How to Be a Dog Sitter

Your friend, relative or neighbor is leaving town and has entrusted you with the beloved pooch. Here are some ways to ensure that they will return to find their baby--just the way they left her.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Let the dog approach you to sniff and get acquainted. If he seems friendly, by all means pet him. If he appears aggressive, remain calm and avoid eye contact and call the owner for further direction. If the dog seems uninterested, don’t initiate anything, wait for him to approach you. Repeating his name is also a good idea.
2. Hand her a treat if the owner left treats. Nothing beats bribery.
3. Read all instructions and if you are uncertain about anything, call the owner, especially when it comes to administering medication. They would much rather you do right by Rover than not call and “bother them on vacation.”
4. Fill the dog’s bowls with the proper amount of food and plenty of water. It’s usually not a good idea to leave extra food, because many dogs don’t know when to cut themselves off. If you think you won’t be getting back in time for the next scheduled feeding, then it’s okay. It’s better to leave out extra food than not enough.
5. Give the dog adequate exercise. Take him for at least a 20-minute walk, especially if he’s been crated. If there is a yard, spend time in it and look for toys to play with. Fetch and tug-of-war are usually a great workout, unless the dog is elderly or ill and needs to take it easy.
6. Give the dog plenty of love and attention. She is likely lonely and missing her family.
7. Check to make sure the thermostat is at a comfortable setting for heat or air. If it’s an air conditioner or ceiling fan, do the same. Remember: dogs heat up quicker than humans.
8. Leave at least one light on for the dog and to deter burglars. It’s a good idea to rotate the lights. Bring in any mail, newspapers and fliers that have been left outside.
9. Keep the phone number and address of the dog’s regular veterinarian, as well as the closest emergency vet handy. Also, have a spare house key and make sure a local back-up person has a copy of the key in case an emergency arises and you can't get to the dog.

Tips & Warnings

• Know where the cleaning products are in case of an accident.
• Take a couple plastic grocery bags with you on the walk to pick up the poop.
• Leave a radio or TV on at a reasonable volume to help calm the dog and put him more at ease.
• If the dog doesn’t eat while you’re there, don’t worry, she’ll eat when she’s hungry.
• Never crate an adult dog for more than an eight-hour period and make sure he gets adequate exercise beforehand. Never leave a puppy in a crate for more than two or three hours, unless it's at night.