What Is a Dog Nanny? And Do You Need One?

It’s noon, and you’re trying to do the math again. When did the dog go out this morning? Do you need to spend your break checking on them? 

It’s 5:30 pm, and you have exactly 10 minutes to get something for dinner on the way from soccer practice to a ballet recital. But who’s going to walk and feed the dog?

If you had a reliable dog nanny at home, you wouldn’t have to worry about that!

What is a dog nanny? 

As you might guess, a dog nanny is a caregiver for your dog. They’ll handle the day-to-day chores, freeing up your energy for playtimes and the rest of life. While a similar job to a dog sitter who may stay with your dog while you're on vacation or a work trip, dog nannies are typically a longer-term and more active position. 

A dog nanny is part of your household staff and will usually spend part of every day with their charge. Some clients have a dog nanny who stays with their pup around the clock, and others only need one while they’re at work. 

If your dog isn’t a fan of doggy daycares or you want them to have a more personalized level of care, a dog nanny may be just what you need. 

What services do dog nannies offer? 

Just like any nanny, a dog nanny’s care is highly specialized, and their daily task list will depend on what you and your dog need. Different nannies will also have different experience and training levels, so make sure to talk to potential dog nannies about their qualifications during the hiring process. 

Dog nannies often specialize in: 

• Exercise. If you have a high-energy breed of dog that needs a lot of exercise to stay healthy, a dog nanny will take them on that 4th walk of the day when you just need a break. You’ll never have to worry about them getting ignored in a pack walk or feeling lonely when you have to work late. 

• Puppies. While older dogs can comfortably go 4-6 hours without a bathroom break, puppies need much more frequent care for the first few months of their lives. Dog nannies are also a great way to make sure you never come home to a shredded couch or potty training accident when you have a new puppy. 

• Senior dogs. Similarly, dogs also need more attention and care when they get older. Dog nannies can help those with lower mobility get around the house and ensure any health conditions they have are monitored. 

• Medical care. Not every dog nanny will be comfortable caring for those with medical conditions, so make sure to discuss your dog’s needs in detail. Many dog sitters and dog nannies have certifications in pet first aid or experience volunteering with veterinarians to set their services apart. 

• Training. Likewise, not all dog nannies will be qualified dog trainers, but they can help reinforce your dog’s training when you’re not around. They’ll also be able to transport them to and from training sessions if you already have a trainer you trust. 

• In-home dog sitting. One of the best parts about using a dog nanny is that you don’t have to find someone to watch them when you need to leave for work or vacation. For additional fees, they can likely assist with small house-sitting tasks (like forwarding mail or watering plants) as well. 

How to find a reliable dog nanny service? 

Because dog nanning is a specialized skillset and requires a much larger time investment than regular dog sitting, you’re unlikely to find experienced dog nannies on most large-scale dog sitting marketplace apps. Look for highly reviewed pet sitting companies in your area that specialize in in-home dog sitting. They’re more likely to have sitters who also have experience as a dog nanny. 

Always go through a thorough interview process with any prospective dog nanny, and insist on a meet-and-greet before any contracts are signed. If you’ve never interviewed a dog nanny or dog sitter, here are three questions you can start with.

If you’re in the San Francisco Bay area, we have good news for you: your search for a dog nanny is almost over! Use the button below to apply for an account with G&G Pets so you can have access to the highest-quality dog nannies in San Francisco, Marin, and San Mateo counties. (And we’re adding more all the time!)

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