Puppies feel more settled when the day follows familiar patterns. Before a sitter arrives, write down the details that shape your puppy’s routine: meals, toilet breaks, play, naps, and the simple cues you use. The goal is not to schedule every minute. It is to give the sitter practical guidance, so they can respond consistently, notice changes, and keep your puppy comfortable while you are away.
Set Out Feeding Details
List the food your puppy eats, the amount for each meal, and the usual serving times. Include any preparation steps, such as adding water, and note where you keep food and clean bowls. If treats are part of the routine, explain which ones are suitable and how many your puppy can have.
Share any food sensitivities, allergies, or veterinary feeding instructions, along with what to do if your puppy refuses a meal or vomits. Keep instructions specific rather than asking the sitter to guess. A written feeding plan helps prevent accidental changes and makes it easier to report differences in appetite.
Plan Toilet Breaks
Tell the sitter when your puppy usually needs to go outside, including soon after waking, eating, drinking, and play. Puppies often need frequent opportunities, but the right timing depends on their age and individual habits. Note the door to use, the usual toilet area, and how you respond when your puppy goes in the right place.
Explain what signs your puppy gives, such as sniffing, circling, or heading toward the door. Include your approach to accidents: where cleaning supplies are kept and how you want the area handled. Calm, consistent responses help the sitter support house-training without scolding or creating confusion.
Balance Play and Rest
Describe the kinds of play your puppy enjoys and the toys they can use safely. Include any limits, such as avoiding rough play or keeping small items out of reach. Short, supervised activities can offer enrichment without letting excitement build for too long. Tell the sitter how your puppy shows they need a break.
Record where your puppy sleeps and how you help them settle, such as offering a familiar bed or taking them to a quiet room. Puppies need plenty of rest, and an overtired puppy may become unsettled or mouth more. Ask the sitter to keep nap time calm and avoid waking your puppy just to continue playing.
Use Familiar Training Cues
Write down the words your puppy already knows, such as cues for sitting, coming when called, or going to their bed. Explain the hand signal, if you use one, and what reward usually works. Consistent wording matters: if the sitter uses a different cue, your puppy may not understand what is being asked.
Keep training simple and positive while you are away. Let the sitter know which behaviors you are working on and what response you prefer, especially for jumping, mouthing, or pulling on the lead. A few brief practice moments during normal care can reinforce familiar habits without turning the visit into a demanding training session.
A useful puppy care plan gives the sitter clear instructions while leaving room to respond to your puppy’s needs. Share the routine, supplies, emergency contact details, and any changes before care begins. With thoughtful notes and familiar cues, your puppy can enjoy a more consistent day. York Puppy Care can discuss your puppy’s routine when you arrange a sitting service.