How to find an awesome Dog sitter that your Dog will Love

Finding the best dog sitter for your precious pup is essential if you want to relax while away from home for any length of time. There is no chance of ever enjoying yourself if you spend your entire trip worrying about what is going on back home.

If your dog is the anxious sort, it is even more vital to know that they are with a guardian that you, and they, know, like and trust.

Why you need a professional dog sitter

It is easy, and often much less expensive to ask a friend or neighbour to pop in and take care of your dog, or even to have them at their home, but there are reasons why hiring a dog sitter to stay in your home and provide care for your dog is a better idea.

• A professional will be used to taking care of a multitude of dogs, and will understand that some dogs have struggles. They will have experience of how to deal with dogs that need extra care.
• A friend or relative is doing it as a favour, and may even feel obligated, whereas a professional is doing it as their livelihood and will be glad to be there.
• Hiring someone to stay in your home and care for your dog means having someone available for emergencies, playtime, grooming, exercise, and training. A person who is “popping in,” or is looking after your dog as well as carrying on their normal day, might find themselves unable to be quite so present.
• You will eliminate any trauma your dog might experience around finding themselves in kennels or unfamiliar surroundings, or being left somewhere without you. Some dogs simply cannot or should not be expected to handle the uncertainty of not knowing their whereabouts, your whereabouts, or if they will ever be reunited with their home. Environments like kennels can be extremely stressful.
• You can expect high levels of communication from your dog sitter to set your mind at ease.
• Your dog can be calm in their familiar setting and have their normal routine, which helps manage any anxiety they may have when you’re not present.

Things to look for in a dog sitter.

• DBS (Criminal Record) Check is up to date and has no concerning entries.
• Insurance – check what is and is not covered.
• A knowledge of your local area, including the local vets, groomers, park, pet shop, and places they might need to visit.
• Good reviews and a decent resume. Experience is vital with taking care of your precious animals. Are they consistent? Reliable? Trustworthy?
• A reputable dog sitter will have a back-up plan. Who will they call if things go wrong?
• A contract and a house schedule – so you both clearly know what the pet caregiver will do for your animals, what is the cost involved, how they will behave in your home, any alarm codes they may need, emergency phone numbers and so you can give consent for vet treatment and more.
• Dog first aid certificate and knowledge of how to give any required medication.
• Openness to meeting you and your dogs, and forming a relationship with them (and you) before you go anywhere.
• Most importantly – Do they show an interest in forming a bond with your dog? Do they want to play (if your dog does?) or enjoy dog cuddles? Or mind a bit of slobber on their clothes? Can they read dog body language? Will they keep your dog company, care for them, comfort them and make them feel comfortable and heard?

Where to choose the best dog sitter

There are many places where a dog sitter might advertise. The trouble with the internet, and unregulated industries like house/dog sitting, means that anyone, sadly, can set up in business within minutes. It is not always easy to tell who is completely honest about their experience with animals.

The Good Dog Guide provides an option for clients to leave reviews for all kinds of dog professionals, including dog sitters. If your friends or family have a good dog sitter, they will recommend them to you.

A good dog sitter may have references from other dog professionals. Ask at your pet shop, your vets, or ask your local reward-based dog trainers and behaviourists. The dog care community is tightly knit, with many people involved in animal care knowing each other.

Alternatively, some dog sitters may involve themselves in organisations that externally check their ethics such as The Dog Welfare Alliance, ICAN: International Companion Animal Network or The Association of INTODogs.

Relax and have fun, but after …

So, you have found a brilliant dog sitter, who has all the right paperwork, references, that your dog clearly loves and is great with your dog. All that is left to do is to go on holiday, or wherever you are going, and have a great time? Right?

No – It is a really nice touch, once you get home, to give your dog sitter a good review. It is tough, being a solopreneur of any kind, and especially in an unregulated industry.

Dog businesses shut down regularly.

So be sure you give other pet parents peace of mind by letting them know about it when you find a good professional of ANY kind. Help them stand out from the crowd and stay in business so they can serve you for longer.

Warm ‘N’ Fuzzies,

Freya xx

Freya V. Locke – Dog Behaviourist | Author | Blogger is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts become a free subscriber. Or, join the Fun Not Fear® Club with a paid subscription for full access to all resources.