If you’re lucky enough to be going on vacation, there’s no doubt you’ll want to bring your dog along with you for the trip. And that’s great! But you need to make sure you choose a dog sitter who will take as good of care of your pet as if he or she were their own pet. Here are some tips on how to find the best dog sitter possible.
Take Your Time In Making Your Decision
When you decide to go with a dog sitter, don’t be quick to jump on whatever person comes along. There are plenty of factors that can affect your pup’s health and well-being—and it’s important that you feel comfortable with whoever will be responsible for him or her.
Do Research On Websites That Provide Contact Information About Possible Dog Sitters
When you’re trying to find a dog sitter, there are several websites that can provide you with lists of local pet professionals. You can use these lists as starting points when doing your own research. Start by searching for dog sitters + [your location]. Then, contact some of these dog-sitting companies and ask them if they offer references or client testimonials.
Check References
One of your top priorities when hiring a dog sitter is making sure they’re reliable and trustworthy. If you’re going through a pet-sitting agency, check out client reviews. To get a feel for how they would take care of your pooch, ask other dog owners who have used their services.
Write An Agreement With What You Expect From Your Potential Dog Walker/Sitter
Before you hire someone, it’s a good idea to put everything down on paper. Work with your candidate to create an agreement detailing what they’ll be responsible for and how much you expect them to do. If they will walk your dog every day, are there any special instructions (exercise? poop scooping?) that might need further clarification? Plus, having everything written out gives you something concrete you can reference when it comes time to pay your new assistant.
Meet Your Potential Pet Sitter In-Person Before Hiring Them
It may sound silly, but meeting your potential pet sitter in person is a good way to vet them. Do they seem trustworthy? Do they seem like someone who’s going to be kind and gentle with your dog? These are all important things to consider. Of course, if you live in a small town where it’s not easy for people to drop by unannounced, you can always chat with a potential sitter over Skype or Google Hangouts instead.
Ask If They Will Come Over And Check Out Your Place Before Taking On The Job, So They Can See What They Are Getting Into
You’re not hiring a human babysitter, you’re hiring someone to take care of your dog. It’s important that they know what they are doing and will have all supplies necessary. You wouldn’t leave a kid with an adult who doesn’t know how to handle them; don’t leave your best friend in someone else’s hands either. Also ask if they do background checks on all employees, just like you would with childcare workers.
Take Your Decisions Carefully
Once you’ve interviewed a few candidates, it’s time to ask them why they want to dog-sit. Of course, you should care about your dog and be sure that your pup will be treated with love and affection while you’re away, but it’s also important for dog sitters to have a genuine love of animals in general. This is especially true if you plan on leaving your pet with someone overnight or for an extended period of time. You might not think twice about leaving your pup alone with a family member or friend who doesn’t like dogs, but doing so could put your pet at risk.
