5 Tips for Hiring the Right Dog Sitter

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Dog Jack Russell Terrier and Dog Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. dog's nose under the blanket, dog sleeping and hid

Hiring a dog sitter for your dog is serious business. This is because your dog is not just your pet but has become a vital part of your family. Want to hire the right dog sitter but don’t know how to? Follow the tips discussed here to learn more info about dog sitting.

Know What you Want

Before hiring a dog sitter, knowing what you want is going to make the whole hiring process a lot easier. What kind of dog sitter do you want? What qualities do you want your potential dog sitter to possess? Is there any special treatment you want your dog to have?

Pet Sitting Company

Instead of placing an ad and waiting for candidates to show up, you can enlist the help of a pet sitting company. However, using a dog sitting company to hire a dog sitter will cost you more, but it is worth it. In addition, these companies aren’t only reliable but have spent years in the business of providing dog sitters.

Screen the Candidates

Before hiring a dog sitter, you need to screen all the candidates sent in by the company. To do this in an organized way, it is advised you prepare a list of questions you are going to ask.

  • How long have you been dog sitting?
  • Do you have a car or driver’s license?
  • How often and for how many hours would you like to dog sit?
  • What would you do in case of an emergency?
  • How many dogs have you handled at once?
  • Do you know how to administer CPR to dogs?

The candidate’s answer to the questions above will show if he or she is perfect for the dog sitting job.

Carry out a Background Check

It doesn’t matter if the dog sitting agency you are using is reliable, a background check is an assurance that you are hiring the right person. When carrying out a background check, you need to find out if the candidate is wanted for any crime, has a criminal record, or is a sex offender. In addition, you also need to verify the identity of the candidate you are about to hire as a dog sitter. A background check will determine if you can trust that individual with your dog and home.

Use a Trial Period

Using a trial period before hiring that candidate you’re impressed with is great for building trust. However, let the candidate know that he or she is in a trial period and not hired permanently. This trial period can last for 2 weeks or one month. During this period, you can note the candidate’s work ethic and if your dog is being treated right. After the trial period has elapsed, you can decide to hire the candidate as your permanent dog sitter or not.

Final Thoughts

Hiring a dog sitter is the first thing that comes to your mind if you’re planning to travel for work or a vacation. By following the tips discussed in this article, you don’t need to worry about hiring the right dog sitter for your dog. Small business ideas like dog sitting are often ignored. but you can start a dog sitting business too.