Category Archives: How To

Strengthen Your Website: Moves That Build Trust, Keep Traffic, and Grow Conversions

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Many of our DogBlog followers have invested their time and talents in websites and blogs for dog parents and veterinarian clinics. I recently received a message from Sharon Wagner offering an article about how to strengthen your website. Let’s take a look at her advice.

Guest Contributor: Sharon Wagner

Laptop image
Image via Freepik

When resources are stretched, your website becomes your frontline. It shapes how people judge your business — whether they trust it, stay on it, or act. Clear navigation, fast loading, clean content, and smart structure can tip the scale in your favor. These aren’t bells and whistles. They’re basic survival infrastructure. Do them right, and your site doesn’t just stay afloat — it pulls you forward.

Load Speed Is the First Impression

When someone lands on your website and it lags, you’ve already lost. There’s no second chance. Speed is perception — and in a downturn, perception is everything. Customers are scanning for signs of reliability, professionalism, and ease. Instant load times send the signal that your business is operational, modern, and attentive. Even a one-second delay can spike bounce rates and chip away at the credibility you’ve worked hard to earn. Use this as your first gut check: does your site feel fast, like it’s ready to serve? If not, that’s the first fix.

Know What’s Working Every Week

Data is the gut-check. Don’t fly blind — especially now. Knowing where your traffic comes from, what pages people leave, and what converts best isn’t “advanced.” It’s required. You can log into Google Analytics and start tracking basic signals that tell you what’s working. Check it every Monday. Look for red flags. Spot weird dips. Use it to drive small experiments: move a button, reword a CTA, change an image. That’s how you improve week over week. When you monitor your bounce rate and traffic, you put decision-making back in your hands — not in your gut.

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What to Know Before Starting a Veterinary Clinic: Long-Term Thinking for Local Success

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Guest Blogger: Nick Burton
https://ourbestdoggo.com

Vet Clinic
Image via Pexels

Opening a veterinary clinic is more than just a business decision — it’s a lifestyle shift, a leadership leap, and a long-haul commitment. It calls for clinical skill, yes, but also business acumen, emotional resilience, and a sharp eye for invisible risk. Too many clinics launch with heart but no scaffolding. And while love for animals is non-negotiable, it won’t keep the lights on. If you’re serious about building a practice that lasts — and doesn’t just survive but grows — here’s what you need to weigh before opening your doors.

Start With the Street, Not the Scalpel

Before you scout equipment, sketch logos, or price out syringes, you need to understand your local terrain. Not just where the nearest dog park is — but what types of pet owners dominate your zip code, what they spend, and what they expect. Market gaps often live where expectations and services misalign. Instead of guessing, dig into resources that outline understanding local pet-owner demographics. Knowing if your region skews toward working professionals, retirees with aging pets, or first-time millennial adopters changes everything: hours, pricing, care tiers. Start with data. Let it shape your service DNA.

Use Tools That Remove Friction From the Start

One of the most underestimated factors in a clinic’s day-to-day chaos is paperwork. Intake forms, medical histories, post-op instructions — all piling up. The fix isn’t fancy tech. It’s intelligent formatting. Incorporating best practices to create fillable PDFs lets you digitize intake processes, streamline consent documentation, and reduce errors from illegible handwriting. It’s not about going paperless for the sake of it — it’s about reducing patient lag, accelerating front-desk workflows, and avoiding lost information that could impact care quality.

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Building a Pet Care Business: What It Takes to Succeed in a Growing Industry

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Guest Contributor: Nick Burton, Ourbestdoggo.com

Dog Walker – Photo by Pexels

Starting a pet care business can feel like a leap into uncharted territory, but the opportunities are real and growing. The pet industry is booming, fueled by a culture that increasingly treats animals as family members. If you’re someone who lights up around animals and wants to build a career rooted in that passion, this path can combine purpose and profit. Success, however, comes from more than just loving pets, it demands clear strategy, thoughtful structure, and the ability to make decisions that resonate with modern pet owners.

Choosing Your Pet Care Niche

The first big decision is figuring out exactly what kind of services you’ll offer. Will you provide dog walking, overnight boarding, or grooming? Or maybe a mix of all three? Casting your net too wide early on can dilute your message and resources. Instead, look for ways to specialize and stand out. Consider focusing on a particular demographic, such as busy urban professionals who need flexible services, or families looking for safe and fun daycare options. Research shows that leaning into niche strategies for pet care can help you create a strong identity and attract loyal clients.

Setting Up Legal Requirements

A pet care business isn’t just about cute moments and tail wags; there are legal requirements that protect you, your clients, and the animals in your care. Depending on your state or city, you may need a business license, permits, and liability insurance. Some areas also require proof of training or certifications, especially if you offer grooming or medical-related services. Taking the time to understand local regulations will save you headaches later. Many new owners also overlook the need for financial safeguards, like surety bonds, which can help build trust with clients. Learning how to obtain a surety bond for licensing will position your business as professional and reliable from day one.

