Your dog is a member of the family, and as such you want the very best care for Fido when you’re not around. Dog walking and pet sitting services are excellent resources when you work all day or are going out of town. Of course, you don’t want to hire a random person to watch your pet. You want to choose the best pet sitter to watch your pup on a regular basis.
What to Look for in a Daily Dog Walker
It matters who you choose to walk your dog. Plenty of people call themselves pet sitters without having much training or tools in place to properly care for your pup. You need someone who is experienced and also has the right setup to keep your furbaby safe and happy while you’re away. Below are three big factors you should consider when looking for trusted pet sitters.
Experience & Training
Professional experience working with dogs is a huge plus when choosing your pet sitter or dog walker. A person who loves dogs can be a good option, but you’ll get a lot more from someone with an experienced background. When meeting with a potential pet sitter, below are some questions you can ask to gauge dog walking and pet sitting experience.
How long have you been walking dogs/pet sitting?
Are you certified in canine first aid?
What are your methods?
References and Reviews
A top-notch pet sitter or dog walker will have a list of references ready when you ask. Call a few of the references to hear the first-hand experience of someone who has worked with the dog walker in the past. You should also be able to find reviews on the candidate’s website, as well. The number of positive reviews gives you a good sense of the kind of service you can expect from the dog walker.
Preparation
A really good dog walker will prepare for your first meeting in a number of ways. First, the candidate will be able to answer all of your dog walking and pet sitting questions. A great pet sitter will be able to answer where your dog will be walked, training methods used, and any other details you want to know. Second, a professional pet sitter will be ready to do a test walk and show you their methods. If someone doesn’t seem ready for your first meeting, then they might be inexperienced or not as professional as you’d like.
Pet Sitting Services to Discuss With Your Dog Walker or Pet Sitter
Once you find the right dog sitter, you need to have a conversation about how their pet sitting services will work. Below are a few topics you need to discuss before your dog walker gets started.
Emergencies
Accidents happen which is why you need to make sure your new pet sitter is prepared for an emergency situation. Outline your new dog walker’s decision-making level and provide your pet’s vet information in case a trip to the vet is needed when you’re unavailable.
Food
Discuss how much food your pup is allowed. This includes dog food as well as treats. Your pup might be allergic to certain ingredients so your dog walker might need to use special treats whenever interacting with your pup.
Equipment
Make sure your pet sitter knows what kind of equipment you’re OK and not OK being used on your dog. For example, you may have a harness on your pup as well as a muzzle for safety reasons during walks. Convey this information so everyone stays safe and happy.
Schedule
Work out a schedule with your pet sitter to determine how many walks your pup will get each day and how long they should each be. When discussing the schedule you can also mention important things like feeding time and potty breaks too.The more information you provide, the more likely you and your new pet sitter will be on the same page.
The Best Pet Sitter in the Boca Raton and Delray Areas
If you live in the Boca Raton or Delray Beach area, you know there are a lot of local dog walkers available. As we’ve already gone over, however, you don’t want just anyone to watch your pup. That being said, Jill’s Next Door Dog Walking and Pet Service is an excellent option to consider. Jill’s Next Door works with the most caring, qualified pet lovers in the area, and each sitter is run through an extensive screening test to ensure you get the best sitter for your furbaby.