Hi, I’d like to hear your opinions on tracking devices and anti bark collars on dogs.
During my last sit, a very horrible one, the owner has tracked me and my daughters with their dog’s tracking device. I kept it on the dog because it never occurred to me that we would be tracked.
There were also some cameras, inside and outside. The owner told me about one, and of course I have asked to block it somehow. Then, there were two cameras recording not just images but audio too, and another camera at the front door. Again, without my knowledge.
I had put emphasis on my privacy from the very beginning, it was really hurting to realize we were not safe, a sense of unease, very stressful.
The owner told us to use an anti bark collar. To me, that I don’t even eat animals, was disturbing. In the days we spent sitting those dogs we were able to calm them most of the times without torturing devices, but of course they barked sometimes. Dogs bark
Any of you have being stalked during your sit?
Would you agree to do something that is very against your ethics?
We did one sit in which the dogs had tracking devices, and it was pretty annoying. I did not like it, and I would not tolerate it again. I felt that I was being monitored, and to makes things worse, the device would “ping” intermittently, and at night, this awakened me multiple times. For 2 weeks. I was exhausted.
I would not agree to do something against my ethics, but hopefully the bark collar requirement was in the initial listing, and applicants would be aware of the bark collar before applying.
I would be extremely uncomfortable to learn that there were that many cameras, that they weren’t disclosed ahead of time and that they had audio.
Re:training devices, it’s up to what you are comfortable with but that is a question that you should ask ahead of time. I learn what I can about their structures and training regime so that I know if 1. I’m comfortable with it and 2. I’ll be able to reinforce it.
Moving forward these camera posts are making it very clear to me that I need to ask if hosts have cameras, and if so, how many, do they have video and audio, where are they placed and will they remain on the the duration of the sit. It’s so unsettling to be recorded like that and I would report or at least mention it to TH and also matter-of-fairly make other sitters aware of all the cameras and where they are so future sitters can determine for themselves if they’re comfortable it’s it with the help of your experience and insights.
Report these homeowners to members services, as interior cameras and audio devices that record or transmit sound/video are expressly forbidden on Trusted Housesitters.
Regardless of the response from THS, PLEASE include the facts in your review about the homeowner’s cameras and tracking devices. Just the facts, not how you felt about it. Future prospective sitters have a right to know.
You have 14 days after the end of your sit to write a review. It is a blind review, so the homeowner will not see it before they write their review.
Thank you all for taking the time to share your point of view respectfully, it means a lot to me while I’m still trying to cope with the situation.
I admit I was too naive trusting the owner, but it’s hard to be always on guard looking for red flags. Me and my children felt so vulnerable and exposed, that all the experience turned sad and at times unbearable. Even with that I continued meeting my duties, but I paid a price.
About the anti bark collar: it was the one that gives electrical shocks, on a very old dog, so I don’t thing was for ‘training’ purpose.
There are other ways, for sure. In ten days we were able to calm the dogs with no punishment and no treats, just by talking, being present and cuddling them. We transformed the walks in a very different experience, much more pleasant for all.
Thanks again, I will take your advice and write a review.
I am glad your post has been allowed to remain live.
I have been on a couple of sits with barking collars and I am not a fan either so do not use them during the sits. I find people who do not property train their dogs use “easy” methods.
I am finding new homeowners to the site are using cameras and claim to not realize it is against policy. I either turn them around or unplug if indoors. If I notice them outside, I ask the homeowner to advise me of any other cameras and politely advise it is against THS policy
I am so sorry you felt so violated of your privacy. I hope you are able to write a review to warn others.
Camera’s, I understand nearly everyone has a ring door bell, so many people also have them on their garage area, I get it, it does sometimes feel like it must be pinging all the time for the Owner especially if my Teens are going constantly going in and out, I think we are used to them by now that we have learned to just ignore them, in the beginning it was very unsettling.
We have had a few sits early on that had camera’s in the house and I said in advance " My Son walks around in his Undies, so be warned if you forget to turn them off" lol. Most turned them off while we were there and if they didn’t well they saw my Son wandering around in his Undies lots!
Shock collars, hmmmm, never had this situation yet, I don’t think I would feel comfortable with this on a whole, if it was for an interim period for training and that’s what the owner does, Dogs bark and there are other ways to train them, however not my dog not my rules, i would quite possibly not take the sit if i am being honest.
Tracking Collars with GPS, we have encountered them in the past and didn’t know until we looked at their collar in more detail that it was a GPS tracker, again with dog thefts and some breeds are very popular I understand having tracking on them, if the Owner contacted me and said " can you go out for longer with the dog, I would feel weird about it" that being said, we do longer walks than the owners usually do and quite often do at least 2 big walks a day, we enjoy the exploring as much as the Dogs do.
I think having all the information in advance and both Owner and Sitter being clear and comfortable about the arrangements upfront and it can be a good experience for Both.
We had a similar experience at a house sit, last year. It was supposed to be for three weeks, but four days into it, we had to leave, not only because our every move was being watched, but the house was absolutely filthy!!! Although she did not have any internal cameras, (or none that we were aware of,) there was definitely a door camera, which she utilised to monitor our every move, to the point where she got a friend of hers, to stand inside the house, by the back door, watching the dogs, because we came home a little later than that stupid four hour limit, most English families set on how long you are allowed to leave their dogs. I would never sit for anyone with dogs again because of this invasion of privacy, and certainly would never put on a collar like the one she has for her dog, which is cruel and unnecessary. You should inform THS like I did, so that her behaviour can be monitored, because spying on you, for any reason, is against THS policy and the privacy act, as well.
They are banning collars that are used to prevent livestock worrying with offlead dogs. But hypocritically, I do not think (last time I
checked) collars used for barking are not banned which is ridiculous and inconsistent, as well as showing an incredible lack of understanding around how ecollars work.
And just to clarify for others, electric collars that emit a tone, spray, or vibration all work on the same premise which is utilising positive punishment and aversion to modify or deter a behaviour…just cause it doesn’t emit an electronic pulse doesn’t necessarily make it any better or worse for a given dog….so much depends on the dog and the proficiency of the handler who is using it and imo, most people have no business using tools as acute as these because they don’t actually know what they’re doing.
Regardless, I’m glad OP was able to find a non-aversive approach that worked for the dogs!
