Dog expert reveals: That's how well pet sitters work

Created: 07/03/2022, 09:00

By: Sandra Barbara Furtner

Particularly popular during the holiday season: dog sitters.

Can you be trusted with a pet?

A team from the SAT.1 program Akte takes a close look.

Munich – Even if you would like to have your four-legged friend with you around the clock: sometimes there is simply no other way.

Important appointments, changed working hours, visits to the doctor or a relaxing holiday just for yourself - here you are dependent on "external help".

If family members or close friends are not available, boarding kennels or pet sitters are used.

After all, you want to give away your beloved pet with a clear conscience and know that it is well cared for in the meantime.

Dog expert reveals: Animal sitters work so well – SAT.1 file reveals

Sometimes you need a dog sitter.

Pay attention to your gut feeling.

(Iconic image) © Deutzmann/Imago

The dilemma: Can you just trust a complete stranger and how do you actually recognize a good pet sitter?

A team from SAT.1 Akte got to the bottom of exactly this topic in the program on June 23, Episode 20, together with dog expert Ela Fuhrmann, who has been working as a dog trainer for years.

Various supervisors were booked via an Internet portal.

Labrador male Sam serves as a "decoy".

Don't worry, Sam is very well educated, and totally chilled.

He should be looked after while the owner goes about his appointments.

Meanwhile, the team “monitors” what is happening with a hidden camera.

Dog expert reveals: Not every dog ​​sitter is suitable

The bottom line: during the show it came out that not every pet sitter on the internet is really suitable for caring for a dog.

Some prefer to spend their time on the cell phone instead of taking care of their protégé, do not even want to pet him, others even react with gross negligence by simply handing the four-legged friend to an "allegedly familiar person" and giving them to go for a walk.

In fact, that's exactly what they were booked and paid for.

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Dog expert reveals: Listen to your gut feeling

It doesn't always make sense to look for the "lowest price", but to take a close look at what qualifications someone brings with them.

Training as a pet sitter, dog trainer or veterinary assistant is worth its weight in gold.

Because what if the dog just swallows something or just gets bad diarrhea because it ate something bad?

Empathy and reliability also play a major role.

Thinks: If a problem arises, the owner should be informed immediately by telephone.

So be sure to exchange cell phone numbers.

In addition, each task should be discussed in detail beforehand.

Another important identifier: is the dog comfortable around the person?

Can he relax and get involved with people?

If your four-legged friend does not interact with the two-legged friend at all, or even avoids him, the whole thing may not make much sense.

So rely on your gut feeling.

Because nobody knows the dog better than you do.