Oh hi, Bowie! This little angel’s parents reached out a month ago. Their neighbour’s dog, (and Bowie’s best friend) Scout, had joined K9 Kate’s adventure dog walks and they wanted in. We are so happy they did. Bowie had her first dog walk this week and, in true Bowie spirit, ROCKED IT! Even Under Pressure, she stayed social and lovely, which is always in Fashion; no Changes to be had :) Bowie, we love you already. Nick and Hannah, thank you for choosing K9 Kate’s as your new Toronto dog walker. We promise to love Bowie and give her the best possible care each and every walk.
Welcome Ace the Rescue Dog, Steph and Earl the Pawrents
This sweet boy- who I almost referred to in the header as sweet Ace before realizing how that sounds (here’s hoping no one actually reads my welcome blogs) - joined K9 Kate’s a few weeks ago and has become an immediate and important park of our family. Ace has such a gentle soul, and is a blast in the dog park. He is an important reminder that so many incredible dogs are in need of adoption so PLEASE consider if you haven’t already. Ace, welcome buddy!!!
Picture of the Week: Stella and Milton
I love the focus of these two amazing dogs as they sit patiently for their inevitable treat. This picture was taken at Coronation Dog Park, during one of Toronto’s many snow days. As a Toronto dog walker, I love winter (except the -40 days, to be clear)! The dogs have so much fun running offleash in the snow; it’s almost like snow is their caffeine and it makes them wild :) Looking forward to some dog walking with these two later today.
Welcome Nina and Pumpkin, Rescue dogs Extroardinaire
There is a lot happening with these two pups that leaves this Toronto dog walker excited: during Nina’s initial rescue period, she was perfect. Then, a confluence of factors- added dogs, injuries, a period of absence from professional dog walking- led her to become leash reactive.
The goal is to have these two in the dog park. Thankfully, their parents are on board with muzzle training so that we can safely asses suitability. THANK YOU RESPONSIBLE PARENTS! You rock my world :)
It is such an exciting experience to share: we have these small steps that will - fingers crossed- get these pups back in the dog park fairly quickly. Together, we will be dog walking through Toronto’s city streets and then … dog park time!!
Picture of the Week: Blue the Dachshund
I adore this picture of Blue, the Blue Dachshund, taken at Ramsden Dog Park yesterday. Blue has been walking with K9 Kate’s for more than 2 years. It’s been incredible to watch his transformation from timid and anxious to Mister Confident and King of the dog park. This is the beauty of the adventure dog walks. Dogs on this type of walk go to different dog parks around Toronto (Ramsden, Bickford, Cherry, Coronation, Stanley, Winston Churhill, etc.). They are always smelling new smells and meeting new dogs, all of which is confidence building. Blue, we love you so much and our so proud of your transformation.
Welcome Cusco, the Rescue Dog and SUPERSTAR!
Cusco’s mom Carly reached out about 2 months ago: she was moving to Toronto, specifically to the Annex, and needed a dog walker for when she arrived. I am so happy she did. Cusco is such a sweet lab mix who does wonderfully with me and the dogs. We love her so much already and I’m pretty sure the feeling is mutual :)
Together, we visited Ramsden and Coronation Parks. She is such a beauty inside and out. Cusco and Carly, welcome to K9 Kate’s.
Welcome Sir Arthur, the Labrador Retriever
Sir’s parents reached out a few months ago: they were researching Toronto dog walkers for their new puppy and K9 Kate’s had been recommended to them. The big day finally came last week when Sir joined us at Ramsden Dog Park. He was great with the other dogs and with me. Sir, we can’t wait to see you this week for more adventures!
Welcome Stella the Goldendoodle, and Quinn the Dog Mom
This beautiful Goldendoodle joined K9 Kate’s last week and absolutely rocked her fist walk :) Stella is confident, social and a dog walker’s dream. Quinn, thank you for choosing K9 Kate’s as your new Toronto dog walker. We promise to love Stella each and every walk.
