Tips on Finding the Right Dog Sitter
If you and your family are planning on taking a vacation then you have a few options when it comes to your dog. You can leave your dog at a kennel. You can take your dog with you. You can ask a friend or family to watch them. And lastly, you can hire a dog sitter. Hiring a dog sitter is a nerve wracking process because you want to make sure your dog is in the right hands. We recommend you check out the National Association of Pet Sitters or Pet Sitters International to conduct your search. As far as the process of hiring someone and leaving them with your pet, there are really two parts to this. The first one is asking the right questions and the second part is knowing what information to give out about your dog.
When it comes to qualifying a pet sitter, the Humane Society suggests that you have the following questions answered:
Does the pet sitter have commercial liability insurance, and is she bonded?
What training has the pet sitter completed?
Does the pet sitter have a written contract that details services and fees?
Will the pet sitter keep notes about your pet, such as his likes, dislikes, fears, habits, medical conditions, medications, and routines?
What will happen if the pet sitter experiences car trouble or becomes ill? Is there a backup person?
How does your pet sitter make sure that you have returned home?
Will the pet sitter provide you with references from other clients?
Now, once you feel comfortable with the sitter you’ve been interviewing, it’s your turn to now inform your sitter about your dog. The NAPP suggests you tell your pet sitter as much detail as possible about your dog, including:
Your dog’s routine and schedules.
Any minor or major health issues, and whether your dog requires medication.
Your dog’s favorite hiding places (to prevent a panic if your dog decides to hide out).<
An emergency plan (including your vet’s phone number and the contact information of a trusted neighbor).
Any unusual quirks or habits.
Once you’ve established all of this information with your pet sitter it’s time to leave your home! But there’s still more.
Final Tips:
Remember to keep certain things in your house out of your dog’s reach. Try and dog proof your home as much as possible before you take off. And make sure you’ve given enough advance to your pet sitter. Many require a couple of weeks notice before taking on a job.
Last Tip: Have fun on your trip!
