DogExpress
If you want to be successful as a pet sitter, you must be knowledgeable. The truth of the matter is that you do not need to have a veterinary background to become a pet sitter. However, any knowledge you have would be beneficial for you.
If you are an animal lover and have grown up with them, you already have an advantage over others who are inexperienced in this respect. However, if you do not have any experience, it would be better if you start by caring for your friends’ pets.
If you can, try taking the like CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) courses since they provide pet sitting tips and the basic techniques that would help you take proper care of a pet.
Important Pet Sitting Tips – Dog Sitting Tips
#1 Being responsible
Apart from taking care of a pet, take care of the home where they live. You have to be the eyes and ears of the house. You have to clean up after the pet as well as yourself. You would have to groom them, take them to the doctor, and rush them to the emergency if the need arises.
Even as you are doing all this work, you have to gain as much information as possible about the pet you care for, such as their medical history, the medicines they are taking, and their present health condition.
#2 Meeting the pet before the actual job
Before every such job, make it a practice to visit the pet you would be working with. During these visits, you have to familiarize yourself with them.
For example, learn when they drink, eat, and go for a walk. With the help of a practice visit, it would be better for you to know them better.
This way, you would also be prepared even if the pet’s parents leave out any important detail during the briefing. Also, if you bond with the pet, it would be an encouraging prospect for the parent.
#3 Following a schedule
Most of the pets already follow a schedule when you meet them. Therefore, you cannot ignore the routine since it may make them grumpy, and they may end up hurting you.
So, always follow the instructions that your client has provided you verbally and in writing. It includes the right medicines that you have to administer them.
#4 Being compassionate
Pets always notice when their parents are not with them. Some of them get nervous in these cases as well. So, give them some extra attention in these cases. Do they have a favorite toy? In that case, you can use it to play with them.
You can carry on doing so till the time they lose interest in the same. This way, they would rest and wait for you to return on other occasions. You can also do much more than cleaning and feeding them.
#5 Pet proofing your home
A pet may be well-trained, but that does not mean it would be destructive. If you are caring for a pet from your home, you should pet-proof the same. For example, a pet dog you are tending to might try and damage the main door in your home.
So, you can install a door protector to ensure the dog does not scratch it. Also, if items such as toys and furniture are at your home, a pet may treat them as toys too.
Read Also: How to Choose a Right Dog Sitter?
#6 Communicating with them
If a pet parent sees that their furball is well groomed and fed, it makes them feel the best. Better if you take a photo of the pet at regular intervals and send it to your client.
So, if you can, you can send them an email or make a call. Keep them apprised about the condition of their little one but make sure that you do not do it so much that the pet parent becomes worried.
This way, they would have to come back before they can complete the work they left the pet in your care for.
#7 Being trustworthy
It is especially true when caring for a pet from the owner’s home. As such, you must never use anything the owner did not offer you. Avoid using the home even if the owner wants you to feel at ease while doing the job.
Remember that you are a guest at home and must behave as well. Always ensure that the pet you are caring for does not have an exit route, and do not make excuses if something adverse happens.
Read Also: How To Prepare Your Dog For A Pet Sitter
#8 Knowing what you would be able to offer
Understandably, you turn down an assignment because the pets do not match you or if you have no experience handling such species. You have to be honest with yourself. It is part of the self-care routine that is so important these days.
If a dog happens to be bigger than the weight you can manage, you should refuse such a job. Otherwise, you may get pulled by them or have a strained tendon.
#9 Having a strong support system
You cannot call the pet parent whenever you face a minor issue. Hence, having a network of pet sitters around you is helpful. Being part of such a community makes it a lot easier for you to manage any such issue.
In these networks, there is always a high chance that you would find someone who has gone through the same issue you are facing now and is thus willing to assist you with the same.
Having a channel where you can voice these concerns is priceless.
in Chandigarh, India. 
