The Benefits of Using a Fear Free Sitter
The Fear Free Method is an innovative and gentle way of working with pets that prioritizes the needs of the pet and encourages positive reinforcement of wanted behaviors. While it’s more often talked about in terms of veterinary care or dog training, these methodologies are also useful to pet sitters.
Let’s dig into the main benefits of this system, not only for your pets but also for you.
How does Fear Free training benefit the pet?
The core benefit of the Fear Free method is to reduce anxiety in pets and help them feel at ease with new caretakers, whether that be at your vet or with a new pet sitter. For us at Grand & Graham Pets, this process starts before you even leave for vacation. During your onboarding process with us, you and your pets will get to meet your new sitter as they learn all about what your animals need.
Having a little time to bond with the dog(s) while you’re present can go a long way to making them feel immediately comfortable with a new sitter. This also allows us to learn how the dog typically interacts with their pack, and how to avoid anything that they might be afraid of.
After working with the Fear Free method, the main benefits we typically see in our clients’ pets are:
Pets experience less anxiety during our stay. Far from dreading their parents’ departure, our repeat clients are always excited to see their favorite pet sitter. They know they’ll be well cared for and get to have fun playtime until you get back.
Pets exhibit fewer destructive or harmful behaviors. When they experience less anxiety, pets also tend to act out less. While that’s great for you and us, it also makes for a much better experience for them.
Pets are overall healthier and more energetic. It’s not uncommon for anxious pets to stop or slow their eating habits while their owner is away. Even in the short term, this can be difficult on their health and cause lethargic or nervous behaviors. Being able to reduce or remove any anxieties around meal times makes sure they’re staying well-fed and hydrated during your trip.
How does the Fear Free Method benefit the pet owner?
You’re a pet owner who cares deeply about your pet’s well-being; you wouldn’t be doing this research otherwise, so hearing about the benefits to your pet’s experience is probably enough. But you shouldn’t count yourself out of this equation; finding a Fear Free pet sitter has benefits for you, too.
Less anxiety and stress. This one you probably guessed, but it’s worth pointing out that all the preparation and care that goes into the Fear Free method reduces anxiety points for you as well as your pet. You can relax on your vacation knowing that your pets are also having a great time.
More time and energy. Planning any trip is a lot of work, but professional pet sitters can be a partner for you, ensuring that nothing gets forgotten when it comes to your pet’s care.
More vacations! Having pets can make scheduling a vacation or long work trip difficult, but once you have a pet sitter you already trust, you can book that hotel with confidence.
How can you find a pet sitter that uses Fear Fear methods?
Not all pet sitters will be familiar with the Fear Free program, especially if they aren’t professional pet sitters. You can try asking your veterinary team if they can recommend anyone, or check out Fear Free’s directory to see if there’s anyone near you.
If you’re in San Francisco, CA, we hope you’ll reach out to us at Grand & Graham Pets to learn more about how Fear Free techniques can help reduce anxiety in your pets while you need to be away. We offer booking a year in advance and have lots of experience working with dogs with separation anxiety.
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