Blog — Writer_MaryBeth_Bittel

Tail-Wagging TLC Tips for Older Dogs Would you describe your canine as “up in years?” If you’ve owned your more mature pooch since puppyhood, you’ve probably enjoyed hundreds of long walks and enthusiastic greetings. So seeing that white fur crop up on the snout can be bittersweet, to say the least. There’s a comfort level we share with our older dogs that few things manage to replicate. Coming to terms with the word “senior” can be challenging on many levels. Fortunately, with a little extra attention from you, your final years together can be happy and rewarding. There are several...

 Choosing a GPS Tracker for Your Trusty Canine Companion As dog lovers, we all care about the well-being of our loyal canine friends. So we always do our best to choose dependable provisions for our pets. We visit our vet to obtain skilled healthcare expertise that can help ensure a happy, vibrant life. We adjust our schedules to accommodate playtime and potty breaks. But at one point or another, we need to be apart from our furry friends. Maybe we have daily work commitments, and we’re forced to leave them behind. Perhaps we’re taking a trip, and our animal...

Pet Security Cameras 101: Handy Shopping Guidelines If you’re an animal lover, you know it’s tough leaving your furry friend home when you venture out into the world. Nagging questions start cropping up in your head: Is my pet scared? Is he safe? Is he having a field day shredding my favorite throw pillows? Thanks to pet security cameras, you no longer need to worry and wonder. In fact, today’s pet security cameras are specifically designed to help you observe both canines and cats. You can see whether your pet is getting into mischief. You can also monitor elderly or...

5 Strategies to Help Overweight Dogs Slim Down Here at Sparky Steps, we agree with most animal lovers: Dogs are adorable in ALL shapes and sizes. Unfortunately, excess weight can sometimes pose serious wellness risks for your pup. And it’s not always easy to spot. Sure, weight gain is pretty obvious in petite breeds like Yorkies. But depending on a canine’s height and heritage, surplus pounds can accumulate subtly. Wondering if Rover needs to go on a diet? Once your pet has reached full adulthood, ask your vet to recommend an optimal weight range. Then double-check how your dog measures...

How to Approach a Service Dog Safely Here at Sparky Steps, we provide all kinds of caring pet services – and dog walking is one of our most popular options. We’re big advocates of approaching leashed canines in a careful, responsible way. In fact, you should check out a recent blog post we shared on the subject. So here’s a related “pup quiz”: What’s the best approach to use when you encounter a leashed service dog? You’re probably familiar with the guide dogs often used by visually impaired individuals. But increasingly, folks with other physical challenges rely on specially trained...