I’m sorry this has been your experience, especially when you had made it clear you were so affected by the previous sitter’s behaviour to the extent you were considering coming home early, and yet, the more recent sitter seemed keen to repeat this.
There definitely seems to be something going on with some sitters at the moment. I have never read so many bad experiences and it draws sitters in general in a poor light. Rest assured though, there are many sitters who wouldn’t even consider leaving your dog overnight and would care for him as you do. I hope your next experience restores your faith somewhat!
3 Likes
Worth noting that THS membership keeps growing. If so, even if the proportion of bad sitters and hosts stayed consistent, the aggregate numbers would be greater.
I believe that the difference between a 21-year-old and a 50-year-old regarding attention to detail lies in self-awareness. The older person is more likely to recognize their own tendencies and may choose not to take on tasks like pet and house sitting for someone who is not a friend or family.
I’ve always paid attention to detail, but I am definitely more self-aware and responsible now than I was 20 years ago.
I love animals and traveling too, but I know that when I travel I like to explore, I don’t want to take up the task of looking after a pet because I want to dedicate my time to other things and would just feel terrible for leaving a pet alone for too long. Priorities are different and I am aware of that so I would rather pay for a hotel or Airbnb for my travels. I know not everyone has that luxury and there are sits for everyone!
I also know that there are amazing and exceptional sitters who set the bar high, because we have had them! So when you go from that to someone who is less than it can be a bit disappointing.
3 Likes
Depends on the person. Of course, your choice to pick who sits your home and Bowie.
The 20-something I had sit my house has always been responsible and self-aware — I know her parents and they raised her that way, and she leans that way naturally. Maybe it’s genetic with her, because her parents are impressive, conscientious folks. Hard to tell nature vs. nurture.
I had negligent parents and always thought for myself. I had more sense as a young child than they ever have. Some folks are just that way.
Personally, the reason I don’t sit beyond the U.S. and U.K. is, in other places, I want complete freedom to sightsee. With the U.S. and U.K., I telecommute and spend most of my time at the sit home or neighborhood. When I want a vacation, I pay my way entirely, obligation free.
I don’t disagree with you. I’ve definitely come across some amazing children and teenagers. But honestly, I haven’t met many people in their 20s who are very self-aware. Like you mentioned, it probably has a lot to do with their upbringing and also their personalities. Generally speaking, I don’t think I’m wrong here. Maybe it’s just the kind of crowd this service is attracting now.
Cheers on picking whomever you trust with Bowie. Pets count on us to make good decisions on their behalf. And it’s better to miss a sitter over a false negative than to risk a bad sitter over going against your gut.
1 Like
As others have said, don’t contact the sitter, no point in doing this, what’s happened can’t be changed and you are going to run the risk of a retaliatory poor review.
My review would be along these lines;
• it was disappointing to come home to a home that needed some cleaning OR the home was clean upon your return.
• communication was - good OR irregular
Then add - sadly and most upsetting was that some things were done not in accordance with the agreed responsibilities of the sit including:
• my dog was not walked and was left alone for periods in excess of X hours.
• Another dog was brought into the home without my knowledge or prior agreement
Hope this helps.
2 Likes
I agree there are detail oriented people across all ages but I also think the way children are brought up has changed with different generations. My parents were considered adults and had lots of responsibilities at a very young age, I was allowed to be a kid a bit longer and so on. Also, experience is very important. When it comes to house keeping, I think it’s more likely that a mature person knows how to handle certain situations.
1 Like
I have the same impression. Has a lot to do with circumstances. Many youth in their 20-ies today are not used to being responsible for a household, for instance because they live at home, at a dorm or similar, while others (fewer than before in many countries) could be in full time work and responsible for household and children. I would think the first group is more likely to be petsitting than the other. But I also know grown-ups with jobs and kids that don’t keep their home in good condition, don’t pay their bills or take neighbors into consideration - so it is a people-thing more than an age-thing for me. And it could happen in any aspect of life. To be able to single it out I think one would try to figure it out in videocall. Where do they live, what is a normal day in your life, how do you see a normal day petsitting or similar.
2 Likes
That is atrocious. As a sitter I cannot imagine doing that and there is no excuse that could possibly be given for doing something like bringing another animal into your house without permission. And if an emergency had come up to explain them leaving your dog alone longer than agreed upon or not walking, they should have proactively told you. I would definitely not contact them prior to your review and I would leave an honest factual review. Would you not want to warn your friends if they wanted to use this sitter? Then please do leave a warning for others, it ruins it for other sitters when someone is irresponsible.
1 Like