How do you know if a sitter is the right choice for you?
You scroll through profiles and see lots of friendly animal lovers with plenty of pet-sitting experience. But how do you know if a sitter is really the right choice for you?
The most important step in the selection process is the Meet & Greet.
At Pawshake, this is always free, and even required to be eligible for the Pawshake Guarantee. Why? Simple. It’s the best way to determine if the sitter is a good fit for you and your pet.
Here are 5 signs that show you’ve found a great sitter:
The sitter asks specific questions
A good sitter is curious. You can recognise quality in a sitter who doesn’t just ask “when” and “what time,” but also asks specific questions about your pet and your preferences.
Good questions might include:
The personality and daily routine of your pet
How your dog reacts to other people and animals
Whether and for how long they can be left alone
What they find scary and what comforts them
How they behave during walks
A good sitter wants to know not just about your dog, but also about what works for you — for example, your preferred style of communication or household routines.
The sitter’s body language
During the meet & greet, you can learn a lot not just by listening, but also by watching closely 👀. Experienced sitters often show certain signals through their body language.
A good sitter will:
Not immediately jump on the dog
Avoid petting or “leaning” heavily on the dog
Avoid staring directly and maintain gentle eye contact
Let the dog initiate contact
Use calm movements
Speak in a calm voice
Take their time, no rushing
Many people think a good sitter should be very enthusiastic and hug the dog a lot. But it actually feels safer for the dog (or cat) when they can set the pace themselves.
The dog’s body language
While you’re observing body language, pay close attention to your dog’s behaviour as well.
Your dog doesn’t need to be immediately happy and excited when meeting the sitter. They don’t have to become best friends right away — humans don’t either when we meet someone new! Dogs, like us, need time to get to know someone at their own pace. It’s best to let your dog take the lead and set the tempo. So it’s perfectly normal if your dog is a bit cautious at first.
However, you should take signs of fear or stress seriously, such as:
Lip licking
Showing the whites of the eyes
Yawning
Panting
Stiff tail
Retreating
Freezing
Your dog doesn’t need to jump excitedly on the sitter, but relaxed curiosity is a good sign.
Watch your dog closely: do they sniff carefully? Do they relax after a few minutes? Do you see soft eyes and a relaxed tail? Do they walk away for a moment and then return to sniff curiously? If yes, your dog feels comfortable.
The sitter sets clear boundaries
It may seem odd, but a good, professional sitter sets clear limits.
If someone says, “All dogs are welcome! I’ll walk your dog four times a day for an hour each! Whatever you ask, I’ll do it!” — that might be too good to be true. Promising the world but leaving expectations vague can lead to misunderstandings.
A quality sitter clearly explains what can and cannot be done. For example:
“Dogs are not allowed on the couch”
“The dog can only be left alone for a maximum of one hour”
“I’ll walk the dog three times a day: two short walks and one long walk [specifying time]”
“I do/do not have experience with anxious / shy / energetic / high-energy dogs [specify clearly]”
By setting honest boundaries, the sitter shows responsibility, and you can make a realistic, informed decision based on that information.
You feel free to ask questions
It can be nerve-wracking to “leave” your dog in a new environment with someone you don’t know yet. It’s completely normal to have lots of questions, and to have specific requests — for example, if your dog can’t be left alone for long or has particular routines.
A good match feels open. You feel welcome and understood.
If you have doubts — for example, if you feel like you’re being “difficult” or shouldn’t ask too much — trust that feeling. After the meet & greet, you can always decide to end the contact. Trust is the most important factor.
Do you still have questions or want to share something? You can reach out with any questions at any time during the booking process to our local Customer Support.
