Katie B.'s profile

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answered a question Is it okay to remove your dog's eye gunk with your fingers?

I use my hands all the time, but make sure you wash them first.

answered a question Why does my dog have the hiccups?

Dogs usually get them from the air they swallow when they eat or drink too fast, but stress, fatigue and excitement can also be a cause.

answered a question How often should I take my dog out?

It depends on the dog. Young puppies need more potty breaks than a middle aged dog. And some breeds need much more exercise and stimulation than other breeds. I take my four year old doodle out 3-4 times a day depending on if I'm working, but he could easily go out only twice a day.

answered a question Why is my dog licking the floor?

Dogs that repeatedly lick the floor or other surfaces are exhibiting symptoms of compulsive behavior. Anxiety may be triggering this compulsive desire to lick a certain spot on the floor repeatedly, or the behavior is triggered by an unknown cause.

answered a question Why does my dog sleep on her back?

Sleeping on their back is a good sign because it's the most vulnerable position for a dog. It means they're comfortable and confident in their environment.

answered a question Why does my dog keep getting sick after eating?

It could be that your dog is eating too fast. A slow feeder or adding water to their food can help. Or it could be an allergy, which would require a visit to the vet for testing.

answered a question How often should I brush my dog's teeth?

I brush my dogs teeth 5-6 times a week. The more you can do it, the better.

answered a question What is a rover.com balance

It's the money you have earned through Rover that is available to transfer to your PayPal account. You can set it up so everything is immediately deposited into your PayPal account.

answered a question What is a good way to get my dog to let me brush his teeth?

I use a high-value treat when I brush my dogs teeth. As a puppy, I would let him sniff the toothbrush, then treat him with cheese. Then, I moved on to letting him lick the toothpaste off the brush, then treating him with cheese. I eventually moved to brushing his teeth and treating him with cheese. It's the only time he gets cheese. It took a lot of patience at the beginning to get him comfortable with it.

answered a question What are the major signs your dog may be sick?

If my dog stops eating or is uninterested in food/treats I know something is wrong. Lethargy is a good indicator of being sick. Diarrhea or vomiting that persists for longer than 24 hours.

answered a question If I don't have a dishwasher, are there cleaning products I shouldn't use to clean my dog's toys?

I use dish soap as well.

answered a question Anxiety advice?

My dog is 4 and I still crate him when I'm not home due to anxiety. He is fine in his crate but does the same as your dog when he's left out of it. I worked with him a lot as a puppy to make his crate his safe space.

answered a question Is it OK to trim dewclaws?

Yes, they should be trimmed regularly.

answered a question What are your favorite and least breed(s) or variety of dog and why?

I love all Doodles and Border Collies. Border Collies are extremely intelligent and because they are working dogs, they require a lot of exercise and mental stimulation. If I didn't live in a small apartment and had more time, I would have a border collie. Doodles are usually very intelligent and want to please their owners. Their energy levels can be inconsistent. Mine is very mellow. My least favorite breed is the Shiba. They are very stubborn and act more like a cat than a dog.

answered a question How can I identify signs of Bloat?

To start, I would get a slow feeder and not allow the dog much activity for 45 minutes after eating. You can also add water to the dry food which can reduce the chances of bloat or feed many smaller meals throughout the day. Bloat happens very fast and is the second leading cause of death in dogs. Symptoms include panting and excessive drooling, pacing, vomiting, and a very hard stomach.

answered a question Why does my dog roll around in the grass?

Rolling in the grass serves several functions. It very well may be a way of getting rid of any sort of uncomfortable or itchy debris that might be stuck to your dog’s back, such as dirt, etc. Grass is mildly abrasive and individual blades of grass can function a little like tines on a comb or bristles on a brush. Rolling around the grass may help loosen up dirt stuck to your dog’s back and help him self-groom difficult-to-reach areas. It may also help brush away loose fur clumps. It can also be that they are trying to cover a scent with their own scent.

answered a question Why does my dog have a curly tail?

It's caused by genetics. Certain breeds have curly tails.

answered a question Why does my dog eat another dog's poop?

