From Treat Pouch to Travel Bag: A Trainer’s Take on Pet Sitting Abroad

As a full-time dog trainer and small business owner, I spend most of my days running between private sessions, group classes, creating fun and engagement content, and constantly juggling treats, leashes, and client emails. So when the opportunity came up to pet sit two dogs and a cat in Costa Rica for five weeks, I said yes faster than a Labrador to a dropped hotdog.

Doing it all myself....admin, training, marketing, bookkeeping, creating training videos and lessons, can be both rewarding and exhausting. This trip wasn’t just a chance to escape the chaos of my schedule. It was an intentional pause, a chance to recharge my batteries and finally tackle the personal projects I never had energy for after a full day of dog training.

How Costa Rica Became My Reboot Button

I’ve been coming to this beautiful country every two years since 2014. But after riding the emotional rollercoaster of the pandemic, lockdowns, every human on the planet getting a dog, and burnout creeping in, I decided to stay for two months in late 2022 to reset. I had just wrapped up writing Brain Games For Your Dog, creating all the content for the online training academy and was running on fumes. I needed a break.

While staying in Tamarindo that year, the apartment I was renting had the sweetest dog named Bookie. When his owner returned home for Christmas, I offered to pet sit while their housekeeper managed the AirBnB. It was my first unofficial “gig”, low-key, fulfilling, and honestly, kind of magical. It planted the seed. Bookie would scratch at my door every morning, ready for his treats and was beyond happy when invited for a snuggle on the bed.

Fast forward to December 2024. I returned to Costa Rica for six weeks and connected with Max and Shadow’s owner shortly after arriving. She had recently adopted Max, a six-year-old Labradoodle with no leash manners and zero recall. Shadow, her six-year-old Standard Poodle, wasn’t bonding with him. She mentioned she was struggling with their dynamic, so I offered to help.

We did a few beachside training sessions, and eventually, she asked if I’d be interested in house and pet-sitting while she was away in January. With that ocean view and two adorable pooches....I couldn’t say no. That was my first taste of international pet sitting.

Before she even left, she asked if I’d come back for a five-week sit in June and July. I only hesitated for a moment, five weeks is a long time to be away from my business and the beautiful Ottawa weather. But after some financial prep and client coordination, I was in. Thankfully, working virtually makes it easier to stay connected and support my clients, even from afar.

Max, Shadow & Me: The Daily Rhythm

Max is the goofball, sweetheart,  and total love bug. Shadow is the elegant diva of the house, with a graceful gait and a side-eye that could stop traffic. Together, they kept me on my toes (from chasing Howler monkeys to watching out for crocs!) and gave structure to my days. Morning walks on the beach, midday naps in the shade, and steep hikes to the local lookout where the view made every sweaty step worth it. Jo the cat? She supervised from the back of the couch like a furry little queen, silently judging us all.

But this wasn’t just about feeding schedules and potty breaks. It was about creating a calm structure, reinforcing healthy routines, and working on Max’s leash manners and recall alongside Shadow’s instinct to scavenge for scraps of food. All of it set against the backdrop of a different culture, a slower….Pura Vida pace of life, and a whole lot of unexpected learning for all three of us.

Living Slower, Working Smarter

With fewer distractions and no back-to-back appointments, I found myself reconnecting with projects I had put on the back burner for months…..okay, years.

• ✅ Finished my Google certification in Digital Marketing and E-Commerce
  
  

• 🧹 Cleaned out thousands (seriously, thousands) of photos and files.
  
  

• 📱 Created new social media content for my business
  
  

• 💸 Started budgeting and forecasting with a clearer head
  
  

All of this in between beach walks, jungle trails, and quality cuddle time with Max and Shadow. The slower pace gave me space to breathe, think and recharge, a rare luxury in the hustle of entrepreneurship.

Leaving Finlay Behind

One of the biggest challenges of saying yes to this trip was figuring out who could care for my own dog, Finlay, for five whole weeks. As a working dog and my constant sidekick, he’s not exactly low-maintenance, and I don’t hand his leash over to just anyone. Thankfully, he got the royal treatment with “Auntie Lindsay” and her gentle giant Ozzy the Great Pyrenees, getting spoiled with treats, snuggles, and lots of sniffari's. Still, being apart from him for that long is tough. As amazing as Max and Shadow were, nothing quite replaces your own dog’s quirky charm and familiar companionship.

Would I Do It Again?

In a heartbeat... ish.

Would I trade five weeks with two amazing dogs, ocean breezes, and jungle hikes for a cold Canadian winter? Heck yes. But would I say it’s easy to walk away from your business for that long? Not exactly.

The reality is, most of my income comes from in-person work. Being gone for five weeks meant making sacrifices and being strategic with my finances. I had to prep in advance, line up virtual support for clients, and stick to a budget while away. 

But the return on investment? Mental clarity, creative energy, and a fresh perspective I couldn’t have found sitting at my desk. If you're willing to plan for it, the experience is absolutely worth it.

Pro Tips for Trainers Considering Pet Sitting Abroad:

• Use platforms like TrustedHousesitters or Nomador to find legit opportunities
  
  

• Be upfront about your expectations. Wi-Fi, routines, pet behaviours, etc.
  
  

• Remember you’re still working, this isn’t an all-inclusive resort stay, it’s a commitment
  
  

• Pack your leash, your laptop, and a flexible mindset
  
  

This journey reminded me that being a dog trainer isn’t just about structure and skill, it’s also about connection, adaptability, and sometimes, slowing down long enough to hear your own thoughts again.

Thanks, Max and Shadow, for the adventure.