How to Choose the Right Care for Your Dog While on Vacation
To choose the right care for your dog while you're on vacation, start by asking a close friend or neighbor to watch your dog while you are away. If they aren't available, search for pet sitters in your area and compile a list of potential hires. It's best to choose a pet sitter that's insured, so be sure to check. If your dog has a medical condition, look for a sitter that has experience dealing with health problems and administering medications. You can also look into local kennels that can board your dog while you're away. It's always a good idea to read customer reviews and visit the kennels in person before making your final decision!
Search for pet sitters in your area. If you've decided that you'd like to hire a pet sitter to watch your dog while you're away, you'll need to start to identify potential candidates. Searching online, asking for recommendations, and looking for listings in local stores will help you to compile a list of potential hires. Organizations like the National Association of Pet Sitters and Pet Sitters International allow you to enter your zip code to find pet sitters near you. Websites like Care.com, SitterCity, Angie'sList may have profiles for local pet sitter that includes their information and their pricing. You may also find local postings for pet sitters at pet stores, groomers, and veterinarian offices. Ask for recommendations. Speak with other pet owners that you know to see if they have any referrals for reliable pet sitters. A recommendation from a trusted friend may be more reputable than an online listing or advertisement. Veterinary technicians often pet sit on the side to earn extra income, so you could start by checking with your veterinarian to see if they have a list of available pet sitters for you to choose from. Ask friends and family members that you know have used pet sitters in the past. You can also look online to see whether there are reviews of the pet sitters available from past customers. While these can be helpful, you will need to decide how much weight you will give online recommendations. Decide between in-home care or daily visits. With pet sitters, you can decide whether you'd like the pet sitter to stay in your home and watch your dog or have them visit your home each day. For pet sitters that visit each day, your dog will be alone for the rest of the time. This is a good option if your dog doesn't mind being alone, but is not ideal for dogs that have separation anxiety or are destructive when left alone. In-home pet sitters will cost more, but your dog will be able to spend more time with a human and have their full attention. Look for a pet sitter that is insured. Ideally, the pet sitter will be insured so that you are not liable for any potential accidents that may occur on your property. Check your homeowner's insurance to see what sorts of damages are covered under your policy if the pet sitter is staying in your home. This may not be possible if you are using a pet sitter that is not a professional, like a student who pet sits part time. Contact pet sitters ahead of time. Confirm their pricing, see if they offer discounts for multiple dogs if applicable, and double-check their location and their references. Make sure that they are available for the days you'll be away on vacation. Pet sitters can become fully booked during busy seasons, especially around the holidays, so contact potential sitters with a few weeks' notice. Compare prices between your top choices to see if one sitter is significantly more affordable than the other. If possible, don't let cost deter you from selecting the best sitter. Professional pet sitters will likely charge more, but they are often insured and offer additional services, like GPS tracking or medical care, that others do not. For pets with medical conditions, look for pet sitters that have experience dealing with dogs with health problems. If needed, make sure that the pet sitter can administer medication to your dog. Meet with the pet sitter. Ideally, you will be able to meet with the pet sitter before you leave for vacation. If you really trust a recommendation that you've received, you may be able to forego this step. During this meeting, you'll want to confirm that this pet sitter has successfully worked with dogs before, is trustworthy, and gets along with your dog. Bring your pet to this meeting, or hold the meeting at your home, so the pet sitter has a chance to meet your dog. If possible, let the pet sitter do a test walk with your dog to see how they handle your dog. Sign a contract with the pet sitter. Now that you've met the pet sitter and have decided they are right for your needs, you can officially hire them. The two of you will need to agree on a price and a payment method. It is best to get this in writing, and to also have them sign a contract saying that they will watch your dog during the specified dates. Write a covering letter and give it to your veterinarian just in case circumstances make it necessary. In the letter, express what your preferences are in the event of an accident or the pet's ill health, and also express that you are giving the pet sitter authority to sign consent forms on your behalf. Write detailed instructions for the sitter. Leave the pet sitter with detailed instructions so they can adequately care for your dog while you are away. You will need to leave them with your contact information, your veterinarian's phone number in case of an emergency, and the phone number of a trusted neighbor or friend who can help if needed. Include information about your dog's routine, personality, preferences, bathroom habits, and any medications they might take. Research boarding kennels