How To Find A Dog Sitter

Are you looking for a dog sitter? You may be planning to go on a vacation, or your schedule might just be so full that you don’t have free time to take your dog on walks anymore or even take care of its basic needs.

Even though we want to take our dogs with us everywhere and give all our time to them, there will always be times when we need to leave them with someone who knows how to take care of them. If you are thinking about getting a dog sitter, then you should know that you cannot take this task lightly. A reliable pet sitter will be responsible for taking care of your dog, spending time with him, taking him on walks, and checking if it needs the help of a veterinarian while you are away. This job is crucial, so you need to make sure that you get someone that is trustworthy and knows how to do the job. But how do you find the right dog sitter? Take a look at these tips below.

Research and/or Get Some Recommendations

One of the best ways to find a good dog sitter is by asking other pet owners for their recommendations. You can ask fellow dog owners or you can ask your veterinarian if they can recommend someone to you. This way, you’ll be able to get firsthand information about how these sitters work. You will also be able to get feedback from them.

Aside from asking friends and family, you can also do some research on the Internet for dog sitters in your area. You can check the databases of the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters or Pet Sitters International. When you find a potential sitter online, make sure you check their reviews on their website, Google, or Yelp. You can also ask them if they can provide you with any references.

Set Up an Interview and Ask the Right Questions

Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, you can interview your potential dog sitters. However, make sure that you ask the right questions. Ask them about their insurance, their experience, and whether they have certain certifications. This way, you’ll be able to check if they are the perfect fit for you and your dog. Some questions you can ask are:

• When are you available?
• Do you have any training or certifications?
• What are your methods or daily routine when you are dog sitting?
• Do you have insurance?
• What are your rates or payment expectations?
• Are you comfortable with having a background check?
• How will you handle emergencies?

Watch How they Interact with Your Dog

Before finally making a decision, it is important to see if your pet likes them. After all, you’ll be leaving your pet with them for long periods of time while you are away, so it is important that your dog feels comfortable around them. Let them take a look at your pet and interact with it. Does your dog feel comfortable around them? Can you see that they genuinely like to take care of dogs? How does your dog react around them? Although your dog may feel shy at first, make sure that it doesn’t feel nervous, scared, or hostile around them.