A bad case of Ctrl-C and Ctrl-V continued!

Remember my blog post of October 13, 2013: http://thedoghikers.blogspot.com/2013/10/a-bad-case-of-ctrl-c-and-ctrl-v.html. People behaving badly by simply copying and pasting other people's work?

Well, it was time to follow up. I started with business number 1: Pooch Hike.

Pooch Hike, PoochHike.com, has surely outdone themselves in every way. Owner Alina Fierra, who also owns Pooch Yum (Poochyum.com) and Pooch Glam (Poochglam.com), was contacted by me on February 10, 2014 as her website had barely changed. Both the top and bottom text were copied. She removed one section just to post it on her service site. This is the picture I had posted on October 13, 2013:

Today, February 10, 2014 the above text in light pink (copied from copyscape.com) is still untouched. Our Adventures just switched to her service site with a few changes.

As you can tell minimum changes have been made.

I contacted Alina Fierra with the following email:

"Hi Alina,

It has been a few months in which I have provided you the opportunity to remove my text from your website. Since you still have not removed my text from your site I have the possibility to charge you for using text that I have written.

I would like to provide you the opportunity to remove my text within the next 24 hours. If not, I will send you an invoice. Obviously I would like to get paid for my work. 

Looking forward to hearing from you. Thank you!"

Her response:

" Alina Fierra wrote:

What are you talking about dear? We change it. Now you are starting to bug me...."

I am starting to bug her? Gosh, I am truly sorry. I didn't mean to annoy you after you so ruthlessly stole from me.

Another email immediately followed:

"BTW, I consulted with a friend lawyer. The changes i did are more than acceptable. You do not own words! I understand that you try to eliminate your competition, but this is not the way. So get a lawyer, or stop bugging me. I am done with this!"

Done with this? Me too. You flatter yourself. You are not my competitor. I don't steal! I'm original and stand behind "my" words. By the way, how could I eliminate you. That is very interesting since I really am not trying to eliminate you. I am just trying to protect my work.

I responded to her email(s):

"Hi Alina,

Thank you very much for your respond. I wrote those words and you stole them. I'm pretty sure you would be upset if that happened to you but then I guess the perpetrator never feels any guilt. You steal and feel you are in your right. 

You only deleted part of it. I have a copy of your text before and now. If you want to go to court then it is fine with me. I've done this before and always settled before going to trial. It will cost you more then just making your own text. My text is copyrighted and "stealing" is a crime especially if "every word" has been copied and pasted. Check it out: http://thedoghikers.blogspot.com/2013/10/a-bad-case-of-ctrl-c-and-ctrl-v.html. See you in court. Oh, I do hope your lawyer is willing to pay your costs because the advice he/she gave you in not correct.

Thank you!"

Her responses came fast:

"On , Alina Fierra <alinafierra@yahoo.com> wrote:

Fine! See you in court! You are nuts!"

"How do I know you did not cut and paste my text and now you are harassing me.

Do what you must. . . and see you in court if necessary!"

I am nuts? Indeed I am. I am enthusiastic and keen about what is mine (definition of nuts!). I know I did not cut and paste her text. Oh my dog, that gave me a good laugh. It seems all these perpetrators use the same techniques and words. Harassment? Doesn't it get better? I've been harassed and believe me one follow up email is not harassment.  

You set up your business site on July 23, 2011. I've had my business since 2007. I've had two other cases in which the "same" text was used before you even started your business and set up your website. In your business experience you claim to have the following experience: ... writer, director, graphic/web designer ... etc. Being a web designer should also come with the knowledge that past uploads will always be visible. You implemented your changes on November 27, 2013. That was the only time after you uploaded your website for the first time with its current changes.

Who is Alina Fierra? Alina Fierra is also a producer, director, writer at Extrinsic Productions. Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/alina-fierra/40/b61/23.

If you have been "stolen" from here are a few great links:

Image Copyright Infringement: http://www.contentfac.com/copyright-infringement-penalties-are-scary/

Photo Stealers: http://stopstealingphotos.com/

Your artwork and your writing is protected. Protected from people like Alina Fierra. Isn't a website supposed to be a representation of your business? Then make it yours. Use your words to sell your product. Not successful? Copycats never succeed. They lack the drive, the originality and the inability to sell them appropriately since their wording doesn't equal what they provide. 

