Advice on dog sitters please

[Closingthedoors]

I’m going away on Saturday and have found a dog sitter I have never used one before. But she has amazing reviews and I feel comfortable after talking with her.

How does the process work do you usually meet them before or just drop off on the day?

Ask her.

I did some dog sitting years ago. I would always want to meet the dog first with the owner and go for a walk, let them get to know me, while their owner was there. Its not nice for the dog to just be dropped off with a complete stranger and left. If she doesn't want to meet your dog first then I'd think she's not very emotionally intelligent tbh and I wouldn't leave my dog with her.

I do dog sitting as a side hustle. I always have at least one 'meet and greet' first including inviting the owner to my house with their dog to meet me and my dog, to see my house and garden and make sure they're happy with anything before committing. I also like to meet the dog, find out more about their needs, are they ok with other dogs, people, kids etc and make sure they get on ok with my dog. I might also arrange to meet for a walk with the dogs so I can see what their recall is like etc. if the dog is a bit nervous or has separation anxiety i will
offer to have them, free of chatge, for a couple of hours prior to a longer stay to get them comfortable. i would never just take a dog for an overnight stay or longer without meeting them first and i would be wary of a dog sitter who did this.

I also do dog sitting - mostly at the client's house. I would always meet up prior to the sitting to make sure that I am a good fit for the dog and to make sure the owner is comfortable too. Any good sitter would be happy to accommodate this request so I would go ahead and ask.

I'm surprised she hasn't offered a meet and greet - ours offered one straight away - I'd expect her to want to meet your dog, see your home, understand routines a bit and you'd want to meet her and check you're comfortable with her and the way she interacts with your dog

You need dog to meet sitter before.

Do you mean sitting in your home or day care/ boarding at someone else's home?

If the latter they must be properly licensed with the local council. The guidance in place to get a license means there should be a meet and greet and paperwork to ensure your dog has jabs etc etc.

They might have great reviews, but if they're not licensed their insurance won't be worth anything and your leaving an important part of your family to the unknown.