in your area. Kennels can be a great option for your dog while you're away. They'll be able to interact with other dogs in a safe environment with staff who are trained and love dogs. You can search for local kennels online by entering your zip code, asking for recommendations from trusted friends and family, or by asking your veterinarian for a recommendation. Be aware that most kennels will ask for proof that your dog has been fully vaccinated since they will be in contact with other dogs. Determine what you want out of a kennel. These days, some boarding kennels can be described as luxury pet hotels while others are much more basic. If your dog has health problems, make sure the kennel is equipped to administer any medications that your dog needs. Basic kennels will typically have indoor and outdoor areas for dogs to exercise and socialize with staff members and other dogs, a place for your dog to sleep, and routine feedings. You will pay more for any additional amenities you want for your pet. Luxury kennels may include grooming, one on one playtime with a staff member, playtime in a pool, special treats, and even dog massages. Arrange to visit kennels. Seeing the boarding kennel in person is one of the best ways to determine whether this is the kennel you want to use for your pet. Make sure the kennel meets your standards, budget, and will be comfortable for your dog. Ask about the kennel's daily schedule. This should cover when dogs are fed, exercised, socialized, when they go outside, and when they can sleep. Make sure the boarding kennel has insurance, the staff seem knowledgeable about dogs, and how many other dogs are typically being boarded. Choose a kennel. Now that you've toured a few different boarding kennels in your area, you can finalize your plans. You'll need to ensure that the kennel has room for your dog during your vacation days and that their prices are within your budget. Depending on the season, you should try to book a kennel at least three weeks before you leave for vacation. During the holidays, you should try to book a month in advance since kennels can book up very quickly. There is typically a contract agreement that both you and the kennel will sign to ensure that both parties follow through on their agreement. You may have to pay a fee to hold your reservation at the kennel and you may have the option to pay in advance. Prepare your dog for the kennel. Before you leave your dog at the kennel and go on vacation, you'll need to make sure that they are prepared. Your dog's health should be first and foremost. Make sure that they are up to date on their vaccinations, any pest prevention methods for fleas or heartworm, and that they are in good health. Alert the kennel ahead of time if your dog has any health needs, like they need insulin daily for their diabetes. If the kennel doesn't offer the dog food that you use, you will need to pack a container with enough food to last your dog while you're away to give to the kennel staff. Socialize your dog with strangers and new dogs. They'll be spending their days with other dogs and unfamiliar staff members so they need to be comfortable meeting and interacting with them in this new environment. Ask a friend to watch your dog. Ideally, you have a close friend or neighbor who would be happy to watch your dog while you are away. They may already have dogs that are friendly with your dog, or they enjoy your dog's company. They may not be able to watch your dog during those dates, so it is a good idea to have a few additional friends you could ask as a backup. Prepare your dog’s belongings. Unlike a boarding kennel, your friend probably does not have all the items your dog will need. Your friend will appreciate that you've taken the time to collect these items so they don't have to worry about providing them. Leash. Food. Bowls for food and water. Toys. Dog bed. Any medications, if needed. Write down your dog’s information. Just like you would with a pet sitter, you'll need to write down care instructions for your friend to reference. Even if your friend already spends a lot of time with your dog, it is best to give them this information as a precaution. Be sure to include the contact information where you can be reached at during your vacation your veterinarian's phone number in case of an emergency. Include information about your dog's daily routine, when they are walked and fed, any medications they take, and their bathroom habits. Give them a key to your house just in case they need to go and retrieve something for your dog there. Let the person know if your dog is microchipped. If your dog is not microchipped, then you might want to have your dog microchipped before you go to increase the chances that your dog will be returned to you if they get lost. Thank them for watching your dog. Always offer to pay them to watch your pet. While they may refuse payment, you should bring them a small gift back from your trip or take them to their favorite restaurant to say thank you. You should also offer to return the favor and watch their pets the next time they are away on vacation. You could also offer to house sit if they do not have pets. 
Search for pet sitters in your area. Ask for recommendations. Decide between in-home care or daily visits. Look for a pet sitter that is insured. Contact pet sitters ahead of time. Meet with the pet sitter. Sign a contract with the pet sitter. Write detailed instructions for the sitter. Research boarding kennels in your area. Determine what you want out of a kennel. Arrange to visit kennels. Choose a kennel. Prepare your dog for the kennel. Ask a friend to watch your dog. Prepare your dog’s belongings. Write down your dog’s information. Thank them for watching your dog. 