The Pros
How do I know my dog is okay while I'm away?
What good updates look like, what a settled dog actually shows in photos, and the signals worth a follow-up question.
· 2 min read
The short answer
A dog that's doing well away from you shows it in the photos: loose body, soft mouth, normal appetite, sleeping in open positions. Good providers send updates without being asked and answer specifics without hedging. If updates show a tucked tail, refused meals past the first day, or only ever the same corner of a room — ask. On Haus Dogs you can message your provider directly through the booking, and reviews come exclusively from owners who completed one.
The hardest part of leaving your dog isn't the leaving — it's the not knowing. Here's how to actually know, rather than worry in a nicer format.
Read the photo, not the caption
Any photo can say 'having a great time!' The dog's body says whether it's true. Look for: a loose, curved posture rather than a stiff one; a soft, slightly open mouth; ears in their neutral position; and — the big one — sleep in open, exposed positions. A dog sprawled on its side in a stranger's kitchen is a dog whose nervous system has voted. A dog photographed only ever in the same corner, curled tight, is telling you something different.
The first 24 hours are their own category
A skipped first meal, extra clinginess, some pacing — normal settling. Providers expect it and so should you. The question is trajectory: by the second morning the appetite should return and the body should loosen. Good providers narrate this arc without being asked — 'skipped dinner, took breakfast fine' is the sentence you want.
Ask specific questions
'How's she doing?' invites 'great!' Ask instead: Is she eating full meals? Where is she sleeping? How is she on the leash compared to day one? Specific questions get you real information, and providers who answer them precisely are showing you the attention your dog is actually getting. On Haus Dogs all of it runs through the booking's message thread, so there's a record, and the reviews you read on any profile came exclusively from owners who finished a booking — no drive-by ratings.
Trust the arc
One odd photo means nothing; dogs blink weirdly too. Watch the pattern across updates. Settling dogs trend looser. And if the pattern worries you, say so directly — a good provider would far rather field a nervous question than have you come home to a surprise.
A relaxed dog can't be faked in photos. That's what makes them worth a thousand captions.
FAQ
How often should a pet sitter send updates?
At least daily for overnights, and at every visit for drop-ins. On Haus Dogs, updates and messaging run through the booking, so the whole record stays in one place.
What are signs my dog is stressed while boarding?
In photos: tucked tail, pinned ears, tight closed mouth, always the same spot. In reports: refusing food past the first evening, pacing overnight, or vanishing appetite for walks. One signal alone can be settling-in; a pattern is worth a call.