In my last case I hired Mr. Schneck from Patentvalley: http://patentvalley.com/. He was fantastic and able to resolve the issue before we went to court. My best advice. Hire a good lawyer. It will be worth it!!!

For those of you who copy: I have no pity for you. Copycats are imitators. Does it flatter me? In some sense it does but it gets annoying. Nothing in life is free and if you don't get that part don't start your own business.

• 
  

Oamenii fură pur și simplu e de rahat!

Testing flea and tick medication

We purchased. We will test. We will review.

The Dog Hikers trying Seresto by Bayer.

A K9 Outdoor Adventure specialist.

We purchased Seresto by Bayer a few days ago. Our dogs Ani, a Labrador Retriever, and Chewie, a Golden Retriever, will be our first dog to test it.

My dad, who worked for Bayer, introduced me to the product when it was launched. I tried Adventix and I was not very impressed. I've been successfully using Frontline and love it. I do have to say that putting all that poison in our dogs does scare me so an alternative is always welcome.

There is almost no smell to the collar and it fits nicely around the neck. One paw up for that.

Will it work? We shall see. 

Will it last for 8 months? We shall see.

Our testing starts today.

We will keep you updated!

A bad case of Ctrl-C and Ctrl-V

After following a disheartening copyright infringement case of fellow photographer Illona Haus of Scruffy Dog Photography: http://scruffydogphotography.com/index.php/2013/10/02/a-reminder-on-the-importance-of-protecting-your-business-ontario-pet-photographer/, I decided to check mine. I have been so busy that the Google Alerts went directly into my trash folder. I went to copyscape and found three businesses had bluntly copied my website text.

One business has not responded, one said "Someone help me write that for my website. Can you please include your original publication, so I can see what you are talking about? If it is as you say, I will look into it and see what the problem is. Not sure if you can actually copyright a sentience, but I will look into this and if that is the case, I will modify."

One sentence? I probably wouldn't worry so much if one sentence is the same but the whole homepage? It said that 173 words were exactly copied.

The other business copied everything. The whole webpage is a copy and paste of someone else's work. He didn't even bother to change the font or color of the text.

This is my business. My services. My philosophy. I have been at the other end. I understand what feeling you can get when someone says to you: "You stole my stuff." However in my case I didn't blame it on someone else. I did have my website written by an 18 year old college girl who earned $500 the fast way. Copy and Paste and some adjustments. I was so upset because I had to deal with her and the vindictive anger outbursts of the company who had their text stolen. I took the blame and I should. I should have known better. You get what you pay for and I paid for it dearly.

Everyone who has stolen from me has been approached in a normal fashion. Every business ended up leashing out at me, blaming me or accusing me of whatever they could think of. How does that work? You are the violator and I'm the bad guy?

Ms. Beverly Ulbrich, the Lesbian Whisperer, who conveniently took my Dog Connect name. I can post facts and if you don't comply you will be exposed. I think that is where I am right now.

Happy Hiking! - At the other end of a positive leash!

The Dog Hikers new Dog Mobile

In April 2007 we started our dog hiking business. We used one of our existing vehicles and transferred it into a dog mobile. With a little adjustment we were able to make the Tacoma into a dog friendly transportation vehicle. For 5 years it was a great means of transporting for our client dogs. During the last year we went on the hunt for a new vehicle. One that was safer, required no jumping in and out that could cause unnecessary injuries, a vehicle that provided the possibilities to cool off the dogs in the summer and provide heat in the winter. We also wanted to step away from the camper shell. Extra insurance for the soft top was expensive.
We wanted a vehicle that allowed us to transport all dogs safely either in a crate or attached to a seat belt.

Our Tacoma truck 

Our search was narrowed down to the Ford Transit Connect and the Toyota Sienna. Similar in price and both offered a unique safety aspect but we decided the Toyota Sienna it would be. The accessories were above and beyond what the Ford could provide. Air vents all over the van for great temperature control, easy step in and out, seat belts with harness connection for the second row and the third row we put two crates (thanks to Kate, Boe's mom, for donating a brand new crate!!!!). We added a little over $1000 in extras to make it even dog friendlier and we have the safest and most luxurious dog mobile in the South Bay. Thanks to Cathy from The Urban Pooch, who highly recommended the van. She too transports dogs in the same vehicle. Life is good! Life is safe for our pooches!!!

