·
Pet issues: Inform your prospective pet sitter of any health
problems, behavioral issues, or other important factors regarding
your pets. Giving your pet sitter as much information as you
can about your pet will enable her to give the best care possible.
·
Home issues: As with pet issues, be sure to inform your pet
sitter of any oddities about your home that may arise in your
absence (toilet that overflows, doors that don't lock properly,
security alarms, etc.).
Because
pet sitting is a personal service, you and your pet need to
be comfortable with the person you invite into your home.
Look for a sense of professionalism with a personal touch,
be sure to take into account your gut feeling, and observe
your pet's reaction to the pet sitter you interview. With
a little bit of preparation and investigation, your pet will
be able to stay safely in his own home while you're away,
and will be there to eagerly greet you with love and affection
when you return.
For
more ideas on what to look for when hiring a pet sitter,
dog walker, or dog daycare, see our FAQ
section.
Tipping
your pet sitter is something people are often unsure about.
However, just like any other service, tipping is completely
acceptable, and welcome! If your pet sitter does a great
job, let her know! Pet sitters are hard working people,
and she'll appreciate the extra vote of confidence!
Puppy
Tips
Got
a puppy that prefers your expensive coffee table or
your shoes over it's toys? You can find products such
as 'Bitter Apple' at most pet stores that work by spraying
the product on the item you want the puppy to avoid.
If the item is chewed on, the puppy gets a bitter taste
in it's mouth. Another simple solution is 'Listerine'
(original flavor). Before using, take a small amount
of 'Listerine'
on your finger and wipe it on the dog's nose. If the
dog doesn't like it, praise the dog and then use a cotton
ball to dab the 'Listerine' on the items you want to
protect. Why test it first? There are actually a few
dogs out there that like the taste! Yuck!
If
you've got a great story about your pet that you'd
like to share, we'd like to hear from you! We're looking
for stories about funny pets, lovable pets, pet heroes,
and more. Contact us with
your story and we may put it in our next newsletter.
Jill
Richards is the owner of 
