How do I find a reliable pet sitter?

About Dogs?

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Hello, Puppies, senior dogs, adolescent dogs – they need food, training, socialization, good health, and cuddles. Other doggie stuff like toys, beds, harnesses, doggie tech, and insurance... It’s enough to make a dog want to go for a walk! And the owner feels overwhelmed by choices. Don’t worry, all you need to know is in your weekly newsletter About Dogs.?

The December About Dogs newsletters will be curated newsletters. Each will deal with a specific topic important to dogs and their owners. The first topic is How do I find a reliable pet sitter for my pets??

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Next week we look at all the Pet Tech stuff you can buy for your dog (and yourself)!?

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What to do when it’s not possible to take your dog (or cat) with when you’re away from home? You can ask friends to look after him, take him to a kennel, or to a pet hotel – or you can find a reliable pet sitter to stay with him.?

Helpful articles about finding a pet sitter:?

Choosing a pet sitter.?

The American Kennel Club on choosing a pet sitter.?

A comprehensive guide on finding a trustworthy pet sitter.?

How much does pet-sitters cost??

Professional advice about finding a pet sitter.?

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As a solo pet-sitter in a smallish beach town, my?advice is:?

1. Your concerns when looking for a pet sitter.?

These are mainly about trust and peace of mind.?

• Will my pets be safe and well cared for while I’m away???

• Can I trust this person who will be living in my home???

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This article assumes the pet sitter will live in the owner’s home while looking after the pets.??

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2. Finding a pet sitter you and your dog are comfortable with.?

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Do your homework.??

It’s not easy to trust your pets and your home to someone you’ve never met before. But there are ways to help you find the right person.???

• You can go through an organization specializing in pet sitting to hire a pet sitter who has been vetted and trained, or contact the National Association of Professional Petsitters NAPPS, or Pet Sitters International. However, this may not be practical if you live in a rural area. That means you must look for someone yourself.??

• Probably the best way to find a pet sitter is through personal recommendation. Ask people who have used a pet sitter to recommend someone they were satisfied with. Your veterinarian may also be able to recommend a pet sitter.?

• Ask these pet owners questions like: How did the person get along with pets? How did the pets react to the person? On their return, was the house as they had left it? Did the person do everything promised???

Meet the pet sitter.???

This is very important. You, your pets, and the pet sitter need to be comfortable with each other. Start this process well in advance, a good pet sitter will usually be booked months ahead.???

• When you contact the recommended pet sitter, confirm the dates, and make sure she’s comfortable looking after your dogs, and any other pets. Some people prefer not to look after certain breeds of dogs or only look after dogs and cats (in case you have reptiles or aggressive parakeets…)?

• Make an appointment to have the person come to your home to meet the dogs and any other pets. First impressions are important, particularly the pet sitter's interaction with the pets and their reaction to the person. You want someone who has an affinity with dogs and other animals. And trust your dog's reaction - animals have a very keen sense of the way someone feels towards them.??

• During this meeting, you need to cover the?routine of feeding, sleeping arrangements, and walking the dog, as well as other issues like medical problems. It’s a good idea to have the prospective pet sitter present at feeding or walking sessions.??

• Ask whether the pet sitter will be able to handle an emergency and whether she’s comfortable giving the pet his medicines.?

• The pet sitter should also ask questions, plus you need to agree on the fee and when it will be paid.?

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Leave clear instructions.????

• You can hardly go overboard with the instructions. It’s a good idea to put it on paper, particularly if there are special diets, medicine, and other specific instructions.??

• Leave important telephone numbers like your own, your vet, neighbors, or family. Also, leave other contact numbers - a plumber may suddenly be needed…?

• To avoid misunderstandings, be clear about using cable tv, WiFi, stoves, washing machines, and food. The pet sitter should bring her food, although many owners leave basics like coffee, tea, and milk. To avoid confusion, be clear whether food like fresh products left behind is for the person’s use. And point out the bedroom and bathroom the pet sitter will use during the stay.??

• Ensure the pet sitter is aware of plants that must be watered, possible deliveries, when the rubbish is collected, and domestic or garden services.?

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Communicate while away.?

• The pet sitter should always know how to contact you, and if there are times when you’ll be out of reach.??

• Owners often like to know everything is going smoothly the first day and night they’re away. Pets may take time to get used to the new person looking after them. Communicate regularly.?

• When things are going well, you can check in every few days. The pet sitter may even send photos of Fido sleeping on her lap!?

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Build a long-term relationship.???

• Once you’ve found a reliable pet sitter you and the pets are comfortable with, you can use the person whenever you are away from home. Your pets will be more comfortable if the same person stays with them. And you know you can trust this person in your house and with your pets.??

• Finally, accidents happen, and if something goes wrong while you're away, be reasonable.???

Leaving your pets at home in familiar surroundings has many advantages. But it's important that you find the right pet sitter to stay with them. Once you have found someone reliable and trustworthy, you can enjoy your time away from home. If things go well, your only worry may be that the dog prefers the pet sitter to you…!?

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Have you used a pet sitter? Or are you a pet sitter yourself? I’d love to hear from you in the comments!?