There are a couple reasons your dog may be eating poop. The most common is they are missing a key nutrient in their own diet and are trying to replenish that nutrient through eating feces. It can also be a learned behavior or done out of boredom.

answered a question Why does my dog hump my leg?

9 times out of 10, humping is a sign of dominance, but in some cases, it may be an attention seeking behavior.

answered a question Having a second job?

I work full time and do Rover, but I am very transparent with the owner during the initial contact about the hours I work and how long the dog will be alone during the day. I also ask a lot of questions about separation anxiety and barking.

answered a question Should I let my dog eat grass?

Eating grass is usually safe for dogs and there can be many reasons for it. Grass can help ease an upset stomach or they could be missing something in their diet that is found in grass.

answered a question When is PayPal debited?

Sitters are paid 48 hours after the end of the booking.

answered a question Why does my dog dig at the floor?

There can be many reasons but the most common reason is they are trying to dig a hole. Wild dogs dig holes to keep them safe and warm. It's an instinct and does not leave because a dog is an indoor pet.

answered a question Un-neutered Adult Dogs

I don't take unaltered adult dogs because there is more risk involved. If there is a female in heat nearby an unaltered male will be drawn to her causing a higher risk of the male escaping to find the dog. Some altered dogs do not do well around unaltered dogs and will pick fights with them or obsessively try to mount them.

answered a question Why does my dog dream so much?

Dogs dream just like humans and since they have more sleep time than humans, they dream more.

answered a question Why does my dog shake in his sleep?

Your dog is either having a nightmare or a dream. Dog's go into REM sleep just like humans. I usually wake my dog up by saying his name if he's crying in his sleep. If it looks like he's running I assume it's not a nightmare.

answered a question What should I ask an owner before a stay?

I always ask specific questions about the dog. How often do they go out? What is their poop schedule? Do they bark? How long can they be left alone? Are they crate trained? Do they go to dog parks? Are they allowed on the furniture at home? Do they get along with other dogs? Do they have allergies?

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answered a question Calendar Availability

Mark yourself as available on Friday as well and add that you are only available on the weekends to your profile.

answered a question What are treats?

They're like candy for your dog.

commented answer Why does my dog eat cardboard?

This can vary from not serious to very serious. A condition known as pica causes some dogs to eat non-food items, like paper products. There may be either a medical or behavioral cause for this behavior.

answered a question Why does my dog grunt like a pig?

It could be due to their breed. Dogs with short noses, like pugs or bulldogs, snort. It cold also be a reverse sneeze which is nothing to worry about.

answered a question How can I help my dog lose weight?

Put your dog on a diet and limit treats. It's also a good idea to increase their exercise regiment. Start off slow at first if they have a sedentary life and gradually increase the amount.

answered a question How can I tell if my dog has worms?

Most often, worms can be seen in the feces or in the hair around the rear. However, not all kinds are visible to the naked eye. Tapeworms may appear as small moving segments which later dry out to resemble grains of rice. If your dog scratches their bottom on the ground or against furniture, they may be itchy due to infection. Itchiness however can also have other causes. Bloated stomach or belly is another symptom. This is often seen in puppies who get worms from their mother. Weakness, increased appetite, constant hunger, and weight loss.

answered a question Can I catch a cold from my dog?

No, you cannot catch a cold from your dog, but your dog can catch a cold from another dog or cat. There are other contagious viruses that can be transmitted from dog to human, but such cases are rare.

answered a question Why does my dog hump the air?

Although it is often a sign of dominance, humping the air can be a sign of social insecurity.

answered a question How should I socialize my dog?

Walk your dog on a daily basis and introduce them to as many other dogs and people as possible. For young puppies who aren't fully vaccinated, this can be done in puppy kindergarten.

answered a question My dog has bad breath - what can I do?

Usually, canine bad breath is caused by dental or gum disease or plaque and/or tartar. The best solution is a visit to the vet to find the culprit. In most cases, the dog will need a teeth cleaning and polishing. It's also helpful to brush their teeth on a regular basis.

answered a question Why does my dog nibble on my clothes?

It's a sign of affection. It's natural for puppies to explore with their mouths and this is one way to show their human they want to be close.

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