You have a small dog and I have done cold sits for small dogs that went fine. However, I would never do a cold sit with a large dog because even if its known to be friendly, under some circumstances, that could change. I will never forget the young girl who cold sat for two dogs that tore her a part. Not on THS tho. The dog were supposedly friendly dogs but she walked in and was attacked. She lost her face.
One of my first sits was no-meet passover in Santa Fe. I was a bit nervous but the pups (a JRT and a lab) were fine with it. I came in to the living room and the dogs were asleep on the couch - they looked up at me and went back to sleep. The 3 cats were not as happy - they were to be confined to the master bed room and the catio - the only way I knew they were around was that I had to fill the food and water bowls and clean the litter boxes daily. (But that was the HO’s instruction - not to try playing with the cats,)
A “blind” hand over is fine for some situations: not for most dogs.
Dogs are territorial and generally very loyal to their humans.
Yes, there ARE breeds/individual dogs who accept everyone.
BUT - it’s really not fair to your dog to get only a very brief meet-up prior to the sit. None at all? I wouldn’t…
Dogs need a chance to get comfortable with the sitters & confirm that their human is comfortable with the sitters.
It’s also not fair to the sitters who then have to enter the home not sure of the kind of reception they’ll get from a dog they don’t know.
Your dog may be a sweetheart to everyone when you’re around.
When you’re gone? Most dogs take their role as protector-of-the-home seriously.
Our dog was a huge 115 lb lab/shepherd mix: looked like a shepherd, heart of a lab. Sweetest natured dog I’ve ever had. 3 year old kids instinctively knew he was friendly and everyone in our neighborhood said “Hi Charlie!” when we took walks.
We went away for a week, grandpa came over to take care of him. Now, this was someone our dog saw often, always brought him treats. Grandpa could not get in the door! Our “sweetheart” took a LOT of convincing, talking to, and treats before he finally let him in!
The way your dog behaves when you’re around and s/he feels confident may not be how it is when you’re gone.
Find a way to give your dog and the sitter a decent amount of time to get comfortable with each other, preferably taking a walk, play time, etc.
And be there for the hand-off.
If you must leave very early? Ask your sitter to come the night before.
I’m sure you love your dog and want this to be a good situation: plan for that and it will be!
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