Hi all, I’m new to TH but I do have a sitter lined up for September. My issue is my dog sitter (not from TH) can no longer cover my holiday in July. I just searched for my listing (to link to this profile - hopefully it worked?) I put in my location and it was the only listing in my town but took me ages to find it! I’ve sent lots of invitations but no luck so far. I saw another question re how to find someone that wants to visit your location but I understand you can’t search this way. Obviously some sitters state this but not all. Also I have been checking the calendars in profiles before sending invites but they either aren’t kept up to date or people say they are not available if they are not interested as it sounds a bit nicer perhaps? Anyway I would appreciate any advice! Thanks in advance
Welcome @ClaireCanuk to THS
The advice to you, as has been discussed to death on the forum, is to post your listing and wait for prospective sitters to apply. There is absolutely no point, although occasionally it’s successful, inviting sitters nor looking at their calendars. Sitters will apply if they can do your dates and like your listing and the calendar is useless and most sitters don’t bother updating it.
I’ve just had a look at your listing and it looks very attractive. Well done for mentioning that Bailey can be left for up to 6 hours, that will certainly appeal to sitters. I can see a bath in the photos but is there a separate shower? You could possibly cut down on some of the history, although that will no doubt appeal to a lot of people. The fact that you can be reached by public transport is great.
Where does Bailey sleep? Is she strong? Does she pull on the lead? I see in photos that she’s off the lead. Have you a secure, enclosed garden that she can access if sitters are out?
Other people may come up with suggestions to improve on your listing but, it’s very appealing just sorry I can’t help you.
One other thing is that a lot of full time sitters, like me, will be booked up for your dates but hopefully not all.
Good luck!
They may be available for a sit but not for a sit in your location - unfortunately there is no where on the calendar for a sitter to indicate which location they are looking for on which dates ….
Lovely cottage 
The calendar functionality may likely be more intended for THS to assist in cases of cancellations—by identifying members who may be available during a given timeframe.
It doesn’t appear to be widely used beyond that, which is understandable; It’s not a job and the platform doesn’t function as a transactional service in the way one might book, say, a hairdresser.
Your best chance are probably those already familiar with the area—perhaps visiting family nearby during that period.
To increase visibility, perhaps consider refining your headline to highlight nearby cities or notable landmarks instead…Bullmastiff’s are wonderful dogs, but also considered one of the most dangerous there is.
Good luck @ClaireCanuk
Hi Smiley,
Thanks so much for your feedback, I really appreciate it. I think I have addressed all your comments. I’ll just have to be patient !
Thanks again xx
Ok thanks for getting back to me 
Thanks so much for your feedback! I deliberately put Bull Mastiff in the headline as I wouldn’t want someone to apply who wouldn’t be comfortable with the breed.
Thanks again
One suggestion for improving your listing is to be more upfront about where your home is in terms of big towns etc. I have no idea where Ampthill is and I have to skim read quite a way down before I get to Milton Keynes. You say it’s five minutes walk to the centre of a charming market town but not the name of the town. That together with lots of history that the average sitter probably isn’t interested in at that point in time will make a fair few sitters moving on the the next listing.
Good luck finding a sitter. 
Your sit sounds absolutely wonderful — I’d jump at it if I could. Best of luck finding a terrific sitter.
I don’t think you have. Where does Bailey sleep? Can she have access to a secure garden if sitters are out? Is there a separate shower as there’s only a photo of a bath…..
I slightly disagree with the other advice given about inviting sitters. I am perhaps biased because I’ve accepted multiple sits when invited, all of them sits I would never have found and applied to on my own. Yes, it is slightly more work, but here is the strategy I would use:
I created a search for:
Sitters in the UK (since they are likely the only ones that can legally do your sit and not have to worry about border issues)
Experienced with Dogs
That Have Member Reviews
That Are Available (yes, the calendar is bad, but it’s better than nothing)
I then narrowed the search down - at the bottom of the page - to the county of Dorset. I figured that was far enough away that someone would want to come for a getaway, but still close enough that travel would not be expensive (you know your country better than I do so other counties might be a better choice). The mistake many HOs make is searching for sitters nearby. Sitters nearby have their own homes! You need far enough away that your place is an adventure and close enough that the person doesn’t have to buy a plane ticket.
This gave me 24 sitters (interestingly I think the site has a bug - it SAYS there are 200 sitters, but if you count them - there are 24! I suspect the site is counting all the sitters in Dorset, not the ones that meet the criteria above)
At this point it is an easy thing to click on each profile and send any that appeal to you a form letter that you can modify slightly to their profile, something along the lines of the below. You can then redo the search for other similar counties. Good luck! I’d love to hear, if you try this strategy, if it works.
Dear …,
Are you looking for a peaceful summer escape in the English countryside? We’re searching for a caring and experienced house- and dog-sitter to stay in our lovely home near Milton Keynes, from 7 to 17 July 2025—and we’d love for you to consider it!
Our home is a cozy, light-filled cottage just a short stroll from Ampthill’s charming high street, filled with independent shops, cafés, and traditional pubs. We’re also steps away from stunning woodland walks in Ampthill Park, so it’s perfect for nature lovers and anyone seeking a relaxing break.
You’ll be looking after our beloved dog, who is friendly, affectionate, and enjoys a good walk followed by a nap in the sun. In return, you’ll enjoy a comfortable, quiet stay with all the comforts of home and the charm of a historic market town.
It’s an easy journey from Dorset by car or train—and well worth the trip for ten days of companionship, fresh air, and a change of scenery.
Please get in touch if this sounds like the kind of escape you’d enjoy—we’d be delighted to hear from you!
Warm regards,
Thanks for your feedback. I have now included that information near the beginning of the details. Thanks again!
Thanks so much!
Hi again, I have now included all of your suggestions near the top of my listing. Thanks so much I really appreciate your feedback
Dear KittySitter, thank-you so much for your response and advice. I love what you have written for me to send as an invite, it’s wonderful! I can’t thank you enough! I will certainly let you know if your advice works! Fingers crossed 
This is lovely, but 2 vital factors are missing - Bailey is a strong Bullmastiff who is lead-reactive. Let’s not sugarcoat that.
We’ve sat for Bullmastiffs and loved them, but we didnt have to deal with any behavioural issues and, given their strength and weight, to find a best fit sitter it’s vital that it’s made very clear, both in the listing and in any individual invitations to sit.
July is still a way off, so I’m sure the OP will have no trouble finding a sitter. Let’s just make sure it’s the right one, who has all the information up front.
I have almost NO experience with dogs, so I wouldn’t know a Bullmastiff from a poodle! Thanks for your insights.
It is vital not to sugarcoat - also because not disclosing important info. will give reason for the sitter to cancel or leave the sit re. the terms. So it is in the best interest of the host to be up front early on. One sitter is needed - the right one.
Your sit sounds lovely now you have made the tweaks and I hope you find the right sitter soon.
Just to be clear I would never sugarcoat and when I speak to anyone on TH, or otherwise eg. Friends that have looked after Bailey or professional dog walkers/sitters, I always make sure to overestimate rather than underestimate her reactivity to other dogs and how to walk her for her safety and that of her walker and other dogs. Yes she is heavy and strong but 99% of the time her behaviour is perfect, I always explain the 1%.
Also just in case anyone reading this may be interested in sitting for us, she is not lead reactive, she is reactive to other dogs when they run up to her (because they are off the lead and not being controlled) or bark/growl at her. Of course this is usually small dogs and because she is big and strong her behaviour is seen as worse. She walks perfectly on the lead and off , 99% of the time.
Thanks to everyone for their advice and experiences, it is greatly appreciated.