The new Dog Hiker mobile

 Safety through seat belts and crates in the back

 Temperature regulation for the back

 Interior mirror to watch the dogs while driving

Rear view camera for extra safety

Hiking Mt. Tallac August 8, 2012

5 am. Wednesday morning. Lake Tahoe. Time for probably our biggest family adventure during our two week vacation. Our destination: Mt. Tallac.


Our backpacks were filled with water, food and treats. Two of our three dogs would carry their own backpacks filled with water. Treats were to keep the motivation going and for emergency recalls if necessary. You never know what you are going to meet on the trails and up the mountain. The weather forecast was good. 86 F and a few clouds.

My husband Jeff, our son Benjamin (BJ) and our Lab Ani hiked Mt. Tallac last year. They had taken the longer route up (Glen Alpine Trail) and split the strenuous hike into two parts with an overnight at Lake Gilmore. They loved it!

I fed the dogs about 1/3 of the their normal breakfast. Some chicken backs and green tripe. Last year our Golden Retriever Chewie could barely get up. We had put him on special food (kibble) but we did not get the anticipated result. A good friend and Golden Retriever breeder Christine Hsu of Tigana Goldens (http://www.tiganagoldens.com/ ) suggested I put him on raw food and a whole new door opened up to him. Chewie was born without hips (yes, no ball or socket on both sides). How long he can walk or get up will depend on how fit we can keep him. Our Vet's advice: keep him lean and exercised. He was the very reason our dog hiking business was born. Every day we hike him to keep the tissue that holds everything together as fit as possible. Here is a picture of Chewie during our Mt. Tallac hike. 7 years old and growing strong.

Although we planned to hit the trails at 6 am having kids means something is always missing or someone is not ready in time. At 6:10 am we finally rolled our truck out of the campground.

6:30 am and we hit the trail. The sun was already up and we could feel the heat bouncing of our bodies. Dang, we were too late with our start I remember thinking to myself. Should we ever hike this trail again remind me to go an hour earlier!!


We started at the Mt. Tallac trail head. The trail head starts at 6,480'. The trail climbs gradually up and along a ridge above the west side of Fallen Leaf Lake. This was our first peek of Lake Tahoe and Fallen Leaf Lake.

Lake Tahoe and Fallen Leaf Lake

The first couple of miles went gradually up and we hiked along side of Fallen Leaf Lake. The ridge provided some great views. We expected it to be busy but not yet. It was too early for many. The kids were happily marching in front of us. In this picture I was hiking Scout and Ani, our almost 2 year old Golden Retriever and our 7 year old Labrador Retriever.

Scout, Ani, BJ and Lara

20 minutes into our hike we finally get the first glimpse of the mountain we intended to conquer. 9,735 feet above sea level. I remember I got a weird feeling of anxiety in my stomach. Suddenly my enthousiasm dropped completely out of me and I stood there asking myself the question: "Wtf am I doing here? Two adults, two kids and three dogs. What was I thinking? " A second after the thought entered my mind I hear a "Mom, come on!" from infront of me and my legs moved automatically and I followed the kid from who it came. 

Mt. Tallac ("large mountain") from Mt. Tallac Trail

Meet our canine crew: Scout (GR), Ani (LR) and wearing no backpack is our hip less dog Chewie (GR). They had just taken a dip in Floating Island Lake. 1.6 miles from the trail head.

We continued our journey and at 8:30 am we reached Cathedral Lake about 2.3 miles from the start. We are taking our time as the most difficult part is ahead. The climb along the rock wall of Mt. Tallac. Time to refuel and get ready! Below a picture of Cathedral Lake.

Cathedral Lake

Turning around from above taken picture my view was immediately different. Gone were the trees. This was the much dreaded open space that potentially becomes a problem on very hot days for inexperienced hikers. No shade, no water and a steep, rocky and dusty trail. My son remembered this part from his hike last year. He never hiked this part up but he knew it from hiking it down.

