From enrichment toys to sitter instructions—here’s everything we did to make leaving our Springer Spaniel worry-free.
Leaving your dog for any length of time can be emotional—but leaving them for 10 days?
That felt like a big deal!
We recently used TrustedHousesitters to find someone to stay with our Springer Spaniel, Harvey, while I went away with my Husband on a special birthday surprise trip.
I had no idea where I was going—but I did know one thing: I wanted Harvey to be just as well looked after as I was going to be.
Here's how we made sure Harvey’s sit went as smoothly as possible, how we prepped his food and enrichment , and why we’d absolutely recommend house sitting as a kennel alternative.
⭐️Dont miss the Discount Code and Links at the end of this BLOG⭐️
Why We Chose House Sitting Over Kennels
We’d only ever left Harvey, our Springer Spaniel, with family or for the occasional overnight stay with a brilliant local sitter, Victoria—who we originally found through TrustedHousesitters.
But this time was different. We were going away for 10 days—the longest we’d ever been apart from him—and Victoria wasn’t available!
We knew kennels weren’t right for Harvey. He’s much more settled in his own space, with his usual routines. That’s what led us back to TrustedHousesitters—a global platform that connects pet owners with verified, reviewed sitters who stay in your home and care for your pets while you’re away.
You pay an annual membership to post your travel dates, receive sitter applications, and read reviews from other pet owners. It’s an ideal kennel alternative for dogs like Harvey who thrive on consistency and home comforts.
Meeting the Sitters & Building Confidence
After posting the details of our trip, we were contacted by two wonderful sitters—Heather and Martin. They had plenty of experience and glowing reviews on the platform, which immediately put us at ease. Their thoughtful profiles and feedback from other pet parents helped us feel confident they’d take great care of Harvey.
We messaged back and forth through the TrustedHousesitters app, which made communication simple and reassuring. We even arranged to meet them in person before the sit—something we’d highly recommend if you can. It gave us the chance to talk through Harvey’s routine and get to know them a little beforehand.
My husband also let them in on the secret of my birthday trip, so they knew where we were going—and they couldn’t have been more kind or considerate. From start to finish, they made us feel completely comfortable leaving Harvey in their care.
Throughout our trip, they sent us photo updates of Harvey enjoying himself and even gently reminded us to relax—he was doing just fine. Those little touches made all the difference, especially when you’re hundreds of miles away thinking about your dog.
Prepping for the Sit: Planning Makes All the Difference
One of the great features of TrustedHousesitters is the structured pet profile—it makes it easy to share all the essential details about your dog’s routine, food, medical needs, quirks, and even your local vet. We made the most of it and also printed out a copy (just in case!), then added some thoughtful extras to help everything run smoothly.
We left our sitters:
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Harvey’s favourite toys and tug games
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Ideas for fun enrichment activities, like treat-stuffed cardboard boxes and DIY scent work games
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A local map and suggestions for nearby walks and attractions
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Emergency contact details, along with info for nearby friends and neighbours
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A welcome pack with practical house info and helpful tips
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And a little thank you—some of their favourite coffee and wine, plus a gift card for a local restaurant
But the real game-changer?
Prepping Harvey’s enrichment toys and food in advance. It saved time, gave our sitters confidence, and ensured Harvey had everything he needed from day one.
How We Used No Fuss Fill® to Simplify Enrichment
When you're in the middle of holiday prep, the last thing you want is a messy kitchen or fiddly enrichment toys slowing you down. That’s where our No Fuss Fill® came in—it made filling multiple toys quick, clean, and easy. We used it to pre-load a stash of Harvey’s favourite enrichment toys with minimal mess and stress.
Some toys were stored in the freezer, neatly packed in our Prep & Go Bags, while others were kept in the fridge ready for the moment we walked out the door. It meant Harvey had familiar, comforting enrichment from the start—and our sitters had ready-made options on hand.
We also left a No Fuss Fill® enrichment toy filler for them to use during the stay. It meant they could easily refill toys without having to guess what to do or deal with the usual mess. For a high-energy dog like Harvey, enrichment is a vital part of his daily routine, and knowing our sitters had everything they needed gave me huge peace of mind. It made the transition easier for everyone—especially Harvey.
Making It Enjoyable for the Sitters, Too
We really wanted our sitters to enjoy their time in our home and local area. We left them a list of nearby places to walk Harvey, plus local pubs, coffee spots, and attractions they could visit while he snoozed or played. They truly treated our home and dog as their own, and I’m so glad we took those extra steps to prepare.
Would We Use a House Sitter Again?
Absolutely. This experience completely changed how we feel about leaving Harvey. Knowing he was safe, enriched, and loved in his own home meant we could enjoy our trip guilt-free. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend house sitting as a fantastic kennel alternative—especially when combined with a little planning and the right tools, like No Fuss Fill®, to make things simple for everyone involved.
And we have to mention Heather and Martin again. We returned to a spotless house—they’d even stripped the bed, washed the towels and bedding, and hung everything out on the line. It was such a thoughtful touch, and so appreciated after a long journey home.
Final Tips for Preparing for a Dog Sitter
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Check in early: Meeting your sitters ahead of time is invaluable—especially if you’ve never done it before. If an in-person meet-up isn’t possible due to location, arranging a video call is the next best thing. It’s always reassuring to put a friendly face to the name and build a bit of rapport before the stay begins.
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Leave written instructions: Even if you fill out the app profile, having a printed version can be really helpful.
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Use enrichment: Fill toys in advance using a toy filler like No Fuss Fill® so sitters always have something on hand.
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Separate pet food and treats: Use Prep & Go Bags to clearly store pet supplies in the fridge, freezer, or counter.
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Add local info: Maps, dog-friendly walks, and local tips make a sit more enjoyable for everyone.
Ready to find a sitter for your dog and home?
With a single annual membership, you unlock unlimited pet and home care—or the chance to enjoy unlimited sits around the world—with no extra fees involved. Sitters get to travel while staying in real homes with the added joy of pets for company, and pet owners can head off with real peace of mind, knowing their pets are safe, happy, and cared for in the comfort of their own home by a trusted, verified sitter. It’s a win for everyone—especially the dogs, who get a staycation of their own!
Visit TrustedHousesitters using this link https://trustedhousesitters.pxf.io/Dy19OG
Then use the code NOFUSSFILL25 at checkout to get 25% OFF all Memberships
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