Building a Pet-Friendly Service Model

Your business model needs to reflect how people experience your services, not just what’s on paper. Think about the environment you’re creating for pets. Is your space designed for both safety and play? Have you set up routines that keep pets comfortable, well-exercised, and stress-free? Mapping out a service framework can help, especially when you expand to hiring additional staff. This might include structured activity times, clear feeding protocols, and easy-to-follow handoff systems for pet owners. Tools like a business model template can give you a visual plan for operations, making sure every detail—from pricing to customer experience—is covered.

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Creating a Dog-First Home Without Breaking the Bank

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Guest Post by: Nick Burton  Ourbestdoggo.com

Dog at home.


Image by Freepik

Your dog doesn’t care if your patio furniture is West Elm or Walmart. What matters to them is safety, space, and spots to sniff. Shaping your home and yard into a haven for your pet doesn’t have to run your wallet ragged. With a little grit, a pinch of planning, and a sense of what dogs genuinely need, your space can transform. No need for sprawling lawns or fancy gadgets either. Just smart choices, creative reuses, and a few changes that make life a whole lot better for both of you.

Pet-Safe Landscaping

Start by asking yourself where your dog likes to wander. If it’s the flower beds, you’ve got a problem, but not an expensive one. Consider raised planters or hardy border shrubs to protect fragile areas while giving your pup clear boundaries. Swap out toxic plants for hardy, non-poisonous ones like marigolds, sunflowers, or rosemary, which not only survive your dog’s curiosity but also look decent doing it. Mulch smart, too—skip cocoa mulch and go with cedar or pine. Browse these dog-friendly backyard ideas to help you sketch out the transformation.

DIY Dog Fencing

You don’t need a contractor to build a fortress. In fact, most dogs just need consistency and a clear line between theirs and the outside world. You can use wooden pallets, lattice panels, or repurposed fencing to create barriers that fit your budget and blend into your landscaping. Just ensure the height suits your breed’s jumping prowess and that gaps won’t tempt small adventurers. Invisible fences are an option but not always ideal for every temperament. Some of the smartest cheap dog fence ideas can be built with materials sitting in your shed.

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4 Downsizing Steps To Care for Your Precious Pet

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Guest Post by: Jessica Brody

Image via Unsplash

Downsizing happens for many reasons. Perhaps you cannot afford your current mortgage. Maybe you simply want a smaller house to maintain. Whatever the reason, the process can be tedious and challenging, especially if you have a fuzzy, furry, or fluffy pet moving with you. To ensure a smooth transition for you and your animal, follow these four steps throughout the moving process, presented by DogBlog: A Dog’s Eyes View.

1. List New Home Modifications

If you are wondering what moving tasks you need to do for your pet, you are not alone. According to one report, some state populations in the U.S. are 70% pet owners, including Idaho. This means many people have to factor in pets when downsizing.

When you’re looking at a potential new home, note what accommodations it has for your animal and what modifications are needed to create a safe and comfortable space. Maybe it has a spacious living room so you can set up an area just for your precious pooches, but perhaps the yard is not fenced in. To keep your dog safe, connect with local fencing companies to get quotes on a new fence and installation.

Before meeting contractors in person, compare online reviews for contracting companies. This provides you with a better understanding of the pros and cons of each business before you commit. Homeowners spend an average of $4,500 to install a fence; this cost can vary depending on the fence’s size, location, and materials. The last thing you want after signing a contract is to realize you could have gotten a better deal somewhere else. Be sure the installer is licensed, insured, and knowledgeable of underground utility lines.

Another possible house modification is a doggy door. If you are gone for most of the day, or you simply have an independent pet, adding a doggy door lets your pup go outside as needed.

2. Fix Pet Damage in Your Home

While pets bring joy and love into your life, they also bring more wear and tear to your home. Potential buyers will likely notice these damages, and it may dissuade them from purchasing your house. Before listing your home, fix the pet damages throughout the rooms.

Common issues caused by pets include dirty carpets, scratched floors, floorboards, and walls, unpleasant odors, and water damage. Do a thorough assessment of your home to see what needs to be updated. You might need to hire a professional depending on how severe it is.

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Preparing For a Car Ride With Your Dog

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Guest Post By: Tess Halpren
Community Outreach
The Zebra

Easiest Ways to Pet Proof Your Car

Pet proof before a trip

Most dogs love going for car rides. With their head out the window, ears blowing in the wind, dogs are the picture of bliss when they tag along for the trip.

In reality, though, car rides can be very stressful for even the happiest dogs. Whether going on a cross-country road trip or just down the street, dogs often experience anxiety during a drive. This anxiety is caused by a number of things, including the movement of the car, the sound of the engine, or the possibility of a trip to the vet’s (eek!). If you aren’t careful, you’ll land up with a jittery pup and maybe even a ruined backseat.

The following post from The Zebra gives a collection of tips and tricks for keeping you, your dog, and your car happy on your next road trip. These tips give advice on what to do before, during, and after your car ride to keep your pup calm and your car clean.

pet proofing your car