Setting Molly Up for Success with the House Sitters
1️⃣ Setting Molly Up for Success with the House Sitters
We’ll soon have a house sitter staying with Molly while we’re away, and my first concern was how she’d cope with the change. I wasn’t sure how she’d feel about someone else being in the house or about us not being there — and I really want to make the experience as stress-free as possible for her.
Thinking about Molly’s feelings and routine, I decided to create a plan to help her feel comfortable before the sitters arrive.
We’ve already had an introduction so Molly could meet them in her own environment. Ideally, I would have liked them to visit a few times before the stay so she could build familiarity, but that wasn’t possible this time.
To help her adjust, I started by changing where she sleeps. Molly usually sleeps in our bedroom, but the sitters will be using the spare room. So, for the past few nights, I’ve been sleeping in that room myself to help her associate it with comfort and safety. I’ve kept our bedroom door closed so she doesn’t wander back to her usual spot. It’s taken about three days, but she’s now happily settling into the new room — a small but important step in helping her understand what will happen while we’re away.
2️⃣ Considering Your Dog’s Needs on Holiday
When planning a holiday, it’s really important to think about what your dog will do while you’re away. I’ve tried boarding kennels in the past — probably four or five in total — but I haven’t come across any that were ideal. Part of that might have been because I used to take both of my dogs, Ollie and Molly, at the same time, and they were often too anxious in that situation.
That said, boarding kennels do have some advantages: they’re safe, contained, and your dog gets to know the staff from previous visits. So it wasn’t a bad option — just not perfect.
As I’ve continued my training journey and learned more about canine behavior and emotions, I’ve realized that for Molly (and really, for many dogs), staying in a familiar home environment is often better. Even small changes to routine can trigger anxiety or behavioral issues that we might mistake for “misbehavior.”
This means, as owners, we need to think carefully about how we prepare our dogs for time away. If we’re going on holiday, do we take them with us? If they’re staying behind, how do we make sure their environment is comfortable and familiar?
Here’s a simple routine I’ve been following to help Molly adjust before the house sitters arrive:
Morning: Walk and breakfast as usual, keeping the timing consistent.
Daytime: Access to favorite toys and comfort items, and a quiet space to rest.
Evening: Short training or enrichment session to keep her mentally stimulated.
Bedtime: Molly goes to the room she’ll be sleeping in while we’re away, with me spending a few nights there myself to help her adjust.
Even small touches — a favorite toy, maintaining feeding times, and keeping routines consistent — can make a huge difference in reducing stress. Our dogs rely on us not just for physical care, but for emotional support too. By planning with their emotional needs in mind, we can make holidays and breaks in routine much easier for them.
3️⃣ Preparing the Sitters
As I mentioned earlier, the house sitters have already met Molly, which is a big step in helping her feel comfortable. Beyond that, I want to make everything as easy and stress-free for them as possible.
I’ve organized all her medication — the right days, the right dosages — so they won’t need to worry about calculating anything. I’ve also stocked enough of her favorite raw food and treats in the cupboard. To make sure nothing gets forgotten, I’m writing everything down on a running checklist that I keep updating with little details along the way.
I also include notes about her quirks — for example, she can be quite barky, which is just part of her breed — so the sitters know what to expect.
To keep her busy and happy, I’ve prepared enrichment activities:
Lickymats: I fill about a dozen in advance and freeze them so they’re ready to go.
Trick training: I’ll leave out her training book in case the sitters want to try a few new tricks.
Walks: She enjoys short, sniff-filled strolls around the block.
It’s only for two weeks, so it will be interesting to see how she adjusts and to hear the feedback. By keeping her routine predictable and giving the sitters clear instructions, I hope she stays happy, comfortable, and entertained while we’re away.
4️⃣ Quick Tips for Preparing Your Dog for Time Away
Introduce sitters gradually: Let your dog meet them a few times before the stay if possible.
Maintain routines: Keep walks, feeding times, and bedtime consistent.
Prepare medications and food: Pre-measure doses and stock favorite meals and treats.
Leave a checklist: Include daily tasks, quirks, and emergency contacts for sitters.
Create comfort zones: Set up sleeping and resting areas in advance with familiar bedding or toys.
Provide enrichment: Prep Lickymats, puzzle toys, or short training sessions to keep them mentally stimulated.
Communicate quirks and habits: Let sitters know about barking, play preferences, or any triggers.
Short, enjoyable walks: Keep exercise simple and familiar, letting your dog sniff and explore at their own pace.
Keep it positive: Make time away as stress-free and predictable as possible for your dog.
Conclusion
Planning for your dog while you’re on holiday or away from home doesn’t just mean feeding and walking them — it means thinking about their emotional needs too. Small changes in routine can cause stress, but with a little preparation, you can make the experience positive for your dog and easy for the sitters.
By introducing new people gradually, keeping familiar routines, preparing food and enrichment in advance, and leaving clear instructions, you’re helping your dog feel safe, happy, and cared for — even when you’re not there.
