Macy Moore
Owner, MoorePetLove · Oakville, ON
One of the first things I ask every new client is: what does your dog's normal day look like? Not because I'm nosy — because I genuinely want to replicate it as closely as possible while your dog is here. This is something I feel strongly about, and here's why.
Dogs are creatures of habit in the best possible way. Consistency in their daily schedule — when they eat, when they go out, when they rest — is genuinely calming. When everything in their environment changes at once (different house, different humans, different smells), keeping their routine the same is one of the most stabilizing things you can do for them.
I always feed whatever food you bring, at the same times your dog is used to eating. Not the most convenient food I happen to have, not my preferred brand — yours. Changing food, even temporarily, can cause stomach upset. And a dog who's dealing with digestive issues on top of the stress of a new environment is not having a good time.
If your dog usually goes out right after breakfast, that's when we go out. If they have a long afternoon nap from 2–4pm, I protect that time. If they're used to a late evening snack, they get it. I take notes during the meet and greet and keep a schedule for every dog while they're here.
Dogs who are cared for according to their own routine settle so much faster than dogs who are suddenly on a completely different schedule. The first night — which is always the transition night — goes better. They sleep better. They eat normally. And they come home to you as themselves, not rattled from a week of inconsistency.
Tell me everything about your dog's day during the meet and greet — I'll make sure we keep it going while you're away.