How to Choose a Good Dog Sitter

If you are going away from home for any period of time then you will need to either kennel your dog or hire a pet sitter. Many people prefer to hire a pet sitter because it allows their dog to stay at home and maintain their normal routine, which is much better for the dog. Also, there is no risk of common kennel diseases and ailments. When hiring a pet sitter you also know who will be caring for your dog and you have the chance to fully assess their skills.

You Must Trust Your Sitter

There are many things that you will consider before hiring a pet sitter. The most important thing that you need to think about, though, is trust. You must have complete trust in the person that you hire so that you can be worry free while you are away and know that your dog is being cared for properly. There are many ways to build trust with your dog sitter.

You should always have the sitter come over prior to you leaving so you can watch the interaction between him or her and your dog. You want to talk to the sitter and get to know them. You need to build a good relationship with them so that you are completely comfortable with the idea of them taking care of your dog.

Finding a Sitter

One of the best ways to find a good dog sitter is to ask around. Find out is people you know have a dog sitter. Ask them if they know anyone who might be interested in the job. Getting a sitter through a referral can often boost the level of trust right away. You can usually trust that a friend or family member would not recommend someone who won't do a good job.

Do an Interview

You need to interview the dog sitter before you make any final decisions. Even if it is someone that you know, you still want an interview. During the interview you will not only be asking about them, but also telling them about your dog and making sure they understand everything that is involved in caring for your dog. You want to take this time to iron out details and make sure the sitter can give you the type of commitment that you are looking for.

If the person is not someone you know or is not someone that was referred to you then you should ask for references. You want to take time to check the references before you hire the sitter.

Once you have found a dog sitter that you feel comfortable with you will then need to create written instructions and a schedule for them. Set a tie to go over everything and start having the sitter come over to play with the dog and go over the different tasks they will be handling when you are gone. This allows time for them to ask questions and to be sure they know exactly what they are supposed to do.

Hiring a pet sitter can be a great idea that will make it easier on your dog when you go away. However, it can also create problems if you hire a sitter without being able to fully trust them. Just be sure that whoever you hire is someone that will treat your dog right, respect your home and be complete trustworthy to do what you are paying them to do.

Kelly Marshall is a popular writer at Oh My Dog Supplies - the leading online dog supplies store featuring elevated dog beds, elevated dog feeders, portable dog bowls and more unique dog gear you won't find at your local pet store.
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