His anxiety level went up right here.

BJ and our dogs looking up at the moon

We continued our hike and we ran into one of our campground neighbors. We chatted and followed and passed later during our hike. The trail ascends into a large rocky bowl, which steepens considerably before it crosses the ridge to the south side of Mt. Tallac. I was carrying 22 lbs of water in my backpack and hiking the unsteady rocky trail really started to affect my hike. You can guess how I felt the next day. I felt muscles I didn't know I had even though I consider myself a trained hiker. The extra pounds in the pack really got me on this part!

Finally we reached the top of the rock wall. I have some pictures of our descent I will share later but this was definitely the most difficult part. Once at the top we encountered a meadow and such a different landscape I had to rub my eyes to remind myself of the surrounding we had just left behind. Simply amazing!

Backside of Mt. Tallac

We continued our hike to the top. We still had more than a mile to go and it didn't look much easier to be honest. The kids and dogs were doing great. We decided to put boots on our hip less dog. Chewie has a "different" walk due to his hips and our fear was that he would get his paws all raw. Better be safe then sorry! Right?

My daughter was enjoying the hike. She listened to music all the way. This picture just makes me smile! Lara is a great fan of Hetalia (anime) and this is one of the poses I guess. I'm still learning all the insight details of her new found passion!

We continued up and were exposed to the sheer beauty of the Sierra Nevada. No matter which direction you looked every capture was fascinating.

Lake Aloha is to the left (blocked by tree in picture)

This picture was taken during our 4th break. Hiking with kids and dogs means you adapt to their capabilities. Frequent stops means it may take you longer but it also gives you the opportunity to catch your breath, drink, fetch a snack and chat! A camelback is great way to provide water to your dog at all times without having to "unload" your backpack.

Scout. The rest of the family is in the background.

THE SUMMIT 

Priceless!!!

Lake Tahoe as beautiful as can be. 4.8 miles and a 3,255 feet climb.

Lake Tahoe

Conquering the top of Mt. Tallac was a huge deal for my daughter too. When she was a little girl she renamed the mountain to "scary" mountain. She now stood on top of the very mountain that once scared her. She laughed just thinking of it!

We found a good spot away from the crowd that was level and provided us the opportunity to sit and enjoy our first lunch. It was just before 11 am when we were rewarded with this spectacular view. Benjamin had an anxiety attack before the summit. Red Bull and Ibuprofen aborted a migraine attack. Do you remember the squirrel in "Over The Hedge"? Well, all the way down he wouldn't stop talking. I wonder why? 

Benjamin and the woof gang!

We ate lunch and tried to condition one chipmunk that humans do not equal food. Jeff even threatened to arrest him for stealing. Not even the dogs could keep the lil' fella away. It is sad to see that people find it okay to feed wildlife and make them dependent on our food.

Now before you close and open your eyes again and ask yourself why you are suddenly seeing everything in black and white here is my pathetic excuse: "I accidentally put my Canon on P (black and white mode) and didn't realize it." I bet you cannot read that. Good. In other words: I am your top notch amateur photographer. LOL.

Jeff hiking Chewie and Ani down the mountain standing at the entrance of the rock wall.

Now if I had the pictures color you would most likely be fascinated by the variety of rock, shrubs and trees in this next picture. The lake and the clear blue sky were spectacular in the background so you will just have to take my word for it.

 Kids are to your left in the picture

 Only a few hundred feet but the length of the trail almost equals the ascent/descent of it. Here is where we met a lot of people barely making it up while we were on our way down.

The steepest descend was over. Cathedral Lake is the first patch of water when coming down. The dogs cooled off. By now it was 1 pm and we took a long break for our second lunch.

Scout (left) and Chewie (right) enjoying a much needed cooling off at Cathedral Lake.

Bellies full of goodies and hydrated to the max a quick nap was in place. Ani and Chewie getting comfy at Cathedral Lake. Even we took a quick nap as the conditions were just "heavenly".

 Our second lunch and a fast nap did wonders!

Scout is still our little baby of the family. He too couldn't resist a nap.

Being pooped!

