Everyone needs a holiday from time to time, but when you are a dog owner, this becomes a lot more complicated. You start to feel guilty about whether or not they will be well looked after, and how they will cope in your absence. Thankfully, there are plenty of loving things that you can do for your furry friend to ensure that they get the best care possible.
Of course, you can book them into a dog boarding centre to take care of all their needs. But if you are going to have a dog-sitter in, these are a few of the preparations that you can make before going away.
Find the Right Dog-Sitter
The most important thing that you can do for your dog is to find the right dog sitter. Make sure that you choose someone who you trust – and ideally somebody who has a dog themselves and knows how to take care of them well. If you don’t know someone directly, ask for some references so that you can be sure of who you are entrusting your dog to. If you are going to be taking them into a boarding facility, tour the care facilities and ask about the details of care.
Make an Instruction Sheet
You will make the life of your dog-sitter so much easier by giving them a sheet of instructions about your dog. Talk about how often they should be fed, how much food they usually eat and when they can be given treats. Also, tell them what they need to avoid feeding your dog as well. Also on the instruction sheet, you should include emergency information such as your own contact details, the number of your vet, and the details of friends and family who could pop round. As well as this, you can discuss information which is specific to your dog’s personality which you have learned from caring for them over the years.
Stock Up on Foods, Treats etc
Make sure that your pet-sitter has more than enough food and treats to give to your dog during your absence. You don’t want to make their lives harder by them having to run off to the shop to buy more. Also, ensure that everything that your dog needs is easily accessible including their toys, harness etc. You want your dog to be able to continue with their regular routine as much as possible during your absence.
Give Your Dog Plenty of Love and Attention Before Leaving
Before you head out on holiday, spend plenty of time with your pooch and give them plenty of love and affection. Of course, they are going to miss you while you are away, but you are helping to reassure and show them how important they are to you.
Going on vacation is always going to be a stressful time for your dog, but you can give yourself peace of mind that they are well looked after by following this advice.
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