T
SIGNS O’ THE
(SPENT)
ONE OWNER’S APPROACH
Yolanda Villalva of Whittier, California, has a lot going on —
work, school, volunteering, and she drives her parents to
doctor appointments. She has a husband, friends, and additional
family who also need her time. Oh, and two cats and a dog.
Luckily, Yolanda has figured out ways to ensure those pets get
their needs met, particularly her dog Penelope.
Yolanda makes it a point to include Penelope in everyday
activities. “If I’m watching TV or reading a book, she’s laying at
my feet. When I’m in the bedroom or the garden, I’ll call her to
follow me. I talk to her so she’s part of things.”
Why is this important? “I want to give her the best doggy life
she can have,” Yolanda said. “She’s a rescue, so we owe that to
her or to any pet we bring into the house. Penelope’s a good
source of balance in my life so it’s just as important for me to
provide that interaction as it is for her.”
When life happens
WAVEBREAKMEDIA; MASSIMOFUSARO; PHOTO_MTS/SHUTTERSTOCK
If you’re wondering if your dog is feeling
neglected, look no further than your dog
himself. “Dogs are very good at communicating a problem as long as you pay
attention,” said Liz Palika, certified dog
trainer and behavioral consultant based
in Oceanside, California. Look for any
changes from normal behavior, she said.
Specific symptoms of being alone too
much include:
● Destructive chewing
● Prolonged barking
● Destroying things
● Excessive licking and chewing
● Change in housetraining
Nothing can replace the time spent
between a dog and his beloved human,
but sometimes life makes it necessary to
arrange for someone else to help ensure
your dog’s needs are met.
Those needs vary by dog and age.
“Puppies need lots of attention so they
can bond with their owner, learn how
to live as a dog in a human world, and
get outside often so there are no potty
accidents,” said Liz Palika, certified dog
trainer and behavioral consultant based
in Oceanside, California, whose 80-plus
books include the award-winning Idiot’s
Guide: Dog Training (Alpha, 2013). “Some
breeds are more likely to be escape
artists than others if bored and alone.”
The most common options are taking
your dog to doggie day care or hiring a
pet sitter or dog walker.
“Some dogs do well with day care,
but for other dogs it can be extremely
stressful,” Bruce added. “In an ideal world,
I like having a dog walker or pet sitter
break up a dog’s day. I know they are
getting a good amount of necessary sleep
during the day and can take a nice calm
walk mid-day, which keeps adrenaline
levels low.”
Julie Mignery, a pet sitter with Alpha
Pet Care in Long Beach, California, has
been doing just that for seven years.
About 25 percent of her clients hire
her to care for their pets while they’re
at work.
“Some of my clients’ pets don’t get
along well with others, so doggie day care
isn’t really an option for them,” Mignery
said. “Other clients prefer the one-onone attention they get by hiring me. I
help pets feel safe, loved, comfortable,
and well-fed while their people are away
from home,” she said.
One solution might not be as helpful as you imagine — getting a second
dog. Fisher said this doesn’t mean you
shouldn’t have multiple dogs (she does)
but “the decision to get a second dog
should be because you want another
dog — and have the time, energy, and
financial ability to care for both dogs
properly.”
Time is finite, but the love for our
dogs is infinite. Determine what you and
your