Welcome Marni the Rescue Dog
Signy and Connor reached out a while back in search of an offleash dog walker who services Toronto’s Annex neighbourhood. Last week, Marni had her first adventure walks with K9 Kate’s, and had SO much fun …. and a birthday! This little lady is just made to run and is a perfect fit for adventure dog walks: she is highly social, speedy like the wind, and seems to have endless energy. Signy and Connor, thanks for letting me hang out with Marni! She is a super star!
Welcome Scout the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
This little monkey superstar joined K9 Kate’s last week and has been rocking it with the amazing Traci Healy as his primary dog walker. Scout has proven to be social, energetic, energetic, and … full of beans! He is the perfect dog for offleash walks and we are looking forward to many future adventures with him. Thank you to our friends at In the Lead Dog Walking for referring him to K9 Kate’s and to Diane for choosing us as your Toronto Dog Walker!
Toronto's Best Dog Walkers List ... And We're on It!!
It’s been back to back years that K9 Kate’s has been recognized as Toronto’s best dog walking company, along with some uniquely special others. This list was particularly sweet because it is filled with fantastic dog walkers, and not just large dog walking companies that everyone’s heard about. Lots of force-free and loving handlers here … what could be better. For the full list, please see below.
So, here it is:
https://theglennteam.com/blog/2020/1/8/best-toroto-dog-walkers?fbclid=IwAR2EBJ9FP-_xke20CQnKt8XMByG4aZux4puBqtyzbHUTJA0bVgoTGlkXp-E
Welcome Oslo the Goldendoodle Puppy
Olso’s mom reached out a few weeks back: she had gotten a new puppy and was in search of a dog walker who covered Seaton Village and who offered offleash walks (yes we do and yes we do!). Oslo started on private walks this week and will be transitioning to adventure dog walks once he’s a bit older. Oslo, we love you already, little “dood.”
K9 Kate's, once again, Ranked as among Toronto's Best Dog Walkers
Thank you so much to The Glen Team for including us in your list of Toronto’s Best Dog Walkers., linked below. I work so hard to provide the finest dog walking possible and being acknowledged really does mean a lot. Thank you!
https://theglennteam.com/blog/2020/…/best-toroto-dog-walkers
Welcome Mabou and Alex
Mabou/Mabs joined K9 Kate’s adventure dog walks after the holidays, and has been such a wonderful addition to our group. Mabou is a rescue dog who is part Cocker Spaniel and part Aussie, but he’s 100% sweetness!! In the last week and a half, we’ve been to 5 different dog parks. Coronation is Mabou’s favourite (just like me!).
Mabou and Alex are training with the amazing Beverly McKee, keeping both walks and training rooted in force-free practices (woot woot!)
Mabou and Alex, welcome to K9 Kate’s. We love this little man so much already :)
Welcome Olive the Bernadoodle, and Lindsay and Ariel the Parents
This gorgeous and energetic girl started on adventure walks last week and has ROCKED IT. She’s been out to the dog park with the one and only Traci Healy, who has her running and playing for an extra special, 90 minute offleash run. Welcome Olive and thank you to Traci for being so wonderful!
Welcome Rosie, the Superstar Havapoo
This darling girl joined K9 Kate’s last week and has been garnering fans since. Together, we adventured to Stanley, Ramsay and Coronation Dog Parks. Multiple walkers have offered to “take her off of my hands” but that’s just not happening. Rosie is sweet, social, confident and a dog walker’s dream dog. I am so grateful that I get to hang out with her. Rosie and Jeff, thank you for choosing K9 Kate’s as your Toronto dog walker.
Welcome To Adventure Dog Walks Georgie, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Georgie had her first offleash dog walks with K9 Kate’s last week and has been a complete pleasure. She is so beyond herself with joy, both at home and in the dog park. Thank you to our friends at Toronto Tails for referring us. We promise to love her each and every walk.
2019 Gratitude Checklist
2019 was not an easy year for me personally; I had 3 unpredictable and occasionally debilitating blows to my health. Still, I am left happy and grateful for all that I have gained this year.
The dog walkers that help lead the dogs as we venture to the dog parks each and every day are amazing walkers in and of themselves (all of whom head or are forming their own fabulous (and force free) dog walking companies. They are irreplaceable dog walkers and human being who make every day better. Cristina, Traci, Neil, and Joe: thank you so much for everything that you do. I do catch myself pausing regularly on how great you are.
