Pet Sitting Tips For Leaving An Anxious Dog Home Alone
If you have a canine that has separation anxiety and you want to go out of town, then it is in your best interest to hire a pet sitter. There are some special challenges that come along with having a pup with special needs, and there are some good solutions to solve the challenges. Keep reading to learn about them.
Choose An Overnight Sitting Agency
Some pet sitting agencies will actually have employees that will stay in your home. In this sense, the individuals are more like house sitters than pet sitters, but they are offering their services to help ease your dog's anxiety. There is also the option of long drop-in visits if you do not think that there is a need for the sitter to stay all day and night. If you choose the longer visits, then make sure to work with your dog so that he is crate trained. This way, the sitter can move your canine to the crate in the evening, so house destruction is kept to a minimum.
Keep in mind that some animals will show some signs of separation anxiety that may need to be monitored, so make sure the pet sitter monitors these behaviors. Panting, drooling, a poor appetite, destruction of toys and blankets, and trembling are a few examples. If these behaviors are noted, then the pet sitter should work to calm your pet. Talking your canine for walks, providing treats, and playing some calm music can help.
In the worst-case scenario, you may need to come early from your trip to calm your dog. Consider trips that are closer to home, so this is an option.
Ask Sitters To Leave Like You Do
Dogs with separation anxiety will often rely on rituals and cues. For example, if you say goodbye every morning before leaving to go to work and you return home at the same time each day, then your canine is used to this ritual. Your canine knows what to expect. However, when someone else comes into the home and does something completely different, then your dog may be confused and anxious. He may think that nobody is coming back.
To ensure that your dog is not anxious, ask the sitter to watch your rituals when you leave so they can complete the same behaviors. This is also a good opportunity for your dog to meet the sitter, so they are not concerned about a stranger being in the home.
If you want to know more about pet sitting and how an anxious dog can stay home on his own, speak with a pet sitting agency.