https://petsitterdeerfield.com/blog/ Practical dog and cat care guides from Mary E., a 5-star Rover pet sitter in Deerfield Beach, Florida. en-us Thu, 02 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://petsitterdeerfield.com/blog/prepare-dog-first-stay-pet-sitter/ https://petsitterdeerfield.com/blog/prepare-dog-first-stay-pet-sitter/ How to prepare your dog for a first stay with a pet sitter in Deerfield Beach: the meet and greet, a trial visit, the routine to keep, and the goodbye. Pet sitting and travel Thu, 02 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000 mary@petsitterdeerfield.com (Mary E.) https://petsitterdeerfield.com/blog/what-to-pack-for-dog-staying-with-sitter/ https://petsitterdeerfield.com/blog/what-to-pack-for-dog-staying-with-sitter/ A simple packing list for your dog's stay with a pet sitter, from food and medication to the worn t-shirt that helps a nervous dog settle. Pet sitting and travel Thu, 02 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000 mary@petsitterdeerfield.com (Mary E.) https://petsitterdeerfield.com/blog/what-makes-a-great-pet-sitter/ https://petsitterdeerfield.com/blog/what-makes-a-great-pet-sitter/ Ten things to look for in a pet sitter, from how they greet a nervous dog to what their own home feels like on a normal weekday. Pet sitting and travel Thu, 02 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000 mary@petsitterdeerfield.com (Mary E.) https://petsitterdeerfield.com/blog/questions-to-ask-a-pet-sitter/ https://petsitterdeerfield.com/blog/questions-to-ask-a-pet-sitter/ The exact questions to ask a pet sitter before you book, what a good answer sounds like, and the answers that should make you keep looking. Pet sitting and travel Thu, 02 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000 mary@petsitterdeerfield.com (Mary E.) https://petsitterdeerfield.com/blog/why-a-meet-and-greet-matters/ https://petsitterdeerfield.com/blog/why-a-meet-and-greet-matters/ Why a meet and greet before your dog's stay matters, what to do in the first ten minutes, and the signs a dog will settle with that sitter. Pet sitting and travel Thu, 02 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000 mary@petsitterdeerfield.com (Mary E.) https://petsitterdeerfield.com/blog/leaving-your-dog-for-the-first-time/ https://petsitterdeerfield.com/blog/leaving-your-dog-for-the-first-time/ What to expect the first time you leave your dog with a sitter: the first night, the updates to ask for, and how to stop the worry spiral. Pet sitting and travel Thu, 02 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000 mary@petsitterdeerfield.com (Mary E.) https://petsitterdeerfield.com/blog/what-your-pet-sitter-needs-to-know/ https://petsitterdeerfield.com/blog/what-your-pet-sitter-needs-to-know/ The details a pet sitter genuinely needs: routine, medication, fear triggers, how your dog signals stress, and the vet plan for a Deerfield Beach stay. Pet sitting and travel Thu, 02 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000 mary@petsitterdeerfield.com (Mary E.) https://petsitterdeerfield.com/blog/dog-care-instructions-for-your-sitter/ https://petsitterdeerfield.com/blog/dog-care-instructions-for-your-sitter/ A template for dog care instructions for your pet sitter: routine, food, medication, behaviour, vet details, all on one page. Pet sitting and travel Thu, 02 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000 mary@petsitterdeerfield.com (Mary E.) https://petsitterdeerfield.com/blog/vacation-checklist-for-your-dog/ https://petsitterdeerfield.com/blog/vacation-checklist-for-your-dog/ A ten item holiday checklist for dog owners: sitter booked, routine written, food packed, vet details ready, and the handover done properly. Pet sitting and travel Thu, 02 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000 mary@petsitterdeerfield.com (Mary E.) https://petsitterdeerfield.com/blog/helping-shy-rescue-dog-feel-safe/ https://petsitterdeerfield.com/blog/helping-shy-rescue-dog-feel-safe/ How to help a shy rescue dog feel safe: a small space to start, no forced affection, a boring routine, and time measured in weeks not days. Rescue and anxious dogs Thu, 02 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000 mary@petsitterdeerfield.com (Mary E.) https://petsitterdeerfield.com/blog/why-rescue-dogs-need-time-to-warm-up/ https://petsitterdeerfield.com/blog/why-rescue-dogs-need-time-to-warm-up/ Why some rescue dogs take weeks to warm up: what is happening in the dog's head, why the calm ones can take longest, and how to speed it up safely. Rescue and anxious dogs Thu, 02 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000 mary@petsitterdeerfield.com (Mary E.) https://petsitterdeerfield.com/blog/first-24-hours-nervous-dog-settle-in/ https://petsitterdeerfield.com/blog/first-24-hours-nervous-dog-settle-in/ An hour by hour plan for the first 24 hours with a nervous dog, at home or with a sitter, from the car journey to the first morning walk. Rescue and anxious dogs Thu, 02 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000 mary@petsitterdeerfield.com (Mary E.) https://petsitterdeerfield.com/blog/how-patience-helps-a-timid-dog/ https://petsitterdeerfield.com/blog/how-patience-helps-a-timid-dog/ Why patience works on timid dogs when encouragement does not, and the small daily habits that build confidence over weeks. Rescue and anxious dogs Thu, 02 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000 mary@petsitterdeerfield.com (Mary E.) https://petsitterdeerfield.com/blog/building-trust-with-a-rescue-dog/ https://petsitterdeerfield.com/blog/building-trust-with-a-rescue-dog/ The small daily actions that build trust with a rescue dog: predictable meals, letting the dog choose, calm hands, and never cornering it. Rescue and anxious dogs Thu, 02 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000 mary@petsitterdeerfield.com (Mary E.) https://petsitterdeerfield.com/blog/helping-rescue-dog-with-a-new-pet-sitter/ https://petsitterdeerfield.com/blog/helping-rescue-dog-with-a-new-pet-sitter/ How to help a rescue or anxious dog cope with a new pet sitter: meet and greet first, a trial visit, the same routine, and no new people while you travel. Rescue and anxious dogs Thu, 02 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000 mary@petsitterdeerfield.com (Mary E.) https://petsitterdeerfield.com/blog/from-scared-to-silly-rescue-dog/ https://petsitterdeerfield.com/blog/from-scared-to-silly-rescue-dog/ What it looks like when a rescue dog starts to relax: the small milestones, the first playful moment, and how to keep the progress going. Rescue and anxious dogs Thu, 02 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000 mary@petsitterdeerfield.com (Mary E.) https://petsitterdeerfield.com/blog/dog-body-language-explained/ https://petsitterdeerfield.com/blog/dog-body-language-explained/ Dog body language explained: tail position, ear set, whale eye, lip licking and play bows, and what to do when the signals conflict. Dog behaviour and communication Thu, 02 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000 mary@petsitterdeerfield.com (Mary E.) https://petsitterdeerfield.com/blog/why-does-my-dog-follow-me-everywhere/ https://petsitterdeerfield.com/blog/why-does-my-dog-follow-me-everywhere/ Why your dog follows you from room to room: the normal reasons, the ones that need attention, and how to build a dog that can settle alone. Dog behaviour and communication Thu, 02 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000 mary@petsitterdeerfield.com (Mary E.) https://petsitterdeerfield.com/blog/how-dogs-show-they-trust-you/ https://petsitterdeerfield.com/blog/how-dogs-show-they-trust-you/ How dogs show trust: relaxed sleeping, soft eye contact, offering a belly, leaning in, and letting you handle food and paws. Dog behaviour and communication Thu, 02 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000 mary@petsitterdeerfield.com (Mary E.) https://petsitterdeerfield.com/blog/why-routine-matters-to-dogs/ https://petsitterdeerfield.com/blog/why-routine-matters-to-dogs/ Why routine matters to dogs: predictability lowers stress, what a good daily schedule looks like, and how to protect the routine when you travel. Dog behaviour and communication Thu, 02 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000 mary@petsitterdeerfield.com (Mary E.) https://petsitterdeerfield.com/blog/zoomies-tail-wags-and-side-eye/ https://petsitterdeerfield.com/blog/zoomies-tail-wags-and-side-eye/ What zoomies, tail wags, side-eye and demand barking actually mean, and when everyday dog behaviour is worth a closer look. Dog behaviour and communication Thu, 02 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000 mary@petsitterdeerfield.com (Mary E.) https://petsitterdeerfield.com/blog/signs-of-a-happy-dog/ https://petsitterdeerfield.com/blog/signs-of-a-happy-dog/ The real signs of a happy dog: loose body, play bows, soft eyes, good sleep, a healthy appetite, and the small things to watch instead of the tail. Dog behaviour and communication Thu, 02 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000 mary@petsitterdeerfield.com (Mary E.) https://petsitterdeerfield.com/blog/how-dogs-communicate-stress/ https://petsitterdeerfield.com/blog/how-dogs-communicate-stress/ The quiet signs of stress in dogs: lip licking, yawning, whale eye, shaking off, and what to do when you spot the early signals. Dog behaviour and communication Thu, 02 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000 mary@petsitterdeerfield.com (Mary E.)