When you love dogs, saying yes to dog sitting feels easy. Most of us are happy to help a friend, family member, or neighbor when they need someone they trust to care for their dog.
But caring for someone else’s dog is different from caring for your own.
After fostering dogs for many years, one thing I have learned is that every dog comes with their own routine, fears, habits, and little quirks. Some dogs settle right in. Others need extra patience, structure, and reassurance when their person is away. Even the sweetest dog can act differently in a new situation or when their normal routine changes.
That is why preparation matters.
Dog sitting is more than filling a food bowl and opening the back door. You are caring for someone’s family member, and the more you know before they leave, the safer and more comfortable that dog will be.
Before you agree to dog sit, here are the most important things to ask, prepare for, and keep in mind.
1. Get the Dog’s Routine in Writing
Dogs thrive on routine. When their owner is gone, keeping their day as normal as possible can help them feel safe and secure.
Before dog sitting, ask the owner to write down the dog’s usual schedule, including:
- Feeding times
- How much food they get
- Walk times
- Potty routine
- Bedtime routine
- Crate routine, if they use one
- Medication schedule
- Favorite activities
- Things that make the dog nervous
Even if you know the dog well, it is easy to forget small details. Having everything written down helps avoid confusion and keeps the dog on track.
2. Ask About Food, Treats, and Allergies
Changing a dog’s food or giving new treats can upset their stomach. Before giving anything extra, ask the owner what the dog is allowed to have.
Some dogs have food allergies or sensitive stomachs. Others may be on a special diet. Even a small snack that seems harmless can cause vomiting, diarrhea, itching, or other issues.
Make sure you know:
- What food the dog eats
- How much they eat at each meal
- Whether they can have treats
- What treats are approved
- Any foods they cannot have
- Whether they are allowed people food
When in doubt, stick to what the owner provides.
3. Know Their Medical Needs
Before dog sitting, ask if the dog has any medical conditions or medications. This includes daily medications, supplements, allergies, seizures, arthritis, anxiety, or anything else that could affect their care.
You should also have:
- The dog’s regular veterinarian information
- The owner’s preferred emergency vet
- Permission to seek veterinary care if needed
- A backup contact in case the owner cannot be reached
It may feel unnecessary, but emergencies can happen quickly. Having this information ahead of time can save valuable time.
4. Understand Their Behavior Around Other Dogs
Never assume a dog is friendly with every dog they meet.
Some dogs are social. Some are selective. Some are reactive on leash. Some may do well with dogs they know but not with unfamiliar dogs. Others may become protective when their owner is gone.
Before taking the dog on walks, to the park, or around other pets, ask:
- Are they friendly with other dogs?
- Do they pull, bark, or lunge on leash?
- Should they avoid dog parks?
- Are they allowed to greet other dogs?
- Do they live with other animals?
- Are there any dogs in the neighborhood they do not like?
The safest choice is usually to avoid dog-to-dog greetings unless the owner specifically says it is okay.
5. Ask About Escape Risks
Some dogs are escape artists. They may bolt out the front door, squeeze through a fence, back out of a collar, or panic when they hear loud noises.
Before dog sitting, ask if the dog has ever run away or tried to escape.
Make sure you know:
- Whether the yard is fully secure
- Whether the dog can be trusted off leash
- If they need a harness
- If they are scared of fireworks, storms, trucks, or loud noises
- If they try to door dash
- Whether they have updated ID tags and a microchip
When caring for someone else’s dog, never let them off leash in an unsecured area, even if the owner says they usually come when called. Dogs can act differently when their person is away.
6. Learn Their Comfort Level With Being Alone
Some dogs are perfectly fine being left alone for a few hours. Others struggle with separation anxiety.
Ask the owner how long the dog can be left alone and what they usually do when they leave the house. Some dogs need to be crated. Some do better in a gated area. Some may chew, bark, pace, or have accidents when stressed.
