Tips & Tricks For The Pet Minder

You’re about to embark on a very fun experience! We would like to ensure you’re as prepared as possible to look after someone else’s furry best friend, so that you and the pooch have the best possible time.

When you’re introducing yourself to a new dog, let it smell you before making any sudden movements towards it. Reach out slowly, offering the dog the back of your hand to sniff, don’t put your face close to its face to avoid any mishaps and always use a friendly voice when you’re speaking to the dog. If the dog seems a bit nervous, divert your attention to the owner, chat to them and let the pooch interact with you first, when they are ready.

Hopefully you have already got lots of information from the owner via the AirBark’n’Bark app, but ask the owner lots of questions so you can gain a strong understanding of the dog and all its quirks and perks.

When you are minding a pet, it is important to only provide the food that the owner has given you. This avoids any potential allergies or overfeeding. It’s also important to note, that a change in diet can significantly disrupt an animals comfort, and when they are already in a new environment with a new person, we would like to ensure as many familiarities remain as possible.

The dog hasn’t known you long, so it needs to stay secure at all times otherwise it will probably try and go looking for its owner. When you’re taking it for a walk, it needs to be on a lead. If it is left with a crate as an enclosure, please ensure when it’s not in the crate it is on a lead.

When you’re deciding where to set up the dog on a securing post, or in its crate, look for an area with plenty of shade to ensure it doesn’t overheat in the warmer periods. Providing it with access to plenty of water, stimulation and a comfy spot to lay down will help to make the dog as comfortable as possible.

Leaving your dog with someone new can be daunting for the owner, so they would love some updates. Happy dog equals happy owner. Sending the owner a photo and a little update every now and then can help to ease any worry. If you have the dog for multiple days, an update morning and night is perfect. We don’t believe any dog owner ever, has ever gotten sick of receiving new photos of their pooch, so if you want to send more, go for it!