Even if you do implement the measures we have recommended above, it is necessary that you spend a lot of time with your puppy. Make sure they get all the exercise they need for their age, and make sure that you spend plenty of time with them in the evenings and on the weekends. Plan fun activities with your puppy and have an idea of what kind of games you would like to play with them.
Bonding when your dog is young is important. It is also an important time for training your puppy, as bad behaviour at this stage can persist long into their lives. Your puppy can be housebroken while you are at work, but you will need to be there as much as possible to discipline them, train them and just be recognisable as their owner.
Do your research on puppy sitters and daycare services
Your dog deserves the same great care from professionals that you give them at home, so when researching carers or dog sitting facilities, think about your expectations and what service is being offered. When interviewing dog walkers for example, find out how many other dogs will be walked at the same time and check their professional insurance policies. It’s also a good idea to find out what experience that person has with dogs. For example, many trainers and vet nurses offer boarding, walking or dog sitting services outside of their other jobs, so they probably know a thing or two about looking after pets!
You might want to take a look at the places your dog or puppy will be exercised while you are away and have a quick safety check – ask if your dog’s carer has assessed potential risks. Getting references for the carer is a great idea if you want to know about other people’s experiences with them. You might also think about the difference between a self-employed carer and someone who works for a pet care agency; for example, if someone from an agency falls sick, will the agency find a replacement at short notice?
Don’t be embarrassed about asking these questions – your dog is a precious member of your family, and a professional carer will see it as a sign of a good owner, as well as being able to verify their professional services. In some cases, you might be trusting your dog’s carer with other things, such as house keys, so your search cannot be too thorough. If you don’t know where to start, recommendations from friends or your dog club are a great way to begin!
Make sure your dog or puppy has the opportunity to meet the carers before you leave them in their care. If looking for a dog walker, for example, arrange to tag along on one of their walks so that you can see for yourself how they interact with the dogs in their care.
Dog sitting apps
If you simply don’t know where to start in your search for the perfect dog or puppy sitter, try looking on a dog sitting app! Simply put in your address, choose the dates you need and you can find a boarding, day care, walking and even house-sitting services in your area. Plus, most of these sites also feature reviews for each dog carer, so you can rest assured that your four-legged friend will be in good hands. A few of our favourite dog sitting apps are as follows:
Pawshake
Pawshake is a great dog sitting app to help you find a reliable dog carer in your area. All potential pup carers are checked by Pawshake and only around 20% are accepted. Plus, if you use the app, your dog will be covered by their own premium insurance.
BorrowMyDoggy
If you want a more personal experience from your puppy sitter, then look no further than BorrowMyDoggy. Rather than paying for a dog sitter or walker, you’ll be paying for someone who loves dogs just as much as you do to come and give your dog extra love when you’re away. Many pup owners actually prefer this service as they feel as though their dog gains an extra family.
Rover
If you’re a dog owner who loves to know exactly what your dog’s doing at all times, try the Rover dog sitting app. You’ll get GPS tracking of where your dog goes on their walk, toileting alerts and even personalised notes from your puppy sitter.
Be prepared for emergencies
It’s likely that nothing bad is going to happen while you’re away, but being prepared for emergencies is still vital. Just check that your dog’s carer is qualified in canine first aid, is aware of your dog’s medical issues if they have any, and knows how to administer any medication as part of your pet’s care routine. Most importantly, make sure they have your contact details – and those of a back-up – as well as the details of your vet, your dog or puppy’s microchip information and recent veterinary history.
Although it’s not nice to think about, consider in advance what you would like to happen if your dog were to fall ill or die suddenly. It is best to be prepared for every worst-case scenario and to make your feelings known in advance to avoid any unnecessary heartache later.
These things might take a little forward preparation, but once you’ve finished, you’ll rest easy knowing that while you’re away your dog is in the best possible hands – and their happiness, after all, is something you can’t put a price on!
Take your dog or puppy on holiday with you
If your dog or puppy is joining you on holiday rather than staying in puppy daycare, they’re not alone. Indeed, many people don’t consider it a proper ‘family holiday’ unless their canine companion is there to share the fun! Fortunately, more and more places are catering for dog owners, meaning your options aren’t limited to camping trips or ‘staycations’.
From B&B breaks, hotels and self-catering cottages to canal boats and even huge castles that can be rented, there is dog-friendly accommodation to suit every taste and budget. Dog training holidays also provide a place where you can enjoy canine activities and sports with other dog lovers under the guidance of a qualified trainer.
If you want to holiday outside of the UK and Ireland, changes to British quarantine laws makes it easier and safer than ever to holiday abroad with your dog. There are very specific requirements that need to be followed, so visit the GOV.uk website to find out about what you need to take your dog abroad. Always ask your vet’s advice before booking a foreign trip with your dog, just to make sure they’re ready for the trip.
All that’s left after that is to get ready to make some memories – and bon voyage!
Recently got a new dog and want to find out more about looking after them? Check out our content hub, packed full of useful information.