The ridge along Fallen Leaf Lake. This part must have gotten burned a few years ago. It was open and provided us again with a great view. Lara speed walking on the trail listening to her music!

 Working ourselves down over the ridge. The last part can be very motivating!

We did it! At 3 pm we were back at the car. We all felt proud of our acomplishment and very tired. The kids and dogs did fantastic. Our dogs are fit and capable of doing a strenuous hike. Our dogs hike an average of 3.5 miles a day. Although we feel it may have been Chewie's last big hike, we don't know what next year will bring us. Our kids had hiked throughout the whole summer with me during my client hikes and they were in top condition when we did this hike. The hike looks super easy. 4.8 miles up and 4.8 miles down. In reality the ascent and descent are very difficult. We calculated one hour per mile including breaks and we stayed well within our expectations.

 10-7 O.D. or in dog language DONE!

Mt. Tallac. "Large Mountain" in native american. Thank you for letting us be part of your existence for one single day. We had an unforgetable adventure. Of all the hikes we did you were definitely one I will not forget. Especially my legs and butt were very appreciative for the next two days. Oh, and the only reason we had our dogs on-leash: 10 miles would have otherwise been 30 miles. Afterall, they are Retrievers!

Happy Hiking!

Mt. Tallac. One more glimpse ....

Dog limit Santa Clara County Parks

It has come to our attention that Santa Clara County Parks is in the process of setting up a proposal for a new law to limit the amount of dogs walked by one person. Currently there is no law in place limiting people on the amount of dogs they walk. We learned that the reason for changing the law was another dog walking business that caused incidents in County Parks. The individual does not have the ability to walk multiple dogs and

was observed having 6 dogs lunging and barking at the end of their leashes when being passed.

 

We are obviously sad that again it seems to only take one business for a law to change. It happened a few years ago when the Open Space District reduced the amount to 3 dogs per person. We are afraid that the County will adapt a similar rule.

We are not going to sit back and wait. If the County changes the law we will lose our business. Obviously that is not our goal. We love what we do and do what we love so we are going to fight this until the end.

We are in the process of setting up a proposal for a permit system that the County could use for professional dog walkers as San Francisco and the East Bay have already introduced. Our current proposal is:

• Permit (against a fee)
• Formal dog walking training or internship with a professional dog walker (that has had the training & certification)
• Dog First Aid certification
• Insurance
• Licensing: with County (dba) and the City they are operating from (if applicable – we don’t have a license as we live in unincorporated Santa Clara County and the County does not issue licenses for businesses like ours)
• Vehicle check: insured, registered and maintained vehicle
• Trail Manners Workshop (our suggestion: setting up a mandatory workshop for professionals with the County covering the following aspects: trail etiquette, multi use trail management, environmental impact, etc)
• 8 dogs maximum per handler

The South Bay is not exempt from the trend of agencies in the San Franciso Bay Area to regulate professional dog walkers. We totally support the idea of issuing a permit for professional dog walkers because it will give legitimacy to the profession. Being a professional dog walker is not something that just anyone who likes dogs can do; it takes knowledge and skill to control groups of dogs. With safety and training requirements in place, dog owners can feel more confident that licensed dog walkers know what they're doing and that their dogs will be safe while in the dog walker's care. And people who encounter a dog walker in the park or on the street can feel more confident that licensed dog walkers know what they're doing and that the dogs will not cause problems.

Happy 2012!

I cannot believe it has been July 2011 since I last blogged. Oops ....


2011 was a good and busy year. We implemented positive changes to our business structure and it was a success. Not only did we increase the attendance rate to 95% but we also simplified our billing system and ensured that spots would be filled at all times. We merged two hiking services to one and now have a regular 6 dog attendance with a possible addition of 2 more dogs per hike if needed. We also decreased our service area to ensure we stay within a 15 mile radius. As every business owner we were wary of implementing the changes especially towards existing clients but the changes were accepted without a problem. We love our clients for that!!!!


We are looking forward to 2012. 366 days of dog fun ahead of us! Miles of trails to cover and new ones to explore. Our philosophy: "We love what we do and do what we love" couldn't be more fitting. We are engaging in new business ventures but we won't spoil the secret until it is official. Just stay tuned.

