There is nothing more wonderful than taking your dog to your favorite beach—running in the sand, splashing in the water, chasing birds, playing with fellow furry friends, and enjoying the lovely weather and scenery that make Southern California one of the world’s nicest places to live. And there is nothing sadder than this lovely time being interrupted by a “No Dogs Allowed” sign. This is why ZaWoot has put together a list of the best dog parks and dog beaches in Southern California, so that you can plan a weekend of uninterrupted fun with your best friend.

Huntington Beach in northern Orange County is known for its pet-friendly attitude. Their special Dog Beach is situated just between Sunset Beach and Huntington Beach and is always filled with furry friends and their owners. As long as you clean up after your pet you will always be welcome here. No leashes necessary—just a good sense of fun. Furthermore, Huntington Beach Central Park is always loaded with dogs. Though leashes are recommended, it’s fairly safe to say that everyone here has a dog-friendly attitude and will more than welcome you and your pet. To top it off, the Park Bench Café, located in the middle of HB Central Park, offers outdoor-only seating and is always filled with locals and their pets. Leashes are required when eating at the café.

Not far from Huntington Beach is Costa Mesa, another large Orange County town. The Costa Mesa Bark Park is always open to pet-lovers and their furry friends, and features just about everything your pet could need, including a separate small dogs area, double-gated entrance, running water, and poop bags. Further north you will find the Long Beach Recreation Dog Park, which is open daily and also features gates, poop bags, and running water for your pet.

In Los Angeles, Redondo Beach also has a dog-friendly area, separate from the rest of Redondo Beach with a fence. Culver City features a nice dog park as well, called The Boneyard. Located on Jefferson Ave, this large park features walking grounds and separate large and small dog play areas. Running water and double-gated entrances are available, as are large benches and shaded areas.

We here at ZaWoot know you love your pet and always want to bring your pet somewhere he or she is welcome and appreciated. This list should give you an idea of where you can head with your best friend this weekend no matter where you are located—Los Angeles, the Beach Cities, or Orange County. We know you and your pet will have a great time.

One of the most difficult things a dog owner may have to deal with is a dog who constantly barks. Barking can be annoying, threatening to other pets, frightening to guests, and a source of serious contention with neighbors. In the most extreme and saddest cases, dogs have been given up or even euthanized because an owner could not live with a noisy dog.

These conditions have recently exposed the quiet popularity of dog “debarking” surgery. The surgery is controversial, but according to the New York Times, has been around for years. In this surgery, a dog’s vocal chords are snipped, meaning the dog can no longer bark, only wheeze or whimper.

Proponents of the surgery say that the surgery does no harm to the dog and can help save dogs from being sent off to shelters or from being euthanized. Opponents of the surgery say the debarking process is cruel and deprives a dog of its main form of communication.

The best way to deal with a barking dog is to hire a professional dog trainer who can break your dog of its barking tendencies. If you have questions about the safety or pros and cons of dog debarking surgery, you should speak with your veterinarian.

ZaWoot can help put you in touch with both dog trainers and veterinarians, who can both provide you with advice on curbing a dog’s barking tendencies. To search for trusted pet service providers near you, join the ZaWoot community at www.zawoot.com and fill out the request form on the homepage. Trusted pet service providers in your area will contact you right away; all you have to do is choose the one who is right for you.

Are you ready for the most romantic day of the year? Maybe you have already purchased and wrapped the perfect gift, ordered flowers, made reservations, picked out an outfit, and sampled a new perfume or cologne. If everything is set, there is only one last thing to take care of—your pet.

If you are planning a romantic Valentine’s Day evening or weekend getaway, you will need a trusted and reliable pet sitting service that is available this Sunday. Sometimes finding a pet sitting service is difficult on a holiday, but ZaWoot makes the process easy. With our simple request form, you will only hear from pet sitting service providers who are available and would like your business. That means no hours spent on the phone trying to get a pet sitter. Finally, getting a pet sitter is easier than getting a reservation at your favorite fondue restaurant!

