When you’re scheduling a Meet and Greet with a new pet care provider, there are few things to keep in mind. You not only want to make sure that you, your pet and the sitter are a good match, but you want to set the tone for your relationship and start off on the right foot.
Every person you meet is an opportunity to find your next regular pet sitter. We know, meeting new people can be awkward, but if you go in with a plan, it doesn’t have to be. Keep in mind, your potential pet sitter loves animals just like you do–so you know you already have something in common!
Each sitter (and each pet) is different—but the important questions remain the same. We partnered with our Dog People Panel to put together the top Meet & Greet questions that cover everything from health and safety to favorite toys and games. This list may seem intimidating, but taking the time to go through these questions will make sure your sitter is the best match for you and your furry family member.
Start the Meet and Greet on the Right Foot.
You want to start by getting to know the pet sitter, and assess if they’re a good fit for your pet. Feel free to weave these questions into your conversation. This isn’t a quiz, just a way to get a feel for who your potential sitter is. Here are some handy questions to ask:
- What inspired you to become a pet sitter?
- What’s your regular schedule like?
- Do you have any pets of your own?
- (If your pet has special needs or any kind) Have you dealt with this condition before? Are you comfortable with(administering meds/walking a reactive dog/dealing with separation anxiety)?
- What is your approach to dog training?
When you first meet a potential sitter, they’re going to ask you some questions to get to know you. It’s great to give them some background about your experience and an overview of who you and your pet are. Tell them about:
- You and your pet’s unique history.
- Any of your pet’s unique behaviors.
- Your pet’s regular routine and schedule for walks, play, and feeding.
- Any health conditions your pet has.
- Whether your dog has a microchip or not and if so which brand it is.
- Any of your pet’s triggers (other dogs, joggers, children, cats, etc) and how to handle those encounters.
- Your expectations for the stay (visit length, walking times, arrivals and departures, house rules).
- How you have trained your dog/what commands you use.
- If you have an electronic pet tracker, tell them about it and how to use it. We encourage you to consider getting one if you don’t have one already. You can also purchase one here.
Once you’ve nailed down the basics and introduced yourself and your pet, it’s time to dig in a little deeper. Remember, asking these questions and considering these scenarios will help ensure your pet has the best stay possible.
The Top 10 Things for You to Consider and Communicate—Always
These are questions you should always discuss with any pet care provider. They lay out the details of the stay, important safety considerations, and can ensure you and the sitter are on the same page.
[ ] What’s your emergency contact info? It’s best to provide a couple of emergency contacts that can help the sitter in an emergency. Make sure one of those contacts will be in town while you’re gone. If you end up booking with that sitter, make sure that info is in your dog’s care instructions.
[ ] If your sitter is boarding other dogs that would be meeting your dog, are you okay with other dogs being around during the stay or walk? If so, discuss their sizes and temperaments to make sure they match up and if your dog needs to be the only dog in the home, be sure to say so immediately.
[ ] Are you okay with other people helping out with care? If so, ask who they are and how they’ll help. If you’d like, ask to meet them before you book.
[ ] What time would you like your dog to be picked up/dropped off? Make sure to get into specifics for both pick-up and drop-off, and be sure to have a contingency plan in case you are delayed.
[ ] Has your dog ever bolted out the door, exhibited food aggression, are they a digger, are they a jumper, or do they ever eat things they shouldn’t? How do you prevent those situations?
[ ] Is there anything your dog should avoid on a walk (other dogs, children)? Let your sitter know if there are any triggers (child, dog, cat, squirrel, bike, skateboard, etc) and what to expect when your dog encounters one of these.
[ ] Does your pet have medical issues or a medication or supplement schedule? If your pet prefers a treat with medication, make sure your sitter gets a supply. (Be sure to include extra medication or supplements in case you get delayed).
[ ] If your dog needs to go to the vet during the stay, ask the sitter if they have the means and ability to take them to the vet.
[ ] What’s your dog’s feeding schedule? Show the sitter your dog’s specific food, and provide extra in case you are delayed. To prevent food aggression, let your sitter know it’s best to feed them away from other dogs. Is your pet allowed to have treats or toys outside of what you provide? Let your sitter know if your dog has dietary restrictions.
[ ] Does your pet have any specific commands they know and follow your sitter should be aware of? For example what are their commands for come, stay, etc? Remember, the more the sitter knows about your dog and how to communicate with them, the safer the stay will be.
[ ] Do you have a cat or other small pets? What are their care needs? Make sure that all cats are added to the booking.
If the Stay is in Your Sitter’s Home
When boarding your dog in a sitter’s home, there are several questions you should ask to get a good picture of the environment your dog will be staying in. These questions get to the bottom of the routine, the living space, and how your sitter handles the animals in their care.
[ ] Will there be any dogs, cats, or small pets in the home? Are there any other adults or children in the home? Discuss any potential concerns.
[ ] If your dog is crate trained, ask the sitter about their crating policies. Let them know if you will provide your dog’s crate.
