If you’ve ever whispered “I’m so sorry” to your dog before leaving for a business trip, this one’s for you.
😩 The Lonely Dog Guilt Is Real
There’s this specific kind of heartbreak that hits when you zip your suitcase shut and your dog looks up at you like,
“Again? Really?”
I’ve felt it. Every time I packed for a work trip.
Eyes wide. Tail down. The pacing starts. Then the sighing. Then that desperate stare as I walk out the door.
Sure, I arranged a friend to drop by—once. But once wasn’t enough.
Dogs don’t just miss you—they feel the disruption.
They wait. They worry. And if they’re anything like my dog, they need more than one visit a day.
🛑 Why Once-a-Day Pet Sitting Just Doesn’t Cut It
Most pet sitting apps offer a single 30-minute visit per day. That’s great for cats.
For dogs? Not even close.
Here’s what happened the last time I tried that:
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My dog held her pee for over 12 hours. (She’s housebroken and anxious—so she just…waited.)
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She barely ate because she was stressed and alone all day.
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She tore up a throw pillow. (First time ever.)
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I couldn’t focus during meetings. I kept refreshing the pet cam like it was a life support monitor.
💡 The Better Way: 3x Daily Drop-In Dog Visits
Eventually, I found something better—reliable, scheduled drop-in visits spaced throughout the day.
Like doggy daycare... without the daycare.
It looked like this:
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🕘 Morning check-in (breakfast, walk, playtime)
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🕒 Afternoon visit (potty break, quick sniff walk, human contact)
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🌙 Evening drop-in (dinner, cuddle time, last walk)
Result?
No accidents. No anxiety spiral. No guilt.
And me, actually sleeping in that hotel bed.
🐶 Why It Worked (For Both of Us)
Here’s why 3x daily visits work better than a single sitter or full boarding:
1. Your dog stays home
They keep their smells, bed, routine. Less stress = less acting out.
2. You avoid expensive overnight stays
In-home overnight sitting can cost $100+ per night. Three drop-ins? A fraction of that.
3. Real-time updates
The sitter sent pics each time—of happy tail wags, sunny backyard zoomies, and satisfied post-dinner naps.
4. No exposure to other dogs’ germs or behavior issues
Dog boarding can be chaos. Drop-ins = one-on-one attention.
🛠 How to Set It Up (Without Losing Your Mind)
Here’s the process I wish someone gave me earlier:
Step 1: Use a Trusted Platform
I used Rover, but there are others like Wag!, TrustedHousesitters, and even Nextdoor listings.
Look for sitters with:
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CPR certification
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Experience with anxious dogs
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Multiple reviews mentioning “reliable” and “responsive”
Step 2: Schedule a Meet-and-Greet
Non-negotiable. Let them meet your dog before you leave. You’ll know right away if it’s a fit.
Step 3: Be Ridiculously Detailed
Leave a printed schedule. Food portion amounts. “How she likes her belly rubbed.” Yes, really.
Step 4: Use Tech
Set up a cheap pet cam (Wyze is under $40) and ask for text updates or app photos.
💬 Final Thoughts: You Don’t Have to Choose Between Career and Care
I used to think I had to choose:
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Travel for work and abandon my dog emotionally
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Stay home forever and protect her from loneliness
But turns out, there’s a middle ground.
Reliable, multiple-times-a-day care exists. And it’s not just for rich people or Instagram dog moms.
It’s for people like you and me—who deeply love their dog, and also have bills to pay and a boss to answer to.
So next time you pack a suitcase and feel that pang of guilt in your chest—remember:
You’re not a bad dog parent.
You’re just one who finally figured out how to make this work.
.jfif)
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