Paw Pals Pet Sitting

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Dog Boarding or Dog Sitting Services: Which is Better?

March 18, 2019 by Mary Telesz

A female dog sitter sitting with a dogFor dog owners, going out of town can be extremely stressful when you have to consider who is going to care for your dog in your absence. If you can’t bring your dog with you, you’re left with two options: dog boarding or hiring dog sitting services. This may not be an easy decision because there are so many factors that need to be considered when it comes to ensuring your dog is most comfortable and well taken care of. These include things such as the cost and quality of care, and the safety of your dog. While both dog boarding and dog sitting services have their pros and cons, ultimately, your dog will surely appreciate being able to say in the comfort of their own home.

Pros of Dog Boarding

In recent years, dog boarding has made some drastic improvements and has transitioned away from the cold, concrete, steel cages you might be picturing. Kennels have started to shift to becoming more like pet hotels with the increasing amenities they offer. These amenities can include things like pools, one-on-one play dates, and massages. Dog kennels tend to have different packages that you can choose from that allow you to select which amenities you want and how much personal attention you want your dog to receive. This personal attention is usually extremely important in making sure that your dog feels comfortable and safe, however it can get expensive.

Cons of Dog Boarding

One of the major drawbacks of dog boarding is that your dog may not be comfortable with leaving your home. If you have an anxious dog, a dog that suffers from separation anxiety, or an older dog that has never been boarded before, it’s best to avoid dog boarding altogether. Dog kennels can be extremely stressful environments, and if your dog isn’t suited for it, they may grow uncomfortable. Some dogs just can’t handle being boarded and having to be placed in an unfamiliar environment with other dogs they may not get along with for the duration of their stay.

Pros of Dog Sitting Services

Dog sitter smiling while hugging a dogHiring dog sitting services can solve many of the problems that come with dog boarding. Your dog will be stress-free in their own home, will be able to receive personalized care and attention at no additional cost, and you can have the comfort of knowing the dog sitter is well-trained. Professional dog sitters are also a better option than having a friend or family member stay with your dog. This is because they are trained in Pet CPR and first aid, so they know the signs to look for and what to do in case of an emergency.

Overnight Stays

Though your dog won’t have 24/7 care, you can work with your dog sitter to find the right amount of care that works for you. There are different options where a sitter can come for 30, 45, or 60 minutes to take care of your dog and spend time with them throughout the day. If you are worried about your dog being left alone overnight, you can have a dog sitter come to stay in your home during nighttime hours. Overnight stays are for a total of 12 hours and begin between 7-10pm. A 30 minute evening and morning walk is included. You can also schedule additional mid-day visits as needed.

Get To Know Your Dog Sitter

You can ease your worries about a stranger entering your home for the first time by meeting your dog sitter ahead of time to establish a trusting relationship. An added benefit is that your dog sitter can do more than just care for your dog, they can also keep an eye on your house while you’re gone. They can bring in the mail and newspaper, water your plants, and inform you if anything should go wrong. You can request that they clean up your yard after your dog does their business, and have them pick up any supplies your pup may need while you’re gone.

Minor Drawbacks of Dog Sitting Services

Male dog sitter on the couch petting a dogWhile the cons of dog sitting services are minor, they are a few minor drawbacks. Your dog will not have round the clock care. However, a pet sitter will spend enough quality time with your dog during their visits so that your dog will feel more relaxed and comfortable knowing that they have a human to look after them. A second con is that you are welcoming a stranger into your home, at least at first. Your dog may have some apprehension meeting another human caretaker for the first time, however once your dog becomes familiar and comfortable with their dog sitter, they will likely warm up to them. Your dog sitter will take the time to feed and play with your dog so that they won’t feel too anxious without their owner around. You can ease your worries about this by meeting your dog sitter ahead of time to establish a trusting relationship.

Acquire Dog Sitting Services

More often than not, acquiring dog sitting services is going to be the best care option for your dog while you’re out of town. Dog sitters have the training, compassion, and experience to bond with your dog and make sure they are well taken care of. For more information about the benefits of dog sitting services and to schedule an initial meeting with a dog sitter, contact Local Paw Pals to get started

Filed Under: Pet Sitting

Contact Paw Pals for More Information

Paw Pals specializes in professional dog walking, dog sitting, and pet sitting services. One of our reliable, adult staff members will keep your pet safe, while providing your pet the love and care they need when you are away. Contact us to learn more!

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Office Location

Paw Pals Pet Sitting, LLC
14001-C Saint Germain Drive #213
Centreville, VA 20121
(703) 345-1695

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Office Hours

Monday
9am - 5pm
Tuesday
9am - 5pm
Wednesday
9am - 5pm
Thursday
9am - 5pm
Friday
9am - 5pm
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed

Areas Served

Centreville – 20120, 20121
Chantilly – 22151
Clifton – 20124
Fairfax – 22030, 22033
Fairfax Station – 22039
Manassas – 20109, 20110, 20111
Reston – 20191, 20190

Google Rating
5.0
Paw Pals Pet Sitting
Paw Pals Pet Sitting
5.0
Andrea Hall
Andrea Hall
22:45 03 Oct 20
I wasn't sure about hiring a new doggie walker service... after all they are our kiddos... my babies were in great hands and I felt relaxed having them in their care. Thank you for everything!
Phillip Evans
Phillip Evans
14:38 11 Jul 20
When we adopted our new dog in January, Paw Pals agreed to walk her and give her some outside time so she wasn't in the crate all day. She loved her dog walker and you could see her excitement every time the walker showed up. We moved out of the area but would recommend Paw Pals to anyone needing someone to care for their pets.
Katie Russell
Katie Russell
15:01 17 May 20
Paw Pals is fantastic! I have had a great experience with Mary! Compassionate, professional, responsive, and prompt! Thank you!
Kristin Conrad
Kristin Conrad
16:00 16 Nov 19
We are so grateful we found Mary and her team at Paw Pals. They are exceptionally responsive, amazingly organized and detail-oriented.We have such peace of mind when we travel knowing our home and pets are so well cared for. Paw Pals is the best pet sitting service we’ve used, and we’re so happy we found them.
Dr Tammy Cashion
Dr Tammy Cashion
21:11 12 Mar 19
We have used Paw pals pet sitting on multiple occasions for our bunnies while we are away. Many pet sitters are not interested in small pets however; Mary and her team, are amazing and we trust her implicitly! We are very happy with the outstanding service we have received from her team including texts and photos of our pets when we are out of town. They always go the extra mile and we highly recommend them!
Cindy Welgoss
Cindy Welgoss
13:12 27 Nov 20
We have been using Paw Pals for several years, and through a variety of pets that we have loved. Mary and her team have always been *exceptional* in every way. They are professional, courteous, and truly love our fur family! Mary herself is an organized and stellar administrator of her pet care business, keeping detailed records of our pet’s needs, scheduled pet visits, payments, and balance due easy to keep track of as the pet owner. The pet caretaking team is reliable and trustworthy. When our dogs see any of their Paw Pal friends, they get SO excited to see them! Follow up comments are left via text to keep the pet owner informed of the visit and how the pets are faring. Paw Pals has allowed our family the peace of mind to leave our pets at home, for work, weekend getaways and longer times away when necessary, where they are the most comfortable and familiar. We are grateful to Mary and her team for giving us the ability to enjoy pet ownership without feeling tied down. The responsibility of having pets comes with the need to keep them safe and comfortable at all times, and Mary and her team affords us this when our family has to be away.
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