Pet owners often forget to plan for their pets when they go on vacation. It is obvious that you cannot carry your dog everywhere, especially on long holidays. But it is very important that you make some sort of arrangements so that your puppy remains safe while you are enjoying your time away from home.
A pet sitter would be an ideal option for you when you plan for vacation. This would allow your dog to stay in the comfort of your home and live their regular life. It is definitely a better choice than asking your friends to look after your pet or keeping your beloved dog confined in the kennel.
Here are some recommendations on how to find the ideal dog sitter -
1. Personal References: Your search cannot get easier than this! Ask your friends or neighbors if they have ever used a pet sitter or if they know someone who has. Word-of-mouth can often be the best reference.
2. Interview: You may call a potential dog sitter over to your home and see for yourself how well they can interact with your dog and how the dog responds to them. Your dogs reaction to the pet sitter is more important than yours. So if you feel that the dog is not too happy with the person, try to find another one.
3. Reverse Interrogation: The ideal dog sitter would ask a lot of questions about your dog. He would want to know every tid-bit of information and will also take notes. This would reveal his experience as a professional dog sitter. So if they do not ask many questions, move on to the next one.
4. Going by Affiliations: Rather than relying on an organization affiliation like PSI (Pet Sitters International) who are unlikely to know the pet sitters personally, you should check the recommendations of your local affiliations.
5. References from the pet-sitter's previous clientele: They can provide valuable feedback about the pet-sitter and you would get a clear picture of whom you are hiring.
6. Bonding & Insurance: This is a must! However, while it ensures the safety of your property, it does not give a guarantee that your pet sitter is reliable or a caring pet lover.
7. Clarify everything: It would be wise to get a copy of the contract and read all the details mentioned in it. Having a copy of this contract will let you know the services and their rates. If you find something that is ambiguous, you can always ask questions.
8. Schedule a second meeting: If you and your dog like the pet sitter in the first meeting and yet have some concerns, you may arrange one more meeting and let your dog spend some time with the pet sitter. You may set out for a walk so that you can take note of whether the dog is comfortable with the sitter and how well he could handle your dog.
9. Go by your instincts: After you have done everything to get the best dog sitter, sometimes you just have to rely on your gut feelings. Hire the one you think is best for your dog.
10. Once you have hired your perfect dog sitter, you need to ensure that you provide him with every bit of detail and instructions about your dogs routine and eating habits. And before you are ready to leave, do not forget to leave your contact details with the dog sitter so that he can contact you in the event of any emergency.
If you spend a little time to find the perfect pet sitter, you will surely find it much easier to wave a goodbye to your puppy.
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If you are going away from home for any period of time then you will need to either kennel your dog or hire a pet sitter. Many people prefer to hire a pet sitter because it allows their dog to stay at home and maintain their normal routine, which is much better for the dog. Also, there is no risk of common kennel diseases and ailments. When hiring a pet sitter you also know who will be caring for your dog and you have the chance to fully assess their skills.
You Must Trust Your Sitter
There are many things that you will consider before hiring a pet sitter. The most important thing that you need to think about, though, is trust. You must have complete trust in the person that you hire so that you can be worry free while you are away and know that your dog is being cared for properly. There are many ways to build trust with your dog sitter.
You should always have the sitter come over prior to you leaving so you can watch the interaction between him or her and your dog. You want to talk to the sitter and get to know them. You need to build a good relationship with them so that you are completely comfortable with the idea of them taking care of your dog.
Finding a Sitter
One of the best ways to find a good dog sitter is to ask around. Find out is people you know have a dog sitter. Ask them if they know anyone who might be interested in the job. Getting a sitter through a referral can often boost the level of trust right away. You can usually trust that a friend or family member would not recommend someone who won't do a good job.
Do an Interview
You need to interview the dog sitter before you make any final decisions. Even if it is someone that you know, you still want an interview. During the interview you will not only be asking about them, but also telling them about your dog and making sure they understand everything that is involved in caring for your dog. You want to take this time to iron out details and make sure the sitter can give you the type of commitment that you are looking for.
If the person is not someone you know or is not someone that was referred to you then you should ask for references. You want to take time to check the references before you hire the sitter.
Once you have found a dog sitter that you feel comfortable with you will then need to create written instructions and a schedule for them. Set a tie to go over everything and start having the sitter come over to play with the dog and go over the different tasks they will be handling when you are gone. This allows time for them to ask questions and to be sure they know exactly what they are supposed to do.
Hiring a pet sitter can be a great idea that will make it easier on your dog when you go away. However, it can also create problems if you hire a sitter without being able to fully trust them. Just be sure that whoever you hire is someone that will treat your dog right, respect your home and be complete trustworthy to do what you are paying them to do.
Kelly Marshall is a popular writer at Oh My Dog Supplies - the leading online dog supplies store featuring elevated dog beds, elevated dog feeders, portable dog bowls and more unique dog gear you won't find at your local pet store.
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