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When we have to go away for work or vacation, it can be hard to find someone to watch our dogs. We are BIG dog people with spoiled dogs. Which is why we tend to seek out local independent dog sitters in Dallas.
The Benefits of Finding a Local Independent Dog Sitters in Dallas to Watch Your Pet
Independent dog aitters are people who love dogs and enjoy spending time with them. They may be retired, stay-at-home parents, work-from-home professionals with flexibility or college students who are looking for a way to make some extra money. They are not affiliated with any pet sitting businesses, so we have found that independent dog sitters have been able to cater to us the best.
It’s a truly custom experience and has always worked out really well for Bowden, Riley, Dutch, Dewey and now Henry.
We also live in an older house with lots of quirks so its always nice to have someone come to our home and care for the dogs in their environment + keep an eye on the house.
Our 2 favorite sitters have been over the age of 75. And we wouldn’t have it any other way. =) They had a “take charge” personality, super communicative and knew how to handle our dogs. We received daily diaries, texts, pictures and videos each day. Dog sitters that leave a dog diary are my kinda people. You can grab a 40 page Dog Diary notepad here.
The extra communication helped ease my mind from making any assumptions that all hell had broken loose.
Funny story 😊
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We once had a 22 year old sitter come for a pop in visit and our dog stepped on his foot. We were an hour away and he decided to reach out and call us; he was on the verge of tears. And although this guy was a body builder and very experienced with dogs, it was a shocking call to receive. FYI, no one was hurt thankfully. Nor did we expect anyone to be hurt. That was a turning point for us to find good people with the flexibility to watch our dogs overnight or provide pop-ins.
Back to the dog sitters we have had for overnights…
They both have had decades of experience with every kind of dog, appreciate our quirky old home, know how to take care of it, won’t leave the dryer running when they leave the house – yes, we actually came home from Cuba with our dryer on high heat with no one home.
Since my husband and I are Gen X’ers raised by the Silent Generation, there’s a kind of peace we just have with the previous generations.
But wait . . .
We see a ton of promise with Gen Z. And we are holding out hope that we can find more local independent dog sitters of all ages to help us with our current crew of Dewey & Henry. I feel like its just a matter of time.
In fact, over in the Dog moms group, we have a running list of available independent dog sitters.
Here are a few local dog sitters I can list here:
- Courtney’s Paw Club
- Tina Gottschalk (please contact her here Tgott6@yahoo.com)
- Madeline Norton
- Sandra Sackett (find her on Rover)
- Stephani Rogers
- Melissa Jones
If you’d like to connect with the names I listed here, please connect in the Dog Moms group as I only shared contact info I was given permission to publicly.
Here are some of the benefits of finding a local independent dog lover to watch your pet:
- Personalized care. Independent dog lovers can provide your pet with personalized care that is tailored to their individual needs. They will get to know your pet and what they like and don’t like. They will also be able to follow your specific instructions for feeding, walking, and playing.
- Flexibility. Independent dog lovers are often more flexible than pet sitting businesses. They may be able to come to your home during the day or evening, or they may be able to watch your pet overnight. They may also be able to provide drop-in care if you just need someone to check on your pet for a few hours.
- Affordability. Independent dog lovers often charge less than pet sitting businesses. This is because they don’t have the same overhead costs of a building space etc. However, if you find someone you love and feel comfortable with, price becomes less of an issue.
Of course, there are also some potential drawbacks to finding a local independent dog lover. For example, they may not have the same level of experience as a professional pet sitter. They may also not be insured or bonded, which means that you would be responsible if something happened to your pet.
In our experience, we have always found AMAZING dog lovers and that’s the most important thing.
Here are some tips for finding a good independent dog lover:
- Ask your friends, family, and neighbors for recommendations.
- Check online listings for pet sitters in your area.
- Interview potential sitters in person.
- Ask about their experience with dogs of your pet’s breed and size.
- Feel free to get references from previous clients.
- You may already know them, so just have them pop over for a house tour and dog visit
Once you have found a few potential independent dog lovers, be sure to interview them in person. This will give you a chance to get to know them and see if they are a good fit for you and your pet. Ask them about their experience with dogs, their rates, and their availability. You might also ask for references from previous clients especially if you do not know them.
Because I know many in the Dog Mom group, I feel comfortable with almost anyone coming over since I have a place to refer back to them.
Here are some additional tips for finding a great independent dog lover:
- Look for someone who is a good communicator. You want to be able to easily reach your sitter with questions or concerns. We really prefer that’ take charge’ personality, someone who takes initiative in communication and someone who is visibly comfortable and excited to be with dogs. I grew up in a family of trustworthy leaders and I struggle with the more passive personality.
- Choose someone who is reliable and trustworthy. You want to be able to count on your sitter to show up when they say they will and to take good care of your pet. Finding people who keep their word are just good people.
- Find someone who shares your values. You want to be sure that your sitter has the same philosophies about pet care as you do.
See our latest notepads specifically for Dog Sitters who like leaving a dog diary and one for the Pet Owner. Its always good to set your home and dog children up for success.
With a little bit of research, you can find a great independent dog lover who will love your pet as much as you do. And that’s the best feeling in the world.
