While many of us wish that we could take our pooches with us wherever we go, the truth is that every journey you take won’t be safe, or appropriate for your canine friend. If you’re forced to leave your pup behind, then you need to make sure that there’s someone reliable, and trustworthy available to keep your fur babies safe on your behalf.

If you’re struggling to find the ideal pet sitter, then here are a few tips that could help to give you the peace of mind and comfort that you need.

1.    Ask for Recommendations

Rather than start off building a new relationship with a stranger, it can help to opt for a dog sitter who friend or family member has already used in the past. Ask your family friends, neighbors, and even your local vet who they might recommend. This will help you to get some real insight into the kind of care and attention you can expect your pooch to receive.

2.    Set Up an “Interview”

Before you agree to hire a dog sitter, you should make sure that they take a moment to come to your home and interact with your dog. Find out whether they’re calm and relaxed around your pooch, and do they follow through with any rules that you give, such as asking them not to let the dog jump on the sofa? The more you see, the more you can make an informed decision.

Related: 5 Signs Your Dog Has Ticks

3.    Ask Plenty of Questions

During your interview, you should have time to ask any of the questions that might come to mind when it comes to choosing the perfect pet sitter. For instance, find out whether they have any written proof that outlines their insurance, and talk to them about previous experience that they’ve had looking after dogs similar to yours.

4.    Get a Background Check

Getting a background check on a prospective dog sitter might seem a little dramatic, but it’s often worth the $20 or so it takes to find out everything you need to know about the person that’s going to be looking after your pooch. Most good pet sitters won’t have any problem with you doing a background check on them, so don’t worry about being offensive.

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5.    Trust your Instincts

Finally, if you don’t feel comfortable with someone, then you don’t have to let them look after your pet. At the end of the day, hiring the right dog sitter means choosing someone that’s qualified, and picking a person that gives you the peace of mind you need to know your dog is being cared for when you’re not around.

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