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How old should you be to dog sit? Experts weigh in

For many animal-loving kiddos, dog sitting sounds like the ultimate way to make a little money (while logging hours with their favorite four-legged friends). But when it comes to the “right” age for dog sitting, there are a few things experts recommend. 

Unlike the babysitting age in some states, there isn’t a minimum age in which kids can legally become pet sitters. However, ̶0;kids are usually ready to dog sit between the ages of 10 and 12,” according to Dr. Britta K. Ostermeyer, chief of psychiatry service at OU Health, University of Oklahoma, who adds that “for bigger dogs who are harder to watch, kids should be at least 12.”

Pet sitting, according to Ostermeyer, is lower stakes than babysitting, but even so, pet sitters need to be “ready to assume responsibility for the pet.” “The child needs to be able to direct the pet, feed them, and needs to be able to recognize when the dog is not well and needs to be taken for help,” she explains. “In that case, the child needs to know where to call to arrange for the pets to see a vet.”

Wondering how old you should be to dog sit? Here’s what the experts say.   

Is there a general age when kids are ready for dog sitting? 

According to Dr. Heather Venkat, a companion animal veterinarian at VIP Puppies in Phoenix,  kids 12 and up are generally ready for dog sitting. “But depending on the size and energy level of the dog, it may be best to wait until a kid is a teenager before they tackle dog sitting,” she adds. 

And keep in mind, as Dr. Tomitra Latimer, Medical Director of Lurie Children̵7;s Pediatrics at Deming, points out: “Young children are not able to be by themselves so it’s a good idea for the dog owner to introduce the dog to all family members of the dog sitter.”

When Tiffany Cho of Aberdeen, New Jersey went away with her family last summer, she did just that. After asking her 11-year-old neighbor to watch their Pomeranian for a few days, she made sure everyone in his family was OK with it. “We live close, so we just asked him to take him out a few times a day, feed him, make sure he had water and our house wasn’t too hot,” Cho says. “But I knew his mom would wind up helping him with everything, so I ran it by her first.”

What are signs a kid is ready to dog sit? 

Before taking on a dog sitting gig, kids should “show signs of responsibility and maturity,” according to Venkat. Here are a few indicators a child may be up to the task:

• They help out with their own pets. Says Venkat: “If a child has pets in the home, a sign that they would be ready to dog sit is if they do a great job helping out and taking care of their own pets.”
• They’re passionate about animals. Even if a kid doesn’t have a pet themselves, “a passion for pets is a great place to start,” according to Dr. Danielle Bernal, global veterinarian for Wellness Pet Company. “At the end of the day, pet parents want to ensure their pet is happy and healthy, but they also want someone to care for them as much as they do each day,” she says. “Someone who loves pets and enjoys their company is crucial.”

• They’re a good student. “Doing well in school and in extracurriculars is a sign that a child could be ready to dog sit,” Venkat says. “However, they should be able to balance their time with the extra tasks.”
• They do their chores. “If the child displays maturity and responsibility in completing chores, such as making their bed and washing dishes, without prompting, they may be ready for dog sitting,” notes Latimer, adding that they should also take care of themselves without being asked. (Think: You don’t have to remind them to shower or brush their teeth.)
• They have common sense. Bernal notes that, while in most cases, dog sitting refers to feeding and making sure the animal gets exercise, pet sitters still need the maturity and common sense to know if something is off. “Pet sitters should be able to detect if the pet is not well or simply not acting like its normal self,” she says. “With their pet parent(s) away, a pet may become more stressed or anxious, causing mischievous or troublesome behavior. Noticing the pet has not drunk enough water, passed any stools or are simply just not themselves is vital to keeping a pet healthy.” Because of this, Bernal notes that kids who are pet sitting should always have an adult they can immediately ask for a second opinion.
• They’re physically strong. If a child is watching a big dog, they need to be strong enough to manage large dogs,” Latimer says. 

If the pet sitting job takes place out of the home, Latimer notes that an adult should accompany the child or teen to help or take over if needed. 

Signs a dog may not be an ideal first client for a kid

In addition to the child, there’s the dog to consider. Here’s what Latimer and Bernal say to keep in mind on the pup’s end: 

• The breed size and/or number of pets. “A larger breed size or greater number of dogs could imply that a child needs to be a little older or physically more mature to manage them, especially if out on a walk,” notes Bernal. 

• The dog’s demeanor. “Parents and kids should consider and know whether the dog has a history of any behaviors that might present risks to the child, others or themselves,” Latimer says. “For instance: Do they play well with other animals? How do they walk on a leash? Do they have any triggers, such as noise sensitivities?”
• The care required. “Even some of the smallest dogs can be quite the handful,” Bernal says. “If the dog is challenged or needs additional care like medication, it may make more sense to wait a few more years or choose another dog to pet sit. It’s important that every child feels just as safe as the pet does.”

Dog sitting skills to *bone* up on

A responsible track record and passion for pups can be great indicators of a budding pet sitter, but doing a little homework on the front-end is important, too. According to Bernal and Venkat, the following skills are helpful when starting out as a dog sitter:

• A general knowledge of dog behavior. “Knowing basic dog behavior is important for kids who want to dog sit, so that they can read a dog̵7;s body language well and know how to handle them,” Venkat says. To that point, Bernal adds that it’s crucial to be able to “detect a limp or a sick dog” in order to keep pups healthy.
• Basic animal training knowledge. Bernal also notes that knowing the commands on how to get a dog to behave are important.
• Road sense and caution if taking the pet out on walks. An adult should accompany younger kids on walks and help older kids plan out a safe route for walking and/or playing.

The bottom line

According to Bernal, the most important things are that the pet owner, child and their family keep safety in mind and make comfort a priority for everyone. And for kids who are on the younger side: “Don’t worry,” she says. “Employing the help of parents or guardians is a great way to start dog sitting, especially if your first customer is a close friend or family member.”

How old do you have to be for Care.com?

While there’s room for interpretation when it comes to determining the appropriate age for dog sitting, there’s not when it comes to joining Care.com as a pet sitter. In order to enroll, you need to be at least 18, and every caregiver who joins the Care.com platform is required to undergo enhanced screening, which includes a criminal background check called CareCheck.