3 Cues Your Pet Sitter Hopes Your Dog Knows
As a professional dog trainer AND pet sitter I can tell you that dogs that have gone through training classes are much easier pet sitting clients than dogs who have not. Yes, it makes it more convenient for me to perform specific tasks, but it also improves communication with the dog and this helps the dog feel safe. And it helps me to keep them safe in your absence! Here are 3 cues that your pet sitter wants your dog to know!
1.) Loose Leash Walking
This one makes a lot of sense, doesn’t it? This one is especially important if your sitter is going to be walking your dog frequently and/or you don’t have a fenced in yard. Loose leash walking can be a safety issue if your dog pulls enough. Add in snow, sleet, or rain and you can have a very treacherous situation on your hands. As an exceptionally clumsy human I really appreciate it when my sitting clients dogs don’t drag me all over the place when we go out. We are able to focus more on the walk and having fun if I’m not stressed about remaining in an upright position. Plus it keeps your pet (and your sitter) safe!
2.) Hand Target
I know, I know. This is ALWAYS on my list of necessary cues. But it is! I cannot express how useful a reliable hand target can be. It can be anything you need it to be in that moment. I am hard pressed to name a more versatile behavior. Dog scooted out the door? Cue a hand target to get him to come back to you. Dog barking at the doorbell? Cue a hand target to redirect him and help him calm down. Dog choking himself pulling trying to get to another dog on your walk? Cue a hand target to help him focus on you. The options are basically endless.
3.) Wait
A solid wait can be so helpful when caring for other peoples pets. When I use the word “wait” I am meaning that the dog learns to pause and give you space and time until released. It is very similar to stay, except typically shorter in duration and the dog will come to you when released. This cue can be especially helpful when I am sitting for families that have more than one dog. Wait makes managing multiple dog households much easier because it allows your sitter to stagger their release and have more control over exciting or potentially dangerous tasks or scenarios. I like to use wait for meal times when a few dogs are involved as it helps me to keep everyone focused and separated for safety. Letting dogs out of kennels and in and out of the house becomes much safer and less stressful with wait!
Your dogs time with your pet sitter should be fun! But we also want it to be as safe and as easy on your beloved caretaker as possible. Teaching and proofing these 3 simple cues can enable your sitter to keep things going smoothly in your absence and maintain peace of mind for you. Everybody wins.