THE 7 HABITS OF HIGHLY AWESOME DOG SITTERS

Being separated from your dog can be a very stressful time. Finding the perfect person to care for your pet when you cannot is key to lowering stress for both of you. Many people find dog sitting a great way to earn additional income, but when considering a care taker, you want much more than a person just looking to earn extra cash.

The best dog sitters have a love for animals, are organized and creative and are extremely flexible and patient. Here are 7 habits of highly awesome dog sitters:

1. They know the value of preliminary introductions. Awesome dog sitters understand the importance of first impressions. Before their clients spend extended time in their care, great dog sitters will make time to introduce themselves to the pets they will be caring for. This helps to alleviate anxiety in both pets and their owners. It allows the dog to become familiar with a new care taker and gives the owner an opportunity to make sure the sitter is a good match for their pet.

2. They understand the importance of mental and physical stimulation. Long walks are a great way to relieve stress and anxiety in dogs - especially when separated from their families. Experienced sitters understand the importance of physical activity and mental stimulation. A simple game of fetch can accomplish both - keeping dogs happy and healthy and expending the energy of the most energetic pet.

3. They keep you updated. Dog sitters should take the time to find out how often you would like updates on your dog, what types of updates you prefer to receive and how you want to receive them (via text message, email, Skype, etc.). Awesome care takers will work with you to establish an appropriate communication schedule.

4. They have a great reputation. Excellent dog sitters have established a reputation of excellence. They have no hesitation in providing character or professional references that can vouch for their experience. They are comfortable providing a list of people whom you can contact prior to leaving your dog in their care.

5. They are clear on your expectations. Understanding your expectations is key to a pleasurable experience for you and your dog watcher. Top-notch dog sitters make it a priority to understand grooming, feeding, discipline and exercise requirements to minimize disruption in your dog's routine.

6. They are detail oriented. Having a plan for emergencies, keeping track of medicine schedules and likes and dislikes of your dog are all details your sitter will need to manage. Great care takers are organized and maintain attention to the important details involved in properly caring for your dog.

7. They are trustworthy. In addition to caring for your dog, many times dog sitters will have access to your home. Good sitters do not take this responsibility lightly. They treat your home with the same respect they give to their own homes. They clean up any messes your dog makes and are careful to lock your doors and arm security monitors appropriately.

 

Using the 7 habits of highly awesome dog sitters, you will be able to select a care taker that will ensure the healthiness and happiness of you and your dog.

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The Key To Caring For A Dog In Winter

If you are wondering about caring for a dog in winter, there is a strong chance that you are keeping him or her outside rather than in the house. While many people advocate keeping dogs indoors as part of the family, there is nothing wrong with keeping your dog outside so long as it has adequate food and shelter. The thing to remember however, is that the definition of adequate will change during the winter months. let's take a look at a few tips and hints regarding winter care for your favorite pooch.

The Doghouse

If your dog is to remain outside for any length of time, he or she will require a dog house, and this is typically something that you will want to build yourself. For the coming winter, it would be a good idea to give your dog plenty of room, but also to insulate the walls of the structure so that the cold winter temperatures will be kept at bay. You will also want to insulate the roof, of course, and leave nothing to chance.

Food and Water

You will need to replace food daily, unless of course you have invested money in an automatic feeder for your four legged friend. Another major concern for the winter however will be water. If you took basic Earth science, there is a good chance you know that water freezes at a certain temperature, and with that being the case, it would be a good idea to ensure that you use a heated bowl. As always, if you do so, make sure that the cord for said bowl is out of the dog's reach, and that you constantly check to ensure the water is still heated. Fortunately these types of bowls do not have a high failure rate and will help to keep your dog hydrated throughout the winter. The biggest downside however is that while they are nice, they do not always have the greatest capacity. Still, they are your best option.

Considerations

While your dog can handle being outside during the winter, you must try to use some degree of common sense. For example, if the temperature drops into the negatives, bringing your dog inside would be within their best interest and yours. Sometimes news stations will issue weather advisories and they may mention the prospect of bringing your pets inside, though you can actually use your own common sense to determine this. Additionally there may be other circumstances which necessitate bringing your dog inside for a bit. For example, if the dog becomes wet or submerged in water, you should bring him or her inside immediately to prevent illness.

Finally, educate yourself on the different breeds. Some are better outside than others as you will quickly find out, and with that being the case, you have some fairly big decision to make. Try to keep in mind that a dog is life, and a soul. Treat him/her as you would treat yourself!

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