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Question

How do I help a dog not be nervous while pet sitting?

Lauren Novack
Certified Dog Behavior Consultant
Lauren Novack is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant at Behavior Vets NYC where she helps fearful, anxious, and aggressive pets and their owners. She has completed coursework for her MS in Applied Behavior Analysis at Hunter College. Lauren’s research explores the intersection between training practices and animal welfare. She currently serves on the Editorial Advisory Board for Daily Paws and has appeared on Fox & Friends, Rachael Ray, and various news outlets with her dog Grayson.

Lauren Novack

Certified Dog Behavior Consultant

Expert Answer

If a pet is nervous, give them time to become accustomed to you at their own pace. Toss treats to the animal so that they don't have to come close to you. This allows them to form a positive association with you from a distance where they're comfortable. They'll come up to you when they're ready. Always wait for them to approach you, as forcing interactions will make the situation worse.

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Question

Can a kid dog sit?

Community Answer

Yes, if the kid is ready and mature enough to dog sit. The kid would need to understand how to feed and water the dog, as well as be available to let them out to potty often and to take an occasional walk.

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Question

Do I have to have insurance for an animal in order to pet sit?

Community Answer

No.

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Question

Does the pet owner provide the food for the pet or does the pet sitter have to do it?

Community Answer

Most of the time the owners DO provide the food. In some rare cases, they might ask the pet sitter to do it, but that would be pretty unusual.

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Question

Can someone pet sit at another person's house?

Community Answer

Yes, this is quite common as most pets are more comfortable staying in their own homes.

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Question

If I cat-sit and the client has more than one cat can I make extra money?

Community Answer

Much like babysitting, some people charge more per hour for every additional child that needs to be watched. So yes, extra money can be made if you're caring for more than one cat, but since the additional work is marginal, probably not a lot more.

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Question

How old do you recommend somebody be to dog sit?

Community Answer

Twelve or older, but only if the person is mature enough and realizes the responsibility in pet sitting. A pet needs to be fed, given water and be interacted with.

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Question

How much money an a kid make for pet-sitting a rabbit?

Community Answer

It depends on how long it is. If it's for an hour, $10 would be reasonable. If it's for a day or longer, charge about $20/day.

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Question

How can I tell someone that they are a terrible dog sitter without hurting their feelings?

Community Answer

Honestly, you probably can't. Either tell them what the problem was directly, with the knowledge that it might hurt their feelings, or simply don't hire them to dog sit again.

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Question

What if I am a kid and have no experience with pet sitting?

Community Answer

You might have to take care of a small thing, like a ball or a plant, to practice, and then if you do it well then you can start watching pets. Just remember that pets are more valuable than small toys.

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Question

How can I make a petsitter's business card to leave with the pet owners?

Community Answer

There are many websites that print the cards out for you at a reasonable price, Vistaprint for example. If your budget is tight, you can design and print yourself, or even draw something up by hand, but make sure it still looks professional.

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Question

I'm pet-sitting an older puppy for some friend. She's a barker, and isn't used to my house or the people. I have cats as well. She isn't well-disciplined, but she is house- and crate-trained. Any tips to make this easier?

Community Answer

Play with her outside to eliminate lots of her energy so she won't bark as much, and reward her with treats when she quiets down on command.

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Question

What should I get for the dog?

Community Answer

You don't need to get anything special; the owner should have basic care items.

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Question

If I am 13 and pet-sit for someone occasionally, should I have her sign something about liability?

Community Answer

Yes, if the animal is accident prone or gets loose often; otherwise, no.

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Question

How much money should I expect for pet sitting?

Community Answer

It all depends on how long you are going to pet sit -- maybe seven to 20 dollars an hour.

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Question

I am dog-sitting a friend's dog, and today the dog ran out of food. I have my dog's food, but this dog isn't used to it. This is my last day of sitting. What should I do?

Community Answer

Can you get someone to pick up some of the same dog food your friend's dog eats at the store? That would be the easiest solution. Otherwise, for a day, you might have to offer a substitute, like whatever you have on hand or at home.

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Question

Is a Chihuahua a good pet for kids to pet sit?

Community Answer

A Chihuahua's needs may be too difficult for children to meet, but if an adult is there, or the children are very mature then it should be okay.

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Question

How do I start pet sitting as a teenager?

Community Answer

You can start out by trying to find a friend or family member who is going on a trip, and see if they need anyone to take care of their pet/pets. You can start by charging a reasonable rate, and ask people that you pet sit for to give you recommendations for future clients when you do a great job for them.

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Question

How do I get experience if I'm a kid?

Community Answer

Do some research. Read articles about pets, watch YouTube videos, etc. If any of your relatives have pets, practice taking care of them. You don't need too much experience, but start with looking after easy pets like cats, hamsters, guinea pigs, etc.

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Question

Is it okay to dog sit for 3 hours per day?

Community Answer

Sure, if the owner wants you to watch their dog for 3 hours, that's fine. I would suggest charging somewhere in the neighborhood of $10-$20/hour depending on your age, where you live, and how much experience you have.

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Question

Is it considered pet sitting if I'm a kid who isn't getting paid?

Community Answer

Yes, it's still considered pet sitting if you're keeping an eye on someone's pet whether you're being paid or not.

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Question

What do I do if the dog fights with a mother dog?

Community Answer

Remove the puppies first and then the mother before they get too physical and hurt each other.

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Question

How much does it cost to have a home pet sitting service?

Community Answer

It doesn't really cost much for you to have your own pet sitting service. You might occasionally have to pay for cleaning and repairs inside your house though.

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Question

How do I ask the client if I'm allowed to bring my pet along, too? I will be staying at their house night and day for the duration, watching their animal.

Community Answer

You have to make sure the pets get along and don’t have obvious risks (eg they have a bird and you have a cat). You need to think of your own pet as well, so it is completely okay to ask this. However, it is unlikely they were expecting you to bring your pet along when you were asked to sit for them.

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Question

I pet sit neighbors often. Does that make me an expert?

Community Answer

Depends how long you have been doing it. Usually it takes years of doing something a lot to be considered an expert.

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Question

Can I be a pet sitter if I am a child?

Community Answer

Yes, if you are mature enough to realize the responsibility in pet sitting. Usually, people start pet sitting around the age of twelve.

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Question

Can I bring the pet to my house and take care of it there?

Community Answer

Yes, as long as your house is clean and "pet-proofed". Also, make sure the animal's owner is okay with it.

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Question

Can a 10 year old pet sit?

Community Answer

A child should only pet sit under the supervision of a parent or other adult.

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Question

Does the owner pay extra depending on the size of the dog when pet sitting?

Community Answer

No, you wouldn't normally be paid more to look after a larger dog (or paid less to look after a smaller one). You might be paid more if the dog had special needs, or if you were asked to look after multiple dogs/pets at once.

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Question

What should I tell the pet sitter if my pet is picky and won't eat much, but is not sick?

Community Answer

Tell how much, and what to feed the pet. Tell them that it's fine and perfectly normal if your pet doesn't eat much.

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