Our pups are like our kids, we want to keep them happy and above all safe. When we can’t be there for our pups for work or vacation, we need to rely on a companion for our four-legged companions! These tips will help you pick a reliable and caring sitter for your puppy!
@pawprosw @tommycockapoo @sasummerhayes @cooper_is_cool1
Whether you’re going back to the office or on an extended vacation, the time will come where many of us will need someone to look after our pups! If you don’t have an extended cousin, niece, or nephew readily available and already asked your neighbor to help watch your pup one too many times, hiring a puppy sitter is your best bet. A great puppy sitter will provide you and your puppy with more than just a few hours of their time! They’ll provide quality one-on-one time for your puppy, some have professional puppy care & first aid training, plus they can even help look after things at home if you need them to!
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What are the benefits of hiring a professional puppy sitter?
If you’re on the fence about hiring a puppy sitter, think about the benefits for both you and your puppy. A sitter’s main job is to look after your puppy. So, you’ll avoid burdening your family or friends who may not be able to provide dedicated care like a sitter would, and have the peace of mind that your pup is getting the full attention they need!
Hiring a pet sitter also lets your pup be in the comfort of a home setting, and if the sitter is able to watch them at your personal house, even better! An in-home sitter lets your pup stay in their familiar environment which can help them be more relaxed while you’re away. Plus, you can coordinate with the puppy sitter to watch your home, bring in the mail, water your plants, etc during their stay! You can go on your trip feeling more relaxed knowing both your pup and your home are being taken care of!
6 Tips for picking a puppy sitter!
Nowadays there’s an app for everything including, you guessed it, finding a puppy sitter! And because it’s so easy for anyone to list themselves as a puppy sitter, you’ll need to know what to look out for! These are our tips for picking the perfect puppy sitter!
1. Start looking sooner rather than later!
Like any good professional, a reputable puppy sitter probably has a list of repeat clients. If they are looking to take on other clients, you want to make sure that you are readily reaching out to them and letting them know your needs! Also, consider the timing of when you need a puppy sitter. People travel most often around the holidays so if you also need a puppy sitter for a planned vacation, you want to find one the sooner the better!
2. Shop around for the perfect match!
@loreddyedwards
Take some time to do your research in your local area to find a few puppy sitters. A great place to start is asking for referrals from other pet professionals such as your veterinarian, groomer, pet store owner, or puppy trainer! Then ask your family and friends who own dogs for their recommendations or check out some of the popular dog-sitting apps that also have reviews for the available sitters in your area. Chances are you’ll find a good amount of potential puppy sitters to interview, without having to do a cold internet search!
3. Ask for references and professional training!
Once you narrowed down your list of potential puppy sitters, ask each of them to provide a list of references. Nothing will let you know more about their professional ability than the experience of previous clients! Some puppy sitters might already have existing reviews listed online, but it’s a good idea to call or email a few people with any specific questions you may have rather than solely relying on website reviews or advertising.
During your interview process, you may also want to ask your potential puppy sitters to provide you with details about any other related professional training. Do they know first aid for your puppy? What about other important skills like puppy training or grooming?
4. Give your puppy sitter clear instructions!
It’s important to establish what your needs and expectations are before your new puppy sitter starts. Puppies are impressionable and a few days of different house rules can get them off track with their training progress! Create a list of things that your puppy needs, for example, their daily schedule with feeding, playtime, walking, and sleeping times. Ask your puppy sitter to follow through with your puppy’s schedule as closely as possible. If your puppy is being crate trained, it’s important your puppy sitter keeps things consistent. And if you know your puppy has certain tendencies, fears, likes, dislikes, etc., include those tidbits in your list too!
Whether your puppy is staying with the sitter at your home, or with them at their’s, break out the dos and don’ts for your puppy with things like if your pup is allowed on the furniture or not, what rooms of the house they have access to, what to do if they start jumping on them or barking in their crate, along with your supervision expectations when your puppy has free time. The more you can get on the same page with your sitter, the smoother the transition will be when you come back home and “normal life” kicks back in for you and your pup!
Don’t forget to include other important activities for your sitter to keep up with while you're away like attending online puppy training classes or playdates!
Important tip: Leave your new puppy sitter a copy of your pup’s vaccination record and a list of contacts including your puppy’s veterinarian, a close-by emergency pet clinic, and back-up assistance such as a family member or friend. Also, if your puppy is taking any special medication, make sure your sitter is aware and has detailed instructions on administering it!
5. Introduce your puppy to their new sitter!
@cat.dog.nyc
You’ve picked out a puppy sitter but the most important thing to consider before officially hiring them is if they can interact and bond well with your puppy! Different puppy personalities have different needs. A shy, nervous pup may need someone softer and nurturing, while a more energetic, confident pup may need someone a bit firmer, with a calm, even energy. Find the right fit for your puppy by planning on a few introductions so your puppy can learn to feel comfortable around the new person while you’re present.
On your puppy sitter’s first visit, choose a neutral place (ie. outdoors at a park) for your puppy to meet them, and do activities like take a walk together, have some playtime, and just observe how your puppy is when you and the sitter talk too. For your next planned visit, move it into your home, or the sitter’s home (depending on where your pup will be staying) so they can get used to each other in the space they’ll be spending their time together!
Remember to never force interactions, especially if your puppy is a bit nervous at first, and give your puppy time to warm up to the new person if need be. Some good yummy treats you have on-hand for the sitter can often help with this! This is your opportunity to really observe how your puppy and sitter get along and if it seems like a good match, so give yourself some time for this process!
6. Establish fees and other important details in advance!
So you’ve decided to hire a new puppy sitter, yay! Before they come to care for your puppy, establish their payment amount and frequency up-front. Some sitters may charge more over the holidays, have fees for early or late pick-ups, or may ask for more based on the number of walks or activities you'd like them to do with your puppy. Additionally, ask them to provide you with a copy of their own liability insurance for your records!
Also, establish a line of communication with your puppy sitter while you’re away. Whether it’s a short phone call, text, or email, have them give you updates on how your puppy is doing. Nothing will make you feel more at ease than a cute picture of your pup cuddled up at home!
Other important things to consider!
@jacobthechocolatelab
Before your new puppy sitter comes over and you head off, take a little time to make a few arrangements to ensure that your puppy’s new sitter has everything they need to properly care for your pup! In the event that there’s a delay in your travel, stock up on a few extra supplies just in case, including your puppy’s food and medication! Also, let a family member, friend, or neighbor know if there’s a pet sitter staying your home and give them their contact info with permission from your sitter! And lastly, make sure all your puppy’s I.D.s are up to date!
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