The holiday season is fast approaching, and as much as we’d like to take our furry friends along to celebrate this festive time of year, sometimes it’s just not an option.

Whether it’s Uncle Al’s allergies or Grandma’s new hardwood floors keeping your pup from attending the family get-together, finding a perfect pet sitter should be at the top of your holiday to-do list. 

Kennel vs Personal Pet Sitter

For some dogs, a kennel or professional dog boarder can be the best solution. Most kennels tend to book up fast for the holidays, giving your pup many other furry friends to run and play with while you’re away. This also means you need to make your dog's reservation early but not without doing your research first!

It’s always a good idea to visit the boarding facility in advance to meet the staff that could be caring for your furbaby. Ask to see the area where they will be sleeping and how long they will be allowed out to run and play each day. Watch how the other dogs are interacting with each other and the staff.

Also, pay attention to the price. If a kennel seems super cheap, it probably means less staff and amenities, which means less time spent taking care of your precious pup. 

For some dogs, staying at a kennel can be quite stressful. A boisterous Labrador puppy will need a very different environment to an older pug who just wants to sit on someone’s lap! For dogs who are older or experience discomfort and anxiety when they are surrounded by strangers and a lot of commotion, it’s better to have a personal pet sitter. 

Personal Pet Sitter Perks

If you can't take your dog with you, the next best option would be to have a person they already love and trust spoil them while you’re away. This could be a family member, friend, or if you travel often a professional live-in pet sitter. Given the option, we bet most dogs would opt to stay home with all their toys, treats, and comfortable everyday surroundings.

Hiring a live-in pet sitter is also kind of a two-for-one deal—you have someone watching over your house and your dog! Plus, you’ll be able to relax knowing your dog is getting spoiled rotten, which will make this as much of a vacation for them as it is for you.

Here are some things to keep in mind it comes to picking a live-in pet sitter for the holidays:

• Take recommendations from people you know and trust, like your vet.
• Ask for rufferences from previous pups.
• Schedule meet and greets to see how potential sitters get along with your pup and determine which best matches their personality.
• Ask what their holiday plans are, so you understand just how often they will be away from the house too.

Prep a Doggie Handbook

We wouldn't' be pet parents if we didn't' worry about them while we were away! The best way to help ease your mind is to prepare a doggie handbook for your sitter. Include detailed instructions about your pup's dietary requirements, feeding schedule, exercise routine, and any emergency contact numbers they should know.

Leave notes about their behavior and habits like, "keep the lid down on the toilet so that Sparky can't drink out of it," or "hide your socks from Stella, or you'll never see them again." If your dog has any health conditions or requires medicine, note how much and when it should be given. Don't forget to include any special tricks to getting your pup to swallow pills. 

A good pet sitter is worth their weight in gold, frankincense and myrrh! Hopefully these tips will help you will find the perfect person to take care of your pup this holiday season.