I see a lot of posts on social media asking for help for dogs when the family is traveling - some ask for boarding, some in-home pet sitting, some are looking for anyone! Here are the things I look for a pet caregiver and pride myself on possessing….

1. Insurance

   Does the person or facility caring for your dog have the proper insurance to cover the loss of your pet? Pets die of illness, accident and running into cars more than we want to think. Money won’t replace your dog, but it will allow you to recoup the cost of your dog, medical expenses and training costs invested in that dog. It’s a loss and you should be compensated. What is your dog bites someone while not in your care? Will your insurance cover that? What if the dog eats through the sitters wall? Will she cover that or you? If your diamond ring goes missing while the pet sitter was in your house, does he have the bonding to compensate you?

2. Safety

   Will your dog be safe in the presence of the caregiver and when left alone? Are there posionous plants in the home? Are the crates secure? Is the fence secure? Is there a safety protocol around the front door like a training ritual or a gate? So many dogs run out open doors! Does the person remove the leash outside the front door before entering or after? This can make the difference between keeping a dog safe and one running away. Do they require ID on your dog? Will your dog be with other dogs? What are the fight preventions in place? Are there zones (gates, crates, and so forth) in the home, where dogs are safe when no one is watching?

3. Health and Wellness

   Are the dogs on a schedule for eating, toileting, exercising and resting? Is the person organized enough to insure your dog is eating its food and not another’s and taking its meds if needed? Does the person have an education in first aid and life saving measures? Someone who cares for dogs should know how to apply a muzzle, know what bloat is, know general signs of injury and illness. There should always be a plan in place for emergencies - your vet, the nearest vet, and the closest emergency vet. Your contact info and a credit card should be easliy accessible for any emergency care. If you cannot be reached, you will need to trust this person’s choices for your dog. Also - they need a reliable car!

4. Behavior Knowledge

   A dog sitter does not need to be a vet or a trainer, but they do need better than average knoweldge and understanding of dog behavior if they are handling many dogs at one time. Did you know that picking a dog up can start a fight? Did you know that the doorbell ringing can cause dogs to fight? The typcial areas of fights occur around food, toys, affection, certain spaces, during play and anytime the dog is highly emotional. There need to be safeguards around the dogs during these times. Does the sitter know how to break up a fight? Lastly, I would love a pet care provider that would maintain or improve my dog’s behavior while in her care!

I saved the life of this dog in the picture. His name is Cooper. Cooper had an undiagnosed tick born illness that the vet missed and the owners were unaware of. He was being treated for vomiting and on meds when I picked him up and took him to my home for sitting. After just an hour, I recognized his behavior was not normal. I looked at his gums and they had no color at all! I put him in my car and got him to the ER vet. On the way, I left the owner a message that I had made this decision and I would put the expenses on my credit card. I saved his life. He was dying and nearly there. I was reimbursed adn thanked and Cooper is living his best life now.