If you are in need of a trusted and available pet sitting service for Valentine’s Day, turn to ZaWoot for help. Navigate to www.zawoot.com and join our community for free. Once you have secured your membership, simply use the request form on the homepage to begin your completely free search for the perfect Valentine’s Day pet sitter. Just select “Pet Care” from the subcategory list, and then either “Day Sitting” or “Overnight Sitting” from the services list. Click “Next,” and then select whether you are looking for pet sitting services for a dog or cat. Select the dates on which you need a pet sitter—February 14^th, 2010 (Valentine’s Day), or even the whole weekend—February 12^th, 2010 through February 14^th, 2010. Complete the rest of the form and then submit it back to ZaWoot.

Within minutes you will receive feedback from pet sitting service providers that meet all your criteria and are available on Valentine’s Day and/or Valentine’s Day weekend. You can see what other ZaWoot community members are saying about the pet sitting service provider on our Provider Reviews page. Simply select the pet sitter who best suits your needs and you are on your way. It’s really that easy.

What have you done for yourself this new year? Did you join a gym or a jogging club? If you have already made plans to take better care of your own physical health in 2010, it may be time to focus your attention on your pet’s physical health!

If you own a dog, chances are that your pet may not be receiving the amount of exercise he or she needs. During the summer, dogs spend more time outside with their owners, but the winter brings cold weather, rain, and sometimes even hail, making it difficult to take your beloved pet on as many romps as usual.

Luckily, there are dog walkers all over Southern California who would be happy to take your best friend on a walk or run while you are at work. ZaWoot can help put you in touch with the most trusted and reliable dog walkers in your area in just a few minutes. Simple navigate to www.zawoot.com and complete the request form on the homepage. Choose “Pet Care” from the subcategory list and “Walking” from the services list, and then click “Next.” Make sure you are selecting services for a dog and then fill out the rest of the form. You can specify your location as well as additional information that you might find important. Once you are finished completing the form, simply click “Submit.” Then, all you need to do is sit back and wait for trusted and reliable Los Angeles dog walkers who meet all your criteria to contact you. When you hear from a dog walker, make sure to check out his or her reputation on our Provider Reviews page. There, you will be able to see what other ZaWoot customers have to say about that dog walker. From there you are free to make your final selection. When we say free, we mean free, because ZaWoot never charges its customers for use of our service! It’s as simple as that.

If you are in the market for a reliable dog walker, head on over to www.zawoot.com to begin searching for the perfect one. Your pet will be both happy and healthy—what else matters?

We know you love your pet. You play together, run together, go on long walks together, and even kick back after a hard day together. If your pet is your best friend, you probably take great care of him or her! You take your pet for walks, to the vet for check-ups, and feed your pet the best food. However, you may be neglecting to take proper care of your pet’s teeth.z

Animals’ dental health is important to their overall health, just as it is with humans. However, unlike humans, dogs and cats do not brush and floss their teeth every day! To keep your pet’s teeth strong and healthy, you may want to seek an oral exam and advice from a pet dentistry professional. In addition, if your pet ever chips, breaks, or loses a tooth, or if you think your pet may be experiencing dental pain, you will need an experienced and trusted pet dentistry professional to turn to.

ZaWoot can help put you in touch with reliable pet dentistry professionals in your area. When you choose to let ZaWoot do the research for you, you are guaranteed to find a pet dentistry professional who meets all your criteria. You won’t have to spend hours looking through the phonebook or asking friends for references. Simply sign up to join the ZaWoot community and fill out our request form to find any type of pet services. Joining ZaWoot and using our services is always 100% free.

To begin your search for a respected pet dentistry professional, navigate to www.zawoot.com and join our community. Once you have secured a log-in and password, select “Veterinarian” from the subcategory list and “Pet Dentistry” from the services list. Click “Next” and then fill out the rest of the requested information, including whether you are searching for pet dentistry services for a dog or cat and your location. Once you submit the form, all you have to do is sit back and wait for pet dentistry professionals to contact you! As a ZaWoot community member, you can check out any pet dentistry professional’s reputation on our Provider Reviews page.

ZaWoot takes the stress out of finding a reputable pet dentistry professional in your area. For more information, visit us at www.zawoot.com. We look forward to working with you.

Have you decided to start eating right for the New Year? If you have, congratulations—eating right and staying healthy are important parts of life and great things to focus on for your resolution. However, it is also important to remember that keeping yourself healthy is not your only responsibility; it is your job to keep your pet healthy as well.

