So, you’re ready to head out of town, but can’t take your furry companion with you. In my last column, I talked about boarding your dog — so now let’s look at hiring a pet-sitter.
Many people are troubled by the idea of allowing a stranger to stay in their home. If that’s you, boarding might be a better option. For the rest of us — especially if we have a dog that becomes distressed at boarding kennels — the best option may be to hire a pet-sitter.
Here are some steps you for ensuring that both your home and your dog stay safe while you’re gone.
First, ask for recommendations from friends, veterinarians, dog trainers or on the websites of professional organizations like the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters or Pet Sitters International. These groups maintain a roster of qualified pet-sitters, along with their qualifications, certifications and specialties.
Once you’ve found a good fit for both you and your dog, set up a meeting in your home. Think of this like job interview — because it is! The first things you want to ask is whether the person has a business license, is bonded and insured, and offers a written contract that lists things like their pay rate, cancellation policy and what they will and won’t do. You also need to gather — and check — local references of previous clients.
Ask about their experience with dogs. Have they ever worked at a training facility or veterinary clinic? How long have they been a dog-sitter? Have they ever cared for a dog like yours in terms of its breed, size, temperament, background and health condition?
Watch how the person interacts with your dog. Do a “test walk” where you can observe how the person handles your dog outside the home. Any act like jerking, pulling, scolding or hitting is a signal for you NOT to hire this person.
Ask about their training methods: do they reward good behavior or punish bad behavior? If the latter, I’d again advise against employing this person.
Find out whether the sitter can stay in your home all day, or if they have a job or other obligations that means leaving your dog alone. Will they sleep over, or go back to their own home at night? How often will they be able to take your dog for a walk or play with her? If your dog likes car-rides, are they willing to take your pup with them on quick errands? If so, make sure they have a drivers license and auto insurance.
24/7 stays can be expensive, but having someone in your home full-time has many benefits. Potential thieves see your home as occupied, your dog has company throughout the day, and someone is there in case of emergency or illness.
A pet sitter will often take care of minor chores like bringing in the mail, watering and even dusting or light cleaning (Just remember that you’re hiring a pet-sitter, not a housekeeper).
Before you leave, make a detailed list of things like neighbors’ names and phone numbers, your vet’s contact information, and secondary contact information for you like where you’ll be staying. Include information such as how much food to feed and how often, how and when to administer medications, and anything else your sitter should know like whether or not your dog is allowed on furniture.
Above all else, plan ahead. Don’t wait until the last minute to try and hire someone: that’s a sure recipe for disaster. The more you plan before you go, the more you and your dog will enjoy your time apart.
Joan Merriam lives in Nevada County with her golden retriever Joey, her Maine coon cat Indy and the abiding spirit of her beloved golden retriever Casey in whose memory this column is named. You can reach Joan at joan@joanmerriam.com. And if you’re looking for a golden, be sure to check out Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue.