The ladies who train: Sarah Rix and Andrea Dinan. You’ve helped me and the dogs so much. You are so talented and I am lucky that you stepped in to help with the pups as you run your own incredible dog walking and training companies.
The clients! At some point as a dog walker, you get to pick your clients. Each and every person whose dog we get to walk is amazing to work with. I am lucky enough that some have become friends, and others offer endless support and their own gratitude for our work. Thank you for being so lovely and supporting K9 Kate’s.
The dogs! You bring such happiness into my life and I am proud daily of how your progress, your friendships, and you’re infinite (and reciprocated) love.
K9 Kate’s is an endless source of joy and pride for me. It is and always will be my baby. That baby has grown this year and will continue to in 2020 with the most amazing staff and clients there to help fuel it. Thank you so much!! I hope that I can add as much to your day as you do to mine.
Welcome to Adventure Dog Walks, Fenton, the Mini Goldendoodle
This darling boy joined K9 Kate’s last week and has truly blown me away with his confidence and how well he immediately fit with his new friends. Fenton’s parents reached out after moving to Seaton Village, in need of a new dog walker who services the area. I happily “stepped” in. Together, Fenton and I have run free and offleash at Bickford Dog Park, Stanley Park and, my favourite, Coronation Park. He did incredibly with his new friends and with me. I am so looking forward to our future dog walks and adventures. Fenton, I REALLY love you already, little man! Keep up the GREAT work!
Preventing, Detecting and Treating Hypothermia in Dogs
Hypothermia in dogs- as in people- occurs when body temps plummet following exposure to frigid temperatures for too long, or cold, windy environments while having wet fur.
As a dog walker in Toronto, a city that easily hits -30 temps, it is imperative that I know how to prevent, detect, and treat hypothermia in dogs. My own dog walks are all group walks, meaning that they are comprised of dogs of all ages, shapes and sizes. A temperature that is safe for a Husky can be life threatening to a chihuahua. It is my job to get all of the dogs walked and home safely in winter. I’m sharing this so that dog walkers, dog owners and dog lovers, have the knowledge to do the same.
Prevention:
Hypothermia can be prevented by not allowing your dog outside for too long in very cold weather or near frigid water. Be aware of how well your pet tolerates the cold as very young pets, very old pets, small dogs, and those with short hair can be most susceptible to hypothermia. If that describes your dog, consider equipping your pup with dog sweater or jacket with booties to protect their feet for outings. I also use cooking spray and Vaseline on paws to prevent snow buildup.
Symptoms:
Strong shivering and trembling followed by no shivering
Acting sleepy or lethargic and weak
Fur and skin are cold to the touch
Body temperature below 95 degrees (Fahrenheit)
Decreased heart rate
Dilated pupils (the black inner circle of the eye appears larger)
Gums and inner eyelids are pale or blue
Trouble walking
Trouble breathing
Stupor, unconsciousness, or coma
Treatment:
Treatment should begin immediately, as it can quickly become a life-threatening emergency. If you suspect your pet has hypothermia, take the following steps.
Remove your pet from the cold and put them in a warm room.
Dry off your pet thoroughly either with towels or a hair dryer set on low and held about 12 inches away.
Wrap your pet in a blanket (warm it in the clothes dryer first)
Wrap warm hot-water bottles in towels (to prevent burning your pet) and place on pet’s abdomen.
Heating pads can be used if your dog is dry, but supervise them so they don’t chew at the cords.
Allow your dog to drink warm fluids.
Check the pet’s temperature with a thermometer. If it’s below 95 degrees, the pet could be at risk for hypothermia. Take them to a veterinarian immediately.
If their temperature is above 95 degrees Fahrenheit, retake their temperature every 10 to 15 minutes to see how severe the hypothermia is while doing the warming techniques. Once their temperature is 100 degrees or higher, you can remove the hot-water bottle, but be sure to keep them warm. Get them checked by a veterinarian the same day, even when their temperature reaches 99 degrees or higher because one incidence of hypothermia can be harmful and make them prone to it again. If your pet doesn’t respond to warming up their body within 30 to 45 minutes, go to straight to emergency vet clinic.