How Do You Get Your Dog Ready For Pet Sitting Before You Go On Vacation?

If you're going on vacation and leaving your dog in the care of a pet sitter, it's important to prepare them for the experience, especially if your dog has strong separation anxiety. Being cared for by a person they're not familiar with can sometimes be a stressful event for dogs. Preparing your dog for pet sitting before you leave on your trip will make the process smoother for both the pet sitter and your dog. To find out how you can prepare your dog for pet sitting, read on.

Introduce Your Dog to Your Pet Sitter

One of the most important things you can do when you're preparing your dog for pet sitting is to introduce them to the sitter before you leave on vacation. Use friendly body language when you talk to the pet sitter so that your dog knows they're a safe person that can be trusted. Introducing your dog to the sitter helps reduce their anxiety after you have left on vacation and the sitter has taken over caring for your dog.

Establish a Routine for Your Dog

Another way to reduce anxiety is to make sure your dog has a routine that the pet sitter can follow. Your dog should be fed and taken for a walk at specific times of the day. If you don't currently have a routine with your dog, it's a good idea to establish one before you leave on vacation. When your pet sitter sticks to the familiar routine you've established for your dog, it reduces their anxiety.

Provide Plenty of Treats for Your Dog

You should also make sure to stock up on your dog's favorite treats before you go on vacation. Treats make it easier for the pet sitter to befriend your dog, and being rewarded with treats that they're used to eating will help them acclimate to being cared for by the sitter. Your dog may gain a little extra weight while you're away on vacation, but they'll have a more comfortable experience with the sitter.

Above all, the most important thing to keep in mind is that you can make pet sitting less stressful for your dog by making it as close to your dog's normal routine as possible. Providing the pet sitter with your dog's favorite treats and making sure the pet sitter follows your dog's feeding and walking schedule will make them more comfortable. This makes it easier for the sitter to care for your dog, and it also reduces the chance that your dog will exhibit behaviors like destroying furniture or going to the bathroom on the carpet because of anxiety. If you follow the tips above, you'll help your dog become acclimated to being cared for by a person that they aren't very familiar with. 

For more information, contact a local company like East Valley Love All Pets LLC.

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