If you’re dog sitting for a friend or family member, the biggest thing I want you to think about is safety. Of all the dog sitting tips I could share, this is probably the most important. Think about physical safety, of course, but psychological safety too. To help, I’ve put together ten things that I think make dog sitting easier on everybody involved.
Before the dog arrives, I want you to learn as much as you can about that dog. What does life look like at home? What do they love? Are there things that worry them? What helps them settle? The more you know ahead of time, the easier it will be for that dog to feel comfortable in your home.
A few years ago, I had the good fortune of looking after not one, but two dogs that were not mine. One was Rosie, a Golden Doodle belonging to a very good friend of mine. The other was a rescue Beagle that my brother adopted.
Now, taking on somebody else’s dog in your home could be the recipe for a huge disaster. It could also be a wonderful experience for everyone involved.
Rosie stayed with me for four days after spending some time training with our good friend Lynda Orton-Hill. The Beagle came for a long weekend while my brother and his family were away for Canada Day. Both dogs settled in beautifully, but that didn’t happen by accident.
Dog Sitting Tip #1: Plan For The Safety And Security Of Your Family
Before you agree to dog sit, think about what success looks like for everyone already living in your home.
Do you have cats? Does the visiting dog have experience with cats?
Do you have an older dog who really doesn’t enjoy the company of other dogs anymore?
Sometimes the best decision is helping your friend find somebody else.
If I bring a dog into my home, I don’t just open the door and see what happens. I want a plan. I want my dogs to have choices. I want them to be able to spend time with the visiting dog or choose not to.
When the Beagle came to stay, I actually went out and bought an extra tall exercise pen because he was a climber. Planning ahead matters.
The goal is simple.
Don’t let this become a bad experience for anybody in your family.
Dog Sitting Tip #2: Spend Time With The Dog Before They Stay
If you have the opportunity, spend some time with the dog before they come to stay with you.
I think it’s a great idea to get to know them a little bit and give them a chance to get to know you. Maybe you play a game together. Maybe you do a little training. It really doesn’t matter what you do so much as giving the dog an opportunity to build a connection with you before they’re dropped into a completely new environment.
With Rosie, her family actually came and stayed the night before she came to stay with us. That gave her a chance to hear the hubbub in the house and get to know what life was like around here before she ever moved in.
The more familiar you are to the dog when they arrive, the easier it can be for them to settle in when their people leave.
Dog Sitting Tip #3: Learn Everything You Can About The Dog
This is probably the most important preparation step.
I want to know:
- Who is the dog’s regular veterinarian?
- Where is the emergency veterinarian?
- Who should I contact if something happens?
- Does the dog have any fears?
- What cues does the dog know?
- Is the dog comfortable around other dogs?
- Does the dog have any quirks?
- What does the dog love?
And don’t stop at the first answer.
If someone says, “Oh, he’s not afraid of anything,” ask another question.
“What about thunder?”
“Oh yes, actually he’s terrified of thunder.”
Those details matter.
I also want to know feeding times, exercise routines, sleeping habits, whether the dog is crate trained, and whether there is any history of separation anxiety. The more I know ahead of time, the easier it is to help the dog feel comfortable.
Dog Sitting Tip #4: Give The Owners Some Homework
If friends or family ask me to look after their dog, I have a few requests (of course, these requests will be adjusted based on the age and stage of learning if it is a puppy).
First, I want the dog to be comfortable going to the bathroom on leash.
Second, I want the dog to be comfortable in a crate.
Third, I would love the dog to understand ItsYerChoice.
And finally, I want the dog to know a simple control position such as a sit or a down.
Those few skills can make life a lot easier when a dog is staying somewhere new. They help the dog understand what’s expected and can make the whole experience less stressful for everyone.
Dog Sitting Tip #5: Set The Dog Up For Psychological Safety
Psychological safety is a big one.
Imagine being dropped into a strange home with unfamiliar smells, unfamiliar sounds, unfamiliar people, and unfamiliar dogs.
That’s what your visiting dog is experiencing.
I like to think carefully about where the exercise pen or crate should be located. Some dogs feel safest in the middle of the action. Others need a quieter space where they can observe without being overwhelmed.
I also encourage owners to send familiar items from home.
Their bed.
Their toys.
Their treats.
Their crate.
Anything that helps the dog feel like part of home came with them.
