Dog sitting: everything you need to know to start
Sign up and receive 5 £.
Book the ideal provider for your home services.
Do you love dogs? Do you have experience in pet sitting? Long-haired, short-haired, small or large, are they all in your blood?
✅ You might be perfect for dog sitting!
If your love for animals has brought you to this page, you've made the right choice because I’m going to explain how to become a fantastic dog sitter and even earn money while living your passion for animals.
This guide is structured as follows:
Yoojo is here for you!
With so many dog sitters across the UK, the dog sitter of your dreams is surely nearby.
To discover all our guarantees and book the best pet sitters on our platform, visit this page:
A quick beginner's FAQ
If you're new to the world of dog sitting, having heard about it during a conversation with your cousin and are curious but unsure what to expect, the following FAQ will answer some of your questions… then you can decide whether to dive in or not!
Here, we'll talk about:
- definition
- legal age
- rates
What is dog sitting? And is it for me?
Dog sitting is simply dog care at home, just like the service that is offered on Yoojo.
It's a bit like babysitting, but for our four-legged friends. In other words, the dog sitter is a nanny for dogs, with all the responsibilities that entails:
rigour
responsibility
knowledge of dogs
tenderness
patience
flexibility
motivation
As I will explain in this guide, dog sitting is much more than just waiting patiently for the dog owners to return home.
Dog sitting is a passion, a vocation!
I’m under 18: can I look after dogs?
Sorry, but you're a bit too young for pet sitting, miss!
Here’s a message we often receive at Yoojo:
It’s a sensible question! Babysitting often serves as an entry point into the world of work for teenagers looking to save some money.
So, it’s natural to wonder if it’s possible to do dog sitting at 15 years old.
The answer is: NO
Unfortunately, younger readers will need to find another source of income. Dog sitting is a regulated and registered job… So it’s impossible to become a professional dog sitter if you’re under 18.
Dog sitting services: what salary to expect?
What a great day to be a dog sitter!
Let’s get straight to the point—let's talk about money, specifically the salary you can expect!
Firstly, it’s important to note that it’s rare to have recurring dog-sitting jobs with the same owner.
In the UK, dog sitting is mostly a one-off service, often related to holidays. In fact, on Yoojo, one-off dog-sitting requests account for 90% of all enquiries.
So, you’ll be paid per service! But how much?
The average hourly rate on Yoojo :
Next, it all depends on the service requested.
The rates will be cheaper when:
only a visit is needed to feed the dog
it's just a daily walk
The highest-paid dog-sitting services include:
the animal stays at your home for several days
you have to carry out multiple daily tasks: walks, feeding, playtime
In this case, you can charge between £10 and £12 per hour.
Do you have many years of experience or a certification? Your hourly rate could be a bit higher.
You need to download our free App to become a Dog sitter on Yoojo :
Dog sitting: for what needs?
So, what exactly does a dog sitter do? That's an important question.
Dog sitting is growing in the UK, becoming an increasingly popular mode of pet care. Just on Yoojo, over 7000 pet sits have been completed this year… the need is certainly there, and you will find work!
Here are some examples of needs expressed by our members to give you a clearer picture:
1. A family wants to have their dogs looked after while they go out to dinner :
2. Looking for someone to take care of a dog during the holidays because its owners can’t take it with them :
There’s even a service on Yoojo specifically for dog walking… great for those who spend long hours at work.
There is a real need for dog sitting that just waits to be filled by talented animal lovers.
All that's left is to sign up and prepare for your first gigs… and luckily, I’ll explain how to do that just below.
I want to look after dogs: where to start?
So, you’ve made your choice—you want to do dog sitting? Welcome to this wonderful world! Let me explain how to get started!
The first step of your adventure is to choose a website where you can sign up. There are plenty of jobbing sites online, but I highly recommend signing up on Yoojo because:
insurance is included for all dog sitters
free registration
no subscription fees like on other sites
payment per service— the more you work, the more you earn
over 20,000 job listings already posted—you’re bound to find work!
