Preparing your home for dog sitting

Vets agree that having an in-home pet sitter take care of your furry friend while you’re away is best for your pet, but how do you make sure everything runs as smoothly as it should? In this guide to preparing your home for dog sitting, we cover planning for upcoming sits, making the home hazard-free, and leaving clear pet instructions for sitters so they know exactly what they need to do. Failing to prepare is preparing to fail and all that, so let’s take a look at how to prep your home (and pooch) for a pet sitter. 

Get in there early

You can arrange sits months in advance on TrustedHousesitters, so don’t leave it ‘till the last minute! It will give you peace of mind knowing your furry friend’s pet care is sorted, plus you’ll likely have more sitters to choose from. Getting started early will give you time to write your Welcome Guide and get to know your sitter a little bit. You might also wish to invite them to stay for a night or two before you go away to give your pooch pal the chance to get to know them while you’re still around, especially if they suffer from separation anxiety.

Prepare the essentials 

Leave your dog sitter with all the food and equipment they need to care for your pet and make sure they know where to find everything, too.

• Stock up on your dog’s food and treats and make sure your sitter knows where to find them. 
• If your furry friend needs medication, check you’ve got enough and include clear, written instructions. 
• Make sure collars, leashes, harnesses, and any other dog walking equipment is in good condition and easy to find. Keep poop bags and towels for muddy paws with the other walking stuff for easy access.
• Store travel crates or dog carriers where sitters can find them in case of an emergency.
• Make sure your dog first aid kit has all the essentials, including bandages, gauze, and tweezers.

Prioritize safety

Make sure your dog sitter’s got your emergency contact information and keep your home free from hazards.

• Leave the name and contact details of your vet as well as instructions on how to get there in an emergency. Remember that TrustedHousesitters members on Standard and Premium plans have access to a 24/7 vet advice line in case of an emergency. 
• Share your phone number with your dog sitter so they can contact you in case of an emergency, or better yet, give them multiple ways to contact you. This might include details of the place you’re staying or someone you’re traveling with, and you may also want to leave them the details of a neighbor, friend, or family member living in the area (remember to notify the person if you do so). 
• Give your home a general tidy-up and clear away any hazards such as small objects and cleaning supplies. 
• Make sure your backyard is escape-proof and warn your pet sitter if your furry friend’s likely to try and jump the fence. 
• You might want to introduce your pet sitter to some of the neighbors if you have time. If not, it’s a good idea to let your neighbors know someone else will be staying. 

Leave clear instructions for dog sitter

Keep your Welcome Guide up to date, use a dog sitting instructions template, or simply write a clear pet sitter checklist explaining feeding schedules, walking routes, and anything else you want your dog sitter to know.

• Explain to your dog sitter how much food your furry friend needs and when. 
• Include instructions about any nuances around feeding time, for example, if you have more than one pooch pal at home, explain the order in which you do things to avoid potential squabbles. 
• Explain any medical conditions your four-legged friend has and give clear instructions about administering medication and where to find it. Better yet, demonstrate how to administer it so your pet sitter is confident they’re doing it correctly. 
• Make a note of where your pooch pal can and can’t go. Are they allowed on the couch? Can they go upstairs? Are they used to sleeping at the end of the bed? 
• Give clear instructions about walkies and potty breaks. Telling your dog sitter how long, when, and where the walkies should take place will ensure that everyone’s expectations are met (including your pooch pal!). It’s also important to let them know whether your pup is leash-trained and has reliable recall skills. 
• Be honest about your four-legged friend’s temperament and tell them if they should be avoiding other dogs, young children, or the neighborhood cat (hey, no offense). 
• Ensure your pet sitter knows the maximum amount of time they can leave your pooch pal alone. 
• Discuss how often you would like to be contacted - some pet parents prefer being totally off the grid, while others want daily updates with photos! 
• Finally, leave instructions on anything else you want your sitter to do such as taking the bins out, watering the plants, and collecting post. 
  

Make the home comfortable

As well as leaving pet sitter instructions and preparing your home in terms of safety, you’ll also need to make your sitter feel comfortable there.

• Make it clear which bed you want your dog sitter to sleep in, and make the bed with fresh sheets.
• Some pet parents choose to leave sitters with a fully stocked fridge while others prefer sitters not to use any of their food - be sure to clarify your expectations to avoid any misunderstandings. 
• Leave your home as you expect to find it on your return by emptying any rubbish bins and putting away the washing.
• Store cleaning supplies somewhere your sitter will find them easily (but your pooch pal won’t).
• Explain any house rules, such as taking shoes off by the front door.
• Don’t forget to give your dog sitter a key to the house and write down alarm codes. You may also want to leave a key with a neighbor for emergencies.  
• Explain to your sitter how to adjust the temperature in the home.
• Warn sitters if you have a cleaner, gardener, or anyone else who will be accessing your home in your absence. 

Thoughtful preparation is the key to ensuring your furry friend and their sitter have a good time while you’re away, making the experience as stress-free as possible for everyone involved. Now, with all the essentials in place, you can embark on your travels with peace of mind, knowing your canine companion is in good hands. Oh, and if you're a house sitter looking for ways to ensure the home is hazard-free, check out our guide to dog sitting safety. Now everyone's covered!

Useful resources

• Pet-friendly Portland OR: things to do in Portland with dogs
• Dog-friendly Denver CO: things to do in Denver with a dog
• The best dog-friendly places in Seattle