In part one we talked about forming good behavior traits early.
Part two focuses on the types of people you want on your dog's
'team.'
Create a Good Team of Advisors
□ Find A Great Vet. One of the best ways to find a great
vet is to ask for referrals from friends and neighbors. It is
best to ask people whose relationship with their dog is similar
to yours. The Humane Society of the US notes some other things
to keep in mind would be the convenience: are their hours
amenable to your schedule? Is it easy to get an appointment? Do
they have an effective emergency system in case your dog slits
her foot on a holiday? How many vets are in the practice? How
about parking and space to load and unload your dog? If you have
an unusual breed of dog, or one that is generally accepted as a
‘difficult’ breed (like a Pit-Bull, Chow Chow, etc) how
comfortable are they handling your pet? Once you’ve narrowed
down your list of vets, schedule an appointment to meet with the
staff, take a tour of the facility and ask them for references
from their clients.
□ Be a Good Vet Client. When you’ve found the right vet
for you and your dog, it’s important that you work hard to
maintain the relationship. Know your dog. By understanding his
personality and when “not right” is more than just a pulled
muscle from an invigorating game of Frisbee™ you can help your
vet isolate and catch diseases such as Lyme Disease. If you are
aware of the nuances of your pet’s regular behavior, you will
not spend more time than necessary calling or visiting your vet.
Keep up to date on preventive care and keep your doctor in the
loop if you are trying new or holistic care options. If you have
an appointment, be sure to show up on time and make sure your
dog is on a leash.
□ Find a Good Groomer. If your dog is of a particularly
furry breed and prone to matting, or you are not comfortable
setting aside regular ‘home grooming’ time, it’s important for
you to find and use a good professional groomer. You can find a
groomer through referrals or through the National Dog Groomers
Association of America. Before making your dog’s first
appointment, see if you can stop by and see their facility.
During your tour reflect on the following questions. Is it
well-lit? Does it smell and look clean? Are its holding cages
adequately sized? How does the staff handle their current
clients? Do they seem to act gently? Does the groomer keep
updated medical and grooming history?
□ Be a Good Grooming Client. Prepare your dog for his trip
to the groomers by continuing your in home ‘handling’ routine.
If he’s used to people touching his ears and paws, he will be
less stressed when a stranger touches him in an unusual
environment. Make sure that your dog is up to date on all his
vaccinations and veterinary records. Prepare the groomer for
your dog and make them aware of any particular needs he has – if
he is geriatric, tends toward nervousness, or if he has any
chronic medical problems.
□ Find a Reliable Pet-Sitter. Because you will need to
leave your pet at some time in your relationship, it’s important
that you have found a reliable person or company to care for
your pet in your absence. You may be lucky enough to have family
or a neighbor who is reliable and always available to care for
your pet. However, if you are new to town and don’t have any
nearby people to call, you should take time to interview and
find a reliable pet-sitting company. Ask your vet or neighbors
for referrals and be sure to interview a few companies to make
sure you have the right fit. Important questions include: are
they bonded and insured? Do they have experience with your breed
of dog? Do they have back-up plan in case of illness or
emergency? If you travel frequently on short notice, it is also
important to ask how far in advance you must book to guarantee
service. Perhaps most important is to take notice of how they
interact with your pet. A couple of places to search on-line for
a professional pet-sitter are The National Association of
Professional Pet-Sitters or Pet Sitters International.
□ Be a Good Pet-Sitting Client. Whenever possible, book
with plenty of time to assure your place on the company’s
schedule. Many pet-care businesses are run by a single person
who may book up early, so once you know your schedule, make an
appointment for your pet’s care. Be clear about your
expectations, if you don’t want your pet-sitter to give your pet
treats, make it clear. Be sure your dog is up-to-date with all
vaccinations and complete all required paperwork prior to your
first appointment. You will be asked to provide all pertinent
information regarding the health and medical history of your
pet. Do not make it difficult for your pet-sitter to park or
access your home – have parking passes and keys ready for your
sitter at the time of your initial interview.
|
