Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Dog Sitter

🎯 Role Definition

A Dog Sitter provides reliable, compassionate, and professional pet care services for clients who need short-term or recurring care for their dogs. This role includes dog walking, feeding, administering medications, monitoring health and behavior, providing enrichment and basic training reinforcement, and maintaining the safety and cleanliness of the pet’s environment. The dog sitter acts as a trusted liaison with pet owners and can responsibly manage emergency situations, coordinate veterinary care, and deliver timely photo/text updates. This position is ideally suited for candidates with proven experience in dog care, strong communication skills, and a commitment to animal welfare and client satisfaction.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Pet owner or experienced volunteer at an animal shelter
Dog walker or part-time pet sitter
Veterinary clinic assistant or kennel attendant

Advancement To:

Lead Dog Sitter / Area Coordinator for a pet care company
Professional Dog Trainer or Behavior Specialist
Pet Care Operations Manager or Small Business Owner (pet sitting/walking service)

Lateral Moves:

Pet Groomer
Veterinary Technician Assistant
Kennel Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Provide reliable, scheduled dog walking services that include safe leash handling, route planning, and appropriate exercise based on the dog's age, breed, and health needs while maintaining control in high-traffic or distraction-heavy environments.
Prepare and serve meals according to the dog's feeding schedule, portion sizes, and dietary restrictions; monitor appetite and report any changes or concerns to the owner.
Administer medications (oral, topical, and injectables such as insulin when required) precisely as directed by the owner or veterinarian, maintain detailed medication logs, and communicate any adverse reactions immediately.
Conduct overnight stays and in-home pet sitting, offering companionship, nighttime checks, and consistent adherence to the household routines to minimize stress for the dog.
Provide supervised off-leash play and enrichment activities where safe and appropriate, using puzzle feeders, toys, and training games to support mental stimulation and prevent boredom.
Perform basic grooming and hygiene tasks such as brushing, wiping paws, cleaning ears, and checking for fleas/ticks; report any skin issues, matting, or grooming needs to the owner.
Observe and document health indicators including bathroom behavior, energy level, appetite, respiration, vomiting/diarrhea, limping, and any unusual behaviors; deliver daily or on-demand written and photo updates to owners.
Handle safe pick-up and drop-off logistics, including transporting dogs to vet appointments, daycare, or grooming facilities following owner permissions and ensuring secure restraint and crate use when necessary.
Manage multiple-dog households or small playgroups by supervising interactions, enforcing safe play, breaking up escalations calmly, and separating dogs when appropriate to prevent injury.
Follow and reinforce client-defined training cues and behavior plans (sit, stay, recall, leave-it) consistently to support owners’ continuity of training and positive behavior outcomes.
Implement emergency and evacuation procedures in the event of fire, natural disaster, or other urgent situations; know when to contact the owner and when to seek veterinary care.
Maintain cleanliness and sanitation of bowls, bedding, crate areas, and pet waste removal; dispose of waste responsibly and maintain hygiene standards in client homes.
Complete thorough client intake forms and walk-throughs to assess home and pet needs, document access protocols, alarm codes, and any special home care tasks (plant watering, mail collection) requested by owners.
Coordinate care with veterinarians, trainers, and groomers as needed, providing accurate behavioral and health observations to help professionals deliver appropriate follow-up care.
Use pet-sitting and scheduling apps, GPS tracking for walks, and client communication platforms to log visits, upload photos/videos, and accept payments or tips as required.
Conduct initial meet-and-greets to evaluate temperament, suitability for services, and any special handling or equipment needs (muzzles, harnesses, crates).
Provide short, on-the-spot behavioral interventions (redirection, time-outs, calm leadership) during walks or visits while documenting outcomes and recommending training referrals if needed.
Enforce vaccination and licensing requirements by verifying records and advising clients when vaccinations are out-of-date or when additional precautions are necessary for communal play settings.
Ensure secure home access and respect client privacy and property while performing pet care duties, including locking doors, activating alarms (when authorized), and leaving clear activity notes after each visit.
Offer flexible, on-call coverage for last-minute bookings or emergencies within a reasonable radius when scheduling permits, prioritizing existing client commitments and safety.
Maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality, build long-term relationships with clients through reliable service, and actively solicit feedback to improve services and client satisfaction.

Secondary Functions

Provide light household care while pet sitting, such as collecting mail, rotating lights, and watering plants to maintain an occupied-home appearance.
Assist owners with routine pet supply management by noting low supplies (food, medication, waste bags) and suggesting reordering or delivering essentials upon request.
Support ad-hoc owner requests like administering temporary dietary changes, introducing new toys/food gradually, or integrating new puppy care routines under owner guidance.
Participate in local community or company training sessions on animal behavior, pet first aid, and safety best practices to keep skills current and service quality high.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Pet first aid and CPR certified (preferred) — able to perform basic life-saving measures and stabilize injured dogs until veterinary care is available.
Experienced in administering medications (oral, topical, insulin injections) and maintaining accurate medication and health logs.
Strong leash handling and canine control techniques for reactive or high-energy dogs, including secure harness and head-collar use.
Proficient with scheduling and pet-care apps (e.g., Rover, Wag, TimeToPet, PetExec) and comfortable uploading photos, notes, and GPS-tracked walks.
Safe animal transport skills, including crate etiquette, secure vehicle restraint, and basic sanitation of transport equipment.
Knowledgeable about canine body language, common illnesses, parasite prevention, and when to escalate concerns to a veterinarian.
Ability to perform light grooming tasks (brushing, ear cleaning, nail monitoring) and recognize when professional grooming or veterinary attention is needed.
Basic household maintenance relevant to pet sitting: cleaning pet messes, laundry for bedding, and sanitizing bowls and crates.
Comfortable handling multiple dogs and performing safe introductions, pack management, and supervised group play.
Valid driver’s license and clean driving record when client transportation or errands are part of the role (preferred).

Soft Skills

Exceptional communication skills: prompt text/email updates, clear photo/video reporting, and professional client interactions.
Reliability and punctuality with proven time-management skills and a commitment to scheduled visits.
High degree of empathy and patience working with anxious, elderly, or special-needs dogs.
Problem-solving and calm decision-making under stress, particularly in emergencies or unexpected behavioral issues.
Trustworthiness, discretion, and respect for client homes and privacy.
Customer-service orientation with the ability to build long-term client relationships and earn repeat bookings.
Flexibility and adaptability to changing routines, last-minute requests, and varied household rules.
Attention to detail for following feeding, medication, and exercise instructions precisely.
Teamwork and coordination when working with other sitters, household staff, or pet care businesses.
Professional boundaries and the ability to provide constructive recommendations (trainers, vet follow-up) while respecting owner autonomy.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED preferred; equivalent life experience with animals accepted.

Preferred Education:

Certification in pet first aid/CPR, animal behavior, canine care, or a related vocational program.
Coursework or certification in companion animal behavior, veterinary assisting, or pet care management.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Animal Science
Veterinary Technology / Veterinary Assisting
Companion Animal Behavior
Pet Care Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

Entry-level to experienced: 0–5 years of hands-on dog care (many clients prefer 1–3 years of professional pet sitting or dog walking experience).

Preferred:

1–3 years of documented professional dog sitting or dog walking, with references.
Experience administering medications and managing dogs with special needs (senior dogs, medical conditions, anxiety/reactivity).
Prior client-facing roles demonstrating responsibility, punctuality, and strong communication.