Im wondering how the food thing goes. Do I provide the food, or do I request the dog owners provide it? Because changing the type of food for some dogs can cause stomach discomfort...
Here's more than you want to know - In my experience, dog owners provide anything their dog needs to be comfortable. This includes:
I provide:
Your list is nearly identical to mine, except I do require all dogs to have their own I.D. tags. which they wear all the time. One owner had a harness made with the dog's name and phone number embroidered on the chest. But I've wanted to have temporary stay tags as well. Where did you have your tags made?
My dogs also come with their own ID tags but I want them to have one with my name on it for the duration of their stay. The site from which I order my tags is Boomerang (http://www.boomerangtags.com/)
Absolutely, I've wanted to get tags especially for the dog's stay with me. I was looking at all sorts of fun graphic ones. Pricey pricey! The no-tag dog came with a vanity collar and leash that had probably belonged to another dog, as there were rabies tags dated from a year older than the dog. I would imagine the owner's mother had the harness made up. Thanks, I'll check out the Boomerang site.
What an awesome idea! I'm definitely going to start using ID tags with my number on them just in case!
That dog tag idea is genius and I am going to have that made up at the hardware store right away! My local hardware store does dog tags for $7 or 9 (I can't remember, it's been a while since I had my dog's made). On top of that list, I always have a spare leash (I've had incidents where the owner walked off with their leash at drop off and neither of us noticed until they were at the airport) and offer the use of my crate if their dog is small enough for it (< 45 lbs.) and they don't want to haul their own around (while my dog is crate-trained, I don't crate him except in emergencies). To amend that list slightly, I provide poop bags to my sitters when I put my dog with one. Perhaps special circumstances (grocery bags...
Definitely, you are correct... the owners need to provide the food to prevent stomach discomfort and potential resulting issues. Food / amount is one of the things I always discuss this during the meet and greet, so the owner also doesn't consider changing food for the stay (as an occasional new owner might think of doing).
I request that the owner provides any food and treats for their dog. I do keep extra treats for when owners do not pack any, but the food is a must. Each dog has a different diet, so providing the food yourself would be too expensive and difficult.
You shouldn't have to ask for them to provide food! They will supply it for your convenience and for their dog's health. I always ask the brand and kind in case I run out during the stay. That shouldn't happen if they have measured it out for you before! The best thing they can do is measure out individual bags of food for each meal! That isn't necessary though!
I always feel bad when the owner spends time measuring out the dog's food into individual baggies unless there's some special consideration (raw diet springs to mind). I own a measuring scoop and just need to know how much and when. And, yes, they should provide their own so that their dog is happy and healthy!
Owners always provide their own food, treats etc. and I only feed what they provide. The last thing you want is a puppy with an upset tummy during their stay... I like Carmen C's list above and I love the idea of having a tag with your sitter info on it. Thanks for the idea!! Your list is very similar to mine, but I always ask them to provide a harness too. I only walk dogs on harness as it's too easy for one to slip out of their collar and be gone...
ABSOLUTELY! I even list a disclaimer that I will go out and buy a dog's regular food and then charge them for it if they don't provide it. Changing food is definitely something that upsets dog tummys, and you don't want that during the stay!