Time for a Walk Blog

Time for a Walk was informed via Homeward Trails of a lost dog named Jager in the Arlington area this morning and we’re hoping to spread the word and help bring him home safely.  Jager was lost on the morning of September 23, 2009 from his home in South Arlington near S. Kemper Street. Jager is a 1 year old Basset/Beagle mix. His owner is out of town in Colorado and unable to return to aid in his search - we ask that you keep an eye out for Jager and please contact Alex at 442-254-4151 if you see any sign of him.

Jager is pictured below:

Thank you for your help and we hope to see Jager home safe and sound shortly,

Time for a Walk Team

Dogs’ Intelligence On Par With Two-year-old Human, Canine Researcher Says
ScienceDaily (Aug. 10, 2009)

Article submitted by Susan - Owner of Angus & Snickers

Although you wouldn’t want one to balance your checkbook, dogs can count. They can also understand more than 150 words and intentionally deceive other dogs and people to get treats, according to psychologist and leading canine researcher Stanley Coren, PhD, of the University of British Columbia. He spoke Saturday on the topic “How Dogs Think” at the American Psychological Association’s 117th Annual Convention.

Coren, author of more than a half-dozen popular books on dogs and dog behavior, has reviewed numerous studies to conclude that dogs have the ability to solve complex problems and are more like humans and other higher primates than previously thought.

“We all want insight into how our furry companions think, and we want to understand the silly, quirky and apparently irrational behaviors [that] Lassie or Rover demonstrate,” Coren said in an interview. “Their stunning flashes of brilliance and creativity are reminders that they may not be Einsteins but are sure closer to humans than we thought.”

According to several behavioral measures, Coren says dogs’ mental abilities are close to a human child age 2 to 2.5 years. The intelligence of various types of dogs does differ and the dog’s breed determines some of these differences, Coren says. “There are three types of dog intelligence: instinctive (what the dog is bred to do), adaptive (how well the dog learns from its environment to solve problems) and working and obedience (the equivalent of ’school learning’).”

Data from 208 dog obedience judges from the United States and Canada showed the differences in working and obedience intelligence of dog breeds, according to Coren. “Border collies are number one; poodles are second, followed by German shepherds. Fourth on the list is golden retrievers; fifth, dobermans; sixth, Shetland sheepdogs; and finally, Labrador retrievers,” said Coren.

As for language, the average dog can learn 165 words, including signals, and the “super dogs” (those in the top 20 percent of dog intelligence) can learn 250 words, Coren says. “The upper limit of dogs’ ability to learn language is partly based on a study of a border collie named Rico who showed knowledge of 200 spoken words and demonstrated ‘fast-track learning,’ which scientists believed to be found only in humans and language learning apes,” Coren said.

Dogs can also count up to four or five, said Coren. And they have a basic understanding of arithmetic and will notice errors in simple computations, such as 1+1=1 or 1+1=3.

Four studies he examined looked how dogs solve spatial problems by modeling human or other dogs’ behavior using a barrier type problem. Through observation, Coren said, dogs can learn the location of valued items (treats), better routes in the environment (the fastest way to a favorite chair), how to operate mechanisms (such as latches and simple machines) and the meaning of words and symbolic concepts (sometimes by simply listening to people speak and watching their actions).

During play, dogs are capable of deliberately trying to deceive other dogs and people in order to get rewards, said Coren. “And they are nearly as successful in deceiving humans as humans are in deceiving dogs.”

Adapted from materials provided by American Psychological Association

Take a moment to read the blurbs below and catch up on Time for a Walk’s events and involvement over the past year.  Check back with our blog regularly to stay posted on ways to participate in upcoming TFAW events and be sure to visit our Pets on Parade page to see if we’ve snapped a pic of your pet in our care!

Capital Cat Show 2009 – September 12^th, 2009

As members of Northern Virginia Professional Pet Sitters Network, TFAW participated in the 2009 Capital Cat Show, one of the largest cat shows in the country, to represent and promote the benefits of using certified, bonded and insured professional pet sitters to care for area pets.  Cat lovers from the DC Metro area came together to learn more about our feline friends, purchase unique pet related items, and meet the over 500 cats on exhibition.

Each month, TFAW attends NOVA Pet Sitter meetings to collaborate and connect with other independent pet sitting companies in the area.  Through this network of services, we are able to confidently offer referrals and recommendations to clients outside of our service area to other companies that we know and trust.  You can learn more about this organization and our collective efforts by visiting http://www.novapetsitters.com/.   

While it’s hard to miss, make sure to keep your eyes peeled in the area for the new TFAW vehicle!   This past August a company vehicle was purchased to promote TFAW services and tote around pups per our Pet Taxi service! 

Pet Taxi service is available 7 days a week and is a wonderful alternative to get your busy pet to the groomer, veterinarian, or other appointment within the Washington metropolitan area.  Prices start at just $15 for the first 5 miles all while saving you the time and hassle of coordinating around your pet’s schedule. 

TFAW Vehicle

TFAW Vehicle Back

Riverhouse Pet Appreciation Event - July 17^th, 2009

This past July, TFAW mingled with clients and pet lovers at Riverhouse Apartments in S. Arlington for their first ever Pet Appreciation Event.   A number of dogs arrived decked out for the “Beach Bum” theme participating in their costume contest and enjoying some snacks and good company.  A big thank you goes out to our clients at Riverhouse for joining us at this fun event!  

Beach Bum Contest Winner!

TFAW Goodies

TFAW Spring 2009 Yappy Hour – June 18^th, 2009

This past June Time for a Walk hosted a “Yappy Hour” for clients and employees at Sette Bello in Clarendon.   Approximately 40 people came out to enjoy drinks and appetizers on TFAW with their pooches.  It was a wonderful opportunity to meet other clients and their furry friends as well as a number of employees who frequently care for area pets.  We hope to see you at our next “Yappy Hour” event!

TFAW Yappy Hour

14^th Annual Walk for the Animals – May 9^th, 2009

On May 9^th at Bluemont Park in Arlington, Time for a Walk participated and was one of the sponsors in the 14^th Annual Walk for the Animals.  Raising over $2,600, the Time for a Walk team placed first in the team fundraising division!  The walk is coordinated annually by the Animal Welfare League of Arlington in an effort to raise awareness of animal cruelty and promote the importance of fighting for homeless and suffering animals.  We are proud to have been part of such a worthy cause.  Thank you to all who supported our initiative and came out for the event.  We look forward to participating in this wonderful event again next year!

TFAW Team

Bethany, Keira & Christina at the TFAW Booth

TFAW Employee Bowling Get Together – March 20^th, 2009

In March, Time for a Walk sponsored an employee gathering at Bowl of America to promote our collective efforts as a team oriented company.  The employees had a chance to bowl a few games, chow on some fried food, and spend time getting to know one another outside of work.   We look forward to our regular employee outings and have enjoyed a number of past excursions including employee happy hours and even white water rafting!

Employee Bowling

TFAW White Water Rafting Trip - Summer 2008

So after many months and revisions we have finally launched the updated Time for a Walk website - http://www.timeforawalk.com.  Many thanks to Christina (the graphic artist - not referring to myself), Minki, Jenny and Jonathan.  Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication.