Tough position when a client leaves you for a competitor you know is terrible. You don't want to seem spiteful but also care about the dog.

I have to say if you're not using a wireless mouse you really should consider it, so much more relaxing: http://tiny.cc/3n7yw

Show Downtown Pets some love and click our like button (^_^) http://downtownpet.com

Someone who moans + groans everytime a client has a request, concern or comment shouldn't be in the service industry. Hear it, do it, done.

I love this promotional video from Baby Cakes Bakery: http://nyc_dog_blog.downtownpet.com/2010/09/baby-cakes-bakery-cookbook-promotion.html

Every time I have a bad customer service experience I am motivated to give my clients that absolute best customer service I possibly can.

It can be very frustrating for a service professional to receive poor customer service themselves when they spend their days serving others.

The NY Times charges more than the NY Post, Apple charges more than Dell does, should you charge more than your competition does?

The NY Times cost more than The NY Post, Apple computers cost more than PC's, should your pet service rates be more than your competition?

I thought this weekend, if I died today would I have accomplished yet what I wanted in life? The answer was no...and it helped motivate me to both pickup the pace in my pursuit and center my focus on those goals. How would you answer the question? And if you're not yet doing what you want in life stop waiting (

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Clients being home can be a tricky thing, they either love or hate their walkers and it's not based on how they are outside with the dogs...

"You see in life lots of people know what to do but few people actually do what they know. Knowing is not enough! You must take action." -TR

Don't create a business environment where you have to hope your employees do the right thing, create one where they must hope you do, and do so.

Pet service owners should never base their opinion of their employees on how they seem on the phone or email, see them with your own eyes.

I love when someone leaves you a 5 minute voicemail and at the end says their phone number so quickly you need to listen to it 5x to get #!

The nice part about having a bad experience with an employee is you can go okay that's the type of person I never want in my company again.

You can have the best website, marketing strategy and materials, but if you don't have the best dog walkers and pet sitters you have nothing

It seems the times entrepreneurs most live in regret are the times they don't have things going on in the present...stay active my friends.

- your ability to manage all these personality quirks in your employees & clients could decide your personal happiness & business' success!

- and by managing people I mean personality quirks, neurosis, obsessiveness, communication issues, passive aggressiveness, crudeness, etc.

As the owner of a pet service be prepared to spend a great majority of your time dealing with human issues and requests, not the dogs.

Have you ever met a 3 legged dog who wasnt the sweetest thing in the world? Oh my God, they are so adorable!!!

I'm doing side projects with each of my employees utilizing his or her strengths and career pursuits - fun for them, good for biz and moral.

I have a big problem with so called pet service "experts" who have never actually been a dog walker or sitter themselves...

Can you name companies who offer exceptionally high quality for what's considered low prices in their market place?

Mobile Web App's could greatly improve the experience of your clients' interaction with your company and they are affordable too...

I thought that was an interesting quote to ponder when it comes to teaching your employees too much about how you run your business...

"Catch a man a fish & you can sell it to him. Teach a man to fish & you ruin a wonderful business opportunity." - Karl Marx

It's a good idea for dog walkers to have contacts for bird rescuers in your area, as a walker you'll run into many injured birds.

Pet service clients can be like college professors in that they don't always consider the amount of work others are giving you too...

Dog walkers & pet sitters never raising their rates hurts the entire industry. Don't apologize for raising your rates, you have a tough job.

The Toilet Paper Enrepreneur:

I'm reading a great book that any pet service owner or entrepreneur will find extremely helpful in the first five pages alone! It's called "The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur" and based on the title you can probably guess the author wants you to think outside the box with your business. You can learn more and purchase the book here.

Don't feed your clients neurosis, don't aid it, especially when it comes to time, be here at 9am daily, etc., uhh no we need a time frame...

Check out this cool picture we're doing for our website, homage to Beatles cover: http://ping.fm/k5Xd1