Dog Sitting Tip #6: Prioritize Physical Safety
You’ve got to think about physical safety.
Now, I live on 28 acres and there really aren’t any major roads very close to me. A dog would have to go through a marsh and a bog to get to the road at the very end of the property. Even so, I don’t really like taking dogs off leash when they aren’t mine.
Everything you do with that dog should keep them physically safe. Think about where they’re sleeping at night, where they’re hanging out during the day, and what you’re giving them to chew on. Are those things they normally have? Are they things you know are safe for that dog?
It’s super important because you don’t want to break somebody else’s dog while you have it.
Dog Sitting Tip #7: Plan For Exercise And Enrichment
You need to know how you’re going to exercise that dog while they’re staying with you and what you’re going to do to keep them engaged.
For me, that usually means games. We might do a little training or spend some time playing together. It doesn’t have to be complicated.
One of the easiest ways to help a visiting dog settle in is to give them something enjoyable to do. A little interaction can go a long way toward helping them feel comfortable in your home.
Dog Sitting Tip #8: Do A Sleep Test As Early As Possible
One of the easiest ways to create stress is to wait until bedtime to discover the dog isn’t comfortable sleeping where you’ve planned.
I like to do a sleep test.
Set up the crate or exercise pen where the dog will sleep and see how they respond.
If adjustments need to be made, you’ll know before everyone is tired and ready for bed.
Both of the visiting dogs who stayed with me slept comfortably in their exercise pens during the night because we had already set them up for success.
Dog Sitting Tip #9: Send Daily Proof Of Joy
When people leave their dog with you, they’re probably thinking about that dog a lot more than they’re letting on.
One of my favorite things to do is send them a little update every day. We call them proof of joy pictures.
Maybe it’s a photo of their dog relaxing in the house. Maybe it’s a little video of them out having fun. Whatever it is, it lets the owner know their dog is doing well and having a great time.
That small gesture can give people a lot of relief when they’re away. They can stop worrying about their dog and focus on what they’re doing, knowing their dog is being well looked after.
Dog Sitting Tip #10: Make The Dog Feel Special Every Day
This might be my favorite tip.
You’ve got to remember that this dog is away from their people. They’re in a different place, surrounded by different smells, different routines, and maybe even different dogs.
So, I like to make a point of making that dog feel special every day.
When a dog first comes to stay with me, that might just mean doing something that involves food because food can be a great way to help a dog feel comfortable. We might play a simple game together or spend a little time getting to know one another.
Very quickly though, usually by the second day, things start to change. With both Rosie and the Beagle, we were out playing games together and just enjoying our time together.
It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate. Just take a little moment each day and make that dog’s life special while they’re with you. It can make a world of difference.
The Big Picture
Dog sitting for a friend should be a win for everyone involved.
The visiting dog should feel safe.
Your own pets should feel comfortable.
The owners should feel confident that their dog is being cared for.
And you should be able to enjoy the experience instead of managing unnecessary stress.
A little planning before the dog arrives can make all the difference. When we think about both physical safety and psychological safety, we set everybody up for success.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I ask before dog sitting for a friend?
Ask about the dog’s veterinarian, emergency contacts, fears, training cues, feeding schedule, exercise routine, sleeping arrangements, crate training, separation anxiety, and any behavioral quirks. The more information you have, the easier it is to help the dog settle successfully.
Should a visiting dog be introduced directly to my dogs?
I prefer a more thoughtful approach. Use crates, exercise pens, and management strategies so dogs can become comfortable gradually rather than simply opening the door and hoping everything works out.
Is it okay to let a visiting dog off leash?
Not usually. Even dogs with excellent recall can behave differently in a new environment. Prioritizing physical safety is always the better choice.
How can I help a dog feel comfortable in my home?
Create psychological safety by providing a quiet place to rest, bringing familiar items from home, maintaining routines, and giving the dog choices about how much interaction they want.
What’s the most important dog sitting tip?
Plan ahead. Understanding the dog’s needs before they arrive allows you to create an environment where everyone can be successful.
Today I’m Grateful
Today I’m grateful for the friends and family who trust us with the dogs they love.
I’m grateful for dogs like Rosie and that sweet rescue Beagle who remind me that every dog brings their own personality, preferences, and little quirks into our lives.
Most of all, I’m grateful that with a little planning and a lot of understanding, we can help dogs feel safe and comfortable, even when they’re away from the people they love most.
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