If you're heading out for the holidays, the best way to prepare your dog for a holiday pet sitter is to put the routine in writing, gather keys and food in one place, share your vet's details, and set up a short trial visit before you leave. That preparation helps your dog and the person caring for them start on the same page.
Write a clear instruction sheet
Your sitter can't read your mind, so write things down as if someone who has never met your dog is following along. Keep it to a page or two.
- Daily routine: wake-up, meals, walk times, rest periods, and bedtime
- Food: brand, amount, feeding times, and which treats are allowed
- Favorites: bed or blanket, toys, favorite spots, and what calms them
- Walk notes: leash habits and how your dog reacts to people, other dogs, bikes, and wildlife
- Off-limits: rooms, furniture, foods, and anything else to avoid
Overnight and house sitting follow the routine you set, so the more specific your sheet, the easier it is to match your dog's day.
Gather keys, codes, and access details
Put house keys, entry codes, alarm information, parking notes, and gate instructions in one clearly labeled place. Keep them out of public messages and comments. Access details are shared through a secure conversation after a booking is confirmed. If your home has a gate, a long driveway, or building rules that affect visitors, mention them when we plan so there are no surprises on arrival.
Stock up on food and supplies
Set out enough of your dog's usual food for the full stay, plus a little extra in case plans change. Leave it in its original bag so the label is easy to check. Include a leash, waste bags, and a familiar bed or blanket so the space feels like home.
If your dog takes any medication, don't just list it on a form. Talk it through together before the stay and bring your vet's written instructions. Anything medical should come from your pet's own veterinarian, so ask them to confirm the plan before you leave.
Share vet contacts and an emergency plan
Give your sitter your regular vet's name and phone number, plus after-hours contact information if your clinic offers it. Note which emergency animal hospital you'd prefer, and who should be contacted if you can't be reached.
Describe what normal looks like for your dog, including appetite, energy level, bathroom habits, and how they usually act when they feel unwell. Those details make it easier to notice changes and tell you about them quickly.
Plan a trial visit
When possible, schedule a meet and greet before a longer stay. It's a good time to walk through the entry, check the feeding routine, see where the bed and leash are kept, and watch how your dog responds to a new face. A 30- or 60-minute drop-in visit can also be a low-pressure first step before an overnight stay.
During a trial, try to cover:
- The door, the entry routine, and where the keys go
- Where the food, treats, leash, and bed are kept
- One walk on your dog's usual route, at their usual pace
- The instruction sheet, reviewed together, with anything unclear marked for a fix
What to expect while you're away
Overnight and house sitting include a stay in your home and an agreed daytime routine. They are not continuous 24-hour supervision, so we'll talk through time alone, extra visits, and walk times before anything is confirmed. Regular photos and messages are part of the care, and we'll agree on how you'd like to receive updates before the booking starts.
To compare what each option includes, see house sitting and overnight dog sitting.
What it costs
House sitting starts at $55 per night, and drop-in visits start at $22 per visit. Holidays, extra pets, visit length, and special care can change the total, so final quotes depend on your dates, your pets, and their care needs. You can read more in the pet sitting rates guide.
Ready to plan your holiday care?
If this checklist sounds like your household, send a free request at the booking page with your dates and a little about your pets. A request isn't a confirmed booking and needs no payment. I'll follow up personally about fit, availability, and an exact quote, and we'll usually set up a meet and greet from there.