Be pawsitive! Be happy! Wishing you a great 2012!

Happy Hiking! Your Dog Hikers Team

 

The Heat is ON

One of our biggest challenges is hiking in the heat. Dogs just don't do well when the heat is on! Although dogs have sweat glands like humans, they do not use them to cool their bodies off. Dogs cool their body off by panting.

Dogs do not do well in the heat! I cannot say it often enough. During the summer we like to get our hikes in before 11 am and we don't hike when the temperature exceeds 90 degrees. Being a Trail Patrol Volunteer for the Open Space District I have encountered numerous dogs with symptoms of heat stroke on the trails. When talking to the owners most never go hiking and often decide to take their 10 year old dog on a hot day for a little stroll. Believe me, I have seen and heard it all.

What happens with your dog when he is having a heat stroke?

When heat gain exceeds the body's ability to break down the heat. The high temperatures cause chemical reactions in the dog's body that break down body cells which eventually lead to dehydration and blood thickening. The strain on your dog's heart is extreme and it causes blood clotting that may result in death.

A dog's body temperature is usually between 101 - 102 F. If your dog receives a body temperature higher than that the risk of heat stroke is inevitable. It happens in matter of minutes. Some dogs recover from heat stroke but may have permanent damage of vital body organs.

What are the symptoms of heat stroke?

• rapid and frantic panting
• wide and glazed eyes
• thick saliva
• excessive thirst
• bright red tongue and/or gums
• vomiting
• staggering
• weakness and collapse
• unconsciousness
• temperature of 104F and up
• diarrhea (sometimes bloody)

What do you need to do when your dog is suffering from a heat stroke?

Take your dog to the vet immediately. In the meantime you can do the following: Cool your dog off! Rinse your dog off with cool (not cold!) water to gradually reduce the heat in the body. If you have airco close by put your dog in the cool area! Place wet towels on the following areas: head, neck, belly and between the dog's legs. These are the most effective areas to help cool down a dog. Cooling too fast and/or too much can cause more problems.

Dog breeds with shorter snouts like boxers do much worse in the heat. I have noticed that these breeds have a much harder time cooling their bodies off.

What to do with your dog on a hot day?

Adjust the activity level of your dog! If  your dog needs exercise keep it in the shade, include water, a  doggie pool anything that is fun but keeps their body temperature down. Avoid the mid day walks. Hike early in the morning or in the evening. Feel the underground with your own bare feet or the inside of your arm. If it is too hot don't walk. You can burn your dog's pads. Don't leave your dog in the car. If you are using a professional dog walker/hiker ensure that the van is fully air-conditioned and that it stays on during pick up or drop off or that the walker has the possibility to park in the shade.

What temperature can it be outside to leave my dog in the car?

If the temperature is over 60F it is too hot to leave your dog in the car. Cracking the window does not make it safer.

Dog Hiker Position

This could be your office view!

Dog Hiker Position

BeyondCompanions is an established dog hiking service doing business as The Dog Hikers (TheDogHikers.com) in the South Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area. We are currently looking for a part time dog hiker to support our team by providing dog hiking services in the following areas: Cupertino, Saratoga, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, Campbell and parts of West San Jose. We are currently looking for a dog hiker to provide services Wednesday through Friday.

The Dog Hiker job:

We are specialized in group dog walks and depending on the group and the location of pick up/drop off, you may hike 3 to 6 dogs at one time. The hikes last one to two hours depending on the weather and trail conditions. In the job you can combine your love of the outdoors with the love of dogs. The job is physical but provides you the opportunity to enjoy what California has to offer in nature. The job includes pick up of client dogs, a hike and drop off. All of our adventures are on-leash and take place rain or shine.

Requirements:

·         You must have dog handling experience either as a group dog walker or in a dog day care surrounding. Knowing about and understanding dog body language is a necessity. Being a graduate of DogTec Dog Walking Academy, SFSPCA or Marin Humane Society graduate is a big plus.

·         You are pet first aid certified or willing to complete certification upon hire.

·         Availability: Wednesday-Friday, 10am – 4pm

·         You are physically fit and have the possibility to hike two one hour or one two hour hikes per day.