Pets do not have the same eating habits as humans. While we can decide to stop eating when we are full, pets do not have such sensitive stomachs. Some large dogs have been known to eat themselves sick, as they do not know when to stop eating. Also, by nature humans are designed to crave many different foods to make sure we get foods from all the food groups. That is why you can feel too full to eat more of that pasta, but not too full to try a bite of cake. Pets do not have the mechanism that makes them crave different foods, so pets will not get the full nutrition they need unless given to them by an owner.

If you are concerned about your pet’s nutrition, the best thing to do is speak to a veterinarian. Your veterinarian can help you find out how much food your pet should eat, how often your pet should eat, and what types of food, treats, and vitamins would be best for your pet’s individual needs. Some pets with smaller bones require extra calcium to keep their bones strong. Other pets that are highly active may require extra protein to give them energy and help them build strong muscles. Only your veterinarian can tell you what types of feeding habits are best for your pet’s health.

If you need to get in contact with a veterinarian to discuss pet nutrition and other pet health issues, ZaWoot can help. Just navigate to www.zawoot.com and select “Veterinarian” from the subcategory list. Then, choose “Nutrition Counseling” or any other option you need from the services list. Click “Next” and then fill out the rest of the information on the request form, including whether you need pet nutrition counseling for a dog or cat, the location in which you would like to find a veterinarian, and the date and time in which you prefer to see a veterinarian. Then simply submit the request form and wait for trusted veterinarians in your area to contact you. Once you hear back from a veterinarian, travel over to our Provider Reviews page to see what other ZaWoot users are saying about that veterinarian. Then, make your final decision and call your selected veterinarian to schedule an appointment. With ZaWoot, the veterinarian hunt is easy and simple.

Take control of your pet’s nutritional needs this year by scheduling a nutrition counseling appointment with your pet’s veterinarian. Your pet will feel great and be in the best health possible to live a long and happy life.

The new year is finally here. It’s now time for diets, gym routines, organizing your address book, cleaning out the garage, and taking better care of yourself. We here at ZaWoot, however, think you should add one more resolution to your list of new practices for 2010. Your pet also needs attention, so we suggest scheduling a routine checkup for your pet right away.

Scheduling routine veterinarian checkups for your pet is just as important as scheduling annual physicals for yourself. Taking your pets to the veterinarian when they are sick is only one part of being a good pet owner. You should also take your pets to the veterinarian regularly to make sure they are healthy and to avoid preventable diseases and ailments. The best time to prevent disease is early on—often before physical symptoms can be noticed by an owner. Additionally, your veterinarian can provide your pet with vaccinations and medications that can help prevent diseases or disorders common to pets in your area or pets of a certain breed, such as heartworm or arthritis.

If it has been a while since your pet has been to the veterinarian, or if you have recently moved and are in need of a veterinarian in a new location, ZaWoot can help. Simply complete the request form on the www.zawoot.com homepage by selecting “Veterinarian” from the subcategory list and then “Medical Examinations,” “Medications,” and/or “Shots” from the services list, and then click “Next.” Fill out the rest of the requested information on the form, including whether you are seeking veterinarian services for a dog or cat, the area where you are looking for a veterinarian, and the date and time in which you prefer to visit a veterinarian. After you complete and submit your form, ZaWoot will send your request to the most trusted veterinarians in your area who meet all the criteria you have specified. Just sit back and wait for a veterinarian to contact you. Once you hear from veterinarians in your area, you can research their reputations on our Provider Reviews page to make sure you are selecting the veterinarian who is right for you. ZaWoot provides you with a fast and easy way to find a veterinarian that you and your pets will love.

Make 2010 the year that you take the best care of the ones you love, including your cherished pets. Schedule an appointment with a veterinarian today to ensure your pet will live a long and happy life.

The holidays are here again, and you know what that means: good food, good friends, and holiday parties. If your busy holiday schedule involves leaving your dog behind for a prolonged period of time, you may want to consider hiring a dog sitter to keep your pet company and to feed and walk your pet while you are away.

If you are heading away for a holiday weekend or need someone to look after your pet during a holiday party that will run late, a dog sitter may be the right option for you. Dog sitters are usually dog lovers who would be more than happy to play with your dog, walk your dog, clean up after your dog, feed your dog, and make sure your dog doesn’t chew your favorite slippers or jump on the couch. Additionally, dog sitters tend to offer better rates and more personalized pet care and service than a pet boarding company, though pet boarding companies are still usually a better option if you need to leave your pet for more than a few days.

