Preparing your pet for boarding when you travel outside the city
A lot of pets found homes during the lockdown. It was a
blissful time with everyone at home looking for company within the family.
Things however have gone back to normal and human family members are trying to
make up for lost time with their friends and the extended family. This normal
is not what many pets have ever known. For them, it is normal that everyone is
at home. A dog walk or a quick trip out with his humans is
what a dog knows. A cat didn't even need that many a times. Also most trips
outside homes during lockdowns were moments of stress and a smart cat or dog
picks up on it immediately. This is true for most pets actually given their
strong intuitive abilities.
In this scenario families taking holidays without pets is a
moment of great stress for the pet. They feel abandoned and experience anxiety.
An inexperienced pet parent may assume that a pet which plays with strangers
during morning walks would be comfortable when it is left at a boarding. This
however is far from the truth. The best of boarderers would want pet parents to
put in some effort in familiarizing a pet with the idea of being away from the
family before setting off on a trip.
The process is simple. The pet needs to know that it is safe
and more importantly that the family will come back for it. This reduces the
abandonment fear and it is able to enjoy the attention which the pet border
lavishes on her guest.
The idea is to start off small. Leave your pet with a
familiar neighbour or friend ideally first in the pet's own home and then in
another location. The duration should not be for long and the departure should
be low excitement. The feeling should be that something routine is up. If the
pet frets low key, do not rush back. The pet needs to experience and accept
that it was worried but in due course the family came back for it. Next, have a
pet sitter at home while the family goes off for a few hour long sojourn. This
can be followed up by or be replaced by a stay at a pet border.
Then increase the duration of the separation to include a night. Do not do this
too close together or too far apart so as to manage stress levels.
Always leave familiar objects with the pet. A recently worn,
unwashed garment which still carries the parent's smell, a favourite toy or
blanket, the pet's own food and water bowls as well as the regular brands of
food and treats should also be kept with the pet. The idea is to minimize
change for the pet.
The pet should be rewarded for good behaviour in word and
kind. Also do not punish the pet if there is simple bad behaviour or even some
peeing. The unknown can be very frightening and involuntary accidents add to
the anxiety and are not worthy of punishment. Some pets might show preferences
for different types of boarding homes, for example those with longer walks
offered or those with more space to play. Understand your pet's requirements
when you choose the place which suits it best.
Most boarders and sitters want the best experience for a
pet. They will have varied methods and ways of keeping pets happy. However it
is you who knows your pet best and can make the transition easier for it.
Finally, having a happy pet in boarding is possibly the best way to ensure that
you have a stress free holiday experience.
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