Salvaging Your Pet Sitter Experience with Clear Instructions: A Giveaway

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

© courtesy PlanetDog.com

I've heard the same chorus from many a dog owner: "I can't afford to board or have a sitter while on vacation." I suppose neighbors, family or friends may be willing to trade off for these occasions, but making these sorts of deals is sometimes awkward. The flip side is the ease of dialing a professional who will cost you a pretty penny for her time. Keep in mind, though; you often get what you pay for. You can read more of the pros and cons of pet sitters versus dog walkers in my post this weekend at the Saturday Pet Blogger Hop. Don't miss it!


During the years when I had teenagers at home, there was an unending list of kids' friends who were always willing to drop by and walk the dogs and feed all the pets for a small fee. Those were easier times, and often cheaper than many other options.


The one challenge was getting all the instructions straight, especially when dealing with a kid. No offense meant to any teens that may read this, but sometimes the obvious is not terribly obvious. Enter Planet Dog's Pet Sitting Instructions pad. I just discovered them and had a flashback to all those hand-written instructions that may or may not have worked.

© Therese Kopiwoda,
Austin Pet First Aid via Flickr.com

Of course, my coverage of all the details for multiple pets was always perfect , but just when you think you've covered it all, well, that's when there's a surprise.


This great little pad of instructions is like an insurance policy. For a small fee to purchase one you'll always know that your list will be complete. After all, the details are all there; you simply have to fill in the blanks with phone numbers, names, food amounts, times, etc. You can purchase one at the link above in this paragraph, or find a retailer near you at this link. Or if you're feeling lucky, you can try to win one in our giveaway below. 


I was impressed that they included not only a vet #, but also an emergency vet #. Nights and weekends your pet sitter may not find your regular vet open, so this is important info to include. I might remind you that you should contact your vet(s) before you leave your pets in the care of others, simply to notify them of who will taking your place. You know--just in case.


The folks at Planet Dog also clearly know their pets' picky little preferences. There's a place on the form for what Fido or Fluffy do like, as well as what they don't like. That was a very smart addition, as many pets have one secret pet peeve that will set them off. It's good to know what that is.


I got a good chuckle when I got to the part about the special rules for what the sitter should and should not do. I found myself filling in the blank for previous pets and situations and laughing. Boy! Would this have been helpful during those teenage pet setting years. it's too late now, but it's never to late to give some pads away, right?

© Therese Kopiwoda,
Austin Pet First Aid via Flickr.com

My new-found friends at Planet Dog have offered up 10 copies of their Pet Sitting Instruction Pad in honor of 10 years of giving back through the Planet Dog Foundation. Two percent of your purchases go to help provide service and assistance dogs through grant programs. Of course, you can make a donation anytime by simply visiting this page. Keep in mind also, that you can keep up with their doings by hitting the "Like" button on their Facebook page (and mine as well!).


Ready to find out how to get your free 50-page instruction pad for your next day on the road? Here's your options for entering:

• COMMENTS are the primary form of entry--super simple since you're already here. Visit the bottom of the post to find the COMMENTS link and click.
• For 3 entries, leave me 3 comments that you have done this: Post a photo of your pup to my Facebook page with a sign that says "We Love Planet Dog Foundation and All Things Dog Blog".  You can also post your photo to  Planet Dog's Facebook page and it may be featured on our blog if you email it to me at AllThingsDogBlog@gmail.com. NOTE: Posting a photo to a Facebook page does not constitute an entry; however, your comment on my blog enters you when you confirm you have shared a photo. 
• Likewise, follow  @AllThingsDog and @PlanetDog1997 on Twitter and leave a comment here telling me you've done this.
• Let Planet Dog hear from you with a Tweet "Thx @AllThingsDog 4 hooking us up to the @PlanetDog1997 Pet Sitting Instruction #Giveaway".
• Subscribing to our blog by email, GFC, Networked Blogs, or RSS, and let me know: "I subscribe to All Things Dog Blog." .
• Tweet/Retweet and the Google+ buttons at the top of the post.
• Entries will close at 5 PM sharp on Thursday, August 4th. I'll report the winners on Friday, August 5th.

Winners will be selected from comments here on the blog that include a method of contact (URL, email, Twitter handle, etc). All Tweets, emails or other suggested entries must be followed up with a comment, as only comments register you for the drawing. Random.org will be used to select the winners. You may enter the giveaway once daily per method, but you must use a different Tweet, comment, photo, etc. each time.

This giveaway is valid to North American addresses, except in Quebec, where laws make this giveaway impossible. (Sorry!)  Entrants must be 18 or older; this offer is void where prohibited. Enough for the rules, let's get to entering.........

Full disclosure:  Thank you to Planet Dog for providing a sample of their Pet Sitter Instructions for us to review. Planet Dog has not paid us to tell you about their product and we have shared our honest opinion.