Tips for Choosing a Dog Sitter

When pet owners are away, one of their main concerns before leaving the house is finding care for their dog. Often times owners choose either boarding their dog or leaving them with a family member or neighbor.

More often now, dog owners are opting for professional pet sitters. Professional pet sitters offer a variety of services, anything from walking the dog to overnight stays at your house.

What Can a Pet Sitter Offer?

Pet sitters are best for households with: multiple pets, special needs dogs, or owners that prefer their dog stay in the comfort of their own home. A professional can offer reliability and peace of mind while the owner is away.

• Most pet sitters are trained in Pet CPR and first aid
• Professional per sitters should have a business license, be insured and bonded, and offer client references.
• They should have an agreement or contract which will include terms of payment, cancellation and weather policies, vet release form, and emergency contact form.
• Many pets are less stressed when they can follow their normal routines in their homes.
• Having a pet sitter in your home avoids exposing your dogs to other dogs and possible illnesses.

How to Choose a Pet Sitter

When choosing a pet sitter, ask them for an in-home consultation. This gives you all a chance to meet and ask any question you may have. This also provides itself as an in-person interview, which gives the sitter the opportunity to meet your pup and ask any questions they may have about your dog and home.

Being in-person with your dog and potential sitter gives you the opportunity to see how they’ll interact together. Find out how well suited they are together, and see if they know how to handle your dog.

If possible, you can do a test run. Hire the sitter for a day, go out, and see how your dog acts when you return.

How To Find a Pet Sitter

Many owners find pet sitters through friends, neighbors, vet’s, groomers, or even training facilities.

There are national organizations for finding sitters such as Pet Sitters International and the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters. These sites include pet sitter locators to help you find a professional in your area. There are also for-profit clearing houses that post information such as Rover.com and Care.com. 

Don’t forget to have a backup plan. See if the pet sitter has an alternate if there is an emergency, and make sure to meet them as well.

Good luck on finding yourself a good sitter. Make sure to check out our tips for Prepping Your House for a Dog Sitter as well.