high on their neck like they do in dog shows, the lower the collar is on their neck, the more pulling power they have. Also, are you walking the dog OR is the dog walking you? Whoever is in front is in charge or the 'Leader of the Pack'. Always walk with your dog beside or behind you....never in front. When the weather is bad and you have a treadmill in your home, don't be selfish...share it with your pets. Once they get used to it, you will have to fight for your turn.

Proper Health -   Shop around before choosing a vet for your pets the same as you would for your own doctor. Take your pet for regular check-ups and necessary shots. Heartworm is very prevalent in this area and your pet will need medicine year round to prevent it. Seasonal flea and tick medication will also be necessary. Depending on the vet you choose, the usage period may vary with the change of the seasons. As the weather stays warm for a longer period of time, so do the pests that prey on your pets.

Proper Grooming -  A very important part of your pets requirements for a long healthy life is proper grooming.

Coat: Your pet needs to be brushed daily, no matter how long or short their fur. It not only makes your pet look better but contributes to their physiological and psychological health. It is best to start brushing your pet at an early age, but do not despair if your pet is an older animal. It is possible to train one to enjoy grooming, proceed slowly, and be sure to use treats and plenty of praise to make the experience fun! To keep the shedding to a minimum, we use and recommend the FURminator. It works great on both dogs and cats and sooo much better than a 'standard brush'. 

Nails: Your pet needs their nails trimmed at least once a month. If they grow too long, it is not only uncomfortable for them but the potential of a nail breaking is much higher. If you do not like the traditional nail clippers, a dremel tool is very handy. If you would like more information on dremeling, visit http://homepages.udayton.edu/~merensjp/doberdawn/index.html and click in the left column on 'How To Dremel Dog Nails'. Don't forget the dewclaw (if your dog has one). We use the cordless dremel for Garrett because he hates the clippers.

Bathing: Bathe your pet once every two months or as often as needed. In the past, the generally accepted advice was that frequent bathing of your pet would damage the coat. If you use the proper shampoo, you can bathe your pet more than once a week and not damage the coat. The first decision to make is where. Kitchen sinks or laundry utility tubs work well for small pets, while bathroom tubs or portable pet tubs are best for larger pets. Outside hoses, while convenient, are not a good alternative since the water is so cold. Water should be lukewarm for the shampoo to work best and for your dog's comfort. Insert a cotton ball in the ears to prevent water from entering the canals. There are many shampoos to choose from depending on your pet's hair coat, skin condition, or desired result. DO NOT use shampoos made for humans. They contain harsher detergents, are not pH balanced for pets, and could damage hair or sensitive skin. Be sure to brush them before and after each bath in order to get all of the mats out of their coat, especially long haired breeds. Keep pets warm and away from drafts while the hair dries and do not let your pet outside until hair is completely dry. A damp coat is a magnet for dirt.

Teeth: Pets can get cavities and develop periodontal disease, so their teeth should be cleaned with a pet toothpaste at least once a day. It is best to use a small toothbrush that has soft bristles. Brushing your dog's teeth should not be a chore for you or your dog. Instead, it should be an enjoyable time for both of you. If you take things slowly at the beginning and give lots of praise, you and your dog will start looking forward to your brushing sessions. Make sure you use a pet toothpaste. Toothpastes designed for people can upset your dog's stomach. Cleanings performed by a veterinarian may also be required but daily brushing will minimize this action and your pet will thank you with love.

Ears: Ear care is also an important part of grooming. Ear infections can not only be painful, but lead to permanent hearing loss. The signs of a problem include redness, constant scratching, head shaking and odor. Clean your pet's ears twice per month. The skin inside and on the flaps should be pale pink. Moisten a cotton ball with warm water or a little mineral oil and use it to clean the opening into the canal and the flaps. Do not probe too deeply into the canal If there is a foul odor and/or any red, brown or black skin, have a veterinarian examine your pet's ears.
 
Disclaimer: All information on this website is provided for you as a courtesy only. We do Not receive any compensation from any products that we recommend, it is simply our way of sharing. As with anything else on our website, if you have any questions, suggestions, ideas or comments, we are glad to listen. We are always looking for new ways to make pets even healthier and happier. Whether or not you use our services, we would still love to hear from you. Be sure to check back time to time, we try to add information as we obtain it.

Call Us (410) 326 - 3326  
Send us an e-mail:   info@calvertwayspetsitting.com
Fax Us: (410) 326 - 9738

Calvert Ways Pet Sitting
Lusby, Maryland 20657  

Visit our store at:
Calvert Ways.com
for pet products and much more.

©2006, Calvert Ways Pet Sitting. All rights reserved.

For Professional Pet Sitting, Dog and Cat Walking, Pet Transportation, House Sitting, Poop Scooping and Errand Services in Southern Calvert County Maryland, Call Calvert Ways Pet Sitting at 410 326-3326 for a Kennel and Doggie Day Care Alternative and happy healthy pets and people * Pet Sitter, Dog and Cat Walker, Pet Taxi, Potty Breaks, Kitty Litter Clean Up, Poop Scooper, 'Lived In' look House Sitter for Home Security, LockOut Service, Errand Service and Special Requests