Life at home
How do I help my dog cope with a house sitter?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
Arrange a meet and greet with the house sitter before you leave, ideally more than once, so your dog has a positive association before being left in that person's care. Write out a detailed routine, including feeding amounts, walk times, and any specific quirks or triggers, so the sitter can maintain consistency even without knowing your dog well yet.
Building familiarity before you leave
Arrange at least one, ideally two, meetings between your dog and the house sitter before the actual booking begins, with the sitter offering treats and a calm, low-pressure interaction rather than an intense first meeting on the day you leave. A dog meeting a completely unfamiliar person for the first time right as its owner departs faces two stressors at once instead of one.
Writing a genuinely useful routine sheet
Detail exact feeding amounts and times, walk routes and duration, any medication schedules, and specific quirks like fear of a particular sound or a preference for a certain toy during settle time. A sitter unfamiliar with your dog cannot maintain consistency without this information, and gaps here are one of the most common sources of a dog's stress during a sitter stay.
Leaving useful comfort items
An unwashed item of your clothing near your dog's bed, along with familiar toys and its usual bedding rather than anything new, provides scent-based reassurance during your absence. Avoid introducing new food, new toys, or a new bed during this period, since novelty on top of your absence adds unnecessary additional adjustment.
Checking in appropriately
Ask your sitter for a daily photo or brief update, which reassures you and also encourages the sitter to genuinely observe your dog's behavior rather than assuming everything is fine by default. If you notice signs of ongoing stress through these updates, a phone call with the sitter to adjust the routine slightly can make a real difference partway through the stay.
Key takeaways
- A pre-departure meet and greet gives your dog a positive association with the sitter beforehand.
- A detailed routine sheet helps an unfamiliar sitter maintain the consistency your dog relies on.
- Familiar bedding and an unwashed clothing item provide scent-based reassurance during your absence.
- Daily updates from the sitter let you catch and address emerging stress partway through the stay.