GUIDE #7: SITTING & SPECIAL CARE
Dog Sitting Referrals
and Special Care
.png)
How Citizen Hound connects families with trusted staff who may independently provide sitting or boarding—and how clients and sitters plan feeding, medication, home care, special needs and emergencies.
Special Care at a Glance
.png)
Trusted Relationships
Clients can connect with familiar walking staff.
.png)
Written Quotes
Dates, price and expectations all solidly confirmed.
.png)
.png)
Individual Care
Feeding, medications and routines documented.
Emergency Prepped
Contacts, authorization, and plans at the ready.
IN THIS GUIDE:
1 Does CH provide sitting or boarding?
2 Who provides sitting or boarding?
3 Should I choose sitting or boarding?
4 Why is familiarity with staff so helpful?
5 What is the sitting agreement?
02 Booking, Rates, Expectations
6 How is sitting or boarding requested?
7 Where are rates listed?
8 What does overnight care include?
9 Can sitters administer medications?
10 How are feeding needs handled?
11 Can behavioral needs be accomodated?
12 What about multiple dogs or duties?
04 Policies & Emergency Planning
13 What do emergency plans include?
14 What cancellation terms apply?
15 What about cameras, guests, and access?
16 What happens if the sitter becomes unavailablle?
01 INDEPENDENT SITTING & TRUSTED RELATIONSHIPS
Understanding the independent arrangement behind each referral.
1 Does Citizen Hound offer overnight sitting or boarding?
No. Dog sitting and boarding are not services booked, managed, supervised, billed, or guaranteed by Citizen Hound. They are independently provided by participating staff members who may choose to accept sitting clients outside their work for the company. The arrangement is similar to a school confidently introducing families to trusted teachers who independently provide babysitting outside school hours. Citizen Hound knows its staff members through extensive hiring, training, and daily professional experience, making it well positioned to facilitate trusted introductions. However, Citizen Hound cannot responsibly claim to supervise care taking place around the clock inside a client’s or sitter’s home. Doing so would require continuous operational oversight that the company cannot practically provide. Treating overnight sitting as company employment would also create hourly compensation, scheduling, and employment-compliance requirements that would make most arrangements impractical for the client, sitter, and company. Citizen Hound may therefore introduce a client to a trusted staff member, but the client and sitter contract directly with one another. The two parties should not misconstrue availability as confirmation. Together, they are responsible for agreeing on all aspects of the request, location, responsibilities, price, payment, cancellation terms, home access, and emergency procedures. This structure allows clients to benefit from introductions to known dog-care professionals while allowing staff members to earn additional income independently—and without suggesting that Citizen Hound operates or oversees care it cannot directly observe.
2 Who provides sitting or boarding?
Sitting and boarding may be independently provided by Citizen Hound staff members who choose to offer care outside their company responsibilities. Availability varies according to the sitter’s schedule, household, existing commitments, the type of care requested, and the needs of the dog. Some sitters may provide overnight care in the client’s home, while others may board dogs in their own homes. Not every staff member offers both arrangements, and an introduction based on availability does not guarantee fit, which both parties need to determine without Citizen Hound. The participating sitters function somewhat like a collective: they use shared base rates, policy language, and quote standards to make arrangements more consistent. Nevertheless, each sitter remains an independent provider and may disclose appropriate variations in the written quote.
3 Should I choose in-home sitting or boarding?
The best arrangement depends on the dog, the client’s comfort, and the availability and household circumstances of participating sitters. Some staff members have pets of their own and can usually provide care only by boarding a client’s dog in their home. In some cases, they may be able to stay in the client’s home if the client is comfortable also hosting the sitter’s pet, potentially after the animals have met and compatibility has been established. Other staff members cannot board dogs because of rental agreements, household limitations, resident pets, or similar restrictions, but may be available to provide care in the client’s home. A strong preference for either sitting or boarding is entirely reasonable, although it may reduce the number of available sitters. During periods of limited availability, the available caregiver may determine which arrangement is possible. Some clients feel uneasy about their dog staying in an unfamiliar home. Others are uncomfortable having someone they do not know well stay in their own home. Either concern is understandable, and clients should communicate their preferences openly when requesting care. When both arrangements are available, Citizen Hound generally finds that dogs are most comfortable in their own homes. Familiar surroundings preserve the dog’s normal environment, sleeping arrangements, neighborhood, and household routine. Hosting a sitter can therefore be a meaningful benefit, particularly for dogs that are sensitive to change. Citizen Hound’s owner observed this clearly as each of his own dogs reached old age. Although the dogs had always enjoyed boarding with trusted staff members they knew well, they eventually became noticeably more comfortable remaining at home. Senior dogs may experience changes in vision, hearing, mobility, spatial awareness, or their ability to navigate unfamiliar surroundings. They may also become more anxious when separated from established routines. As is often true with aging people, familiarity and predictability can become increasingly reassuring. For these reasons, in-home sitting is highly recommended for elderly, infirm, or mobility-impaired dogs whenever a suitable sitter is available. Remaining at home reduces the number of changes the dog must process and allows care to occur within an environment the dog already understands. Citizen Hound’s referral system also addresses some of the understandable concern associated with allowing another person into the home. Participating sitters are people Citizen Hound knows through careful hiring, professional training, and ongoing employment in their regular company roles. That existing relationship can offer clients a degree of familiarity and confidence that may be difficult to establish through an unfamiliar marketplace provider. Whenever possible, Citizen Hound may introduce the dog’s primary Pack Leader, dedicated backup Pack Leader, or another staff member who already knows the dog. These arrangements can preserve continuity and allow the sitter and dog to deepen an existing relationship. Availability is never guaranteed, but clients are encouraged to express both their preferred arrangement and their willingness to consider alternatives.
4 Why can familiarity with Citizen Hound staff be helpful?
A staff member who already knows a dog may understand the dog’s temperament, routines, communication style, social preferences, handling needs, and normal behavior. That familiarity can make the transition into overnight care more comfortable and can help the sitter notice meaningful changes more quickly. Citizen Hound staff members also share a professional foundation in canine handling, safety, communication, and emergency awareness. When the sitter is the dog’s regular Pack Leader—or another team member who has worked with the dog—the relationship may provide additional continuity. Familiarity is helpful, but it does not replace a thorough sitting conversation. The client and sitter must still confirm feeding, medication, sleeping arrangements, allowable alone time, household responsibilities, emergency authority, and every other material part of the stay.
5 What is in the sitting agreement?
The client and independent sitter enter into the sitting agreement directly, but they do not need to create that agreement from scratch. Participating sitters operate collectively from the standard expectations and policies published on Citizen Hound’s Pet Sitting page and use a standardized quote form to collect the information needed for each arrangement. The quote form guides the parties through matters such as dates, location, pricing, payment, cancellation terms, feeding, medication, home access, emergency contacts, and any additional care or household responsibilities. The sitter is responsible for preparing a complete written quote and identifying any terms that differ from the collective’s published standards. The client’s primary responsibility is to complete the requested information accurately and ensure the sitter has been told everything material about the animals, home, and requested care. Information should never be left unstated because it seems obvious, has previously been shared with Citizen Hound, or is believed to be known by another staff member. Citizen Hound may facilitate the introduction and maintain the shared framework used by participating sitters, but it does not become a party to the agreement. Once an introduction is made, the client and sitter should communicate directly about the quote, instructions, changes, payments, and the sitting arrangement itself.
02 BOOKING, RATES & EXPECTATIONS
Confirming the practical details before care begins.
6 How is independent sitting or boarding requested?
.png)
Good sitting begins with clear agreements.
The client and sitter should agree on care, access, communications, and expectations in writing.
Clients may contact Citizen Hound to ask whether a participating staff member might be available for the requested dates. Providing complete information at the beginning makes it easier to identify a potentially suitable sitter. The request should include: The dates and approximate start and end times Whether in-home sitting, boarding, or either are preferred If boarding, comfort level with other dogs, cats, and small children If in home sitting, other animals in the home The dog’s normal routine and allowable alone time Relevant medical or behavioral information Any required household responsibilities Citizen Hound may make an introduction, but the sitter independently evaluates availability and fit. The sitter may ask additional questions, request a meeting, or decline the arrangement. Sitting is limited by individual availability and should be arranged as early as possible, especially for weekends, holidays, and extended travel.
7 Where are sitting and boarding rates listed?
The shared base rates and policies used by participating independent sitters are published on Citizen Hound’s Pet Sitting page. The rate structure may distinguish between existing Citizen Hound clients and outside clients, weekdays and weekends, additional pets, puppies, medication responsibilities, extended care periods, transportation, and holidays. The published information provides a starting point, but the sitter’s written quote controls the individual arrangement. A sitter may need to alter the price or terms based on the animal’s needs, the location, the required schedule, exclusivity, household duties, or another material circumstance. Any variation from the published model should be explained before the client accepts the sit.
8 What does overnight care actually include?
“Overnight care” does not automatically mean that a sitter will remain with the dog continuously for 24 hours. The precise schedule depends on the arrangement, the dog’s needs, and the sitter’s other responsibilities. An overnight arrangement may include sleeping at the client’s home, boarding the dog in the sitter’s home, feeding, walks, medication, routine companionship, and agreed household duties. It should also establish how long the dog may be left alone and approximately when the sitter expects to arrive, depart, or work elsewhere. Many Citizen Hound staff members continue their regular weekday work while independently sitting. Their workday may keep them away from the home for several hours. That schedule can be appropriate for dogs accustomed to being alone, but it must be discussed in advance. Dogs needing continuous supervision, frequent medical observation, or unusually short relief intervals may require a different arrangement. Sitting periods may also be calculated in approximately 24-hour blocks. Substantially different arrival and departure times can create an extended-care charge, which should be disclosed in the quote.
03 MEDICATION & SPECIAL CARE
Preparing for each dog's health, diet, behavior, and household routine.
9 Can an independent sitter administer medication?
Often, yes, provided the sitter is comfortable with the responsibility and receives complete written instructions. Citizen Hound staff experience may include oral or topical medication, eye drops, and certain injections, but that experience does not mean every independent sitter accepts every procedure. The client should provide: The medication name The exact dose without room for misunderstanding The administration method, even when a dog is unwilling The required time or interval Storage instructions Known side effects Instructions for a missed or refused dose The prescribing veterinarian’s contact information A sufficient supply for the stay, preferably with additional doses for delays It is crucial to be very clear. The sitter must expressly confirm the medication arrangement. Complex procedures, unstable medical conditions, or needs requiring clinical monitoring may be better handled by a veterinarian, veterinary technician, or specialized medical boarding provider. Citizen Hound does not supervise medication administered during an independently arranged sit.
10 How are feeding, allergies, and dietary restrictions handled?
Clients should provide clear written instructions for each animal, including food type, portion size, meal times, preparation requirements, treats, supplements, allergies, restrictions, and any history of refusing food or guarding it. Food should be supplied in sufficient quantity for the entire arrangement, with extra available in case travel is delayed. Medications and supplements should be clearly labeled and kept separate when necessary. Clients should also explain what the sitter should do if a dog skips a meal, experiences digestive upset, consumes an unauthorized food, or shows a possible allergic reaction. If multiple animals are present, the instructions should specify whether they must be fed separately. The sitter should confirm that the requested routine can be followed in the proposed care environment.
11 Can behavioral needs be accommodated?
Many behavioral needs can be accommodated, but only when the client provides complete and candid information before the sitter accepts the arrangement. Clients should disclose known or suspected concerns involving: Reactivity toward dogs, people, bicycles, or other triggers Behavior around cats or other household animals Behavior around small children Separation distress Resource guarding Escape behavior Destructive behavior House-training problems Excessive barking, nighttime restlessness, or specialized sleeping needs like requiring to be in the bed with the sitter Handling sensitivities Fear of unfamiliar people or environments Bite or fight history Difficulty settling without the owner present Round the clock care, or other shortened time left alone preferences If a client does not know how the dog will respond to a particular circumstance, that uncertainty must also be disclosed. For example, if a sitter has cats and asks how the dog behaves around them, “The dog has not been around cats, so the reaction is unknown” is essential information. An assumption that the dog will probably be fine is not an adequate substitute. Complete disclosure gives each sitter a fair opportunity to decide whether to accept the arrangement, whether additional precautions are necessary, and whether care should occur in the client’s home rather than the sitter’s home. Sitters may take dogs for a trial visit when time allows. A dog that becomes destructive, cannot settle overnight, has frequent accidents, or requires continuous monitoring may create an exceptionally demanding sit and could cause damage in a sitter’s home. That dog may be much more comfortable and safely managed in familiar surroundings by someone who understands exactly what the care will require. Experience and comfort also differ among staff members. One sitter may routinely manage reactive dogs and consider those precautions a familiar part of the work. Another may have developed greater expertise in different types of dogs and reasonably feel uncomfortable accepting the same responsibility. Neither response is wrong; the purpose of complete disclosure is to allow the right person to make an informed decision. Citizen Hound’s owner has found that the most difficult sitting experiences have generally resulted not necessarily from a dog having behavioral challenges, but from the client understating them, making unsupported assumptions, or not understanding the dog’s behavior outside the owner’s presence. Such omissions can lead to sleepless nights, repeated cleanups, intensive monitoring, property damage, or unsafe interactions that the sitter did not agree or prepare to manage. Behavioral needs do not automatically disqualify a dog from independent sitting. Failing to communicate those needs, however, can prevent the sitter from establishing an appropriate and safe arrangement, or client satisfaction. Clients should therefore disclose what they know, clearly identify what they do not know, and allow the sitter to decide whether the dog, setting, and responsibilities are a suitable fit.
12 Can one arrangement cover multiple pets and home-care duties?
Yes, an independent sitting arrangement may cover multiple dogs, cats, or other household animals when the sitter agrees to the responsibilities. Each animal’s routine, feeding, medication, behavioral needs, and emergency information should be documented separately. Additional-pet pricing may apply. The amount can depend on the number of animals, whether they belong to the same household, the location of care, and the amount of additional work involved. Reasonable household duties may also be included, such as: Collecting mail and packages Watering a limited number of plants Moving trash or recycling bins Adjusting lights or window coverings Following agreed security procedures Cleaning routine pet-related messes These duties should be listed in advance. A sitter should not be expected to infer responsibility for extensive plant care, property management, cleaning, errands, contractor supervision, or unrelated household work that was never discussed.
04 POLICIES & EMERGENCY PLANNING
Preparing for cancellations, household boundaries, illness, and urgent care
13 What should the emergency plan include?
Every sitting arrangement should include a written emergency plan. It should identify: The dog’s primary veterinarian A preferred emergency veterinary hospital At least one reachable local emergency contact The client’s travel contact information Authorization to seek veterinary treatment Any spending limit or approval requirement How emergency expenses will be paid or reimbursed Significant medical history Current medications and allergies Insurance information, if applicable Instructions if the client cannot be reached Travel details, including flight information when relevant, can help the sitter anticipate delays and determine when the client may be unreachable. The plan should also address nonmedical emergencies such as lost keys, lockouts, home damage, extreme weather, evacuation, or an animal becoming lost. Because the sitter is an independent provider, the client and sitter—not Citizen Hound—must agree on authority and communication procedures before care begins.
14 What cancellation terms apply?
Participating independent sitters generally use the cancellation terms published on Citizen Hound’s Pet Sitting page, but the written quote should state the terms applicable to the particular arrangement. Cancellation charges may depend on how much notice is provided and whether the sitter reserved the dates exclusively for the client. A sitter who has turned away other work, limited personal travel, or reserved their home for one dog may apply a different cancellation consequence than a sitter able to accept several compatible animals. Clients should notify the sitter as soon as plans begin to change rather than waiting until every travel detail is final. Early communication gives the sitter a fair opportunity to manage other requests and may provide the parties with more options. Citizen Hound does not collect cancellation charges or decide disputes arising from an independently arranged sit.
15 What should clients discuss about cameras, guests, and home access?
Clients must disclose every indoor and outdoor surveillance device before an in-home sit begins. This includes visible security cameras, doorbell cameras, hidden cameras, devices commonly called “nanny cams,” and any equipment capable of recording audio. California law does not necessarily prohibit every undisclosed video-only camera positioned in a common area. However, California is an all-parties-consent state for recording confidential communications, meaning undisclosed audio recording may be unlawful when a person reasonably expects the conversation to remain private. Secret recording in a bedroom, bathroom, changing area, or another place where a sitter has a reasonable expectation of privacy may also violate California law. Regardless of whether a particular device might be legally permissible, participating Citizen Hound sitters require complete disclosure. A sitter should know: Where each camera or recording device is located Whether it records video, audio, or both Whether it records continuously or activates through motion Whether anyone will be watching the feed in real time How recordings are stored or used Whether any device will remain active overnight Cameras may never be placed in bathrooms or in the private sleeping or changing area provided to the sitter. A hidden camera or “nanny cam” should never be used to circumvent the sitter’s knowledge or consent. Clients must also disclose anyone who may enter the home during the arrangement, including family members, friends, neighbors, housekeepers, contractors, building staff, landlords, dog walkers, or other pet-care providers. Unexpected entry can alarm the sitter, create uncertainty about an animal’s location or care, and complicate responsibility for the home. The client and sitter should also agree on keys, door codes, alarms, parking, building access, lockout procedures, and the return of access materials. Clear disclosure protects the client, sitter, animals, and home while establishing the trust necessary for someone to provide care in a private residence.
16 What happens if the sitter becomes sick or unavailable?
One of the greatest advantages of arranging care through Citizen Hound’s staff collective is that an independent sitter is not necessarily operating without professional support. Participating sitters are trained to contact the Citizen Hound team immediately if illness, injury, or another emergency may prevent them from completing an arrangement. Before alarming the client with a problem that may already have a solution, the sitter first asks whether another qualified team member is available and gathers the information needed to present a workable backup plan. In nearly every historical instance in which a sitter unexpectedly needed assistance, Citizen Hound’s team structure has made it possible to identify someone who could help. The replacement may be the dog’s primary Pack Leader, dedicated backup Pack Leader, or another trained staff member familiar with the dog, client, home, or care requirements. If suitable coverage is found, the client is informed of the situation and introduced to the proposed backup before responsibility is transferred, whenever circumstances permit. The client remains entitled to understand and approve who will enter the home or assume care. In an urgent situation affecting the animal’s immediate welfare, the sitter may need to take reasonable protective action while attempting to reach the client. This internal support network is a meaningful advantage over hiring an isolated sitter or an unfamiliar provider through a marketplace. A solo sitter may have no qualified colleague to call, while Citizen Hound’s staff members work within an established team of vetted and professionally trained dog-care specialists. Replacement care cannot be guaranteed in every conceivable circumstance, and Citizen Hound does not become the contracting provider by assisting with coverage. Nevertheless, the team’s practice is to search for a responsible internal solution before leaving the client to manage the disruption alone. Clients should still provide a local emergency contact who can assume responsibility if neither the original sitter nor an appropriate team member is available.
.png)