The greatest job in the world? It's got to be a pet sitter! Which child doesn't dream of 'working with animals' when they grow up? Thanks to modern technology and a large community of animal lovers, that dream can now become a reality at Pawshake! So, what knowledge and skills are required to become a competent pet sitter? The 5 qualities below will certainly stand you in good stead.
Read moreAnimal lovers are not necessarily people lovers, and dog psychology is completely different to human psychology. In order for dogs and their owners or pet sitters to enjoy a pleasant walk, it's important to be familiar with the unwritten 'rules'. Stick with these simple guidelines and you can be sure of fun and stress-free walkies with your four legged friend!
Read moreTraveling with your pet sounds idyllic: exploring far-flung places with your faithful friend at your side... There are many suitable options for those of you wishing to take your dog on your travels, but flying with a pet is far from ideal. If you really are unable to avoid flying with your pet though, then our handy tips below will help to ensure your next flight is as safe, healthy and pleasant for your four-legged friend as possible.
Read moreTravelling with your dog can seem like a great idea, yet public transport is not always geared towards pets. However, for the more adventurous among you, there are still some opportunities to take your dog on the road with you. But before you do, please read our handy tips on traveling with your dog by train, tram, bus and plane.
Read moreEaster is fast approaching, and homes all over Australia are once more crammed with chocolate eggs and bunnies. Yet, whilst many pet owners are well aware that chocolate is toxic to both cats and dogs, accidents still happen. Indeed, pets don't come with their own built-in 'poison detector' and some of them love chocolate as much as we do! But chocolate isn't the only item that's life threatening for your four legged friend. Below is a handy list of some of the most common food products that are poisonous to cats and dogs.
Read moreThe first thing that many of us impulsively do when we see a dog is reach out and give them a pat (which is hardly surprising when most dogs look so irresistibly sweet!). Children in particular often want to stroke and cuddle dogs. But is that always such a good idea? Below are some useful tips on the best way to pat a dog.
Read moreIn order to give your cat a happy, long life, it's important to understand him or her. What makes your cat tick, and what do they need? The following information about the nature and behaviour of cats will help you to better understand and bond with your pet.
Read moreAt Pawshake, we absolutely adore pets! We also care deeply about the importance of pets to those who need them most in our community. Pawshake and the Delta Society, the non-profit organisation for animal-assisted therapy, have an exciting new partnership that will make you smile on the inside and out :-)
Read moreDid you know that a dog can make you happy and healthy? Indeed, a dog can change your entire life! Dog owners, of course, already know this. Yet you don't need to be an owner yourself to benefit from a dog's company : a dog sitter or dog walker can also experience this joy! Below you'll find 7 reasons a dog makes you happy.
Read moreCat owners know only too well: every little object that's left lying around is a potential cat toy. It just needs to be light and springy (and it certainly helps if it smell irresistible too!). So why buy expensive cat toys when they are so easy to make at home? You can be as creative as you wish, and a homemade cat toy makes the perfect gift for your cat sitter!
Read moreIn the past, pet-minding in Australia has been pretty limited. The choice of where to leave your fur baby has been restricted to traditional kennels and boarding facilities, but the fact is that not every pet is suited to these situations!
Pawshake knows this and is here to help – we are pet owners and pet sitters ourselves, so have been in your shoes!
Do you want to be the best pet sitter or owner you can possibly be, by always being ready to act in a pet emergency? If you live in Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne, why not come along to one of our pet first aid course days this March? The Pet Industry Association of Australia will be working with Pawshake to present this exciting course at a discounted rate exclusively for Pawshake users!
Read moreKids back at school this week? Spare a thought for the furry children in your home, as even pets suffer from the back-to-school blues!
Read moreThey are cute, they have large ears and they like nibbling on things ... But did you know that rabbits are also very smart and fascinating little animals? And at Pawshake, you can bunny-sit the cutest rabbits! For all the rabbit lovers out there: 7 fun facts about rabbits.
Read morePuppies are just too cute! You want to get one, right this instant. But wait a minute! Answer these six questions BEFORE you welcome a puppy into your home. With this checklist, you can be sure that you will enjoy the company of a lovely, healthy dog that is a good match for you and your lifestyle.
