Jun 9, 2021 Tips

Prepping Your House for a Dog Sitter

Every year, dog owners plan to go on vacation but can’t bring their pups. One of the best options for dog care is a sitter.

There are ways to prep your house and dog for a sitter that are stress free. This checklist will ensure happiness and safety while you’re away.

Keeping Dog Healthy

Make sure to have plenty of food for your dog, and label containers if you have multiple dogs with different diets.
Leave feeding instructions, including portion size, feeding instructions, and other considerations you may have.
Make sure your dog has enough medication and leaving instructions on how to administer
Leave the name, location, and phone number for your vet’s office. Make sure to let your vet know you are authorizing the sitter to care for your dog while away.
Consider leaving the sitter a form explaining the type of vet care your dog should receive, and a list of vaccinations with dates received.
Most importantly, leave your sitter your itinerary and contact information – including personal cell and the name and number of where you’re staying.

Put ID tags on your dogs collars, especially if you have multiple pets of the same breed.
Ask that the dog never be left alone wearing a collar with a hanging tag so that it will not get caught in the air vents or crate openings.
Leave supplies such as poop bags, leash, food, bowls, and etc in an easy place for your sitter, but out of dog’s reach.
Let your sitter know where the dog’s crate is in case of emergency.
Leave a dog first aid kit for sitter.
Make sure your backyard is fenced and secured, or instruct the sitter to keep your dog on a leash at all times outside to prevent escape.
Leave out the toys your dog can play with, and put away toys that are a choking hazard.
Leave a list of one or two names and contact information of people that can be reached if you are out of reach. Make sure those people are okay with this.

Include home instructions such as alarm codes, circuit breakers, landlord name and number, names of anyone else who may be in the home during your absence, and etc. Let your neighbor or landlord know that there will be a pet sitter and give them the sitter’s contact information in case of emergency.
Leave a set of keys even if there is a keypad. Batteries can die at any moment and there will be no way to open the door without a key.
Remove potentially harmful objects out of your dog’s reach, such as plants, trash, or cleaning supplies. Stressed pets can exhibit abnormal behaviors when you’re not home. Consider crating pets or leaving them in one room.
If pet sitter is staying in your home, leave instructions about where to sleep, how to work television, how to operate the heating and cooling system, what bathroom to use, and whether you’re comfortable with other guests in your home.
Provide clean linens, toilet paper, and be clear about whether your sitter can eat your food or not.
Keep cleaning supplies in an obvious location – that your dog can’t reach – in case of an accident.

Prepping your house can ensure the best care for your dog and is a great way to make your sitter feel appreciated.

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