You’re planning an exciting trip you’ve wanted to go on for years, and it’s just a month away! But you’ve forgotten one detail – who is going to watch Fido?
While you want to spend every moment with your puppy, the truth is we’ll have to leave our pets at some point. Responsible puppy owners know they will encounter a time when their puppy cannot go with them on their travels, so they need to figure out who will take care of them. Some puppies are too young to be boarded, or perhaps puppy owners aren’t quite comfortable leaving their dogs at a facility. That’s where a professional pet sitter comes into the picture.
Puppy owners have several choices when they go away, such as a kennel, a friend, a neighbor, a family member, or a professional pet sitter, whether found through an app or an independent sitter. You can choose people who do daily visits or an in-home, full-time overnight pet sitter. When you’re looking for how to find a good dog sitter, several personal factors will inform your decision as to who is keeping your puppy while you’re gone.
Pet sitters go into the profession because of their love of animals. Oftentimes people can misunderstand the profession, especially if they are new puppy parents or have not used a pet sitter before. Let’s learn what pet sitters want their clients to know about the dog sitting profession so you can be the best possible client while taking care of your furbaby.
Don’t Make These 4 Mistakes With Your Pet Sitter
Being a good client is easy when you know what mistakes to avoid with your pet sitter. You are putting your trust in your dog sitter, and you want everything to go as smoothly as possible so your puppy can receive the best care.
1. Not reading the fine print and understanding the contract
Familiarize yourself with your pet sitter’s policies. Pet parents can expect to see policies about cancellations made a certain time before sitting, what will cause late fees, what to do in emergencies, how many texts and pictures to send, and more. Pet sitters know that each client is different with unique needs, so be sure to communicate with your dog sitter. “Some people don't like to be bothered with multiple daily updates, others want to know where I am and what I'm doing at all times, notes one dog sitter. ‘If you don't tell me I won't know what type you are! Most bad situations are the result of clients and sitters not communicating clearly on expectations. Don't assume anything – put it all in black and white.”
Do not assume your dog sitter will complete other tasks unrelated to your dog as outlined in the contract. “We are not there as a default housekeeper, plant waterer, or trash bin getter,” one pet sitter said tongue-in-cheek. Customers should never assume duties and should familiarize themselves with the contract and rules.
2. Not respecting the profession
“It’s easy! All my dog needs is someone to feed him and walk him. How hard can that be?
Pet sitters should be treated as professionals because they are professionals! They are highly qualified to offer peace of mind that your puppy receives the best care while you are gone. Some pet sitters have worked in veterinary offices, rescues, and shelters or have been around animals for decades. The training and education they seek out add to their credentials. Several dog sitters keep up-to-date with industry trends by researching, attending webinars and conferences, and holding membership in professional organizations and associations such as Pet Sitters International.
One pet sitter expresses frustration when she says, “The job is far more involved than most people assume. People think it's all puppy kisses and rainbows, and sometimes it is, but when it's not, we are expected to be ready, willing, and capable of properly caring for a beloved family member in high-risk situations.”
3. Questioning and bargaining with their established rates
People seeking out dog sitters may not understand the current market’s fair pricing for dog sitting, especially if they do not utilize services often, paid the neighborhood kid $20 for a weekend, or had a dog sitter years ago. “Why is the price of dog sitting so high?” they may grumble. “Will you negotiate the price and meet me in the middle?” You may also see people asking for recommendations on social media that “don’t cost an arm and a leg” or “break the bank.”
Part of being a responsible pet owner is being ready and willing to spend money on your pet’s care, whether that is on nutritious food, vet visits, or having someone care for them when you are away. One pet sitter says, “I think a problem is a lot of people grossly underestimate the total costs of owning a pup. They think about what food/toys/poop bags cost, but don't really factor vet bills, pet insurance, occasional dog walks/daycare and extended stays when they are out of town.”
When you hire a pet sitter, you are paying for their time, expertise, and impeccable attention to your animals. Their profits differ from their revenue because pet sitters must consider common business expenses such as advertising and marketing, website fees and email maintenance, taxes, insurance and bonding, continuing education, gas, vehicle wear and tear, and more.
Here are some other factors to consider when wondering how much money to pay a dog sitter for when you utilize their services.
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Geographical location: Cities and urban areas have higher costs than smaller or more rural parts of the country. For example, services in Manhattan, NYC will be more expensive than a mid-sized city in Nebraska.
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Pet-sitting location: Dog sitters can keep your puppy either at your home or their home. The price will depend on if your puppy is getting individual attention at their home, if they will share the home with other dogs, if your dog just gets daily visits in your home, or if your pet sitter stays overnight with your dog 24/7.
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Services provided: Some pet sitters will offer what you could consider as “regular” services, such as feeding, walking, medication management, and playtime a few times a day. Other pet sitters may include watering plants, bringing in the mail, extra enrichment activities, or even field trips to dog-friendly spots. If your dog has special needs or other circumstances, you can expect the price to be higher, like a puppy that requires more visits and playtime or if you have a dog with a medication regimen. Remember to have a discussion covering the exact scope of your contract.
4. Not providing the correct or complete information
We all want to paint a perfect picture of our puppies, extolling their virtues and telling the dog sitter what a good boy or girl she is always. However, we all know that’s not true! You need to be honest with your puppy sitter and tell them the good, the bad, and the ugly. Pet sitters understand that puppies and dogs can act differently with unfamiliar people and settings, but neglecting the major details will make their job more difficult. One pet sitter says, “As a client, don’t sugarcoat your pet’s quirks. Just be upfront, pets aren’t expected to be perfect, but false advertising of a pet’s training is really off-putting.”
Sometimes, pet owners do not give all the information necessary to care for their puppy. Do a thorough check using a dog sitting checklist to see if you’ve said exactly how much food, the correct dosage of any medications, and any quirks or habits that need to be addressed.
Find a Dog Sitter For a Pawrade Puppy
In order to call upon the services of a dog sitter, you need a puppy first! At Pawrade, we’ve built and vetted a network of reputable breeders who understand people putting their trust in them to raise happy, healthy puppies. All puppies arrive fully up-to-date on vaccinations with a health certificate, 30 days of MetLife insurance, a 3-year comprehensive health guarantee, and more. Check out our puppies for sale to find your perfect puppy!
