Texas Ruff House Blog

  How do I stop my dog from pulling? Love taking your fur baby on a walk? We do, too, but not so much when they pull. Pulling can harm your dog’s neck, gait, and not to mention it can hurt you as well. Poor leash handling can result in back pain, arm injuries, or aching knees. The worst part is, it may even reduce the amount of walks your dog receives. That's why leash training is so important, especially if your dog pulls or reacts while on the leash during your walks. Want to learn what we teach our Texas Ruff House pet sitters and dog walkers? Here are some of our pro tips to help you teach your dog to walk on a leash without pulling! Start with the right equipment A sturdy, non-retractable leash and a properly fittied collar or harness are essential for effective leash training.  Obedience basics Your dog should know basic commands like "sit" before you start leash training. We also may work with a cue signal that directs the dog to check in with you throughout the

 Pet sitting vs. Boarding... which is right for you and your pets? You’ve booked your vacation and reserved your flight, all that’s left is to decide what to do for your fur babies. Should you board them or hire a pet sitting service and let them stay at home? Which is right for you and your pets? Let’s go through the details so you can make the best decision for your family. Benefits of Pet Sitting ● Less anxiety , your pets are safe and sound in their home                                                          ● You can find out how your pets are doing through daily texts and pictures ● Medications or a special diet can continue ● Your pets are given one-on-one loving attention several times per day ● In addition to play time, your dogs can also be walked ● You don’t have to worry about them catching a virus or fleas from other pets ● Save time by not having to drop off and pick up your pets on the way out of town ● You get a double benefit of both pet sitting and house sitting (T

Cats, just like people, have nails that grow continuously for their whole lives. Some cats can keep their nails from being overgrown by scratching, preferably on scratching posts. Others need a little help. Just like dogs and babies, they need their nails clipped. So you may be wondering.. How do I cut my nails at home? What happens if I don’t clip my cat’s nails? We get it. You're busy. And sometimes you may forget to do coat and claw inspection on your cat. But a regular check of the paws and nails can prevent pain and discomfort...and might save your furniture, your legs, and in extreme cases, prevent the claws from growing into your cat’s sensitive foot pads. Overgrown nails can also affect your cat’s ability to retract them, walk and climb. How often should I clip my cat’s nails?  Just like the number of times a cat likes to have his belly scratched, how often they need their nails clipped is different for each cat. You should clip your cat’s nails every two to three weeks, d

  Our 5 Tips for Choosing the Best Pet Sitter Whether you’ve worked with a pet sitter before and are looking for a new one, or are hiring one for the very first time, finding the perfect sitter to care for your four-legged family members can be daunting! There’s a number of options on the market to sort through, and it might not be straightforward to tell which ones are trustworthy, professional, and reliable, let alone which one your dog or cat will like. We want to help you take the guesswork out of it, because we want your pet to get the best care possible! Here are our 5 tips for choosing the best pet sitter. 1. Do your research and look for sitters that are insured (to cover accidents and negligence) and bonded (to protect against theft) and are certified in pet first aid. Not only does this mean that they are business professionals and not just side gig workers, but are also fully prepared in the unfortunate and hopefully unlikely event of an emergency or accident. In addition, y

What Our Clients Are Barking and Meowing About     Have you ever wondered how your pet feels about you leaving them home alone? Whether or not you work from home, we couldn't take them everywhere we go, even if we wanted to. So, as a pet parent, it’s natural to worry about your pet’s separation anxiety or loneliness. That’s where we come in! Many clients book pet sitting services for this reason, and our team of pet care professionals at Texas Ruff House help your dog or cat feel fulfilled, satisfied, and relaxed by the end of their visit in Pflugerville, TX and the surrounding areas of Round Rock, Georgetown, Hutto, and North Austin. But don’t take it from us! We sniffed around for feedback from both dogs and cats and got some fun stories that clued us into the secret life of pets at Texas Ruff House. Come behind the scenes with us and see what our clients’ pets had to say! The Gal Squad: Maple, Midgy, and Pandora Maple here, along with my sisters Midgy and Pandora. Since there’s