A private dog sitter works full-time in a family’s home, caring for their dogs each day. The work covers feeding, walks, grooming, and vet appointments. The sitter is the person the dogs depend on most, and families hiring for this role want someone who treats that as the full job.
Morgan & Mallet’s recruitment offices in New York and London are placing more private dog sitters year on year. Many families travel often or own several homes, so they want someone who can keep the dogs settled wherever they are. A private dog sitter is the devoted guardian of a client’s dogs, ensuring each pet flourishes in a loving and attentive environment.
What does a private dog sitter do each day?
Most private dog sitters plan their day around the dogs’ routines.
The morning starts early. The sitter prepares meals based on each dog’s breed, age, and health needs. In some homes, a veterinary nutritionist sets those plans, and the sitter follows them.
After breakfast comes the first walk or exercise session. Active breeds like Border Collies or Weimaraners may need a long run or agility work.
Older or smaller dogs do better with an easy walk through estate grounds or a private park. The sitter watches for changes in energy, weather, or health.
Grooming fits into the middle of the day. Brushing, coat care, nail trimming and teeth cleaning. In some homes, the sitter also books and supervises visits from professional groomers.
Afternoons might include vet appointments or training sessions. The sitter manages transport, medicine schedules, and health records.
When a dog trainer works with the household, the sitter joins each session and keeps up the routines between visits. Active breeds also need mental work. Puzzle toys, scent games, and structured play stop them getting bored and destructive.
In the evening, the sitter prepares dinner and gets the dogs ready to settle. A short walk often helps. Before finishing for the day, the sitter updates the family on health, behavior, and anything that came up.
What qualifications does a private dog sitter need?
Most candidates Morgan & Mallet places have formal animal care training and several years working with dogs.
In the US, the Karen Pryor Academy and Animal Behavior College both offer well-known dog training programs. In the UK, the Academy for Dog Trainers has a strong reputation.
Experience in veterinary care or as a professional dog trainer helps. So does knowledge of breed-specific health issues, canine first aid, and pet nutrition.
Morgan & Mallet recruiters usually look for at least two years in a similar household role. Short stints worry clients who are trusting one person with their pets every day.
Personality counts for more than certificates. Morgan & Mallet recruiters look first for empathy and reliability. A candidate who reads a dog’s mood well and understands animal welfare often gets the role over someone with stronger paper qualifications.
How much does a private dog sitter earn?
Salaries depend on the region, the family’s expectations, and the sitter’s experience. These figures are for pet sitters in high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth households, from Morgan & Mallet’s 2026 gross yearly salary data:
| Country | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| USA | $60,000 to $120,000 |
| UAE | AED 100,000 to AED 180,000 |
| UK | £45,000 to £75,000 |
| France | €35,000 to €55,000 |
| Monaco | €50,000 to €75,000 |
| Belgium | €40,000 to €55,000 |
| Switzerland | CHF 50,000 to CHF 85,000 |
| Saudi Arabia | SAR 90,000 to SAR 150,000 |
What are the working conditions like?
Most private dog sitters work full-time. A standard contract runs around 40 hours a week. Evenings, weekend cover, and overnight stays are common, especially when employers travel or host guests.
Dogs need care every day. Families plan rest days on rotation, and live-in sitters have regular time off written into their contracts.
The job is physical. Active breeds need daily runs, walks, and outdoor play in any weather. Properties with large grounds mean long hours on your feet.
In colder climates like Canada or Scandinavia, sitters need indoor exercise options through winter. In warmer regions like Southern California or the Mediterranean, keeping dogs cool and hydrated comes first.
Depending on the household, the sitter could work alone or report to a butler, house manager, or estate manager. In large estates with several staff, expect a proper handover in the first week.
Recruiter Rachel Dixon at Morgan & Mallet says the best placements begin with a clear walkthrough of routines and responsibilities. If it does not happen, ask for one. Getting this right at the start saves problems later.
How do you become a private dog sitter for wealthy families?
Most people come into this role in one of two ways. Some have a background in professional dog training or veterinary care. Others have worked in private households in a different role and move into pet care over time.
The training route is more common. A person trains as a dog behaviorist, works in kennels or with a training company, then moves into private service. That move means learning how a private household works: family schedules, other staff, discretion, and personal preferences. Commercial animal care does not prepare you for any of that.
People already working in private homes sometimes move into pet care too. A housekeeper who has looked after the family’s dogs for years might shift into a full-time pet care role. Morgan & Mallet’s recruiters see this often. Candidates tend to undersell their experience. Someone listed as a housekeeper may have years of animal care that could qualify them for a higher-level pet sitter role.
Once you are in a pet sitter role, the role can expand. Some sitters take on care for multiple animals, including horses or exotic pets. Others move into estate management, where animal care is one part of running a larger property. A few go independent, advising wealthy families on pet care staffing and facilities.
United Kingdom:
- The Academy for Dog Trainers, led by Jean Donaldson, is known as the “Harvard University of dog training,” offering a comprehensive range of courses in dog behavior and training.
- Milne and Mutt Dog Training offers detailed programs in puppy training and advanced dog training, including scent detection.
Sample private dog sitter job listing
Below is an example of what a real listing for a private dog sitter looks like. Families and estate managers can use this as a starting point and adjust it to fit their household.
Position: Private Dog Sitter Location: Greenwich, CT (primary residence). Occasional travel to Palm Beach, FL (winter home). Employment type: Full-time, live-out Schedule: Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Occasional weekend and evening cover when the family travels. Salary: $80,000 to $100,000 per year, depending on experience
About the household: Private family with two Labrador Retrievers (ages three and six) and one miniature Dachshund (age nine). The family splits time between a five-acre estate in Greenwich and a waterfront property in Palm Beach. A house manager oversees the household team of five staff members.
Responsibilities:
- Prepare daily meals for all three dogs following a vet-approved nutrition plan
- Walk and exercise each dog according to breed, age, and energy level
- Manage grooming routines including brushing, coat care, nail trimming, and teeth cleaning
- Book and attend all veterinary appointments, vaccinations, and checkups
- Keep detailed health records and update the family on any changes in behavior or condition
- Administer medication on schedule
- Work with the dog trainer during weekly sessions and maintain training routines between visits
- Travel with the dogs to the Palm Beach home two to three times per year and maintain their routine there
- Keep all dog-related supplies stocked and organized
- Report daily to the house manager on all activity, health updates, and any concerns
Requirements:
- At least two years of experience as a private dog sitter or in a similar animal care role within a private household
- Formal training in dog behavior, canine first aid, or veterinary care preferred
- Knowledge of breed-specific health needs and dietary requirements
- Valid driver’s license and clean driving record
- Willing to travel with the family between properties
- Comfortable working as part of a larger household team
- Strong references from previous private employers
Benefits:
- Health insurance
- Paid vacation (15 days per year)
- Paid travel expenses when accompanying the family
- Annual performance review with salary adjustment
This is a sample. The listing should reflect the actual day-to-day work so candidates know exactly what they are signing up for.
Hiring a private dog sitter for your household
If you want to hire a private dog sitter, Morgan & Mallet International can help. Our recruitment team works with families across the US, UK, Europe, and the Middle East.
Call us on +1 (646) 965-2308 or contact us via our online form to start the search.
Looking for a position as a private dog sitter?
Morgan & Mallet places pet sitters with high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth families worldwide. If you have experience in animal care and want to work in a private household, browse open positions on our job board or apply directly through the site.