Introducing a pet sitter to your reactive dog
November 3rd 2022
When you have a reactive dog it is imporant to have the TIME to properly introduce a pet sitter to your dog. Let alone determining if that is even an option. Some dogs will require no contact boarding, some will require only certain people care for them, others are great with strangers when their owner is not around.
Safety measure, preplanning, and open dialogue is ESSENTIAL to the best chance of success.
Some main things:
Ask your veterinaian
if any of their staff who already know your dog offer pet sitting because staff may already know your dogs behavior and have a raport with them this can actually be calming for some dogs.
ENSURE that whomever you choose is well versed in dog behavior and body language or is willing to learn and if they run a business, that they are insured.
Have a backup plan for boarding or care in the event of emergency
Make sure your dog is basket muzzle trained.
Preplan a few walks where the pet sitter just walks ahead and stays outside of your dogs threshold and leaves a little trail of treats. You can use a variety of #PatternGames and common counter conditioning and desensitizing techniques like open bar/closed bar for any interest in the person. Try taking a few walks gradually decreasing the distance just so your dog gets to know their odor and sound of their steps, hear their voice as you converse, etc.
Have them come for a few visits while your dog is secure in a safe space in your home and you are not present to add some treats from a distance and leave. To assess how the dog responds. #Wyze cams and #Furbo are great for capturing these interactions without being present and determining how your dog is responding.
Have a trial run of pet sitting. Where you are in town but you are not home and your sitter comes to spend some time with the dogs and in the home before you go out of town.
Everyone being safe and comfortable is important. If at any point the safety of the human or the dog is in question. Utilize a hands off boarding option. This may necessitate you driving out of area for apropriate accomidations.
Utilizing a hands off boarding option also requires a trial stay of a day or two to determine how your dog is going to handle staying there longer term and make sure you all know if the dog will thrive or be best boarded at a veterinary clinic.
Having a reactive dog should not restrict you from also having a life. You NEED to take care of yourself as well. But planning can avoid some absolute disaster situations.
RED FLAGS
People who talk about how they are aggression specialists but have no credential- Run away
Services like Wag or Rover as they dont offer qualified professionals and while not all members are bad some absolute disasters have occured from them and they do not have isurance covering the sitter. ONLY themselves. The sitters often have no insurance but believe they do.
People who discuss dominace theory, being alfa, having to correct behavior etc. They will likley put your dog into a situation that your dog will pay for in an attempt to prove to you how you need to handle your dog.
Anyone who cant provide you the insurance for their business if they represent themselves as running a business.
People who seem afraid of or willing to be a "challenge" toward your dog.
It can be nerve wracking. SO take your time, do your homework, and run trials. If all goes well you have your pet sitter!!!
