Sooner, or later, many of us need a professional dog walker or pet sitter. Unlike your neighbor’s child or your sister’s friend who lives nearby, a professional dog walker or pet sitter is experienced with all kinds of pets and pet situations, including emergencies.
You want to know your dog is in good hands, whether she’s going out for a bathroom break or receiving a middle-of-the-day medication or some brushing, attention and time tossing toys.
Ask trusted friends and relatives who they use, or if your vet highly recommends someone, that’s even better. If that doesn’t pan out check with professional organizations such as the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS) or Pet Sitters International (PSI).
Once you get a name, find out how long they’ve been in business, their range of services and the cost. Do they walk the dog around the block or take the dog to local dog parks for a romp with compatible dogs? Are they available on weekends? For overnights? Do they walk the dog themselves or have employees who work for them?
Find out if the sitter or walker has liability insurance or is bonded. Ask how they handle emergencies.
Finally, watch how a prospective dog walker interacts with your dog. Some pets and people have an immediate connection, and some don’t. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your intuition and keep looking. If everything seems great, then you’ve just scored a valuable ally in your quest to take the best possible care of your pup.
