| Finding the Right Dog Sitter for your Pooch

Finding the right dogsitter for your pup can often seem like an overwhelming task.  There is such a tremendous variety of options that sifting through them can be tough.  However, there are a few broad categories to consider when looking for the right sitter, and understanding these options will help you get started.

• Professional Petsitter: A traditional professional pet sitter will come to your home and watch your animals in their own environment.  This person normally has training in some basic animal health and safety like pet CPR and first aid, and is often bonded and insured.  You can expect a high level of professionalism and competence, but also often quite often a price tag to match.
• Dog Boarding Facility / Kennel: A traditional kennel has lots of capacity and a facility with amenities like open space for exercise time, and sometimes pools or fields.  Your dog will have the opportunity to be social with other dogs as well.  Kennels, however, can often leave your dog caged for longer than he or she is used to, and can also be quite expensive.
• Cage-Free Boarding Facility: This kind of facility is often run out of someones home and involved many dogs staying at a home at one time.  Dogs, again, have the opportunity to be social, and are often not constrained by a cage.  However, since owners are often not professionals, there is some risk involved that dogs could get into antagonistic situations.  These facilities are often significantly cheaper than professional kennels.
• Non-professional dog friendly home: This is a new option entering the market, where websites allow non-professional dog loving homes to come together and take care of each others dogs.  A novel concept, your dog’s temporary home and family is often much like yours, keeping your canine friend happy and loved.  However, there is always a risk associated with non-professional sitters, and you should evaluate the family thoroughly if you elect this option.

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