It is important to know:
- How long the dog can be alone
- Whether they are crate trained
- If they need music, a fan, or white noise
- If they chew when unattended
- If they have ever destroyed anything
- If they have anxiety when left alone
This helps you set the dog up for success instead of discovering the problem after something goes wrong.
7. Keep Doors, Gates, and Leashes Extra Secure
When a dog is away from their normal routine, they may be more likely to panic or bolt. Even calm dogs can get spooked by a loud noise, a delivery driver, another dog, or an unfamiliar environment.
Use extra caution with:
- Front doors
- Garage doors
- Car doors
- Backyard gates
- Loose fences
- Harnesses and collars
- Leashes near traffic
A good rule is to treat every door like the dog might run through it. Before opening a door, know where the dog is.
8. Do Not Introduce Too Many New Things
It can be tempting to make dog sitting fun by taking the dog on hikes, car rides, playdates, or outings. But new experiences can be stressful for a dog whose owner is away.
Unless the owner has specifically approved it, keep things simple.
A quiet walk, some playtime, a chew, a puzzle toy, or calm companionship is usually enough. The goal is not to create a big adventure. The goal is to keep the dog safe, comfortable, and cared for.
9. Watch for Signs of Stress
Dogs do not always show stress in obvious ways. Some dogs become clingy. Others hide. Some stop eating. Some pant, pace, whine, bark, chew, or have accidents.
Common signs of stress include:
- Pacing
- Panting when it is not hot
- Whining
- Hiding
- Not eating
- Excessive licking
- Destructive chewing
- Barking more than usual
- Accidents in the house
- Trying to escape
- Acting unusually clingy or distant
If you notice changes, let the owner know. Sometimes a simple adjustment to the routine can help.
10. Send Updates to the Owner
Most dog owners love getting updates when they are away. A quick photo and message can give them peace of mind.
You do not need to overdo it, but a daily update is usually appreciated. Let them know how their dog is eating, sleeping, walking, and adjusting.
A simple message like this works well:
“Everything is going great. He ate breakfast, had a good walk, and is relaxing now. I’ll send another update later.”
If something seems off, be honest. It is better to communicate early than wait until there is a bigger problem.
11. Know What Is Not Allowed
Before dog sitting, ask the owner what the dog is not allowed to do.
For example:
- Are they allowed on furniture?
- Can they sleep in the bed?
- Are they allowed human food?
- Can they go on car rides?
- Are they allowed off leash?
- Can they play with other dogs?
- Are there rooms they should stay out of?
Following the owner’s rules helps keep the dog’s routine consistent and prevents problems after the owner comes home.
12. Have Enrichment Ready
A bored dog can quickly become a mischievous dog. Enrichment helps keep dogs busy, calm, and mentally satisfied.
Great options include:
- Lick mats
- Puzzle toys
- Snuffle mats
- Safe chews
- Treat-dispensing toys
- Frozen enrichment
- Short training games
Always ask the owner what toys and chews are safe for their dog. Some dogs are heavy chewers and need to be supervised with certain items.
At Three Yellow Dogs, we believe enrichment is one of the best ways to help dogs feel calm and fulfilled. A dog who has something safe and satisfying to do is often a happier, more relaxed dog.
13. Be Honest About What You Can Handle
Not every dog is easy to care for. Some dogs need medication, special handling, leash management, extra potty breaks, or help with anxiety. Some may not be good with children, cats, or other dogs.
Before agreeing to dog sit, be honest with yourself.
Can you safely handle the dog on walks? Are you comfortable giving medication? Do you have the time to follow the routine? Is your home safe for this specific dog?
It is better to ask questions ahead of time than to realize later that the situation is more than you expected.
Final Thoughts
Dog sitting is a big responsibility. You are not just watching a dog. You are caring for someone’s family member.
The best thing you can do is prepare before the owner leaves. Ask questions. Get the routine in writing. Keep things consistent. Watch for stress. Communicate often. Most importantly, keep safety at the center of everything you do.
When a dog feels safe, understood, and cared for, their time away from their owner can be much easier.
And when their owner comes home to a happy, healthy dog, everyone wins. 💛
