Halloween Pet Safety

Soon the little ghosts and goblins will be coming out but it’s not just the kids dressing up these days.  More and more pet owners like to get their furry kids in on the Halloween action as well.

Pet expert and owner of Pets in the City, Aaron Hill, offers the following tips to make sure Halloween doesn’t end up being a “ruff” night for the four-legged family members!

Safety first! - No matter now cute your pooch will look dressed up as a mummy, you have to ask your self, 'is it safe?'  Costumes should be simple without a lot of small parts or dangling items.  These can be chocking or tripping issues that can hurt your pet or others.  Also important to make sure any pet costumes don't restrict breathing or cause your pet to overheat.  Think safety and comfort over cuteness of costume!

Hide the sweet treats - Absolutely no candy or human treats of any kind should be given to your pets.  Make sure all human candy and treats are put well out of reach of your furry kids and make sure your children are aware of the dangers of giving candy to dogs.  Chocolate and nuts are in a lot of Halloween candy and both are extremely dangerous for pooches.

Pet Patrol - Pet parties can be a lot of fun as long as safety precautions are taken.  Make sure to have as many "human helpers" as possible to monitor the dogs at the party to make sure they are safe and not getting into any trouble.  Warn party goers about the dangers of unattended dogs, feeding people food to dogs etc.

###

 Aaron Hill is a certified professional animal trainer and the owner of Pets in the City (www.petsinthecity.com) a premiere Dog Walking / Pet-sitting/ Training service in Los Angeles.  He is certified in pet first-aid and CPR and is a member of Pet-Sitters International.

Pet Safety Tips for 4th of July

As we prepare to celebrate the 4^th of July with good friends, good food and spectacular fireworks it’s important not to forget about our four-legged family members during the holiday.

While kids may “ooh” and “ah” at the bright lights and loud booms made from the traditional fireworks displays, our pets my bark or hiss in fear.

“The 4^th of July is a great time for us, but pet owners often forget that the loud noises can be stressful pets,” said Aaron Hill, professional animal trainer and owner of Pets in the City.  “Be on the look out for signs that your dog or cat is stressed, such as pacing or panting.  The sooner you recognize those cues, the sooner you can help alleviate the stress.”

Whether you’re heading out for a backyard barbeque or a weekend road trip, Hill urges pet owners to time and sure their pets are safe and secure.  These five tips will help ensure that everyone - including your pet – has a safe and happy holiday weekend.

1.      Stay Calm:  Before the fireworks and parties begin owners should know what works best to calm their pet.  If you notice your pet(s) getting anxious or stressed (panting, pacing etc.) sit and talk calmly to them while giving them a good scratch, massage or a special treat to help them relax. 

2.      Stay Inside: If you cannot stay at home with your animals during the 4^th, make sure your pets are indoors.  Do not leave them in the yard or on the deck.  They should be secured inside with no way to escape such as open windows or patio doors.

3.      Turn it On: Turn on a TV or radio to drown out the noise from the loud firework displays.

4.      Close it Up:  Pull all the curtains closed so the pets can’t see the blasts of colorful lights outside the home, this will help them remain calm.

5.      Keep Cool: If you are taking your dog(s) to participate in parades or other outdoor activities, make sure to keep them hydrated and in the shade as often as possible.  Dogs can overheat very quickly on a hot day. 

If you plan to be out of town over the 4^th of July weekend, it would be money well-spent to hire a pet-sitter to watch over your furry friends to make sure they are comfortable, safe and stress-free.

###

Aaron Hill is a certified professional animal trainer and the owner ofPets in the City (www.petsinthecity.com) a premiere Dog Walking / Pet-sitter service in Los Angeles.  He is certified in pet first-aid and CPR and is a member of Pet-Sitters International.

On the Move with your Pooch?

May is the official start to the moving season.  From now until September, more people will relocate than any other time this year.  In addition to packing their dishes, clothes and knick-knacks, they’ll also be moving their pets – which can be more challenging than anything else, if not well planned.

“Whether you’re moving across town or across country it’s always an adjustment for everyone including the four-legged family members”, said certified animal trainer and owner of Pets in the City, Aaron Hill “With all the strangers in the house moving large pieces of furniture it’s a loud and stressful time for your pet, so you need to be prepared.”

Hill has advice on how pet owners can make the move a smooth one for themselves and their furry friends.

Before the big day

1. Site survey.  If it's a local move, take your pup over to the new place a few times before you officially move in.  Let them sniff their new digs and get a lay of the land before changing addresses.
2. Make a plan, hire a pet sitter.  During a move, doors and gates will be left open and it can be very easy for Fido to slip out unnoticed.  So make a plan and if possible hire a professional service take your furry kids for the day.  