If you are in need of a dog sitter, ZaWoot can help you find the perfect dog sitter for you. Simply navigate to www.zawoot.com and fill out the pet services request form on the home page. Select “Pet Care” from the subcategory list and then choose “Pet Sitting” from the services list. Click “Next” and then fill in the requested information, including the dates you may need a dog sitter. Then just sit back and wait for a dog sitter to contact you! Once the dog sitter has contacted you, you may research the dog sitter’s reputation on our Provider Reviews page, ensuring that you are hiring someone caring, responsible, and respectful.

If you need a dog sitter over the holiday season, let ZaWoot put you in touch with a trusted dog sitter. Why do all the hunting and research yourself when ZaWoot will do it for you? Simply fill out the request form on our homepage and sit back. From all of us at ZaWoot, we hope you and your pet have a very happy holiday season.

What is your New Year’s resolution? To make it to the gym three times a week? To join a book club? To redo the kitchen cabinets? To volunteer at a local soup kitchen? To finally finish that copy of War and Peace? These are all great resolutions, but what about your pet? We here at ZaWoot.com think that you should make just one more resolution—to finally have your pet professionally trained in 2010.

All pets need to know the basics of training—no, down, sit, lie down, stay, and come. If your pet cannot follow these commands, then you should definitely seek a professional pet trainer in the New Year! However, our pets are capable of much more than just sitting and staying—you and your pet will both benefit from learning more commands and learning from a professional pet trainer. Just as humans need to keep learning in order to stay young and sharp, pets need to be challenged and taught as well.

If your New Year’s resolution is to train your pet in 2010, visit ZaWoot.com to find a professional pet trainer who is right for you. Just head over to www.ZaWoot.com and fill out the pet services request form on the homepage. Select “Pet Care” from the subcategory list, and then select “Training” from the services list. Click “Next,” and then fill out your location and dates that you would like to begin training. Send the request form back to us and we will happily put you in contact with pet trainers who meet all your criteria. Best of all, when you use ZaWoot.com, the providers contact you! Just sit back and wait for a professional pet trainer in your area to reach out to you, and then research their reputation on our Provider Reviews page. Once you have found a pet trainer you like, simply call to set up an appointment. It’s as simple as that.

2010 should be a time for reflection and self-improvement, but should also be a time for pet-improvement. Help your pet stay healthy and young by constantly challenging him or her. In addition to helping your pet’s brain stay sharp, professional pet training can reduce the chances of your pet running away, running out into traffic, getting into fights with other pets, or biting people. You and your pet will both be safe and happy in 2010!

From all of us here at ZaWoot.com, happy New Year! We look forward to helping you find the perfect pet trainer.

Planning on a holiday trip? For most people, a holiday getaway is a time for relaxing and being care-free. For a pet owner, however, holiday trips can be stressful times, as there is always the worry that a pet is not being cared for properly. Some pet owners choose to impose on friends or family when leaving their cat or pup behind, while others opt to leave their pets in kennels, which do not always have the most sterling reputations. With ZaWoot.com, however, you can choose from a wide listing of pet boarding service companies until you find one that is perfect for you and your best friend.

When you visit ZaWoot.com, you can fill out our pet services request form on the homepage. Simply select “Pet Care” from the subcategory list, and then select “Boarding” as the service. Click “Next,” and you can then fill out your location and the dates that you will be away. Just send the request form to us, and we will send your request to pet boarding service providers who meet your criteria. When the pet boarding service providers contact you, you can fully research each one on our Providers Reviews page. Then, just choose the pet boarding service provider that is right for you.

Leaving your pet behind is always difficult, but we know that you will be able to relax and enjoy your holiday vacation much more if you know you are leaving your pet in trusted and capable hands. ZaWoot.com allows you to specify your criteria when choosing a pet boarding service provider, and gives you the necessary resources to research your options and make an informed choice. When you select the right pet boarding service provider, you will feel at ease and your pets will have so much fun playing with their new friends that they will want to keep coming back!

If you are planning a holiday trip and are in need of a pet boarding service, head on over to ZaWoot.com today. Simply fill out the request form on the homepage and wait for service providers to contact you. From all of us at ZaWoot.com, happy holidays and safe travels.