If you’re like us, just about everyone in your life has a beloved pet or three at home. Life just isn’t complete without some furry companionship!
Having loveable critters at home does pose one problem, though: it makes traveling difficult. It means if you want to go on vacation you’re either going to have to choose someplace that is pet-friendly or you’re going to need someone watch your fuzzy friend for you.
You know that the best choice is to use a dog trainer in Ocean County, but your friends might not make that same choice. Everyone knows you’re a pet lover, and that means you might find yourself in a situation in which you’re asked to do some pet sitting.
No worries. Follow this advice and you’ll be like a seasoned pro:
- Always Maintain A Safe Environment – The first and most important thing you need to do is to ensure you have a safe environment for your temporary guests. That means getting the sticker bushes and debris cleaned out of the yard. If it’s summer time, it also means ensuring your A/C is working, because those blazingly hot days are bad for the pets you’ll be sitting.
- Prepare A Sleeping Place For Your Guests – Think of your home as a hotel. That means ensuring you have bedding set up for your new guests, just like any dog training in Ocean County service would do. Ideally, the friend or family member will provide you with their pet’s preferred bedding. If not, it’s up to you to provide a comfy, safe place to rest. A crate with a soft old blanket inside may be all you need.
- Get Outside and Exercise! – Follow the lead of your Ocean County dog training service and be sure to help your furry guest get some exercise. Get outside and throw the ball around. Take them for walks in the park. Get them some social interaction, if appropriate for the pet. Anything to keep them active!
- Do You Have Some Pet Toys On Hand? – Dogs and cats need activity, but you can’t be with them 24 hours a day. This is especially true if they’re going to be parted from their masters for a few days. Keep Rover busy with some doggy toys to play with. Help Kitty entertain herself with some toy mice. Anything to keep them active and busy during those moments when you can’t.
- Consider A Little Pampering – If you want to make fast friends with your guest, consider a quick afternoon trip to a pet salon for a bit of pampering. Most animals LOVE to be groomed. Even better, your friends/family will love you for it, too!
- Don’t Forget The Water! – No doubt your guest’s master has given you the rundown on how and when to feed your guest, but maybe more important is to remember the water. Lots of water – and ensure it’s fresh! This is vital to keeping your guests healthy.
It’s true that most of this advice falls under the category of common sense, but it’s good to get a reminder every now and then. Life can be busy, after all, and it’s sometimes easy to overlook the small stuff. As a dog trainer in Ocean County, we know!
Happy pet sitting!