Find Your Pet Sitter
We have some tips for finding the best pet sitter for your pup and your family. Having a new puppy in your home is an exciting time that brings new responsibilities. Many young dogs don’t do well with being left at home alone for long hours of the day. Hiring a qualified pet sitter or dog walker allows you to feel the peace of mind that your pup is happy and healthy while you’re away. To find the best pet sitter, it’s important to do your research and hire someone that you feel comfortable with. The following are some tips on finding a good sitter.
Check Online Reviews
There are many sites online that provide a way for potential sitters and pet parents to connect. When using these sites, it’s essential to read up on the people you’re considering. Most sites provide an easy platform for leaving reviews so that future customers can be well informed on the people they’re hiring. Also, if you do choose to hire someone through an online source, be sure to leave your own review to help out others who are looking for sitters in the future.
Ask for References
Most sitters won’t mind providing references from those who they’ve worked with in the past. If they’re hesitant to provide references, it may be a red flag that you should look for someone else. Use the references provided and call to inquire about what’s most important to you in a sitter. You can ask about reliability, trustworthiness, if they followed your instructions, and if they were reachable if needed.
Other Resources
One of the most reliable resources for finding a good dog walker is your friends and family. Ask around to see if they have a preferred person they use and are happy with. If you know any responsible high school or college kids who could use some extra money, you can ask them if they’d be interested in helping out. Many pet-loving teens and young adults make ideal sitters or dog walkers.
Have an Interview
When you choose a potential sitter, it’s important to have an interview and introduce them to your pet. See if they interact well with your pet and seem comfortable around them. Be sure to go over the procedures to follow in case of any type of emergency. If you’re leaving the sitter with a very young puppy, ask about their experience with puppies and be sure they know your house training procedures and other rules to follow.