Journal
Just got a puppy? Start thinking about pet care now, not later.
If you've recently brought a puppy home, the chances are you're still in the thick of it: sleep schedules, toilet training, chewable shoes, and a small creature who has somehow already rearranged your priorities. The last thing on your mind is booking a pet sitter for a holiday that hasn't been booked yet.
But the owners who get the calmest, most seamless care later are usually the ones who started the conversation early. Not because they need someone straight away, but because they want the relationship in place before they need it.
The early days are enough to be getting on with
New puppies need consistency above all else: the same feeding times, the same walking route once they're allowed out, the same voice when they're unsure. Disrupting that routine by sending them away for the first time can be stressful, for the puppy and for you.
That's why in-home puppy care tends to work well. Your puppy stays in their own environment, with their own bed, their own bowls and the same smells they've been learning to trust. A good sitter slips into your routine rather than imposing a new one.
When can a puppy be left alone?
The general guidance is that puppies can be left alone for roughly one hour per month of age, up to a maximum of around four hours once they're older. A twelve-week-old puppy shouldn't really be on their own for more than an hour or two.
In practice, that means even a long workday can be too much for a young dog. If you're heading back to an office, travelling, or simply need a few hours off, having a sitter who can drop in or stay with your puppy in your home keeps them safe, socialised and out of mischief.
Why in-home sitting suits puppies
- They stay in familiar surroundings with their own scent, bed and toys
- Their feeding, walking and toilet routine is followed precisely
- They get one-to-one attention rather than sharing a busy daycare space
- There's no exposure to older dogs' illnesses or unpredictable energy levels
- You come home to a puppy who hasn't unlearned their house training
What to look for in a puppy sitter
Puppies aren't simply smaller versions of adult dogs. They need someone patient, observant and confident with early behaviours: teething, separation anxiety, first walks, and the occasional midnight whimper.
Before you book anyone, it's worth asking:
- Have you looked after puppies this age before?
- Are you comfortable administering food, medication or a specific routine?
- Will you send updates, and how often?
- What happens if my puppy seems unwell or anxious?
- Are you insured and reference-checked?
At Fetch Travels, every sitter is personally vetted by founder Lorna Mullins through a reference check, background check and full interview before they care for any pet. We also ask for your puppy's full routine in advance, so nothing is left to guesswork.
Build the relationship before the booking
The best time to meet a potential sitter is when you don't urgently need one. A meet-and-greet in your home lets your puppy get used to a new person on neutral terms, and gives you a chance to see whether the fit feels right.
We always offer a free meet & greet for new clients. It's a relaxed, in-home consultation where we meet your puppy, walk through their routine and prepare a detailed care pack before the first sit.
Where we offer puppy sitting
In-home puppy sitting, daycare and overnight house sitting are available across the London neighbourhoods we cover, including Chelsea, Kensington, Knightsbridge, Islington, Westminster, Hampstead, Clapham, Balham, Battersea, Dulwich, Brixton and surrounding areas.
Dog walking and drop-in visits for young or older dogs are offered more locally in Honor Oak, Forest Hill and the surrounding SE23 area, where we're based.
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Related notes from the Journal
Starting the conversation
If you've just welcomed a puppy and want to know what care might look like further down the line, we're happy to talk it through. There's no obligation to book straight away, many of our clients first get in touch months before they need a sit.