How to Prepare Your Dog for a Pet Sitter: First-Time Guide

Knowing how to prepare your dog for a pet sitter the first time makes the difference between a stressful experience and a smooth one — for you, your dog, and the sitter. With a bit of groundwork before the stay, your dog will settle in faster, the sitter will have everything they need, and you'll be able to actually relax while you're away.

Why Preparation Matters More Than You Think

Dogs are creatures of habit. A sudden change of environment — new smells, new people, new sounds — without any preparation can trigger stress behaviours: not eating, excessive barking, pacing, or regression in toilet training. None of this means your dog is badly behaved. It means they weren't ready.

Dogs who have met their sitter before the stay consistently settle into a new environment faster than those who arrive cold. That difference costs you nothing but a bit of planning.

Here are the 7 steps we recommend at My Tails for a first-time sitter experience that goes well for everyone. (If you haven't chosen a sitter yet, start with our 10 questions to ask before booking.)

Step 1: Arrange a Meet & Greet Before the Stay

The first time your dog meets the sitter should not be the day of drop-off. Organise a meet-and-greet visit in advance — either at the sitter's home or in a neutral space — with no time pressure.

Let your dog explore at their own pace. Look for positive signals: the dog accepts treats from the sitter's hand, shows relaxed body language, sniffs curiously without tension. If your dog stiffens, growls, or refuses food, that's important information — don't dismiss it.

A good sitter will also ask you questions during this visit: about your dog's routine, fears, preferences, and quirks. If the sitter asks nothing, that tells you something too.

On My Tails, all verified sitters offer a meet & greet before confirming any booking. You can arrange it directly through the platform.

Step 2: Leave a Scent From Home

Dogs experience the world primarily through smell. A familiar-scented object — a blanket, a soft toy, a worn t-shirt of yours — serves as an emotional anchor in an unfamiliar environment.

Research from the University of Lincoln on canine stress found that items carrying the owner's scent help reduce cortisol levels during separation. Don't wash the item before leaving it — you need it to keep the smell.

Practical tip: bring two items. One for the sitter to place in your dog's sleeping area, and a spare in case the first gets dirty.

Step 3: Write and Hand Over the Care Card

One of the biggest sources of anxiety for sitters — and one of the most common causes of mistakes during a stay — is not having clear information about the dog's routine. Write a detailed care card and hand it over before the stay begins, in writing rather than just verbally.

Care Card Template:

• Dog's name and age

• Breed and weight

• Feeding schedule (exact portion + time)

• Walk schedule (how many times, approximate duration)

• Medications (name, dose, timing)

• Food allergies or intolerances

• Behaviour with other dogs and people (does your dog play well? Is he selective? Any fears?)

• Regular vet (clinic name + phone number)

• Emergency contact for the owner (phone + country code if travelling abroad)

The more specific the card, the less the sitter has to guess — and the calmer your dog will be. Our complete dog travel and sitter packing checklist covers everything else to hand over alongside it.

Step 4: Make Sure Vaccinations Are Up to Date

Most professional sitters — and they are entirely right to require this — ask for proof of current vaccinations before a stay. This protects your dog and any other animals that may share the same space.

Check your dog is up to date on:

• Rabies (required in Spain and most of Europe)

• Distemper, parvovirus, and hepatitis (combination vaccine)

• Leptospirosis

• Bordetella (kennel cough) — especially important if there will be contact with other dogs

If any vaccination expires within the next 30 days, get it updated before the stay. Some sitters also ask for proof of recent flea and tick treatment.

Step 5: Leave Full Emergency Information

In an urgent situation, every second counts. Give the sitter everything they need to act without having to track you down:

• Name and phone number of your regular vet

• Name and phone number of the nearest emergency veterinary clinic to the sitter's home

• Pet insurance policy number, if your dog is covered

• Your phone number at your destination (including international dialling code if abroad)

• A backup contact in your home country who has authority to make decisions

Leave this information in the care card as well. Don't rely on the app chat being accessible in an emergency.

Step 6: Keep the Goodbye Short and Calm

This is the advice that's hardest to follow — and the one that makes the most difference. Long, emotional goodbyes don't comfort your dog. They communicate that there is a reason to be anxious.

A short, calm goodbye (15–20 seconds) works far better than a five-minute farewell with repeated hugs and tearful phrases. Your dog doesn't understand the words, but he reads your emotional state perfectly. If you're distressed, he assumes there's a threat.

Arrive, hand the dog over, give the sitter your final instructions, say a calm goodbye, and leave. Your dog will be fine.

Step 7: Agree on Updates — But Don't Overdo It

It's completely normal to want to know how your dog is doing. Agree with the sitter in advance on how many updates you'll get and in what format. One or two photos or videos per day is enough for most owners.

Asking for updates every hour might feel reassuring to you, but it disrupts the sitter's work and — counterintuitively — can prevent your dog from fully settling. If the sitter is constantly stopping to take photos and videos, they're less focused on the dog.

A good balance: one photo in the morning, one in the evening or at bedtime. If anything needs reporting, the sitter will let you know.

FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions

How far in advance should I arrange the meet & greet? Ideally 3–7 days before the stay. Close enough that the dog remembers the encounter, but not so far away that the memory fades.

What if my dog doesn't get on with the sitter at the meet & greet? Don't force it. If your dog shows clear signs of discomfort, that sitter is not the right match for your dog. On My Tails you have access to multiple verified profiles — search until you find the right fit.

How many nights is reasonable for a first stay? For a first experience, 2–3 nights is a sensible length. It gives the dog time to adjust without the stay being too prolonged. From the second stay onwards, most dogs adapt much more quickly.

What if the sitter tells me my dog isn't eating? It's normal for a dog to refuse food for the first 12–24 hours in a new environment. If it goes beyond 24 hours, or if other symptoms appear (vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy), the sitter should contact the vet. Our guide on what to do if your dog won't eat explains when to wait and when to worry.

Should I leave my dog's usual food or can the sitter use their own? Always leave your dog's regular food. A sudden diet change can cause digestive upset. Bring enough for the full stay plus a couple of days' buffer in case there are any delays.

My dog has separation anxiety — is a sitter a good idea? Often yes, and for anxious dogs a sitter at your home is usually the gentler option. Read our guide to dog separation anxiety for the full picture on what helps.

Find the Right Sitter for Your Dog on My Tails

All sitters on My Tails are verified, have genuine reviews from other dog owners, and offer a meet & greet before confirming any booking. Search available sitters in Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia, filter by service type — boarding, house sitting, day care, or dog walking — and find the right match for your dog.

Browse verified sitters at mytails.eu →