Dog Sitters: Your Answer to a Stress-free Vacation
October 1, 2009
Whether you are away from home for a few hours longer than usual or taking a vacation that can’t include your dog, using a dog sitter is convenient option and for many is preferable to using a kennel. For older dogs, a sitter can provide the individual care and attention they need if they have conditions such as arthritis or a special diet. Even for a young, energetic dog, it is always good to have some sort of supervision.
An unattended dog will get bored or anxious, and that’s when things go wrong, so take some serious precautions when you’re away.
Choosing a Good Dog Sitter
Many people know a friend or family member that is also familiar to the dog. In many cases, this person will be the ideal choice for taking care of your dog for a day or two or simply just taking it out for a walk from time to time to run off some steam. There are, however, a multitude of professionals these days who watch other people’s dogs fulltime.
Many will perform basic functions such as dog walking or sticking around to watch them at your own home. Others may have a site where they provide dog day care or even dog training school while you’re gone. Some even go as far as to offer basic home maintenance while you’re gone to keep you from having to go to a small handful of different service providers in order to hold down the fort while you’re gone.
Larger companies will have professionally trained staff and may also provide overnight facilities such as kennels for long stay animals and a good stretch of yard for exercising the dogs. If your dog is of a reasonable temperament, they even get the opportunity for your dog to socialize with others. But if they’ve become an old grouch and don’t mingle well, be sure to let the caretakers know.
In Case of Emergency
Professionals are ideal for emergency situations where you will be away from home overnight, and they provide peace of mind. If you have already visited the facilities and have confirmed that they are a quality care service, they are likely well trained in most possible scenarios. Be sure to leave your contact info as well as the info of someone else you know who will be in town while you’re gone.
Before You Hit the Road
Always make sure that any sitter is aware of your dog’s personality traits and any health issues it may have in old age such as arthritis. Try to be present when the dog is first introduced to the sitter and watch the reaction. This is especially important for older dogs as they are usually used to seeing the same faces each day.
Inform the sitter of any special diet and the dog’s normal feeding habits. Always ask for any references and ask how emergencies will be dealt with. Also, find out how much individual attention a professional sitter will give your dog.
Make sure to leave written instructions regarding your dog along with those emergency contact details. Finally, as you approach the day of departure it is always good to spend a bit of extra time with your dog. This will strengthen the bond between you and make you feel better about being away.
Enjoy Yourself
Just like with everything else, it is easier to focus on having a good vacation if you prepare properly before you go. And this means not just loading your dog up in the car and dropping them off with a friend in the middle of a quick dash to the airport. Professionals bring peace of mind, but they are only as good as the instructions you give. So do your part to make sure your absence isn’t stressful to them and you will enjoy yourself that much more.
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