What Do Dogs Think When You Leave Them With A Sitter?

As pet parents, we’ve all been there – standing at the door with our suitcase, looking into those adorable puppy eyes, wondering if our furry friend understands we’ll be back. I remember the first time I left my Shih Tzu, Tito, with a pet sitter. The guilt was overwhelming! But after years of experience as a pet owner and working with countless families through Pet Watch, I’ve learned that understanding what goes on in our dogs’ minds when we leave them with a sitter can actually ease our worries significantly.

Let’s dive into the fascinating world of canine psychology and discover what really happens when you entrust your beloved companion to someone else’s care.

What Does Your Dog Think About Humans When You’re Away?

Dogs are incredibly perceptive creatures with complex emotional lives. When you leave them with a sitter, your dog doesn’t just see a random human – they’re actively processing who this new person is and how they fit into their world.

What does your dog think about humans in general? Dogs view humans as their pack members, providers, and companions. They don’t see us as a different species entirely, but rather as part of their social structure. This is why when you introduce a pet sitter, your dog is essentially evaluating where this new human fits in their established hierarchy.

During my early days with Tito, I noticed he would always sniff our sitter extensively before accepting treats or playtime. This wasn’t just curiosity – he was gathering information about this new pack member through scent, which is their primary way of understanding the world around them.

The Initial Assessment Period

When you first leave your dog with a sitter, they go through what I like to call the “assessment period.” Here’s what typically happens:

First 30 minutes: Your dog is processing the change. They might seem restless, pace around, or keep looking toward the door you exited through. This isn’t necessarily distress – it’s them trying to understand the new situation.

Hours 1-3: Most dogs begin to settle into a routine with their sitter. They start accepting food, water, and interaction from their temporary caregiver. This is when you’ll often see the first signs of bonding beginning.

After 3+ hours: Well-adjusted dogs typically enter what we call “acceptance mode.” They’ve established that this new human is safe, caring, and part of their temporary pack structure.

When Dogs Think They Are On Your Level: Understanding Canine Hierarchy

Here’s something fascinating about dog psychology – when dogs think they are on your level, it actually makes the transition to a sitter much smoother. Dogs that see themselves as equal family members rather than subordinates tend to be more confident and adaptable when meeting new people.

Tito, for instance, has always been treated as an equal member of our family. He sleeps on the bed, has his own spot on the couch, and participates in family activities. This confident mindset made him much more receptive to our pet sitters because he approached them as potential friends rather than authority figures to fear.

Signs Your Dog Sees Themselves as Family Equals:

• They sleep in your bed or on furniture
• They initiate play and interaction
• They show protective behaviors toward family members
• They display confidence around strangers
• They’re comfortable in various environments

Dogs with this mindset typically transition better to sitters because they’re used to evaluating humans as potential pack mates rather than just accepting authority blindly.

The Science Behind What Dogs Actually Think During Separation

Recent studies in canine cognition have given us incredible insights into what dogs think when you leave them with a sitter. Unlike what many people believe, dogs don’t think in human terms like “My owner abandoned me forever.” Instead, their thoughts are much more immediate and practical.

What Research Tells Us Dogs Think About:

Time Perception: Dogs don’t understand time the way we do. They live much more in the present moment. While they notice you’re gone, they don’t conceptualize “three days” or “a week” the way humans do.

Routine and Familiarity: Your dog’s mind focuses heavily on maintaining familiar routines. As long as meals, walks, and playtime happen consistently, most dogs adapt remarkably well.

Safety and Security: Dogs primarily assess whether their environment remains safe and their needs are being met. A good sitter who maintains routines provides this security.

When I travel for work, I always ensure Tito’s sitter follows his exact routine – morning walk at 7 AM, breakfast at 7:30, playtime before his afternoon nap. This consistency helps him feel secure even though I’m not there.

How Dogs Process New Caregivers: The Bonding Timeline

Understanding how dogs bond with new caregivers can help ease your anxiety about leaving them. Here’s what typically happens over time:

Day 1: The Introduction Phase

Your dog is gathering information about their new caregiver through all their senses. They’re noting voice tone, body language, scent, and energy level. Most dogs remain cautious but curious during this initial period.

Days 2-3: The Testing Phase

This is when dogs often test boundaries with their sitter. They might try behaviors they wouldn’t normally do with you, like begging for extra treats or testing rules about furniture. This is normal and shows they’re becoming comfortable enough to express their personality.

Days 4-7: The Acceptance Phase

By this point, most dogs have fully accepted their temporary caregiver. You’ll often see photos from your sitter showing your dog completely relaxed, playing, or even cuddling with their new friend.

Week 2+: The Bond Phase

For longer stays, dogs often form genuine bonds with their sitters. They start to anticipate their sitter’s routines and may even show excitement when the sitter arrives each day.

What Dogs Think When Their Owners Are Away: Separation vs. Adventure

One of the biggest misconceptions dog parents have is that dogs spend their time pining away, thinking sadly about their absent owners. While dogs certainly miss us, their experience is quite different from what we imagine.

