Dog sitting & care handoffs · Visit notes
Dog sitter notes should answer a few practical questions for the owner: what care happened, what the dog did, what changed, and what needs follow-up. A useful pet sitter note is factual, brief, and specific enough that the next caregiver can understand the day.
If you are the owner preparing instructions, start with Instructions for a Dog Sitter or the free printable sitter template. This page focuses on the sitter-to-owner handoff after care has happened.
What to record in dog sitter notes
| Field | Useful note | Less useful |
|---|---|---|
| Arrival/departure | “Arrived 12:10 PM, left 12:42 PM.” | “Stopped by around lunch.” |
| Food | “Ate the full pre-portioned lunch.” | “Food was fine.” |
| Water | “Refilled the kitchen bowl.” | “Had water.” |
| Toilet | “Pee at 12:18; no poop during this visit.” | “Went potty.” |
| Walk/activity | “15-minute neighborhood walk; turned around at the construction noise.” | “Good walk.” |
| Medication | “Medication given at 12:25 exactly as written; swallowed with the approved food.” | “Meds done.” |
| Behavior | “Barked twice when the delivery truck stopped, then settled on the bed.” | “Anxious today.” |
| Anything unusual | “Skipped half of lunch; owner notified at 12:30.” | “A little off.” |
A simple dog sitter daily log
| Visit detail | Write here |
|---|---|
| Date | ____________________________ |
| Arrival / departure | ____________________________ |
| Food eaten | ____________________________ |
| Water refreshed | ____________________________ |
| Pee / poop | ____________________________ |
| Walk / activity | ____________________________ |
| Medication / treatment completed | ____________________________ |
| Behavior or comfort observations | ____________________________ |
| Anything unusual / owner contacted? | ____________________________ |
| Next caregiver should know | ____________________________ |
You can print this page from your browser if you want a blank dog sitter notes sheet. The owner-facing Dog Sitter Instructions Template is separate because instructions and visit notes serve different directions of communication.
Describe behavior without diagnosing it
Write what you saw and heard. “Dog paced between the front door and window for 10 minutes after the owner left” gives the owner something concrete. “Separation anxiety episode” is a diagnosis the sitter may not be qualified to make.
For recurring concerns, the owner can transfer factual observations into the Dog Behavior Pattern Journal and discuss the pattern with an appropriate veterinary or behavior professional.
Medication notes should record completion, not reinterpret the prescription
If the owner left current written instructions, record whether the medication was given and the time. If the dog refuses it, vomits after it, or something makes the instructions unclear, contact the owner and veterinary team as directed rather than guessing at the next dose.
Know what belongs in a text message instead of the end-of-day note
Do not wait until the summary to report a possible emergency, injury, difficulty breathing, collapse, suspected poisoning, inability to urinate, severe pain, or another urgent concern. Follow the emergency plan immediately.
Likewise, a dog escaping, a medication error, repeated vomiting, significant diarrhea, unexpected aggression, or refusal of essential care should be communicated promptly according to the owner’s instructions.
Photos are useful when they add information
If the owner wants photos, send them at the agreed frequency. A picture of the dog resting comfortably after a walk can reassure the owner. Do not delay care or create a risky setup just to get a better photo.
Use notes to improve the next handoff
After the stay, owners can update their sitter instruction template based on what the notes revealed. If the leash location was confusing, meals were not labeled clearly, or the dog consistently refused a certain setup, fix the instructions before the next trip.
Use the dog sitting checklist to prepare the next stay.
Common questions
How long should pet sitter notes be?
Long enough to record completed care, important observations, and any change the owner should know. A concise factual paragraph is often more useful than a long narrative.
Should I write down normal behavior?
Yes when it reassures the owner or establishes that the routine happened as expected, but focus on information that affects care or follow-up.
Should I keep medical details in my own notes?
Only record what is needed for the care handoff and follow the owner’s and clinic’s instructions for sensitive medical information.
Sources and editorial notes
The note fields reflect the care areas emphasized in AAHA sitter guidance and AKC dog-care planning guidance. The daily log is a True to Dogs organizational template, not a medical record or professional pet-sitting form. See our editorial standards.
