Checklist: before your dog stays with a sitter

Pack

• Food for the whole stay plus a couple of extra days, and any treats your dog is used to
• Medication with clear written instructions (what, how much, when)
• Lead, collar or harness with an ID tag, and a spare if you have one
• Bed or blanket that smells of home, and a favourite toy
• Food and water bowls if your dog is fussy about them
• Poo bags, and a towel for wet days

Write down for the sitter

• Feeding times and amounts, and what your dog must not eat
• Walks: how often, how long, on or off lead, and how your dog reacts to other dogs, bikes and cars
• Habits and signals: when they need to go out, what scares them, what calms them
• Your vet’s name, address and phone number
• How to reach you, and one emergency contact who can make decisions if you can’t be reached

Check in good time

• Vaccinations and flea and worm treatment are up to date (ask the sitter what they require)
• Your dog’s microchip is registered with your current phone number
• Your pet insurance details, if you have insurance
• A trial visit or a short first stay, if your dog has never stayed away before

On the day

Keep the goodbye short and calm. A long farewell can make a dog more anxious. Go through the notes with the sitter, and agree when you’d like updates. On SnudeRo the booking chat stays open during the stay, so photos and questions all end up in one place.