Preparing pets as you travel for the holidays

Our pets are part of the family and our best friends. But traveling with them can be expensive and sometimes there's simply not anymore room in the car as you pack it full of kids, presents, luggage, and everything else you'll need on your holiday vacation. So we'll assume that you're leaving your pets home for your next trip - here are some resources and tips to help make the transition easier:

Pet Obedience Training
Whether your favorite dog or cat is going to the kennel or you'll have someone watching them, it will be a better experience for everyone if they're well trained.  There are various companies in Colorado Springs who specialize in pet training and obedience, or you can find plenty of helpful resources online for pet behavioral training. I've had great success with click training with my dog.
Effective Dog Training
Click Training for Dogs
Stop Cat Pee Outside the Litter Box
Potty Training Dogs

Leave something special for your pets
A new toy to chew on or some homemade dog treats will help your pet sitter immensely. Make sure you have something that can help connect your dog to their temporary caretaker and keep the dog occupied while you're away.
Homemade Dog Treat Recipes
Dog Food Secrets - What You Should Know About Your Dog Food 

Find someone to care for your pets in your home
It's always nice to have a neighbor or friend who can come by your house and check on the pets. However, the ideal situation is to have a housesitter who will be there consistently during the time you're gone.  This will also decrease the chances of burglary and keep things in order like newspapers in the driveway and an overflowing mailbox. There are even services where there is no cost to you in exchange for someone staying at your house to care for your pets and watch over other things as well.  Check out House Carers for options.

These simple steps will help make your time away a little more manageable for your furry friends.

Additional Resources for Pets:
Stop Your Parrot from Biting, Train Trick, Speech and More
Caring for Your Fish
The Complete Guide to Chronic Kidney Disease in Dogs and Cats
Chameleon Care Guide
How to Build a Chicken Coop
Easy Build Dog House Plans