You love your dog, but when you have to go out of town, it can be stressful to find someone who will take great care of them. After all, you have to trust that person with one of the most important members of your family.
Luckily, there are services like DogVacay and Rover that make finding a responsible dog sitter easy. While these services take away a lot of the stress involved in leaving your pet with a stranger, they are not the end-all be-all solution for trusting someone with your pup.
With so many options out there, choosing the right dog sitter can be difficult. To help you make an informed decision, here is some advice on what you should look for when choosing a dog sitter.
Check their reviews
When you’re looking for a dog sitter, the first thing you should do is read reviews. Not all services are created equal, and some sitters have much better reviews than others.
If you’re using a service like Rover or DogVacay, you can filter sitters by their ratings. This is a great way to immediately narrow down your options to only the best of the best.
You should also take the time to read through each review carefully. Pay attention to things like whether the reviewer felt their pet was safe and well-cared for, and whether the sitter was communicative and responsive. These are all important factors to consider when entrusting someone with your pet.
Ask for references
In addition to reading reviews, you should also ask the sitter for references. This can give you a better idea of what it’s like to work with them on a day-to-day basis.
If the sitter is unwilling or unable to provide references, that’s a red flag. It could mean they’re not as experienced as they claim to be, or that they’re not confident in their abilities. Either way, it’s probably best to move on to someone else.
Meeting in person is essential
Once you’ve read reviews and spoken to references, the next step is to meet the sitter in person. This is an important step in getting to know them and making sure they’re a good fit for
Don’t just trust your dog’s intuition
Pay attention to your own as well. If you don’t feel comfortable with the sitter, it’s probably best to keep looking.
Check their credentials
When you’re entrusting someone with your pet, you want to make sure they’re qualified to do the job. This means more than just having a love for animals – it means having the knowledge and experience necessary to care for them properly.
Ask the sitter about their qualifications and experience working with pets. Find out if they have any professional training, and how long they’ve been doing this work. The more experience they have, the better.
You should also ask about any certifications or licenses they may have. While these are not always required, they can give you peace of mind knowing that the sitter has met certain standards.
Make sure they’re insured
Another important factor to consider is whether or not the sitter is insured. This is important in case of any accidents or emergencies that may occur while your pet is in their care.
If the sitter does not have insurance, you could be held liable for any damages or injuries that occur. This is something you definitely want to avoid, so make sure to ask about insurance before entrusting your pet to the sitter.
Get a contract
Once you’ve chosen a sitter, it’s important to get everything in writing. This means having a contract that outlines the terms of your agreement, as well as what is expected of both parties.
The contract should include things like the dates of service, the price, and any special instructions for the sitter. This will help to protect both you and your pet in case of any misunderstanding or disagreement.
Confirm drop-off and pick-up information
Make sure you have all the necessary information for drop-off and pick-up. This includes the sitter’s address, contact information, and any other instructions they may have.
It’s also a good idea to confirm these details in advance, so that you can be sure everything goes smoothly on the day of.
Ask for an itinerary
Finally, make sure to ask the sitter for an itinerary of your pet’s stay. This should include things like when they’ll be walked, fed, and given any medication.
It’s also a good idea to ask for updates throughout the stay, so that you can rest assured your pet is doing well.
Check out the sitter’s home
Once you’ve chosen a sitter, it’s a good idea to visit their home to make sure it’s a safe and comfortable environment for your pet. This is especially important if they’ll be staying overnight.
Make sure the sitter has a clean and spacious home, with plenty of room for your pet to move around. There should also be a safe outdoor area for them to play in.
In addition, pay attention to the way the sitter interacts with your pet. They should be gentle and patient, and seem genuinely interested in providing good care. If you have any concerns, it’s best to trust your gut and choose someone else.
Choosing a dog sitter is a big decision, and it’s important to take your time to find the right one. By following these tips, you can be sure you’re choosing someone who will provide the best possible care for your pet.