I fall into this position a lot, I don’t mind. I have lots of friends with dogs and everyone knows how much I love them. Janice and Leroy are so laid back that they let us host a guest every now and then, so everything means I’m a good choice for my friends when they need someone to trust their pet.
But just because I love dogs and have them myself doesn’t mean I didn’t have to do any research first before agreeing to see an unfamiliar dog. Here are 11 tips I have collected over the years that have helped me be a good pet sitter.
1. Know your limitations
A lot of people who are trying to run an impromptu pet care business, or who just make the occasional seat available for their friends (like me) don’t really think about all the ways that sitting a pet can throw you into a loop. It’s important to sit down and think about what you like and don’t like.
For example, are you able to lift a dog weighing over 50 pounds? While you may not need it when you sit down, you also don’t know what might happen.
You may have to limit yourself to animals under 50 pounds or whatever to accommodate your physical abilities in an emergency. Also, think about what types of animals you will want to watch – again based on what you know you can do.
Can you give your dog medicine? Probably especially if the owner allows the use of a pill pocket. What about the bird? Do you want to feed the snake?
2. Do your research
Ideally, you should have plenty of time to ask questions about your pet before coming to work as a sitter. When asked to pet it, make sure you do research on the pet. Of course, ask about all the usual things, such as a feeding schedule, any medications, exercise needs, and so on.
But also ask if there is anything that scares the dog, is there someone (like the postman) that they hate, if he has a tendency to throw himself towards open doors, if he has any allergies, what are their favorite games and so on.
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The more you know about the dog, the easier your job will be. You can also do some basic breed research to find out what level of exercise they may need.
3. Consider your financial obligations
When you look after a living creature, financial obligations can always arise. For example, a dog may be injured and require veterinary care; the owners may have forgotten to refill their food before leaving and now the dog is done. For more info about abnehmtabletten.
In any such case, it is important to know in advance how the bill will be treated. Will they leave an emergency supply of cash or will they refund you for any purchases? Will the vet bill them for the services they need? Make sure you know what vet they use during normal business hours and emergency hours.
4. Stick to your routine
Not every animal you meet will warm up to you, and that’s okay. Remember that the pet is confused where its owner has gone and is likely to mourn what it considers a loss until its owner returns. One of the best things you can do for your dog in this situation is to maintain a routine.
If you can stick to their usual routine with their owner – for example, a walk in the morning, breakfast, and then another walk after dinner in the evening – this will help them understand their situation.
If you can’t stick to their usual schedule, stay as close as possible and make sure the schedule you use stays the same on all the days you sit as a pet. The dog will feel much more grounded and at ease if he knows what to expect, and owners will go back to a dog that hasn’t completely gone crazy in their absence.
