Before
You need to get to know the dog. While some dogs won’t give their owners a second glance when they leave, many can panic at least momentarily while others will become distressed and may seem inconsolable. This won’t be enjoyable for either of you.
So, firstly, this means meeting the dog before you are due to look after them. Spend some time with them in the home, go out for a walk with their owner and then perhaps on your own. It may even be beneficial to have a sleepover. This way not only will you not be a stranger to the dog, but you’ll be someone that they feel comfortable and relaxed around.
Secondly, all of the above will enable you to see for yourself how the dog behaves and what their routine involves, but you should also speak to the owner and ask questions, such as:
Write all this information down so you have it to refer to while looking after the dog and make sure this includes key contact details including their vet – just in case you need it.
Timeframe
If your friend asks you to take care of her dog for a couple of hours while she is on a date, generally its a fairly easy task. You will probably have very little or no responsibilities because she already fed and walked the dog, played with him, and gave him the necessary medicines, so it is up to you to pet him or let him sleep in your room. This likely to be fun without having to worry about obligations which come with the dog.
On the other hand, you may be asked to take care of a dog for a whole weekend or even a week while your neighbor is on a vacation. This is tricky. In this case, you would need to fully replace the dog owner for a significant amount of time; you may need to adjust your private life to having a dog and learn all about the animals needs and habits.
Consider the burden of responsibility this bears and your own personal traits. For example, ask yourself the many questions new owners must ask themselves: would you panic should the dog got injured or sick? Are you patient enough, and would you be bothered by barking in the middle of the night when the dog hears something outside?
Your Daily Routine
Every dog has a daily routine they are used to. If you are one of the people who like to sleep in, its possible that your new dog won’t allow it. He will ask you to take him out for a bathroom break, or for food at the precise time when he usually expects these things.
The same goes for other regular tasks like a general walk, playtime, taking a medicine or sleeping. Think about whether you are ready to put your life on hold if necessary or to sacrifice your everyday routine for someone else’s dog.
If your current life dynamic is full of unpredictable situations such as meetings, professional obligations or friends waiting for you to pick them up at the airport, it is better to reschedule taking care of another person’s dog for a more suitable time.
12 Harmful Things You Do to Your Dog Without Realizing It
If you are a dog sitter looking after someone’s dog while they are on holiday, you will need to ensure you are well prepared for the task. Take a look at these top tips to ensure you are ready.
Meet the dog before the owner goes away so that you can assess their temperament and ask the owner any questions you might have. Find out what games the dog likes to play and which toys they like to play with. Ask the owner to demonstrate which commands their dog responds to and try them out on the dog yourself.
You will need to groom the dog whilst the owner is away to make sure their coat stays in good condition. Ask the owner to show you how their dog likes to be brushed and take note of any areas of the dog’s body that might be sensitive.
If the owner is happy for you to, take the dog for a walk prior to the owner going on holiday so that the dog can get used to spending time with you. Ask the owner to show you where their dog normally like to go for walks. Find out how far they normally like to walk so that you don’t under or over exercise the dog. If the dog wears an Animo activity and behaviour monitor, ask the owner if you can have access to sync Animo whilst they are away. Activity goals can be set in Animo, making it easier for you to ensure the dog gets the right level of exercise each day.
If you will be looking after a large dog that needs long, fast-paced walks, makes sure that you are reasonably fit so that you can keep up with their pace.
Find out from the owner what times their dog is normally fed and stick to these times. If the dog is usually given food treats as rewards, find out what the maximum is that you can give them in a day to ensure they are not overfed.
Find out if the dog will require any medication whilst you are away and if so, ask the owner to show you how to administer the medicine if possible.
Make sure you know the location of the dog’s vet in case they need veterinary attention whilst the owner is away.