Your First Week With a New Dog Walker or Pet Sitter: A Checklist

Before the first visit

Most first-week problems can be solved before the first knock on the door. Work through this list ahead of time, not on the morning of the first walk.

• Paperwork done. New Danny's Pet Care clients complete a Client Contract and a Petsitting Form from our forms page. Whoever you hire, make sure your phone numbers, an emergency contact and your vet's details are on file.
• Emergency vet consent in writing. Our Petsitting Form asks for your consent to take your pet to your vet in an emergency. Pet Sitters International (PSI), a professional association for pet sitters, points sitters to a veterinary authorization form that tells your vet your pet is in the sitter's care. It can also help to let your vet's office know a sitter may bring your pet in. Our guide to a pet emergency plan covers the rest of what to have ready.
• Collar, ID tag and DC license tag. DC Code § 8-1804, quoted on DC Health's dog licensing page, requires the owner of a dog over the age of four months to obtain an annual license and to make sure the dog wears a collar and a license. The ASPCA recommends that all pets, even indoor-only ones, wear a collar with an ID tag showing your name and current phone number. In Mount Rainier, MD, DC's license rule does not apply; see our guide to pet rules in Mount Rainier and Prince George's County.
• Microchip details current. The ASPCA notes that microchips are only as good as the information on file with the chip's company. If you have moved or changed your number since registering, submit an update.
• Gear that fits. Show the walker the leash, harness or collar your dog uses and check the fit together. Replace gear with frayed stitching or a cracked clip before the first walk.
• Supplies in one place. Food, a measuring cup, treats, medications, poop bags, towels, litter and cleaning supplies, where the sitter can find them without searching.
• Written instructions and access. Use our pet sitter instructions checklist for feeding, routines and quirks, and our guide to keys, lockboxes and smart locks to set up entry.

The first visit or trial walk

If you can, be home for the first walk or visit, or at least for its start. You will see how your dog goes out the door, how the walker handles the leash on your block, and how your cat reacts to a new person in the house. Our pet sitter page notes that you do not need to be home for visits; being there for the first one is simply a chance to fine-tune.

If you are booking for a trip, a short visit or two before you leave lets you spot problems while you can still fix them. A dog that will not settle with a new walker, or a cat that hides and skips a meal, is easier to deal with while you are still in town.

Danny's Pet Care offers group walks, with dogs paired by temperament and energy level, and private walks for dogs that don't do well walking with other dogs. If you are not sure which fits your dog, you may want to start with private walks and talk it over after a few outings. Our dog walking page describes the options, and our guide to group walks vs solo walks explains the trade-offs.

Reading the early updates

Updates are your window into visits you cannot see. Our pet sitter page says we send notes and photos after each visit. In the first week, read each update the same day for the basics: when the visit happened, whether your pet ate and went to the bathroom, and anything unusual.

Compare what you read with your pet's normal pattern, and tell the sitter what normal looks like for your pet so they can spot a change. Say how you want to hear about problems: a call or text right away, or a line in the daily update. If an update raises any worry about your pet's health, call your vet rather than waiting to see.

What to adjust in week one

The first week is a trial run for both of you, and small requests now are normal. Our post on why consistent dog walking improves behavior and mood explains why a steady routine is worth settling early. Common things to adjust:

• Walk length and timing. If your dog comes home still wound up, or worn out, talk about a different length or time. Danny's Pet Care offers 15-minute potty breaks and 30- and 60-minute walks.
• Route and triggers. Tell the walker about the corner with the barking dog, the construction site, or the busy street your dog fears.
• Group or solo. If your dog seems uneasy around other dogs, ask about a private walk.
• Feeding and treats. Correct portions or treats right away, and update your written notes.
• Updates. If you want more or less detail, or a different way of hearing, say so now.
• Door and key routine. Fix anything awkward about getting in and out before it becomes a habit.

Red flags, and when to change course

Some problems call for a direct conversation, and some for a change. Be concerned about missed or very late visits without notice, missing updates, doors left unlocked, a sitter who does not follow your vet's instructions for medication, or a pet that seems more stressed as the week goes on rather than less.

A change does not always mean a new sitter. A dog that grows more fearful or reactive on walks may need a vet visit and a qualified trainer or veterinary behaviorist. Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine advises never forcing a fearful dog to confront its fears head-on, so a good walker slows down rather than pushes. A pet that needs close medical monitoring may be safer boarding with your vet; ask your vet.

If you have not met a sitter yet, start with our meet-and-greet questions, then our client forms.