What do pet sitters do on a puppy visit?

New clients often have puppies who aren’t quite old enough to go on the long, hour-plus walks with your usual groups so most dog walkers start with puppy visits.

But what exactly can you do during a puppy visit once all the obvious things have been taken care of?

Let’s take a look at the obvious things which are all the tasks a client might expect, and then we’ll take a look at the not so obvious things which are tasks which will make our lives as dog walkers so much easier once the puppy is ready for walks (and helps out your client too!).

The obvious things

Cleaning up.

Usually, there might be puppy pads to pop in the trash, floors to mop (make sure you ask where they keep their cleaning equipment) and spilt water and/or food to tidy.

Toilet Break

Remember to make yourself boring whilst waiting for the puppy to pee. Any sort of excitement or opportunity to play will distract them from the task at hand.

Feeding

Puppies are normally still on a 3 or even 4 times a day feeding schedule depending on age. Remember to do a toilet break first, then feed, then another toilet break. Puppies tend to pee after a change in activities.

Play

They are going to be excited to see you so playtime is perfectly acceptable. Keep toy-play low to the ground to discourage jumping, both from a training point of view and from the perspective of their ever-growing and developing joints.

In what order should I do things?

1. Straight outside for a toilet break in case they’ve been good enough to hold it
2. Feed
3. Clean up whilst they’re eating
4. Toilet again straight after food, especially if they didn’t go the first time
5. Playtime

The Not so Obvious things

Desensitising/socialisation

Socialisation is not just about meeting other dogs, it’s about encountering all the new things which the puppy will be expected to get used to as he/she grows into an adult dog.

Taking some time to gently introduce the puppy to all the things you, as a dog walker, will need them to be comfortable with now will make your life easier and more enjoyable in the future.

You’re going to need the dog to be happy having their harness put on, a lead clipped on and being in your vehicle.

Introduce your Vehicle

As long as the puppy has had all their vaccinations, take them out to your vehicle to explore and get them used to it.

Let them sniff around the place where they’ll be travelling, whether that’s a crate or a seat.

Let them build confidence by exploring the footwell or sniffing where the other dogs have been sitting.

If they’re confident and happy, try closing the door to get them used to the noise.

And once happy with that, you can even start the engine so they get to know the sound and aren’t frightened by it.

Keep in mind the aim is to allow the puppy to explore at their own speed, never forced and never going to the next stage unless they’re happy and confident.

Introduce a Lead

Lots of owners won’t even think about introducing a lead to their puppy unless they’re old enough for walks so it helps everyone if you do it as part of your puppy pop-ins.

Puppies may become nervous about the sound of the clip on a collar or harness, or the fact that they can see something out of the corner of their eye, or that they can no longer run off now they have the lead on, so a gentle introduction is key.

Allow the puppy to sniff the lead whilst it’s on the floor, they might even mouth it or pick it up, but at this stage, any investigation of it should be rewarded with praise and a positive response from you.

Clicking the clip to get them used to the noise, and holding their collar when you move it towards them should be the next tiny steps to take. The more confident your puppy is, the faster you can progress but still stick to tiny steps so as not to overwhelm the puppy.

Then clip the lead on, let them see it and have a walk around the garden and house with it on until they’re comfortable.

Introduce a Harness

Putting a harness on can be a struggle for some owners with the puppy either becoming anxious or turning it into a game.

Introducing the puppy to the harness early on ensures they’re familiar with it and that they get used to how it’s put on (over the head, or if their legs get handled to put them through leg holes etc.)

Introduce a harness exactly as you did with the lead, slowly, let them investigate and take baby steps when getting them used to having it put on.

Settle before you leave

And finally, don’t forget to settle the puppy before you leave.

Stopping playtime, settling back in their crate or pen, and hand feeding a few pieces of food can calm and relax the puppy ready for you to leave and avoids leaving them in a hyped-up state ready to destroy their puppy pad as soon as you’ve left.

Extras

New puppy owners are obsessed!

Any little extras such as hand written ‘school reports’ left about their puppy’s day, or messages and photos sent to them personally along with making a massive fuss about the new puppy over your social media channels can really strengthen the bond between your business and your new client.

And of course, makes sure you’ll be walking their dogs (and all their friends dogs) for years to come.

How to start a successful dog walking business in 2023