Pet Sitting and Doggie Daycare are Not Just for Vacations Anymore
By Stacy E. Smith

Think about it. As crazy as it sounds, it could be the answer to your prayers and your sanity (oh, and for some of you, your guilt).

We’re constantly hearing about pets that destroy things in the house when left alone for extended periods of time. Veterinarians are starting to receive more and more requests to put ill-behaved dogs on anti-depressants. Just as with humans, though, the solution for your dog need not be pharmaceuticals. Please don’t misunderstand; unlike Tom Cruise, I am not suggesting that drugs aren’t sometimes necessary and effective for both people and pets. However, for a long time, experts have observed that pets, like people, tend to get bored and can become agitated when left unattended for too long as well as become upset if their routines are changed.

Of course, you’re correct to be thinking that those things wouldn’t usually rattle the average adult human being. But, consider the average human baby or toddler. Boredom and/or unwelcome change can send some personalities over the edge during certain stages of their lives. Luckily, children usually outgrow it and as they get a little older go on to cope with boredom and changes in their routine quite well. Usually, but not always.

Now, think about the correlation between the behavior of young children and your pets. They are often interchangeable. Some can go with the flow with no problem whatsoever. Some can’t. The difference is that while children continue to mature as they grow into adulthood, dogs hit their maturity ceiling relatively early in their lives. They essentially remain similar to little kids with regard to their needs and their reactions to things throughout their lives. Just as children look for something (anything) to do when they get bored or act out inappropriately when their routine is disrupted, so will your dog. Of course when it comes to children, parents or caregivers are never farther away from them than the next room. A serious advantage when a child needs comforting or his energy re-directed. Not so when it comes to an owner’s proximity to his dog. The dog is at home, the owner is at work or running errands, etc. That leaves no one home and no outlet for the dog’s energy or anxiety. The result can send a dog’s owner over the edge.

Most pet experts would say (and common sense should tell you) that maintaining a relatively consistent schedule for your pet is a good idea (feeding, exercise, bed-time, etc.). The same could be said for people. It is comfortable to both man and beast to have a routine. It’s clearly not rocket science. For some pets, however, this may be a broader concept and may include not being left alone all day on a regular basis.

However, for many pet owners, leaving the office and making it home in the middle of a work day or at a particular time every evening just isn't possible. And while medication may ultimately be required for some pets to control their anxiety and/or depression, the solution may lie elsewhere. It’s simple, logical & an increasing number of busy pet owners have discovered the joy of using professional pet sitters or doggie daycare on a daily basis - not just when traveling.

Here’s where you might ask the inevitable question of why you should pay a professional when you could “hire” a neighbor's kid to walk the dog. Cheaper and easier, right? Well…..maybe so and maybe not. Consider the “what-ifs”: What if the kid forgets? What if they lose control of the dog and it runs away or is hit by a car? What if, heaven forbid, someone is bitten? While we all like to help out our neighbor's, this kind of responsibility can end badly. You and your neighbor could end up hating each other – or even worse, end up in court. Borrowing a cup of sugar or the lawn mower is one thing, but being responsible for the daily care and welfare of you pet may be too much.

Other reasons for pet sitters or day care include the ability for someone to care for an older pet that may need to be walked or go out frequently during the day, or a sick pet that needs to be given a dose or two of medication.

Now, if you’re going to hire a pro to do the job, you have one more thing to consider. Just as you should ask for and check the credentials and references of someone you’d hire to take care of your kids or that you’d have work in your home, so should you with those you hire to take care of your pets. Whether they come to your home or you drop your dog at their place, check them out. Make sure they’re bonded or insured. Ask for references and check them. Call the Better Business Bureau to see if there have been any complaints. Don’t set yourself up for a problem or heartache that could have been easily avoided by not being too lazy to make a few phone call