Get closer to your dog.

See how much time they’ve spent running, walking, playing, pottering or resting with a PitPat dog activity monitor.
Whether you’re away from your furry friend for one night or three weeks, you want to make sure that they are well cared for whilst you are away.
Finding the right person to look after your dog can be almost as stressful as booking a holiday. You want to know that your pup will get the right amount of exercise, be properly fed, have constant companionship and be in the hands of someone who knows what to do in an emergency.
Dog sitters are a popular option with dog owners who don’t like the idea of leaving their dog in kennels and don’t have friends or family available to help out. But when it comes to choosing a dog sitter, what should you be looking out for? Here are our top tips.
When it comes to location, you’ll be faced with two options.
The first is the ‘home from home’ dog sitting, where your dog stays with your dog sitter at their home. This option is great for dogs who love the company of other pooches, as a dog sitter will often take in more than one dog at a time to make it profitable for them. Dogs in this environment are rarely left alone and benefit from loads of new toys and spaces designed for your dog.
The second option is the ‘house sitting’ choice, where your dog sitter will stay in your home with your dog whilst you are away, often including overnight stays if you have suitable accommodation. This is a great option for pets who don’t do well with other dogs and those who will be more comfortable and settled in a familiar environment. House sitting arrangements also act as a deterrent to potential burglars. Dog sitters who house sit may have additional jobs during the day, so make sure you ask exactly how much time, and during what hours they will usually be with your pooch.
See how much time they’ve spent running, walking, playing, pottering or resting with a PitPat dog activity monitor.
References are incredibly important in helping you verify that your dog sitter is trustworthy and knowledgeable when it comes to dogs. Make sure you ask for verifiable references before agreeing to anything. Where possible, ask friends and family to recommend a dog sitter that they trust.
Experience is important, especially if you’re leaving your dog for an extended period of time. Ask for their experience with dogs generally, including breed specific experience. If your dog has complex medical needs, make sure they are completely comfortable administering medication and recognising any symptoms that would require a visit to the vet.
When meeting your dog sitter, before agreeing to any arrangements, you’ll want to make sure they get on well with your pooch first. Introduce them and observe your dog’s behaviour – do they seem thrilled by their new friend or are they more tentative? You’ll want to make sure they are able to establish a good rapport with each other. Consider a test walk – make sure your dog sitter is able to control your dog on the lead and that your dog respects their authority.
Make sure you ask plenty of questions – there’s no such thing as a bad question and any responsible dog sitter will be happy to answer and put your mind at rest. Consider asking:
One of the most important parts of your dog’s routine are their daily walks and exercise. To ensure they are getting enough even whilst you are away, use a PitPat dog activity monitor to keep an eye of the amount of activity they do each day.
Share your dog’s profile with your dog sitter and ask them to fetch data at the end of every day – you’ll be able to see the data instantly and understand if your pup is getting enough exercise.
If you decide not to use the ‘Share my dog’ feature, you can still sync your dog’s activity when you get home. Your PitPat will store up to 7 days of data, so make sure you sync as soon as you are reunited with your pal!
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