Going out of town can be stressful, especially when you know you have to start looking for Atlanta dog sitters. After all, your dog is a member of the family. You want to make sure that your pet will receive the best care while you’re away.
However, not all dog sitters will treat your pet the way they should.
Here are the most important signs that warn you about unqualified Atlanta dog sitters:
1. A Change in Behavior
Dogs are not afraid to show their feelings whenever their owner returns home. It doesn’t matter if it was for just a few hours or days.
If your dog does not behave as he/she normally would, then something is definitely going on. Your pet should be running to you as soon as you enter the house, jumping on you and wagging their tail.
If it was the first time you left your dog with a sitter, then perhaps it’s just separation anxiety. If it wasn’t, then most probably you need to change your sitter.
2. The Sitter Will Vaguely Answer Your Questions
Naturally, you will want to find out everything that has happened while you were gone and how your dog has behaved during this whole time.
A good sitter will be able to recall every little detail and tell you all about their activities.
Unqualified Atlanta dog sitters, on the other hand, will ramble and avoid giving a concrete answer.
The reason for this can be because they neglected your dog, instead of giving them their full attention, as they should. You don’t want such a person taking care of your pet.
3. Injuries That Can’t Be Explained
If your dog has scratches, swellings, or cuts he/she didn’t have before you left, it represents a warning sign.
Dogs can easily injure themselves when they play with other dogs, or when they run around. A good dog sitter should pay attention to your dog so they don’t hurt themselves or fight with other dogs.
If the sitter can’t explain those injuries, you should know it’s not a good sign.
4. Carpet Stains
You’d probably be alarmed if you’d return home to find carpet stains, scratches around the door, or bad smells around the house.
A professional dog sitter should know when a dog wants to go out. If the sitter hasn’t been paying attention to these signs, you should fire them right away.
Holding in urine for too long can make dogs more prone to develop bladder infections.
5. Not Receiving Updates on How Your Dog Is Doing
Leaving your dog with a sitter for a few days can prove to be unsettling because you don’t know how your dog will behave.
That’s why you should be able to receive daily updates.
Informing the owner about their pet should be the top priority of a dog sitter.
Atlanta Dog Sitters from Buckhead Paws Are Here to Meet Your Needs
Are you from Atlanta and need a dog sitter? Then you can check this off your list because we’re here to help you.
Our pet care team is always happy to serve new or existing clients. Did you know that our oldest clients have been with us since 2009?
That’s how committed we are to doing our job right.
You can check out our services here.
If you want to get in touch, feel free to give us a call at 404-432-1192 or email us at Mark@BuckheadPaws.com. We provide a complimentary, no-obligation meet and greet with you and your dog.
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.