·         You must be comfortable of handling dogs of all sizes and breeds and lift up to 120 lbs.

·         You are able to hike dogs rain or shine and have professional gear to suit the job.

·         You are able to wipe down the dogs and provide a brush down if necessary.

·         You have a cell phone and daily internet access

·         You must have a reliable van, truck with camper shell or SUV that enables you to transport up to 6 dogs safely.

·         You must have proof of health insurance.

·         You must be at least 18 years old, hold a valid CA Driver’s license and show proof of insurance with a good driving record.

·         You must be able to pass a criminal background check.

·         You live in or near our service area.

·         You are responsible, reliable and honest.  You must be friendly and be able to provide customer service on a very high level.

·         You must be able to make a minimum commitment of 1 year after a two month probation/training time.

·         You are able to continue your training by attending seminars and trainings throughout the year.

Compensation:
This is an independent contractor position. There are also opportunities for boarding and dog training (if dog trainer requirements are met). Payment is based on experience.

We have built an excellent reputation by offering exceptional service to our clients and their dogs. We have a high standard of ethics and we expect the same from anyone that works with us. We are a professional business and we have distinguished ourselves from those who are not. Professionalism including discretion is a must.

How to Apply:
If you are interested and feel qualified for the job please send us a cover letter  and resume to info at beyondcompanions dot com. You must provide us with at least three references and provide us with the type of vehicle you are currently driving. Please no phone calls. Thank you!

Another 5 star review - Thank you!

This is what Jamie's mom had to say. Credit goes to Tammy, Rottie expert and prior owner, who has been enjoying Jamie's participatio in our hiking pack.

"I have a puppy Rottweiler and she is very active. I had been taking her to a dog day care a couple of times a week and thought she was happy but when I found the k-9 hiking group, I thought it would a good adventure for her... I signed up mid January and have to say on the days of the hikes, when I return from work my puppy is very happy and mellow.


I have stopped taking her to the day care because I feel like this service is awesome for her and she seems much more settled.

Thank you Beyond Companions!!! ~ Jamie's mom"

Thank you! We've had a blast with Jamie. Goofball extraordinaire and fun to have in our pack!

What a dog needs ...

The Dog Hikers developed a method called Exercise, Socialization and Training (EST). Why has our method been such a successful formula for many South Bay Area dogs? Dogs with excessive energy need to release that energy. If not released appropriately the outcome of their release will have negative consequences for us. Destructive chewing, digging, excessive barking, excessive licking, self-mutilation, hyperactivity or any other number of behavioral problems are common in under-exercised dogs.

Hiking with us means you will get a different dog back home. The exercise provides an excellent outlet for your dogs' excessive energy. The outdoor exposure to people, other dogs, horses, wildlife and the socialization within our hiking group will provide the mental stimulation your dog so desperately
needs and our training will help remind your dog of its manners.

The Dog Hikers is a unique business established in the South Bay to provide services in the South Bay area and beyond.

Gear up - The rain is coming

The weather is changing. The fall is here. What do we need to do to gear up for the colder and wetter weather? Factors such as temperature, wind and the amount of rain are important in the consideration for the right clothing and foot wear.




The Dog Hikers gear up in layers:

• Base layer: long underwear such as dry fit

• Mid layer: insulation and warmth: fleece or sweatshirt and head cover

• Outer layer: protection from the elements like wind and rain we have rain jackets and pants. Poncho is good too but handing multiple dogs at the same time a jacket works much better.



Footwear:

When rain has soaked the trails our light low hiking shoes are replaced by high gore-tex hikers, to ensure our feet stay dry and warm. Good socks are also essential because hiking in the rain the trails become a bigger challenge not only on the legs but on the feet as well.



Odd enough the rain will keep most people away from hiking. The parks and preserves are usually at their best. Especially after the rain the deer enjoy eating the fresh and wet grass and the coyotes seek that one warm spot in the sun. Once in awhile you’ll find that mountain lion track that just crossed the trail before you came. The dog’s mind is stimulated by new and strong smells of wildlife and the cool temperatures are welcomed by all living things.



