The number one connection that you can make after meeting or revisiting any pet for the first time is trust. I believe it is important for any animal to gain my trust especially around new people, smells, or environments. It’s important to be gentle with animals and take steps to ensure they feel safe in your presence. My dog lady is a rescue dog with severe anxiety. She is scared of loud noises and will often shake. Over our years together I’ve been able for develop ways to help her calm down and feel safe in my home. Spending my whole life with dogs has given me time to understand their body language and personality. If they’re trying to tell me something (like they’re stressed or it’s time to go outside) I’ll know. I keep Lady on a routine each day with her potty and feeding schedule, so she knows what to expect and when. That’s something that reflects in my dog sitting. Playtime and cuddles are also very important! They are little fur kids after all, and deserve to live a happy and enriching life. In terms of dog walking, I always make sure the dog is furthest from any passing car, and I place myself between the road and my pets. I find this way is better and you have a greater level of control if you run into any other animals or people while on a walk. I am from Philly, but I lived in Texas for two years, and with such a changing climate, I’m really great at understanding when a dog may be reacting to the weather. If it’s too hot or cold I’ll usually feel the ground before a walk to make sure it’s safe enough for paws without using booties. I also always carry doggy bags and a portable water bowl.