by Bailey Coldwell
Just like we want parents of kids to have some time to themselves, we also want parents of dogs to have some time to themselves. Leaving our dogs can be scary and emotional. However, know that you are doing your dog a favor by teaching them to be okay if the routine changes. Not only is having a reliable pet sitter helpful for vacations or date nights, it is also helpful for emergencies where you need to leave and can not bring your dog with you. As a pet sitter myself, let’s chat about finding a reliable pet sitter to help give you peace of mind while you are away.
To start your search for a reliable pet sitter, you can use apps such as Rover or Wag! You can use Facebook groups focused on your town. Ask your friends, family, and neighbors who watches their dogs (or you can see if any of them would be available themselves!) Your veterinarian or groomer could be another helpful resource for finding a pet sitter.
You will want to determine what is important for you while finding a pet sitter. This will look different depending on your desires as the handler. Here are some factors to consider:
Location: is it important for you to have the sitter come to your house or are you comfortable leaving your dog at the sitter’s home?
Outdoor space: does your dog need a fenced-in yard or are you okay if the sitter uses a leash or long line for your dog?
How many hours per day will the sitter be with your dog? How will your dog spend their days? Is someone going to be home the majority of the time?
Where will your dog sleep at night? Is your dog crate-trained? Does the sitter require your dog to be crate-trained?
If the dog is going to stay at the sitter’s home, will your dog be the only dog or will there be other dogs also staying with the sitter?
Does the sitter have any cats, kids, or other triggers that could be challenging for your dog?
Will the sitter be available for the pick up and drop off times that you desire?
What does the pricing look like and does it fit your budget?
Does the sitter have good references or reviews?
Is your dog fearful of anything that could be in the sitter’s home? For example, some dogs are more fearful of men. You might find a woman sitter, but should check to see if men are going to be in the household if this is a concern.
If there are multiple dogs, how are the dogs fed to prevent resource guarding and/or fights.
Will the sitter be capable of following your usual household rules for your dog? For example, if your dog is not normally allowed on furniture, will they be able to enforce this?
If your dog requires medication, does the sitter feel comfortable administering this?
Does the sitter require proof of vaccines?
Will the sitter be able to provide you with daily updates and photos, if this is something you desire?
Can your dog go up and down stairs? Will this be a problem if at the sitter’s home? For example, dogs need to be able to go up two-half flights of stairs in my home. This can be problematic for large breed dogs who are either nervous of stairs or are physically unable to do stairs.
If your dog is not neutered or spayed, will the sitter allow your dog?
If possible, try to do a trial run with your potential dog sitter. This is especially true if you are going away for more than one night. You will want to ensure your dog does well with the sitter before an extended stay. Know that some stress-like behaviors are expected. Change can be challenging for dogs, especially at first. Your dog might not initially eat. They could also whine, pace, or have accidents at the beginning. We should see, however, that these behaviors progressively get better.
When your dog returns from being with the sitter, you might also find that they might act more tired than usual or offer unwanted behaviors. This comes with the change and dogs not generalizing well. Feel free to contact us if there are new behavioral issues that you want to prevent from becoming habits.
What about boarding facilities? There are a lot of variables that go into this, as each boarding facility will be different. Try to do a tour of the property so that you can get a good idea of what your dog’s stay will look like. I have worked at a boarding facility before. Some dogs do well. If your dog is more nervous or sensitive, a boarding facility might not be the best place for them. If you choose to go the route of a boarding facility, ideally try to find one where the dogs are in more secluded areas versus all together in a large room separated by chain link fence or other thin barrier. I have found that one large room with many dog kennels can cause stress in dogs, especially those who are already nervous. When there are a lot of dogs in this type of setting, the energetic dogs are more vocal and quicker to offer anxious behaviors, due to feeding off of the energy of the environment. If I were to board my dog at a facility, I would also look for one that allows plenty of time out of the kennel to either interact with the employees or be safely monitored during play with other dogs. Boarding facilities tend to be less expensive than a pet sitter, which can be a plus. They are just unable to provide as much individual care to the dogs.
When you do find a sitter and the time to leave them is upon you, try to act carefree. You might be nervous or sad, but try your best not to act on it. Your dog watches you and feels your emotions more than you know. So you want to show them that you are happy and feel safe. This is going to help your dog also feel this way.
Overall, trust your gut. Take away any guilt that you feel. Remember, it is good for your dog to learn to be okay in different situations and to be okay without you.
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