As for your dog you have to look at the breed. Most dogs do well in the rain. Their coat is their protections. Some breeds may need a coat to protect them from the cold. Paw protectors are usually not necessary unless you are hiking in a rocky area.



The most important tip is to ensure the trails are safe. One some days the rain causes the trails to be incredibly muddy that slipping could be an issue. If too windy stay home as well. Falling branches and/or trees may make your trip a living nightmare and not to forget mudslides that wash away whole trails.



The Dog Hikers love the rain especially after a long, warm and sometimes too hot summer it is a welcoming change. If you should see people dancing in the middle of a Park in the rain and dogs jumping in joy with them …yep, that would be us.

Kipper, Boe and Domino hiking in the rain

Which food is right for my dog?

 A question we get asked a lot by our clients. Well, which dog food is right for my dog? Most dog food reviews are sponsored by the very same corporations that produce the food. It may not be surprising that their food always comes out as the best.

We only have a few dog food producers. Did you know that Mars owns brands like Pedigree, Nutro, Cesar and  Royal Canin? Why the different brands? It is all about Marketing! Pedigree is an average priced dog food. At about $22 for 40 lbs accessible to the average consumer. Consumers that have a bit more to spend go to Nutro or Royal Canin. Cesar targets the small breed market. Spread out they get a lot of shelf space at the local pet store and that is exactly what they want.

Small and independent dog food producers get bought by the bigger corporations and with that the ingredients often change. There is no good or bad answer concerning dog food. It is what you want and what your dog likes to eat. I combine dry and wet food. My dogs get glucosamine and fish oil as an extra every single day. Tammy swears by the raw chicken and turkey diet. Her dogs are high performance agility dogs and they work well with their diet.

We have a website that gives a good overview of dog food that is currently available: http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/. Check it out and see for yourself what the experts thought of your dog food. Ready to switch? Think twice and check the price! $60 per 40 lbs is twice as much and sometimes you may not get more.

Supplements for your dog

Are you giving your dog a supplement? If yes, which one.

We give our dogs glucosamine & chondroitin and fish oil. Read about fish oil: http://www.fishoilfordogs.org/. My vet and good friend Dani Olsen even suggest I feed my cat fish oil as it would help reduce the flakes on her coat. Since cats aren't good pill eaters we just opened the pill and put the oil on her food. Our dogs will devour their pill like a treat as most dogs would. I personally don't like the aftertaste of the fish oil. Freeze the pills and you will eliminate the aftertaste!

Our dog Chewie was born without hips. Tissue is all that is holding his back body together. How long he will be able to get up and walk we don't know. We have been providing him with clucosamine & chondroitin for a long time and he appears to be a strong dog. We do keep him lean and exercised but we do give him that little bit extra in the hope it will help to keep him walking. Read about glucoasamine & chondroitin: Glucosamine.

Love what you do. Do what you love.

Do not forget to follow our other blogs. It has been sometime since I have been able to update our blogs BUT I promise once my back is better I'll be updating with tons of stories.

Follow our business blog: http://beyondcompanions.blogspot.com/. Not only updates on pets but updates on business practices and more.

Happy Pet Day!

Our Belle

For almost a year Belle has been with us. She is a sweet dog in need of a good home. We had many wonderful applications for her but we do want to make sure that she goes to a home where she can stay and therefore we have been very strict in finding the right home. She is fine where she is with us. She is a happy dog that gets a lot of exercise and loving. We have been working intensely with her. She obeys the basic commands like sit, stay, down, etc. She is simply a wonderful dog.

Why hasn't she found the right home? Well, there is the family with the little kids. Although she does well with kids now she is still a rough player. Kids could get hurt and we believe she would do better with older kids. Then there is the family with cats. Loved them too but with her high prey drive and as first time dog owners we thought that it would not be a good match. Her restrictions narrow down the list of potential adopters but we do not want her to go to a home where they find out that she is not a match just to be returned. We have had that happen with some of our other foster dogs and believe us, they do not do well with the constant change of homes.

Belle looks beautiful but you are adopting more than just her looks. There is a lot of Lady to deal with.

For more info on Belle please check out our website:

http://www.beyondcompanions.com/Belle

or

http://www.SouthCountyPets.com