Read moreDog boarding for the first time is quite an experience for your best friend! That’s why it’s so important to be fully prepared. The best preparation is to visit the pet sitter’s home, where they can ask you questions about your dog and your expectations. Here are some issues that should be taken into consideration.
Read moreKeep your pet safe during fireworks by bringing them inside, and provide distracting chew treats and quiet spots to hide. Be sure to make sure your home is escape-proof and your pet's microchip information is current.
Read moreWith the holidays in full swing, many dog owners have been booking pet sitters. Pawshake has literally thousands of passionate pet sitters around Australia, there to help when you need. Needless to say, being a sitter is the most fun occupation there is! But we also have to be aware that it’s not just a fun way of earning extra money: it’s a big responsibility! That’s why it’s important to consider the implications for a dog before taking them into your care. How do you make the dog’s time with you as pleasant as possible? Here are four important tips for dog owners and sitters:
Read moreHere we are again at that wonderful, hectic and fun time of year! Many people want their pets to be a part of their holiday celebrations, as they are after all a part of the family. On the internet, we will find photos of cute dogs and cats with Christmas hats or gift wrapping bows around their necks by the dozens. But is that such a great idea? It’s funny, for sure, but are we doing our pets any favours by dressing them up?
Read moreCats are real carnivores, and yet many cats love a bit of green on the side. Unfortunately, not all plants and veggies are safe for your cat - some are even downright poisonous. Which plants should you avoid, which vegetables should you be careful with and what are healthy alternatives?
Read morePerhaps you are considering becoming a pet sitter, or you might already have a profile on Pawhshake. You can determine yourself which services you offer: dog walking, day care, home visits or boarding. In turn, you decide yourself how much you want to charge for each service within the price range on our site. But how do you set your rates, and what is reasonable?
Read moreWe all know that children adore pets. A recent study indicates that pets can even help relieve stress and anxiety disorders in kids, therefore contributing substantially to a child's wellbeing.
Read moreWhat to get for the pet or human who has everything? Get some inspiration here - these pressie ideas will bring a smile to everyone's face :-)
Read moreYou naturally want your pet to have a great time with their friendly Pawshake pet sitter! So what will they need during their stay to make sure this happens? We’ve made a convenient little check list of all the things you should bring to the pet sitter’s home in preparation for boarding.
Read moreIf you are an active pet sitter or dog walker in your neighbourhood, you may sometimes want to walk several dogs at the same time. Perhaps you want to bring your own dog along too when walking your Pawshake guest dog, or perhaps you take several of your Pawshake dogs for a walk together. It is quite difficult to have all the dogs walk next to you in a well-mannered way without getting all the leads entangled, so here some tips on the fine art of walking multiple dogs at once!
Read moreAre you crazy about pets? Is your pet your best friend? We can relate! Of course you give your pet lots of love, and perhaps you have your favourite pet sitter who spoils them every now and then. And yet some pets might need a friend of their own species, as well as their human best friend. The same is true the other way around, isn’t it?
Here‘s an overview of some particularly cute pet duos.
Temperatures are rising - so why not brush up on your knowledge for pet care and safety during the hot summer months? A must-read for sitters and owners alike!
Read moreDo your pets like to lounge on your couch or bed? If so, chances are that there's hair everywhere! Of course you vacuum ALL the time and you brush your dog or cat regularly to remove excess hair. But still the hair is stuck on your furniture and clothing, and even you! That’s why we’re showing you some easy and affordable solutions to get your furniture, carpet and clothing hair-free.
You might feed your dog in the morning or evening, which is probably the absolute highlight of their day (next to walkies)... But in no more than a few seconds, it’s all gone! It’s a shame they can't enjoy it for longer. Your dog is, by nature, an “opportunistic scavenger” - in other words, a gatherer that eats what they find and will hunt if the opportunity presents itself. This means that your dog gains great satisfaction from working for their food. So why not try feeding your dog (or your pet sitting guest dog) in a different, more creative way!
Read moreSummer fun is just around the corner, but it's super important to be mindful of your pets when driving and parking. This blog gives some helpful tips on how to raise awareness and prevent incidents of dogs getting locked in cars on a hot day.
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