How Do I Interview For A Professional Dog Sitter?
Many of us have at one time or another interviewed for a baby sitter or perhaps have been on the other side of the situation and have been interviewed for a baby sitting job. Now, you may be faced with a similar situation for your family dog and are in need of hiring a professional dog sitter. Perhaps your family is taking the first vacation since adding a dog to the family and you are nervous about selecting just the right person to care for this very important family member. The safety and well being of your dog while you are away if very much on your mind as you search for ways to find this qualified pet sitter.
You have done your groundwork by getting recommendations from neighbors, your vet and the local humane society and you have a list of local professional pet sitters. You have called and arranged for a handful of them to come to your house in a few days and you want to be prepared for the interviews. Here are a few interview tips so that you can be confident picking the most qualified match for your dog.
Your goal during each interview will be to learn as much as possible from each potential pet sitter. You will want to first of all do a phone interview prior to the date of your home interview to screen out any undesireable individuals and to make sure that your valuable time is not wasted on someone that is not suitable at all for the job.
Here are some sample phone interview questions:
Can you provide for me some written document that show me that you have liability insurance that covers accidents or negligence on your part? Are you bonded against theft or by any “employees or helpers that you the sitter may use”.
What training or certification do you have in the pet sitting field?
Do you make notes or keep a record of any kind regarding your visits to my home during the sitting assignment?
If you keep records or notes what kind of details will you provide me? Will you write about my dog’s habits, routine, eating or playing behavior? Will you record activities you do with my dog, or medications if any that you give him/her?
Are you associated with a local veterinarian who can provide emergency services for my dog if he/she needs it?
Do you have a backup sitter if you should become ill or unable to perform your sitting duties? Will I be able to meet your backup sitter?
Do you perform any other services besides dog care?
Do you provide live-in services?
How much time can you devote to my dog while I am away?
Can you provide me with a list of other pet sitting clients that have used you recently so that I can check these for references?
If you are satisfied that they can answer your phone questions and can bring requested documentation and references to your home interview than verify the date of the home interview.
Never hire anyone over the phone without meeting them in person. You will want to see how your dog reacts to the sitter and be able to verify certification and references before hiring a pet sitter.
Ask for references that you can check while speaking with them on the phone and check these references before the date of the home interview. If you receive bad news on these reference checks you won’t need to bother with the home interview.
During the Home Interview:
You will want to ask for any documentation or references that the pet sitter promised to bring. Have a list of “what if this happens while your are caring for my dog” ask what they would do in these situations. Suggestions of questions would be:
What if my dog becomes ill, what would you do?
What if my dog misbehaves in my absence how will you handle him/her?
If there is a local weather emergency what will you do for my dog?
After you are satisfied with the answers, it is time to watch how your dog interacts with the pet sitter. Observe the meeting and how the sitter puts your dog at ease. Does the sitter show interest in your dog? Does your dog like the sitter or is your dog wary of the sitter?
Does the sitter bring any toys or treats for your dog? Does the sitter interact or play with your dog?
Does the sitter seem knowledgeable about dog grooming or other daily care routines?
Do you get along with the sitter and feel comfortable?
Consider a trial run such as a weekend sitting job prior to leaving for an extended assignment to see how the sitter does and to work out any additional details that crop up.
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