When the holidays come around and it’s time to travel to unite with family and friends, many pet owners often feel stressed thinking about leaving their pets behind. If you have never traveled without your dog before, it can be a bit stressful to decide whether or not to bring them along. You don’t want to leave them alone, but you don’t feel safe taking them along either. So what do you do?
If taking your guard dog on vacation is out of the question, it’s important to plan for an alternative as soon as possible. After all, no responsible or loving pet owner wants to leave their pet alone at home for days while they are away. Luckily, there are several great options to choose from when it comes to arranging accommodations for your protection dog while you are traveling for the holidays.
Leave them with Friends and Family
One of the best options that you have is to leave your dog with a close friend or family member. Your mind can be at ease knowing that your pet is with someone that you trust will take great care of him. If you choose to take this route, take your pet to visit the home where they will be ahead of time. This will help make the pet feel more comfortable during their stay, as the environment will be familiar to them. This is especially important for many personal protection dog breeds, such as German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois.
Hire a Pet Sitter
Another good way to ensure that your pet is safe during your holidays is to hire a pet sitter. There are several pet sitting companies that have experienced and highly reliable sitters who can take care of your pet by staying with him. All you need to do is pick a trustable pet sitter for your pet and tell them about your pet’s feeding and playing times. You should also provide the pet sitter with the vet’s number in case of any emergency situation.
Choose a Pet Boarding Service
A pet boarding kennel is another safe place to leave your pet. Guard dogs and protective dogs require lots of play, and a boarding center will make sure that this is fulfilled each day. When picking a pet kennel or boarding service, make sure you visit the kennel and observe the place where you will be leaving your beloved pet. Consult with friends, family, and vets for recommendations for a reliable pet boarding center. Once you find one that you are comfortable with, book as early as possible as spaces fill up very quickly for the holiday season. Be sure to discuss your pet’s playing and eating times, as well as vet visit information with the kennel.
Get a Home Visit Service
There are many pet sitters who will visit your pets at different times of the day. These sitters will meet your pet’s exercising and feeding requirements. A home visit service is best if you want your pet to stay at the home but with a good amount of care. You can also ask a friend or family member to check on your pet during certain hours each day.
Taking Care of your Pet
When you are going on a vacation, it is important to keep your pet’s health in check. A good way to ensure your pet stays healthy and safe is to get its vaccinations updated ten days before you leave. You should also provide your pet with a good flea treatment to keep it safe at boarding kennels and around other pets. Also, make sure to purchase necessary medicines for the pet.
When you are leaving for holidays leaving your pet at home, you need to make sure that it is in safe hands. It is important to think about your pet’s health, safety, and happiness before you leave. If you don’t want your family protection dog to be depressed, lonely, or unhappy while you are away, arrange for him to be left in trusted, caring hands that will provide him with plenty of love and affection.