When the Holidays Mean Fido is Going to the Dogsitter

Headed out of town? Be sure your animal friend is safe, sound and relaxed.

Preparing your dog psychologically

Animals communicate telepathically, so it’s important to visualize what’s going to happen. Mental pictures of the facility, how long you’ll be gone, how your animal will be transported and other details will relax your animal friend.

Taking your pet to a place she or he is familiar with is different from taking your pet to an unfamiliar boarding facility. If he hasn’t been there before, it’s important that he gets a chance to visit the facility a couple of times before you actually leave him overnight. He needs to get familiar with the people and smells of the facility. A 1 night stay on a couple of occasions is ideal prior to leaving for a vacation.

Reassure your pet verbally that you will be back. Telepathically, imagine yourself coming to the facility to pick him up and bring him home before you leave him there and once you have dropped him off. Think or imagine loving your pet and returning to the kennel to bring him home. Do this while you are gone. This will reassure him no matter where you are.

Favorite toys

Leave favorite toys, blankets, beds, dirty laundry and other things that smell familiar to your pet with him or her at the facility.

Try to choose a kennel or facility where the animals have some space to run free as opposed to small cages. If you know your animal is claustrophobic (many are) search out the right facility. Many of them have large runs and yards and are fun places where the animals are social but surpervised.

Communicating length of time

The way you communicate time to an animal is to visualize the sun setting or the world getting dark five times/nights before you come back. Then imagine yourself coming back through the door.

Be calm

Pets also reflect our own emotions so don’t allow any member of the family to be overly dramatic about saying goodbye for a few days. That will make your pet unnecessarily anxious.

Physically: Check with the kennel regarding their policies on what you can bring. All kennels require up-to-date immunizations and many also require proof that they’re up to date. Avoid feeding your pet at least 4 hours prior to kenneling to minimize the possibility of stomach upset.