How to Choose a Dog Sitter: Red Flags to Avoid

Ellen Marzell
5 days ago
4 min read

Ellen from Lap of Luxury holding a small Yorkshire terrier wearing a knitted jumper and bow

Leaving your dog with someone else is one of the biggest decisions a pet owner makes. Whether you're planning a summer holiday or simply need daytime care, you're trusting a stranger with a member of your family. Most dog sitters and boarders in Buckinghamshire are caring, capable people — but not all of them are, and the difference isn't always obvious at first glance.

The good news is that the warning signs are usually there if you know where to look. Below are the red flags worth paying attention to before you book, grouped by what they tell you — and, just as importantly, what a genuinely trustworthy arrangement looks like instead.

Warning signs in behaviour and how they handle your dog

A reputable sitter should insist on meeting your dog before any booking. If someone is unwilling to arrange an in-person meet-and-greet, treat it as a red flag — it often points to disorganisation or a lack of real care. That first meeting isn't a formality; it's where you see how they speak to your dog, whether your dog warms to them, and whether they ask the right questions.

Watch your dog, too. Dogs can be cautious with strangers, but extreme fear, withdrawal or unusual tension around a sitter or the dogs in their care is worth taking seriously — your dog reads people and dogs faster than you do. And be wary of anyone who can't answer basic questions about feeding, exercise or small-breed behaviour. Experience with dogs in general isn't the same as experience with a nervous Cavalier or a tiny Maltese who needs gentle handling.

Red flags around trust, reviews and licensing

Anyone can build a friendly-looking profile. What matters is whether it holds up. Be cautious if a sitter can't point to genuine reviews or references, or if their online presence is a thin bio and a blurry photo. Vague, empty profiles usually signal low effort — and low effort with your dog is exactly what you're trying to avoid.

The single most reassuring thing you can check is whether a boarder is licensed. In England, anyone boarding dogs in their home for payment must hold an Animal Activity Licence from their local council, which means their premises have been inspected for safety and welfare. You can read what that licence involves on the GOV.UK animal boarding licence page. A professional will also have a clear emergency plan — they'll know exactly which vet they'd use and how they'd reach you or your emergency contact if something went wrong. Their licence should be on display in their premises, on their website and social media pages, and they should be willing to give you a copy of it, along with proof of insurance.

The environment red flag — and why “dog kennels near me” isn't always the answer

When people search for dog kennels near me, they're usually looking for somewhere safe to leave their dog. But a traditional kennel environment — rows of runs, lots of unfamiliar dogs, plenty of noise — is a lot to ask of a small companion breed. The environment itself is worth inspecting: overcrowding, undisclosed extra pets, unclean spaces or a strong smell of pet waste all tell you something about the standard of care your dog will receive.

Two dogs relaxing by a wood burner at Lap of Luxury — an apricot cockapoo on the sofa and a white Maltese on the rug

This is where home boarding is genuinely different. Instead of a kennel, your dog stays in a quiet family home as one of only a small number of guests, keeping to their own routine rather than a facility's timetable. For an anxious little dog, that calm, home-from-home setting can be the difference between a stressful stay and a happy one. A good boarder won't push back on your feeding times, walks or medication schedule — they'll build the stay around your dog, not the other way round.

Thinking of booking? A relaxed no-obligation trial visit is the best way to see the difference for yourself.

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Serving Amersham and the wider Chilterns

Lap of Luxury is based in Amersham, right at the heart of the Chilterns, so I'm within easy reach of a wide area — including Beaconsfield, Berkhamsted, Chalfont St Giles, Chalfont St Peter, Chesham, Gerrards Cross, Great Missenden, Hazlemere, Hemel Hempstead, Holmer Green, Hyde Heath, Little Chalfont, Penn, Prestwood, Rickmansworth and Wooburn Green. Wherever you are in the area, my aim is the same: to give your small dog the kind of care they'd choose for themselves.

Two dogs snuggled together on a cosy dog bed with a pink floral blanket at Lap of Luxury

What a trustworthy arrangement looks like

If you flip every red flag on its head, you get a simple checklist for what good care looks like — and it's exactly what I've built Lap of Luxury around. I always start with a phone call so I can understand your needs and those of your dogs, followed by an in-person meet-and-greet, so you and your dog can get to know me before you commit to anything. I offer licensed home boarding, not a busy kennel, and I care exclusively for small companion breeds like Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Bichon Frises, Shih Tzus and Yorkshire Terriers. Your dog stays in my calm child-free home, keeps to their own routine, and is treated as one of the family — and because I run everything myself, the person you meet is the person looking after your dog.

Choosing where to leave your dog should feel reassuring, not risky. Knowing the warning signs — and knowing what to look for instead — is the best way to book with confidence.