Five Things to Consider When Pet Sitting a Big Dog

Posted on 11 June, 2023

When you have pets in your home, you would always love to take them out. You may also like their company when going for a long drive. But sometimes, a situation may arise when you have to leave your pet alone, such as when going on vacations.

Although a tough decision to leave him alone but you need not worry. You need to hire the services of an experienced and professional pet sitter. A pet sitter can look after your pet in your absence. Pet sitting is quite a common practice these days.

There are so many professional and qualified pet sitters around. They are trained to handle the requirements of your pets in all respects. But pet sitting a big dog needs some extra skills. When looking for pet sitting your big dog, you need to consider various factors.

Pet Sitting – What Is The Concept?

Pet sitting is the concept of taking care of your pet in the absence of someone else. Pet sitting includes looking after your pet's daily routine, such as feeding, watering, walking, exercising, brushing, medical care, etc.

However, pet sitters need to know about specific needs and conditions certain breeds may have, such as separation anxiety in greyhounds. This anxiety disorder is common among greyhounds and can manifest when left alone for extended periods.

Pet sitters should be familiar with the signs and symptoms of disorders and be prepared to implement appropriate strategies to help alleviate their distress. By understanding this specific concern, pet sitters can provide the necessary care and attention to ensure the well-being of the dogs in their care.

Qualities And Expertise A Good Pet Sitter Should Have

Pet-sitting your big dog aims to ensure his utmost care during your absence. A pet sitter must have some basic qualities and expertise to meet this challenge. Before assigning the job of pet sitting to someone, you need to check these things.

He should be a dog lover. You cannot leave your dog with someone who doesn’t love the pets. This is a critical thing you need to ensure.
Make sure that he has sufficient spare time to pet-sit your big dog. A person doing some other jobs, cannot be a good choice, especially when it comes to pet sitting a big dog. Preferably he must be a professional pet sitter. And more preferably, he should be available for the task, when you need his services. This means he should not be doing any other job.
The pet sitter must be qualified and educated, having the entire knowledge of caring for a big dog.
He must be well-experienced to handle a big dog.
He must be a good communicator. While looking after your dog in your absence, he must communicate with you about anything you may want to know. He must be able to keep you abreast of the different activities of your dog.
He must be skilful to develop an affectionate relationship with your dog. If he cannot do so, your dog will not feel easy with him.
He must be familiar with the big dog’s daily needs. He must be able to read the body language of a dog so that he may understand what the dog needs.
A perfect pet sitter would always understand and act according to your instructions.
He must be energetic enough to take care of a big dog.

Five Things To Consider When Pet Sitting A Big Dog

You need to consider so many things before you go pet-sitting with your big dog. However, the five most important things you need to consider are as under:

Selecting The Perfect Pet Sitter For Your Big Dog

Careful selection of the pet sitter is the first and foremost important thing. As discussed above, the pet sitter must be an experienced and dog-loving person. Choose a pet sitter who qualifies for most or all of the above-discussed qualities.

Explain to him all the daily routines and habits of your big dog. Let him know the feeding requirements of your dog. He may also need some extra energy to deal with a big dog, so ensure he has the required stamina. A big dog is potentially a scary figure.

Ensure that the dog sitter has enough skills to handle the big dog so that it remains under his control and does not threaten others.

Setting Boundaries

Let the pet sitter know about the restrictions you already have for your big dog. There might be some prohibited areas in your home where your dog is not allowed to enter. Or there may be a tight schedule for his sleeping.

You might have prohibited him from playing on your bed or sofas. Tell these things in detail to the pet sitter. This is important; otherwise, your dog's routine will be disturbed and it will be harder for you when you come back home.

Introducing The Pet Sitter To Your Dog

It is important that your dog must be aware that you are going on vacations without him. You need to call the pet sitter at least one day before traveling. Make your big dog get familiarized with the pet sitter. Secondly, try to calm down your dog. The best way of doing so is a long walk.

When a dog is tired, he tends to relax and becomes a bit calm in his behavior. His attention will divert to rest and feeding. This will be the perfect time for you to leave home.

At the time of leaving, avoid emotional gestures. Give him a warm hug and leave straight away. A prolonged and emotional session will only add to his anxiety. So, avoid it and leave immediately.

Preparing Supplies For Your Dog's Care

Before leaving, make sure that all the necessary things are available in your home and are kept in a place that is easily reachable by the pet sitter.

Things like medicines, food, leashes, collars, and all other relevant materials should be available in sufficient quantities to meet the requirements of your dog during your absence. This is even more important with food. The quality of food must be maintained during your absence.

So, make sure that your dog's regular food should be arranged in sufficient quantity for the days you are supposed to be away from your home.

Communication And Updates With The Pet Sitter

Keep in touch with the pet sitter during your vacations. Talk to him at least once a day. Enquire about the day's activities of your dog. Get feedback on things for which he might require your instructions and guidance.

Conclusion

A pet is just like your kids. A pet dog is perhaps one of the best pets you would ever like to have in your home. You would always like the company of your dog but sometimes you may need to leave him alone. That’s the time when you need the services of a pet sitter.

Choosing the best pet sitter for your pets, especially for a big dog, needs a careful search. The pet sitters are experienced and trained to handle your dog’s daily routines. So, pet-sitting a big dog is not a big issue.

You just need to follow some basic things, as discussed above. You can go for peaceful and joyous vacations without any worries if you have prudently opted for pet-sitting your dog.

We stay while you're away! Have a homesitter and you’ll wonder how you ever managed without - www.homesitters.co.uk/

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