Airtasker’s dog sitting service covers the typical things you’d do for your pet in a day: feeding them, playing with them, cleaning up their mess, and giving them lots of affection. While the specifics may vary from Tasker to Tasker, and depend on your pet’s own needs, here are the things that you can expect a dog sitter to do.
Feeding & administering medication
Your Tasker relies on your detailed instructions for feeding your pet, providing enough water, and giving them their vitamins and medicine (if applicable). Make sure you have enough supplies before you leave, whether it’s kibble, canned food, home-cooked meals, or raw food. Make sure your sitter is familiar with food prep and portioning. Be clear about what food you allow your dog to eat, and what they’re allergic to.
If your pet is on a special diet, make sure your sitter is informed. The same goes for medication - prepare written instructions, and go over them verbally before you leave. Don’t just rely on a note on the counter! Good preparation is essential to making sure your pet stays healthy even while you’re out.
Cleaning up pet mess
Dog babysitting also includes cleaning up a pet’s mess. Let your Tasker know your dog’s signal for when they need to “go”, your pet’s usual spot, and how you usually handle dog mess. Make sure your sitter also knows where the cleaning supplies are kept, in case your dog can’t make it to their spot.
Exercise and playtime
Your Tasker also makes sure your pet/s get enough exercise, playtime, and even training while you’re out. Let your Tasker know if they can take your dog on walks while you’re out, and how often this needs to be done. If you have any rules for walks, such as cleaning the paws afterwards or avoiding a rowdy neighbour dog, make sure you tell your sitter about these. Your Tasker also makes sure that your pet stays secure at all times, whether inside or outside your property.
Pets, cuddles, and TLC
Your pet will need all the love they can get while you’re out for a friend’s wedding or week-long business trip. Your dog sitter makes sure your pooch gets petted and cuddled regularly. Let your Tasker know if they can give your pet treats, and how many they can have per day. Ideally, your pet and the Tasker have met prior to the sitting appointment, so your Tasker will be able to pet and scratch your dog in all their favourite spots.
Updates on your pet
If pet updates are part of your Tasker’s arrangement, you can expect an email or message from your sitter on a regular basis. This helps you feel connected to your pet and prevent any possible problems while you’re out. In case of emergencies, you can have your sitter call a relative in the area or your vet - just to make sure your dog is alright.
