For many animal-loving kiddos, dog sitting seems like the ultimate way to earn a little cash (while logging time with their favorite four-legged friends). But when it comes to the “right” age for dog sitting, there are a few things experts recommend.
Unlike the child care age in some states, there is no minimum age at which children can legally become pet sitters. However, “children are usually ready to sit with a dog between the ages of 10 and 12,” according to Dr. Britta K. Ostermeyer, chief of psychiatry services at OU Health, University of Oklahoma, added that “for larger dogs that are more difficult to watch, children should be at least 12.
Pet sitting, according to Ostermeyer, is lower stakes than babysitting, but still, pet sitters need to be “willing to take responsibility for the pet.” “The child needs to be able to direct the pet, feed them, and needs to recognize when the dog is not well and needs to be taken for help,” he explained. “In that case, the child needs to know where to call to arrange for the pets to see a veterinarian.”
Wondering how many years you’ve been dog sitting? Here’s what the experts say.
Is there a general age when children are ready for dog sitting?
According to Dr. Heather Venkat, an associate animal veterinarian at VIP Puppies in Phoenix, says children 12 and up are usually ready for dog sitting. “But depending on the dog’s size and energy level, it may be best to wait until a child is a teenager before they tackle dog sitting,” she adds.
And remember, as Dr. Tomitra Latimer, medical director of Lurie Children’s Pediatrics in Deming: “Kids can’t be alone so it’s a good idea for the dog owner to introduce the dog to all family members. of the dog sitter.”
“Depending on the dog’s size and energy level, it may be best to wait until a child is a teenager before they tackle dog sitting.”
—Dr. Heather Venkat, veterinarian
When Tiffany Cho left Aberdeen, New Jersey with her family last summer, she did just that. After asking her 11-year-old neighbor to watch their Pomeranian for a few days, she assured him that everyone in her family was OK with it. “We live nearby, so we just asked her to take her out a few times a day, feed her, make sure she has water and that our house is not too hot,” said Cho. “But I know his mother will help him with everything, so I let him do it first.”
What are the signs that a child is ready to dog sit?
Before taking on a dog sitting gig, kids should “show signs of responsibility and maturity,” according to Venkat. Here are some indicators that a child may be on task:
- They help their own pets. Says Venkat: “If a child has pets at home, one sign they’re ready to dog-sit is if they do a good job helping and caring for their own pets.”
- They love animals. Even if a child doesn’t have a pet of their own, “a passion for pets is a good place to start,” according to Dr. Danielle Bernal, global veterinarian for the Wellness Pet Company. “At the end of the day, pet parents want to make sure their pet is happy and healthy, but they also want someone to take care of them like they do every day,” she said. “Someone who loves pets and enjoys their company is invaluable.”
“At the end of the day, pet parents want to make sure their pet is happy and healthy, but they also want someone to take care of them like they do every day.”
—Dr. Danielle Bernal, veterinarian
- They are good students. “Doing well in school and in extracurriculars is a sign that a child may be ready to dog sit,” says Venkat. “However, they must balance their time with additional tasks.”
- They do their work. “If the child shows maturity and responsibility in completing chores, such as making their bed and washing the dishes, without prompting, they may be ready for dog sitting, ” said Latimer, adding that they should also take care of themselves without being asked. (Think: You don’t have to remind them to shower or brush their teeth.)
- They have common sense. Bernal says that, while in most cases, dog sitting refers to feeding and making sure the animal gets exercise, pet owners still need the maturity and common sense to know if something is wrong. “Pet caregivers should be able to determine if the pet is not well or is not acting like its normal self,” she said. “When their pet(s) are away, a pet can become more stressed or anxious, causing mischievous or agitated behavior. Noticing that the pet hasn’t drunk enough water, passed any poop or just isn’t on their own is important to keeping a pet healthy.” Because of this, Bernal says that children who are pet sitting should always have an adult they can immediately ask for a second opinion.
- They are physically strong. If a child is watching a big dog, they need to be strong enough to manage the big dogs,” Latimer said.
If the pet-sitting job takes place outside the home, Latimer says an adult should accompany the child or teen to help or take over if needed.
Signs that a dog may not be an ideal first client for a child
In addition to the child, there is the dog to consider. Here’s what Latimer and Bernal said to remember about the end of the puppy:
- Breed size and/or number of pets. “A larger breed size or greater number of dogs may indicate that a child needs to be a little older or physically more mature to manage them, especially if on walks,” says Bernal. .
“A larger breed size or greater number of dogs may indicate that a child needs to be a little older or more physically mature to manage them, especially if on a walk.”
—Dr. Danielle Bernal, veterinarian
- The behavior of the dog. “Parents and children should consider and find out if the dog has a history of any behaviors that could pose risks to the child, others or themselves,” Latimer said. “For example: Do they play well with other animals? How do they walk on a tightrope? Do they have any triggers, like sensitivity to noise?”
- Care is required. “Even some of the smallest dogs can be a handful,” Bernal said. “If the dog is challenged or needs additional care such as medication, it may make more sense to wait a few more years or choose another dog to care for. It’s important that every child feels as safe as the pet does.”
Dog sitting skills on the *bone*
A responsible track record and passion for puppies can be good indicators of a budding pet sitter, but doing a little homework on the front-end is also important. According to Bernal and Venkat, the following skills are helpful when starting out as a dog sitter:
- A general knowledge of dog behavior. “Knowing basic dog behavior is important for kids who want to dog sit, so they can read the dog’s body language well and know how to handle them,” says Venkat. At that point, Bernal added that it’s very important to “identify a lame or sick dog” in order to keep the puppies healthy.
- Basic knowledge of animal training. Bernal also says that knowing the commands on how to behave with a dog is important.
- The feeling of the road and caution when taking the pet out for a walk. An adult should accompany younger children on walks and help older children plan a safe route for walking and/or playing.
The bottom line
According to Bernal, the most important thing is to keep pet owners, children and their families safe and make everyone’s comfort a priority. And for the younger kids: “Don’t worry,” she said. “Enlisting the help of parents or guardians is a great way to start dog sitting, especially if your first customer is a close friend or family member.”
How old are you for Care?
While there is room for interpretation when it comes to determining the appropriate age for dog sitting, there is none when it comes to joining Care as a pet sitter. To enroll, you must be at least 18, and every caregiver who joins the Care.com platform is required to undergo enhanced screening, which includes a criminal background check called CareCheck.
