3 Important Questions to Ask a Potential Pet Sitter
Leaving your dog behind can make preparing for a vacation or work trip stressful, especially if you’ll be using a new pet sitter.
You probably have a million questions, but let’s tackle the top three that you should be asking yourself when vetting a new pet sitter:
Do you have any references or reviews?
While getting a reference from a friend is a great way to find a good sitter, reading recommendations from other community members is another excellent way to determine who’s trustworthy. You can check Google or Reddit to see what others are saying about particular pet sitters. If your dog does have any special needs, search for reviews that mention them to get the most relevant information for you.
It’s important to keep in mind that out of respect for their client’s privacy and time, you’re unlikely to be able to speak to references for your sitter personally. However, if you’re working with a professional pet sitter or pet sitting agency, they likely have reviews and recommendations posted on their site that their clients have given them permission to use.
If they don’t, it never hurts to ask.
What are your credentials and certifications?
If you’re asking a family member or friend to look after your dog, they’re unlikely to have things like insurance or other protections that pet-sitting businesses provide for their clients. However, all professional pet sitters should be bonded and insured for their protection, as well as yours. When vetting a new pet sitter or sitting agency, make sure to ask if they’re insured and bonded.
Likewise, someone just picking up an occasional pet-sitting gig may be a dog lover, but is unlikely to have any official dog training and handling certifications or training in pet first aid. This is another area where professional dog sitters are more likely to have both training and experience. Look at their website to see if they have any specific training or certifications listed, and if not, be sure to ask about the extent of their experience.
At G&G Pets, our sitters utilize the Fear Free methodology when working with our clients’ dogs. These methods help us prevent stressful situations before they start and keep dogs at ease during our stays.
Do you have experience with my dog's special needs?
Every dog’s needs are going to be different, which means that not every sitter is going to be right for them. Making a list of your dog’s needs is a great place to start, and then you’ll be able to discuss each concern with your potential pet sitter.
Here are some questions to get you started:
How much physical and mental activity does your dog need every day?
Do they have any mobility difficulties?
Does your dog experience separation anxiety?
Do they have any reactive or aggressive behaviors towards people, animals, or inanimate objects?
Are there any allergies or other medical conditions to be aware of?
Does your dog take any pills, injections, flea/tick repellent, or other medications?
Do they need their food prepared in a specific way?
If you have multiple dogs, how well do they get along together?
While you’re thinking about everything your dog needs, now is a perfect time to start compiling all the information your pet sitter will need. Our checklist has you covered.
Don’t forget to ask yourself what you need.
During this process, it’s important to think about your own needs in addition to those of your dog. The right pet sitter will be able to put both your and your dog’s anxiety at ease, but this will be easier for them to do if you can be upfront about your concerns and take into account how comfortable the sitter makes you feel. Thinking proactively can also help bring you peace of mind before your trip even starts.
For example, if your dog is a door-dasher and you have a lot of anxiety about them escaping while you’re away, you can ask the sitter how they would handle that concern during care. You should also consider what steps you can take to address these anxieties while you prepare for your trip. Could extra pet gates be installed? Have you checked the backyard fence for gaps or holes? Do you have their microchip updated and a collar with your contact information on it? Can you reinforce training around doors and leaving procedures in the weeks leading up to the trip?
If you’re in San Francisco, CA, and need help getting you and your pup prepared for a vacation or other extended trip — reach out to G&G Pets today. Our experienced pet sitters will guide you through our onboarding process to ensure that your dog receives the same level of care as when you’re home. Pet and caretakers alike both love our sitters, but you don’t have to take our word for it; check out the reviews from people just like you!
The information provided by G&G Pets on https://www.grandgrahampets.com is for general informational purposes only. It does not represent medical or training pet care advice. All information on the blog is provided in good faith, however, we make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, or completeness of any information on the blog. Under no circumstances shall we have any liability to you for any loss or damage of any kind incurred as a result of the use of the blog or reliance on any information provided on the blog. Your use of the blog and your reliance on any information on the blog is undertaken solely at your own risk. All text content of this blog is the property of G&G Pets and is therefore subject to copyright protection and not for reproduction or reuse. By accessing or using the website, blog, any materials, content, or intellectual property owned by the Owner, you acknowledge and agree to the terms of this Disclaimer. For more information, please see our full Disclaimer.
