Keep Petsitters Informed!
There was an article in the American Chronicle recently about a former kennel owner and her experience caring for two dogs while the owners were away — it was NOT a pleasant one. When pet owners forget to tell pet care providers about certain details, it can be trouble. Here’s one cautionary tale.
I used to own a kennel and training facility in Louisville, KY. One time — over the Christmas and New Years holiday — a new family brought me two Cocker Spaniels to board for two weeks during their vacation. The wife dropped the dogs off and shared with me that both dogs needed to have their ears cleaned every day. Since I was not familiar with the dogs, I questioned the owner about how easily the dogs would allow a stranger to clean their ears. The owner assured me this gets done everyday and that both dogs were fine with it. They seemed friendly enough, so… day one I get the dogs out and played with them a bit to relax them. With my ear cleaner and cotton balls at hand, I went to one of the dogs to begin the cleaning. I promptly received the worst bite (still the record holder) of my entire career working with thousands and thousands of dogs. I thought the dog crushed my finger actually. And he wouldn’t let go. It was one of those moments that would have been comical had it not hurt so bad. While one hand was locked between the jaws of this dog, my other hand had to pry open its mouth to get my hand back. The dog made a very strong point he didn’t want his ears cleaned!
Fast forward two weeks to when the owners were to pick up the dogs…this time it was the husband who picked them up (wife dropped them off). As soon as he came in the door I informed him that the dogs never got their ears cleaned and that the male bit me badly on my first attempt. His reply…”Oh yeah, I’m sorry, they bite us all the time too!”
Is your dog a biter? A fence climber? An expert digger? A chronic over-eater? Terrified of storms? Petsitters need to be informed of all of these quirks, especially the ones that can harm the sitter or the pet himself. Just a friendly reminder! 
