Start by asking your vet if they recommend anyone. Pet-owning friends may also have names for you. There may be people who do it occasionally, like I do, just not as a business. Some pet sitters will advertise in the yellow pages or newspapers. Most will leave flyers or business cards with veterinarians.
There are professional Pet Sitter organizations that have websites. Some of them offer a search feature, but remember that only their members will be listed. Some smaller towns may not have local professional pet sitters.
Keep your expectations realistic. Normally, a pet sitter will feed the animals, let them out or walk them, change litter boxes and do whatever else is needed to care for the animal. They will spend an average of thirty minutes for each visit. They might even pick up your mail and water your plants.
There is usually an extra charge for additional visits during the day. Some sitters may be willing to spend the night - something you may desire if you have older or sick animals.
Make sure the pet sitter will come and meet the animals before you hire her. It is important that both the animal and the sitter be comfortable with each other.
Be sure to plan well in advance, as pet sitters are usually in heavy demand. You should ask for the pet sitter's fees and policies in writing, so you know exactly what to expect. I would suggest getting references; a trustworthy businessperson will have these readily available.
Ask what other kinds of animal experience the person has. Someone with veterinary experience, such as a technician, is a good choice for special needs pets. A dog trainer, or someone who has trained a few animals will know how to handle dogs with behavioral issues. A pet groomer will have experience handling both dogs and cats in stressful situations.
Pet sitters are not required to have any special licensing, but those who have gone to the trouble of acquiring accreditation from one of the pet sitter organizations show a high degree of professionalism in my opinion. They will have been required to take a course that usually includes business management, animal care and animal health instruction. Accredited pet sitters will therefore likely have more diverse knowledge and experience than someone who has not been through the course. Once you have found the right sitter for you, be sure to give and get all the information you both will need.
You will want to leave phone numbers for where you can be reached, as well as a friend or neighbor who might be able to answer questions or help out in emergencies. Provide the sitter with the name, address and phone number of your veterinarian, and leave a signed letter giving permission for necessary medical procedures to be preformed. Additionally, make sure you have a way to reach the sitter at all times, in case something comes up.
Be sure to tell the pet sitter of any special behavioral problems or quirks. Don't assume she will understand why your dog is suddenly cowering under the table, or why your cat won't eat her dinner! Point out where all the supplies are; food, dishes, toys, beds, etc. Tell the pet sitter your rules on treats, how much you feed, how often and when. If you can put everything the pet sitter may need in one central location, so much the better.
If your pet needs to be fed at certain times, or takes medicine on a schedule, you will want to be sure that the pet sitter can accommodate your needs.
Be sure your pet sitter is bonded and insured. Don't forget, she will have the keys to your home. Also, make arrangements for payment and the return of your keys.
It is a good idea to have a contingency plan in place in the event that your return is delayed. Plan to call the sitter on your return or ask her to call you at a specified time.
The pet sitter should also have a backup plan in case he or she is unable to attend to your pets for some reason. If not, you had better make a backup plan of your own.
Leaving the pets behind can add unnecessary stress to your trip. Knowing that you have hired an experienced pet sitter, and that you have provided her with everything she needs to do the job right can help ease that stress.
You don't have to live on the frozen Alaskan tundra to want an Alaskan Malamute sled dog for your very own! These massive wolf-like companions are some of the friendliest pets you could own. There are a few Malamutes (Mals) that haul people, freight or heavy objects, although most dogs are used for show or as pets. While this breed can pull hefty weight, they are generally not well suited for long distance races, in which case, the Siberian Husky, Alaskan Husky or Eskimo Dog would be a better choice, since they are breed for agility.
Alaskan Malamutes are a very affectionate breed of dog that thrive on human companionship. Ideally, your pet will be able to come and go as it pleases through a doggie-door, having the freedom to lounge outside in the shade or be at the heart of human interaction on command. Speaking of "commands," Mals can be stubborn dogs if you don't take the time to train them when they're young.
Don't worry: they are intelligent and quick learners if you use positive rewards. Be sure to let them know who's the "Alpha Dog" in your house early on! This breed gets bored easily and needs a lot of exercise. Your Malamute may be a digger, so it's best to set up a shaded area where your dog can dig his paws into the cool dirt if need be. If you're looking for a guard dog, then forget it; this breed enjoys humans far too much!
While the males are sometimes aggressive with other males, Mals are said to be good family pets. If you have cats, small dogs or farm animals, then you may want to reconsider getting this sort of breed. Perhaps it's the hunter instinct that emerges, but this native Alaskan canine does not typically get along with other small mammals. One of the things you'll come to love about your Mal is its "Chewbacca" woofs. While they're a generally quiet dog, they do like to talk a bit, and sometimes even howl like a wolf!
Have you ever wondered, "What are the differences between the Alaskan Malamute and the Siberian Husky?" Well, first consider that the Malamute was bred to carry a heavy load, whereas the Siberian Husky was bred to carry a lighter load over a longer distance. So naturally, Malamutes have a larger bone structure, while Huskies are much smaller and more agile.
Mals have brown eyes only, whereas Huskies can have blue, gray, brown, or a mix. Malamutes also have ears that sit further back on the skull, broader heads, bulkier muzzles, a sloped back (versus the straight back of the Husky) and a waving plume tail (rather than the traditionally trailing tail of the Husky). The personalities of both breeds are very similar by nature.
If you like what you've read, then an Alaskan Malamute may be the ideal breed of dog for you! They've got a little of everything, it seems.
If you're looking for a companion, rather than an accessory, then you've made the right decision. You may not have a sled to pull, but if you have a strong desire for an animal that can run, play, walk and entertain, then the Mal can make the ideal pal!
Both Elyse Grau & Mike Selvon are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Elyse Grau has sinced written about articles on various topics from Real Estate, Pets and Food for Cat. Elyse is the founder of The Original Dog Biscuit Company. She has in-depth knowledge of pet nutrition, as well as personal experience in their care and training. She is also a herbalist, with an emphasis on holistic pet health. For more articles and infor. Elyse Grau's top article generates over 40500 views. to your Favourites.
Mike Selvon has sinced written about articles on various topics from Camping, Allergies and Personal Desktop. Learn more about the at Mike Selvon portal. While you are there leave is a comment at our. Mike Selvon's top article generates over 450000 views. to your Favourites.