Offering to bring a friend or family member’s dog into your home to care for it while the owners are on vacation or away for business is a very thoughtful and kind gesture. While many dogs do just fine in a boarding facility or having someone come into their home to walk and feed them, staying in a home with a company instead of spending many hours alone or in a pen is often the best solution. While granting this favor, you may be concerned about your own dog’s comfort and peace in this time of upheaval. This article will offer ways you can maintain your own dog’s happiness and reduce their stress while dog sitting.
How to Keep Your Own Dog Happy when Dog Sitting Someone Else’s: Keep A Close Watch. Dogs are very territorial and feel the need to establish dominance over each other. Though your dog and the dog you are pet sitting may have always gotten along in a neutral location, taking that dog into your home and showing affection for it may cause your dog to become anxious and react accordingly. Likewise, the dog you are caring for may be confused and think this is their new home. This may cause the visiting dog to feel the need to establish it’s placed in the hierarchy. This can lead to aggression between the dogs and possibly result in injury. By being vigilant and not leaving the dogs alone together until they become comfortable, you can reduce the chances that the dogs will have an altercation.
How to Keep Your Own Dog Happy when Dog Sitting Someone Else’s: Stick To Your Dog’s Regular Schedule. By keeping your dog’s feeding and walking schedule in place, you will go a long way towards keeping your dog comfortable and secure during this time. Your dog needs the security of their regular schedule as well as the assurance that they are your top priority even while another dog is visiting. The last thing you want your dog to feel is that they are being replaced and shunted to the side.
How to Keep Your Own Dog Happy when Dog Sitting Someone Else’s: Maintain Your Dog’s Normal Privileges. Although you may feel that you should give the visiting dog all the perks of the home to make them feel most comfortable, it is far more important to ensure your own dog’s happiness and security by allowing them the privileges they normally enjoy. You don’t need to allow the dog you are a pet sitting to snooze on the couch if you provide a cozy and comfortable bed for them on the floor. If your own dog normally enjoys this privilege, do not take it away in favor of the other dog. This will be confusing and hurtful to your dog and likely lead to aggression between your dog and the one you are pet sitting. Here, [google_bot_show][/google_bot_show]Bark Collar for Small Dogs can help you as you try to move around with them.
How to Keep Your Own Dog Happy when Dog Sitting Someone Else’s: Give Extra Attention. Some extra cuddles and petting to remind your dog that they are still number one in your heart will make the pet sitting experience go much smoother and keep your dog happy and secure for the duration.