[ ] Ask the sitter about their house rules. For example, if your dog is allowed on furniture at home, will they be allowed on furniture at the sitters home?
[ ] How will you keep my dog active during the stay? Discuss your dog’s exercise needs, including if they’re leash-reactive or display behaviors like barking, lunging, or reacting to bicyclists, skateboarders, children, or cars.
[ ] Will you be supervising playtime between dogs, both inside and outside? Do you have a fenced yard? How do you monitor play between dogs? Is there a doggie door your dog uses?
[ ] Ask your sitter about what items you should bring to make your dog’s stay comfortable. (Be sure that all bowls are washed before the stay.)
[ ] Are you okay with my dog’s sleeping preferences? Discuss whether your dog sleeps in a crate, will want to sleep on the bed or couch (and if that’s okay with your sitter), or needs to be in a separate room or pen.
[ ] Are you okay with my dog’s feeding schedule? Make sure your dog’s profile has updated care instructions.
[ ] What will you do with my dog if you run an errand or go to work? Discuss whether your dog will be in a crate when your sitter’s not there, will be free to roam, or needs to be in a separate room or pen.
[ ] How often will you be able to let my dog go to the bathroom?
[ ] How much time will you be spending with my dog, and how will you keep them entertained?
[ ] How do you plan on keeping me updated? For day care stays, your sitter will send you a Rover Card at the end of each day.
If Your Sitter is Coming to Your Home
When a sitter is coming to your home, these questions will ensure that they know your house rules, your dog’s routine, and important information about your home.
[ ] What time would you be able to come by, and what time would you leave? How will that match up with your dog’s schedule?
[ ] How much time will you be spending there? Make sure to confirm if they’re just dropping in or spending the night.
[ ] Let the sitter know the house rules. What bedrooms are off limits, if guests are allowed or not, if they are allowed fridge access. Show the sitter what room they’ll be sleeping in.
[ ] Disclose any cameras in the home.
[ ] How would you like to coordinate picking up/dropping off my key? We also recommend talking about what to do or who to contact if your sitter misplaces your key.
[ ] How often will you be able to let my dog go to the bathroom?
[ ] How much time will you be spending with my dog, and how will you keep them entertained?
[ ] How do you plan on keeping me updated? For drop-in visits and dog walks, your sitter will send you a Rover Card at the end of each visit or walk.
[ ] What would you like to know about my home? You don’t have to discuss the details unless you end up booking, but we recommend giving a basic overview of:
- How your locks work.
- Using the appliances, heating/cooling, and Wi-Fi.
- The level of cleanup you’d like them to do before the end of the stay (and where those cleaning supplies are)
- What food/beverages they can consume, or if they should bring their own.
- Note: Make sure to also tell your neighbors someone will be coming to/staying at your home.
When Finding a Dog Walker
Your dog walker needs to know about your dog’s walking patterns, usual routine, and any triggers. Be sure to mention the following.
[ ] Are you okay with your dog being walked with other dogs? Discuss if you’d like your dog to be walked alone.
[ ] Does your dog have triggers? Common ones include:
- Kids
- Other dogs
- Cats
- Squirrels
- Bikes
- Skateboards
Let your sitter know what to expect when your dog encounters one of these, and what they can do to keep your dog calm.
Other Questions for Your Dog Walker
Once you’ve told your dog walker about your dogs needs, it’s important to discuss the following.
[ ] Is your timing flexible? Be sure to discuss the absolutely latest time a walk can start to eliminate any accidents in your home.
[ ] Do you have preferred routes?
[ ] Are you looking for your sitter to take your dog on frequent walks, visits to the dog park, etc? Be sure to discuss what environment you think is best for your pet.
[ ] Will your dog try to eat scraps while on the walk?
[ ] How would you like to coordinate key pick-up/drop-off?
Special Cases:
Your dog might have special needs based on breed, or maybe they aren’t spayed or neutered. Always bring up the following for these unique cases.
[ ] Do you feel comfortable taking care of a pet who is unspayed/unneutered?
[ ] Will they be around other dogs who are unspayed/unneutered?
[ ] Are there any breed specific behaviors your sitter should be aware of? (Dachshunds and Corgis should not jump off the couch, Hounds howl, herding dogs may exhibit herding tendencies)
If Your Dog is Over 100 Pounds
A big dog might not be something your sitter has seen every day. Assess their comfort level with the following questions.
[ ] Have you ever cared for this type of pet before? Or this breed/size?
[ ] Do you feel comfortable caring for this type of pet/size of pet?
[ ] How do you plan on transporting my dog to the vet if necessary?
Ready to book?
If you, your dog, and the pet care provider hit it off, congrats! If you both agree to book, you’ll need to make it official on Rover before the stay or walk begins. In case you need a refresher our Help Center covers how to book.
Every Rover service is covered by 24/7 support, access to veterinary consultation, and the Rover Guarantee.