[Michele]

Finding a Pet Sitter/Dog Walker

Having a trusted and professional pet sitter can significantly reduce stress for both you and your IG. If you have ever experienced the anxiety associated with an unscheduled meeting at the office preventing you from getting home to care for your pets, you can appreciate how helpful having such a trusted professional can be. Some sitters can also help you take a vacation without the hounds, since you will feel confident they are being well cared for. If keeping your dog at home while you travel is your preference, then a sitter can be the perfect solution to maintain your IG's care while maintaining her normal routine and environment.

A referral from other IG owners, your veterinarian, groomer, or pet supply store owner is the preferred means of meeting your new sitter. They will be able to provide information based on first-hand experience with the sitter.

Another option, especially if you have moved to a new area and do not know many people, is to look on the Professional Pet Sitter's site:
http://petsitters.org/

You should consider interviewing several sitters in order to find the one who suits your criteria and is the best fit for your hound(s). Part of the interview should involve observing the interaction of the prospective sitter with your pets. It is helpful to have a list of questions prior to the interview and to treat it as you would any other serious business interview. After all, like any employer, you are looking for the best person for the job. Here are some sample questions with key considerations to get you started, but remember to add any specific questions of your own that you feel are critical to your decision:

Is this your full time job?
You may wish to look for someone whose sole profession is pet sitting. Part-time sitters may also work, but often they are not as regularly available as a full-time professional would be. A part-time sitter may not be as reliable since their primary job may take precedence over their side pet-sitting job. A full-time professional, whose reputation is at stake, is more likely to be reliable, accessible, and will inform you well in advance of days they will not available.

Can you show proof of insurance and bonding?
Insurance is a necessity for anyone in business whether they provide a service or a product, since any business has risks and liability exposure. By maintaining proper insurance, sitters are also demonstrating that they take their businesses seriously. Bonding is another necessity since the sitter will be in your home. In the event of theft, property damage or other event, bonding can provide the pet owner an additional layer of security.

Are you certified in Canine First Aid?
There are many Canine First Aid courses. The most popular is the one offered by the American Red Cross and certification is typically available through a two- to three-class course.

Additionally, you should stipulate that your IG be taken to your vet or the nearest 24-hour emergency vet in case of illness or injury. The names, contact information, and direction to these facilities should be in a location known to and easily accessible by your sitter. A travel crate should also be readily available in case of such an emergency.

Are you registered (or better yet, certified) with NAPPS? (Nat'l Association of Professional Petsitters)?
To ascertain your prospective sitters status with NAPPS, visit:
http://petsitters.org/ .Remember, merely being registered does not guarantee the quality and reliability of the sitter. It is your responsibility to do your own due diligence, including conducting personal interviews, before making a decision.

Additional questions could include:

• How many clients do you serve a day and how big an area?
  (It's best to find someone with a manageable workload and located in your immediate area)
  
• Do you have references available?
  
• Do I have to book in advance or can it be last minute?
  
• If you do overnights, do you stay over with the dogs?
  
• How many current customers do you have and how long have you been in business?
  
• Will anyone other than you be tending to my dogs?
  
• Do you smoke on visits?
  
• Do you have sighthound experience? (This is important, but if you find someone you like without sighthound experience it could still work well. You must assure that the sitter fully comprehends the safety and leash issues, watches for open doors, and can correctly put on a martingale collar if need be).
  
• What are your fees?

I would recommend that when conducting the final round of selecting your new sitter, you should have her do a 'dry run' while you are home. The prospective sitter would come for an initial paid visit and do the things you would expect of her going forward, such as feeding them a meal, walking them outside, changing potty pads, and playing with them. She should then put them back in the dog area, room, or crates and confirm they are secured, baby gates up, etc. You should remain outside but nearby in case she needs help or has questions.

By following these steps, you will greatly improve your odds of finding the appropriate person to care for your very special IG family members. Good luck!