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Find your dream pet sitter in 8 steps

Find your dream pet sitter in 8 steps

As social pack animals, dogs should not be left alone for more than 3 to 4 hours a day. But what can you do if you have a heavy workload, a business trip or a boss who doesn't allow dogs in the workplace? Find one or more pet sitters in eight steps, where your dog can feel completely at home.


1. The most important rule for any third-party care, whether it's by the hour or for the holidays, is: listen to your gut. Your dog can only show you in his own subtle way when something is wrong. Therefore, take a close look at the pet sitter or the kennel, ask questions and rely on your gut.

Two years ago in the winter, I wanted to take my Akita Inu male Archie on a week-long dog holiday. When I visited the kennel, I noticed the following: I was not shown the grounds/buildings. Although the yard was detached, there was only a small fenced-in concrete area for the dogs. When I asked where my dog would be kept, I was referred to a bare, dirty anteroom. He would be kept there with a female dog. In the house and in the barn, I could hear barking and howling. The sum of these impressions left me barely able to sleep. I cancelled the reservation the next morning and gave my dog to a different pet sitter who was a little less convenient for me but left a positive impression.

2. Test walks. In addition, it makes sense to accompany the pet sitter on one or more walks. Not all dogs are willing to go for a walk with a stranger. It is therefore important that they are able to gain confidence on a number of occasions. At the same time, you will be able to gain valuable information about the pet sitter during the walks.

Tip:
If you have a dog that does not get along with other dogs 100%, then liability regulations will hardly allow you to take it with you when you use a professional pet sitter, especially if the pet sitter walks his dogs without a leash. However, good dog walkers occasionally offer you the opportunity to join them for training purposes during pack walks. This option is a great experience and teaching opportunity for you and your dog.

3. Training/further education. If you don't know the pet sitter, it's worth checking out what training they have in relation to animals. Of course, there are excellent autodidacts who have a natural flair for animals or a wealth of experience in dealing with animals. However, keeping dogs in particular has become more complicated due to stricter regulations and the larger number of dogs in urban areas. Accordingly, it is worth looking for a pet sitter who is aware of the issues and shows an interest in constantly expanding their own range of experience.

4. Professional or amateur. This is a question only you can answer for yourself and according to your needs and those of your dog. A professional has the appropriate training, a licence from the veterinary office, insurance and infrastructure, but costs correspondingly more. A private person with joy, flair and time may also take on an animal that would not have a chance of being taken on by a professional. In addition, your pet is more likely to feel like a ‘family member’ with a private person than with a commercial provider.

5. Holiday stays. If you want your dog to stay with a new pet sitter or at a kennel for several days, it is worth doing a test run in advance, e.g. for a day or overnight stay. Find out about walks or off-leash areas, feeding times and whether and how your dog is socialised. After the first stay, it is worth returning to the pet sitter or boarding house after a short time. How does the dog behave? Is he happy to see the dog caregivers again?

6. References. References are also essential for pet-sitters. Ideally, you know the reference provider and their dog so that you can properly assess the reference. Again, it is worth asking critical questions.

7. Main and emergency options. Check out various alternatives early on so that you are sure to have a reliable person at hand in an emergency.

8. Checklist.

  • What is the overall process (walking, feeding, resting times)?
  • How do the dogs react to the pet sitter?
  • How many dogs are walked together?
  • How often and for how long are the dogs walked?
  • Are the dogs walked off the leash or on a leash?
  • How is the pack put together?
  • How many dogs are present together?
  • Are there other dog caregivers?
  • What training methods are used?
  • Where do the dogs sleep?
  • Is there a fenced-in garden or run?
  • Are the dogs ‘monitored’ at night?
  • How are the dogs fed?
  • What qualifications does the pet sitter have?
  • How do you feel about the pet sitter? What does your gut feeling say?

We wish you every success in finding your pet sitter.