Show Outline
Lots of pet sitters do checks or walks late at night/early in the morning when it's dark
Clothing -reflective gear
Lights
Know your path
Do you bring someone along with you?
Do you carry mace or other protection?
Leashight/flashlight
ALWAYS be aware of your surroundings
If doing house sitting or dropping in, lock the door as soon as you enter the house
Also prevents dogs escaping
Carry keys with you at all times during the visit – especially when taking pets out into the yard. Some clients have doors that automatically lock when closed – you don't want to be locked outside with the pets
Keep your phone with you in case of emergencies but youll also need it to take pics while. You are walking
Phone use while dog walking
Yes take a picture or two but be very conscientious of where you are walking, especially if it's on a busy street or in the park where there could be other dogs
Speaking up keeping the pups safe:
What do you do if you encounter unleashed dogs while walking clients
Stun gun? Spray shield like Direct Stop?
Keeping the pups safe also meaning keeping them in your care
What to do if a dog gets out of your care whether by bolting out the door, seeing a squirrel on a walk and getting out of your grip, etc.
What if you live on a busy street?
Double exit protection like a screen door or having some kind of gate across your porch, if you have one
Our street is somewhat busy but our main concern is the neighborhood cats
We watch a great dane that loves to chase cats and squirrels so we are always cautious to look out for them when he leaves our house
Snow/blizzard cancellations? Go by school district you are closest to?
Pet sitter safety means being armed with all the knowledge about the pet
including when and how much medicine they take
What food, when and how much they eat
Their schedule, etc
Its best to be consistent to their normal schedule as much as possible
Part of pet sitter safety is not only being safe while you are pet sitting but also BEFORE you pet sit:
So, if you feel uncomfortable at the meet and greet, for whatever reason, you CAN say no
Some reasons for saying no could be if the house is in a bad part of town, or too dirty, if the dog appears aggressive toward you or other dogs, or if you just don't mesh well with the owner
Take someone with you to the meet and greet (even if the person is just sitting in the car)…or at the very least, let someone else know where you will be and when
Collin and I always go together
Dog proof your house
Dog proof your client house
If you are transporting dogs, dog proof your car
Remember to always have emergency contact information on hand in case something happens
If you are house sitting or dropping in on pets, maybe consider removing signs or car magnets
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