Once you’ve registered, you’ll need to provide your identification documents for your profile to be validated.
At Yoojo, you’ll need to provide your ID and National Insurance number, which will be verified by our team. This is an important safety measure for our clients... there are no pseudonyms at Yoojo, all dog sitters apply with their real names!
Now… you’ll need to fill out your profile correctly to secure your first assignments. I’ll guide you on how to become the best dog sitter in your area, using examples from our top providers.
How to develop your dog-sitting business?
Your registration is complete and validated! It’s time to apply for your first dog-sitting assignments.
❌ But not so fast!
Most dog sitters who rush into things end up giving up because no clients choose them... And that's understandable; often their profiles do not have enough detail.
Profiles often have no description, not much experience, and it doesn’t attract many clients.
Fortunately, there are many fantastic profiles you can draw inspiration from.
How to showcase your profile? And become a dog sitting pro
As a new dog sitter, it’s essential to market yourself well to land your first assignments, and this starts with a standout profile that makes clients want to choose you.
Dog sitting is much more than a job; it's a calling, a well-written profile can make the difference.
💡 Tip to Remember:
Take the time to write a good description that tells your story and what kind of person you are. That will make all the difference!
In addition to having written a great description, you can also verify your profile to be even more trustworthy! Don't hesitate to add any relevant qualifications.
Your qualifications are crucial for gaining the trust of potential clients. If you have any, don’t forget to showcase them.
💡 Tip to Remember:
If you have useful qualifications, make sure to get them validated!
💡 Tip to Remember:
Having the right equipment is essential for your clients. Don’t hesitate to mention it in your description!
My first dog-sitting job: how to prepare well?
Everything is looking good: your profile is great, you have all the necessary equipment and certifications to succeed... it’s time to prepare for your first assignment!
We’ll explain everything you need to know to ensure that your first time isn’t your last.
Where to find dogs to look after?
If you have downloaded our jobber app, simply define your city and area of activity, and we will automatically suggest requests around you, as long as you meet the owner's needs. You just need to apply to hope to be selected.
If you’re using the website, you can regularly check our dog-sitting job offers page and filter by city. Offer your services when an ad matches your criteria:
Good communication with the dog owner: an important factor in reassurance
As mentioned earlier, communication is key. You wouldn’t trust just anyone with your dog, so it’s important to explain your experience and why you’re the best pet sitter for the job.
Once you’re selected, it’s time to organise the service.
Be clear with the owner about how the day will go:
I’ll pick up Fido at 1pm for a walk in the park
Then we’ll do this or that
We’ll be back home around 3pm
I’ll feed him at XX o’clock
Also, make sure to explain what you’d do if any issues arise:
Do you know the number of the nearest vet?
Do you have any animal first aid training?
Be curious, ask the owner questions… show that you’re genuinely interested in their dog:
What breed is he?
Does he have any health issues?
Does he have any quirks you should be aware of?
Does he get along well with other dogs?
Lastly, an important point: communicate with the owner a few days before the service, just to reassure them that everything is on track.
Keep the owner updated every day
The big day has finally arrived!
It’s important to reassure the owner of the dog you’re looking after on a daily basis. The best way to do this is to send photos and videos every day:
of meals
when you’re playing
when he’s taking a well-deserved nap
The owner will never tire of receiving 2-3 updates a day about their beloved furry friend!
Finally, don’t forget to send a little message at the end of the day to summarise what you did:
how many meals did he have and what did he eat?
what activities did you do today?
Conclusion: Dog sitting is fantastic
What better job than spending your time caring for an adorable pooch!
You now have all the keys to become the best dog sitter in your area.
And remember, the best way to secure jobs is to perform well in your initial assignments to gather good ratings and reviews.
Ultimately, it’s the ratings and feedback from previous clients that will weigh heavily when the dog owner makes their choice.
Download the Yoojo App to start your Dog Sitting Business :
Find out more about our pet sitting services and all the providers near you.
Click to book a pet sitting service