When it’s time for a vacation or holiday trip, ensuring that my pup feels safe and cared for is my top priority. Inviting a pet sitter into our home has become the best way for our dog to feel comfortable while we are away. Here’s how we make the process smooth, fun (and, stress free!) for everyone!

1. Set The Stage For Comfort

Your dog’s home is their safe haven, so keeping their routine as consistent as possible helps them so much. Before your sitter arrives:

• Share a clear schedule for meals, potty breaks and play time to maintain that familiar routine and help set the expectation of the time your sitter will need to spend with your dog.

• Create a “go-to” area with your pup’s favorite toys, bedding and pup blankets so they can snuggle with their favorite things.

• Leave out plenty of your pup’s favorite treats, bandanas, leashes and other supplies so that they are easy to locate when needed.

2. Introduce Your Sitter

• Schedule a visit with your sitter so that they can be introduced to your dog ahead of time. This helps your pup become familiar with their scent and presence. You can even make it fun- have a new toy or a favorite treat ready for your sitter to play a game, or be able to offer a tasty snack. Because, we all know that sharing is caring, and your dog will remember how much they liked visiting with their new pal! (We also use this time to ask our sitters if they have any favorite foods or drinks they would like us to stock for them!)

3. Great Communication:

Leave detailed instructions for your sitter, including:

• Emergency contacts ( yours, your vet’s and a back up ). We have a great “Pet Sitter Info Sheet” that we use to help write all the info down. Find a free copy here.

• Special needs or quirks ( like how your pup prefers a belly rub to ear scratches )

• Share your pup’s potty habits ( when your doodle will look deeply in your eyes when he has to potty…)

• A quick run down of a normal day with your pup will help familiarize your sitter with a day in their life.

4. Make It Fun for Your Dog:

Even though you’re away, your dog shouldn’t be bored! Encourage your sitter to keep your pup entertained with snuffle mats, interactive toys, or a good game of tug! We also love to receive photos of our pup’s adventures while we are away, so I let our sitter know that they are welcome to share photos with us- it definitely helps makes our time away easier.

5. Create A Warm Welcome:

A little hospitality goes a long way for your sitter, too! Our favorite things to do:

• Leave them a small note with the wi-fi details, streaming services that they can enjoy, and a list of their favorite snacks and drinks that we may have stocked for them.

• Make sure they have a sleeping area that is fresh and clean, with any items they will need for their stay readily available.

We hope that you find with a little planning and prep, being away from your dog and having a pet sitter at your home, to be an easy experience overall. We find that knowing that our pup is happy and feeling loved with a trusted sitter, helps us enjoy our getaway!