Vacations! The right time to recharge your batteries. However, a particular group of people might experience mixed feelings when going on your vacations.
Pet owners, we’re talking about you.
Luckily, you know Atlanta dog sitters can always give a helping hand when you’re in need. Plus, they know the best pet soothing techniques, so both owner and animals are having a stressless time away. Learn more about the tricks they use.
Divert Attention
Even with humans, entertainment is what helps us overcome missing a loved one. Much more so with our four-legged friends. So, entertainment is the solution when the time comes for the owners to leave their companion with a temporary caregiver.
First, Atlanta dog sitters ask the owner to leave as quietly as possible. As we all know, dogs are quick on detecting sound and movement.
Pet sitters then solve the situation by creating a context which allows dogs to get busy. For instance, lighting Christmas tree decorations allows the pet to focus its attention on the new visual and movement stimuli.
New Games and Toys
Pet owners know it well a new toy can keep dogs busy for days, sparking their interest any part of the day.
Apart from being a distraction, games are the necessary energy burner for indoor times during cold weather. Here are some delightful ideas:
- treat “treasure hunt”
- food puzzles for meals
Increase Walk Frequency and Food Intake
The first thought which may cross your mind after reading this headline is «But is winter suitable for more outside walks?».
You’re right, as shown in previous articles, wintertime does pose challenges to Atlanta dog walkers. However, these can be overcome if the walker is a professional who knows how to tackle potentially problematic situations.
They’ll walk your dog mostly when it’s sunny and for short spans of time. Plus, they’ll avoid contact with antifreeze and clean the paws to wipe out any snow chemicals.
As for food, it should be given in increased yet controlled amounts.
Atlanta Dog Sitters Spot Separation Anxiety in Dogs
First of all, being separated from longtime caregivers makes a dog lose their main source of affection, so it’s natural they develop symptoms like:
- self-destructive behavior
- whining
- crying
Another aspect worth mentioning is Atlanta dog sitters know certain dog breeds are prone to such behavior:
- the Labrador Retriever
- the Cocker Spaniel
- the Bichon Frise
- the German Shepherd
This is because they are highly energetic beings who need mental stimulation and also grow to be part of the family.
A dedicated dog sitter can even set video conferences if they notice the symptoms persist. Also, they can give the dog a piece of clothing pertaining to the owner. The sound of the owner’s voice and the familiar smell in the clothing can alleviate the angst.
No matter how short your vacation is, dogs will miss the person they’ve established such a strong bond with.
Because at Buckhead Paws we understand this, we’ve always done our best to meet the needs of our customers and their beloved companions. Do you want to be one of them? Check us out.
Mark Shaver has owned Buckhead Paws since 2012, and is an active member of Pet Sitters International. Previously, he was a senior executive with three multinational corporations.
