Overnight supervision

It can happen at the dog's own home or in boarding accommodation. It's useful when the animal can't be left alone, when the owners are away, when there are several animals in the house, or when the dog's routine involves special needs.

Having someone asleep in the same house isn't the whole job. Agree beforehand what the person does if the dog barks or whines, needs to go out, vomits, has diarrhoea, gets restless or tries to get into an area it isn't allowed in. The middle of the night is a bad time to be ringing the owner with questions.

Older dogs may need extra toilet breaks, a night light, non-slip surfaces or help getting about. Young dogs may be on a different toilet schedule. If a dog is scared of storms or loud noises, work out a plan in advance with the family and, where it makes sense, with the vet. Whoever is on duty needs to know where the leash and crate are, where the paperwork is kept and who to call in an emergency.

If a dog doesn't know the pet sitter, the first night shouldn't also be the first time they meet. Getting to know each other beforehand cuts the risk of fear, territorial guarding and misunderstandings when the dog is handled.

It makes most sense for puppies that can't manage a whole night alone, senior dogs that need toilet breaks or someone keeping an eye on them, and animals in a stable recovery.

Even if a dog normally sleeps through, it can still need to go out, get restless, be in pain or react to a noise at any point in the night.

Agree where the dog sleeps and what its evening routine looks like. Get the contacts and instructions ready.

The sitter checks on the dog quietly, without winding it up for no reason, and tells you how it slept and what changed.

Pacing around the house, panting when it hasn't been exercising, barking or whining, waking up a lot, or seeming disoriented: these show you how the dog is coping with a night without you.

Tell the sitter where the dog usually sleeps and when its last evening and first morning outings are. If it's on prescribed medication, write down the exact times. Leave a plan for night-time emergencies, too.

The person needs to be able to spot when the dog's condition is getting worse. Ask for clear rules on access to the house, and a calm presence that lets the dog sleep. A serious service will have a detailed first conversation with you and a protocol for keys, access, the leash and emergencies.

Relaxation exercises and getting used to the person can help. If restlessness at night starts suddenly, consider a medical cause: it may be pain or illness, even when it looks like a behaviour problem.

Overnight supervision isn't continuous medical monitoring. An unstable animal has to be supervised as the vet instructs. Go over the risks first: falls or accidents with senior dogs, a dog bolting during a night-time toilet trip, a medical emergency that gets dealt with too late.

When you're considering overnight supervision, don't assume one format has to work for every dog. A puppy needs something different at night from a senior, and a dog that's frightened of storms needs something else again.