When you arrive

1. Pet-proof the home.  Before your pet first enters your new home, take some time to look around from a dog's perspective.  Get down on your hands and knees and crawl around at your dog's height.  

• Look for electrical wires, nails or other sharp objects sticking out of floors or walls, etc.
• This also applies to your yard, make sure there are no holes in the fences, decks or other small spaces that dogs can get trapped in or under, etc.

2. Potty patrol.  Immediately establish an acceptable place for potty breaks and reinforce when done properly. 

While you’re getting settled in

1. Make it "home".  Quickly create a familiar environment in your new place with favorite beds and toys.
2. Stick to your schedule.  Keep the same schedule you had in your previous home (if you didn’t have a feeding and potty schedule, get on one asap!)
3. Give praise.  Use positive reinforcement/reward going to the bathroom outside with treats, scratches, playtime, etc. Never punish bad behavior, instead use positive reinforcement to reward good behavior.

Aaron Hill is a certified professional animal trainer and the owner of Pets in the City (www.petsinthecity.com) a premiere Dog Walking / Pet-sitter service in Los Angeles.  He is certified in pet first-aid and CPR and is a member of Pet-Sitters International.

Safe Travels...with your Pet

If you plan to hit the road for Spring Break or just a weekend getaway - don't put the car in reverse until you watch Aaron Hill's safety tips as seen here on "Good Day Sacramento".





Aaron is a pet expert and owner of Pets in The City (www.PetsInTheCity.com)

OneKid OneWorld Inspires Teens to Help Students in El Salvador

OneKid OneWorld is determined to make a difference in the life of kids around the world, one student, one school at a time.

Next week the Los Angeles-based non-profit will take a group of young women to San Salvador, El Salvador for a week.

Check out the Altadena Patch's preview of the trip: http://altadena.patch.com/articles/altadena-teen-set-to-volunteer-in-el-salvador

Don't think you can make a difference?  Think again - see what OneKid OneWorld is doing around the world: www.OneKidOneWorld.org

OneKid OneWorld teams with LA Teens to help Students in El Salvador

They may only be teenagers but that isn’t stopping a group of students from Westridge School from packing up and traveling around the world with local organization, OneKid One World, to help those in need.

“OneKid OneWorld is dedicated to helping students in impoverished countries get the tools they need for a solid education,” said Josh Bycel, founder of OneKid OneWorld, a Los Angeles-based non-profit organization.  “I’m confident that this trip will not only be an eye-opening experience for the young women but I hope it also sparks a life-long passion for philanthropic work.”

At the end of March the six high school students will travel to San Salvador, El Salvador.  During the seven-day trip the students will split their time between running an after-school program at a local primary school, doing an extreme school makeover at a rural primary school and a participating in a cultural exchange with local high school students. 

“These students are very enthusiastic about the purpose and goal of the trip,” said Elizabeth McGregor, Head of Westridge School. “Experiential learning is a critical part of our curriculum so teaming with OneKid OneWorld for this trip was a natural fit.”

Over the past five years, OneKid has raised more than $600,000 with 93% of every dollar going directly to recipient schools.  Classrooms have been built, educational materials and teachers’ salaries have been provided.  Additionally the organization was able to build six solar-power buildings in Kenya so students are able to study at night.

“When you think about what these students don’t have and what they in need to order to get an education it can be overwhelming.  But our goal is to help people realize that every little bit counts.  One book, one painted wall, one school at a time,” said Tracy McCubbin, the co-executive director of OneKid OneWorld.

The great work of OneKid has attracted some of Hollywood most recognizable names.  Television personality Kristin Cavallari along with Law & Order SUV star, Stephanie March, are the group’s celebrity ambassadors.  March also sits on the board of OneKid OneWorld and has participated in several trips overseas.

“OneKid believes every child has a right to education,” said March while on a volunteer trip to El Salvador last October, “And OneKid is here to make sure there are classrooms for them to learn in.”

Stephanie March on OKOW trip to El Salvador, 2011

Kristin Cavallari on OKOW trip to Kenya, 2011

 ##

OneKid OneWorld is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing the basic needs of learning fundamentals to impoverished communities around the world. Check out the inspiring work: www.onekidoneworld.org

Founded in 1913, Westridge School is an independent day school for college bound girls grades 4-12. Westridge strives to develop young women whose joy in learning, personal ideals, commitment to ethical action, social and environmental responsibility, courage and compassion will lead them to meaningful lives as contributing citizens of the larger world. For more information about the school, visit www.westridge.org.

dClutterfly LIVE on "AM Northwest"

Chatterbox Media Relations client, Tracy McCubbin of dClutterfly headed to the Pacific Northwest for a fun media tour. First stop, "AM Northwest" on KATU-TV, to wow the host with her de-cluttering expertise! Check it out: