Handing over dog care: a checklist for family and dog sitters
Share routines, food details, walking preferences and emergency contacts. A practical handover note and Waglio access check before you go away.
Agree first, make the list second
A care handover starts with a conversation: who comes, when, what they do and how they report completion. Do not assume someone can interpret a note that feels obvious to you. One short walk together often reveals questions you missed while making a list.
Show where the lead, bags, food and cleaning supplies are kept. If handing over keys, agree personally on their return. Do not put access codes or a precise address in your dog's public card.
Meals and an ordinary day
Give the exact food name, portion measuring method and usual times. Separately list allowed treats and how to account for leftovers. 'One cup' is unclear without a particular measure; demonstrating it in person is better.
For walks, describe the familiar route, restrictions and how your dog reacts to encounters. Go beyond 'she is friendly': a specific instruction such as 'ask the other owner first; do not let her off the lead without agreement' is more useful.
Contacts and unexpected situations
Leave a primary and backup contact, the clinic's phone number and a clear contact procedure. If there are veterinary instructions, provide an accurate, current copy and demonstrate what to do; do not repeat doses from memory. Agree in advance on who makes decisions if the owner is unavailable.
Ask for facts: what happened, when and what has already been done. 'Offered 80 g this morning; 20 g remained' is more precise than 'ate badly'. This illustrates a record format, not a feeding recommendation.
Check Waglio access
Invite the person to your family group and choose a role that fits the task. Viewing access is enough for observation; recording completed tasks needs the corresponding permission. Check on their device that the correct dog opens.
Test sharing before you leave: make an agreed entry, wait for it to sync and check it on the second device. After returning, discuss whether continued access is needed. A conversation with a sitter and a family profile serve different purposes.
A handover note you can copy
Fill in this checklist with your own information and send it through an agreed channel. Do not publish the completed version in a journal or on social media.
- Dog's name, familiar cues and important characteristics.
- Food: name, amount, measuring method, times and leftovers.
- Walks: times, equipment, routes and restrictions.
- Owner, backup person and clinic contacts.
- Where supplies and any current veterinary instructions are kept.
- How completed tasks are recorded and when a short update is sent.
- The end date of care and a review of family access.
Continue with Waglio
App features for everyday care