What dogs actually think about during owner absence:

1. Immediate needs: “When will I eat? When will I go outside? Who will play with me?”
2. Environmental awareness: Processing sounds, smells, and activities happening around them
3. Routine expectations: Anticipating walk times, meal times, and play sessions
4. Present-moment experiences: Enjoying sunshine spots, interesting toys, or attention from their sitter

My cat Toto provides an interesting contrast here. While Tito adapts quickly to sitters, Toto takes longer to warm up but eventually becomes even more attached than to me! This shows how individual personality plays a huge role in pet-sitter relationships.

Signs Your Dog Is Comfortable With Their Sitter

Knowing the signs that your dog has accepted their sitter can provide enormous peace of mind. Here are the key indicators:

Physical Comfort Signs:

• Relaxed body posture (not tense or hunched)
• Normal eating and drinking patterns
• Regular bathroom habits
• Comfortable sleeping in usual spots
• Playing with toys or engaging in normal activities

Social Bonding Signs:

• Accepting treats from the sitter
• Initiating contact or play
• Following the sitter around (but not anxiously)
• Showing their belly (ultimate trust sign)
• Bringing toys to the sitter

Emotional Security Signs:

• Calm behavior during arrival/departure of sitter
• Normal reaction to doorbell or visitors
• Maintaining regular sleep schedule
• Showing excitement when sitter arrives

The Role of Quality Pet Sitters in Your Dog’s Experience

The quality of your pet sitter makes an enormous difference in what your dog thinks and feels during your absence. Professional, caring sitters understand canine psychology and work actively to make your pet comfortable.

At Pet Watch, we’ve seen firsthand how the right sitter can transform a dog’s experience from stressful to genuinely enjoyable. Our certified pet sitters in the UAE undergo extensive training not just in pet care basics, but in understanding animal behavior and building trust with pets.

What Makes a Great Pet Sitter:

• Patience during the adjustment period: Understanding that each dog needs time to adapt
• Consistency with routines: Maintaining the pet’s established schedule as closely as possible
• Clear communication: Regular updates and photos to keep owners informed
• Genuine love for animals: Dogs can sense authenticity in their caregivers

Professional training: Knowledge of animal behavior, emergency procedures, and proper care techniques

Creating Positive Associations Before You Leave

You can actually influence what your dog thinks when you leave them with a sitter by creating positive associations beforehand. Here are strategies that have worked wonderfully for Tito and countless Pet Watch families:

Pre-Departure Preparation:

1. Meet and greets: Have your sitter visit several times before you leave so your dog can become familiar with them
2. Positive reinforcement: Give special treats or toys only when the sitter is present
3. Gradual transitions: Start with short absences before longer trips
4. Maintain calm energy: Dogs pick up on your anxiety, so stay relaxed during departures
5. Special comfort items: Leave worn clothing or favorite blankets that smell like you

During Your Trip:

• Maintain regular communication with your sitter
• Avoid excessive check-ins that might stress your pet
• Trust the process and your sitter’s expertise
• Focus on enjoying your trip knowing your pet is in good hands

The Homecoming: What Dogs Think When You Return

The moment you walk through the door after being away is always magical. But what’s really going through your dog’s mind during these reunion moments?

Dogs experience genuine joy and relief when their owners return, but it’s different from human emotion. They’re not thinking “Finally, my person came back from their terrible abandonment of me!” Instead, their thoughts are more like “Great! My favorite human is back, and now my pack is complete again!”

Tito’s reunions with me are always enthusiastic but brief. After about five minutes of excited greetings, he’s back to his normal routine. This shows that while he’s happy to see me, he wasn’t spending his time in distress during my absence.

Ready to give your dog the best possible care experience while you’re away?

Pet Watch connects you with certified, professional pet sitters throughout the UAE who understand exactly what your furry friend needs to feel comfortable and loved. Our sitters aren’t just caregivers – they’re genuine animal lovers trained to create positive experiences for pets of all personalities.

Discover Pet Watch’s professional pet sitting services and give yourself peace of mind knowing your dog will be in expert, caring hands while you’re away.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my dog think I abandoned him when I go on vacation?

No, dogs don’t think in terms of “abandonment” the way humans do. They live in the present moment and focus on whether their needs are being met. As long as they have a caring sitter providing food, water, exercise, and attention, most dogs adapt well to temporary changes in their routine. The key is ensuring consistent care and maintaining their normal schedule as much as possible.

What do dogs think when you leave them with a dog sitter?

Dogs initially think about assessing their new caregiver – gathering information through scent, observing behavior, and determining if this person is trustworthy. Once they accept the sitter, their thoughts shift to normal daily concerns like when they’ll eat, play, and go outside. They don’t spend time worrying about when you’ll return; instead, they adapt to their current situation and routine.

Do dogs feel abandoned when you give them away?

There’s a big difference between temporary pet sitting and permanently giving away a dog. For temporary care, dogs don’t feel “abandoned” – they experience change and may need time to adjust, but they’re capable of forming new bonds while maintaining their connection to you. However, permanently rehoming a dog is more complex and should involve careful transition planning to minimize stress.

What do dogs think when they are sitting alone?

When alone, dogs’ thoughts center around their immediate environment and needs. They might be listening to sounds outside, anticipating meal time, resting in comfortable spots, or engaging with toys you’ve left for them. Dogs are quite capable of entertaining themselves and don’t necessarily experience loneliness the way humans do, especially if their physical and mental needs are being met.

By Monja Madan, Founder of Pet Watch App.

July 28, 2025