Feeling bad after truthful review

Sitter Questions, Advice & Chat
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Hi there. I’ve just done a review from my last sit and I had to give negative points. The sit was far from perfect as the behaviour of one of the dogs was not just boisterous but he was destructive. I was not informed of the dogs behaviour prior to the sit either by in the original listing or in the welcome pack. When I texted them about his poor behaviour, it just seemed to be laughed off.

He ate or destroyed everything in sight including my soap which was on the windowsill which he still managed to reach.

I feel pretty down that by doing this review has probably upset the HO.

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Its all about how you word your review.
I have done a four star review today on a sit, I chose my words very carefully as i felt previous sitters had just given five stars willy nilly. Any experienced sitter will read between the lines on my review.
We need to be honest as does a pet owner. I’d hate to think my owners were offended by the truth, I hope yours take it on board.

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Need to be honest then you say experienced sitters will read between the lines !

What about none experienced sitters and people who have difficulty reading between the lines ?

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I feel you. I just went through the same thing and it turned into a bit of a nightmare. I imagine you can see the thread on my profile if you’re curious. I know it feels terrible but it’s our responsibility to be honest and try to prevent future sitters from being blindsided. I hope that everything goes well from this point forward and you can move onto bigger and better sits.

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@Newt
Honest, as typing it all up as things were, but not in a manner which the pet owner will get hurt by my choice of words.

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The HO should be upset. Upset that they have put you in such a difficult position by not being honest and then not being supportive.

Its done now. Take the lessons learnt and move onwards and upwards.

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Sure, but four-star reviews get read. Carefully, I suppose.

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You’ve done the host a favor by giving them the gift of honesty.

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Hi @Lumpybum

I recall having a sit whereby the dog displayed destructive behavior by tossing the sofa cushions, destroying his own winter jacket, ripped an umbrella, and knocked a few of the homeowner’s treasured birds off of a mantel piece.

The dog had separation anxiety and was on two different types of medications which was only disclosed after I arrived. One day, prior to going out, I gave the dog his medications and I was only gone for two hours. I took a video of the destruction that the dog had done and sent it to the HO followed up by a phone call. Her first question was, not asking if I was ok, but “Are the birds ok?”

She was dismissive in what I was telling her, blew it off–like “no big deal”. And she mentioned that the dog had a history of destroying things in her home and I should give him a higher dosage in his medications. Well, thanks for telling me.

The HO’s listing specifically stated that the dog “needs no medication.”

The HO had not disclosed that her dog suffered from separation anxiety, was on medications, and had a history of destructive behavior.

I gave an honest and factual account of said events in my review.

I also reported the listing to THS and the HO has since updated her listing to state that the dog has separation anxiety for which he takes medications.

Your title is “Feeling bad after truthful review”

While I am sorry to read that you are feeling bad, you would probably feel worse had you not been honest in giving a truthful review.

While the HO could be upset, you also have to consider your feelings and stand in your truth.

I hope you feel uplifted in knowing that there is value in being truthful.

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Thank you so much for sharing your experience. It is greatly appreciated

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Hi @Lumpybum (great name!)

I wondered if you’d read this thread, as I’m sure there is much in there that you’ll resonate with:

https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/boisterous-dogs/

Everything you said in your post, I could have said about my last sit (which was the subject of the thread above), with the exception that the dog left my soap intact, instead eating my shoes, computer cable and headphones!

Please don’t be distraught about the review you left, give yourself some compassion for having survived it :heart: You accurately reflected the sit, and you remained true to yourself by doing so. You should be proud.

I thought long and hard about the review I left too, because I have never docked stars before, nor have I been so upfront about the behaviour of the dogs (I guess because I’ve never dealt with destructive dogs before now). I did in this case because I felt the HOs weren’t entirely upfront about the behaviour of the dogs, and so I wanted to be. I also felt it would communicate to them the kind of things they needed to mention in the sit, and that they should look specifically for someone with experience with puppies (which I did not have), while also giving credit for their hospitality and communication.

I also mentioned that the dogs can be aggressive, because it startled me and while that may be commonplace to a HO who lives with it, it was shocking to me. I feel completely at ease with the review I left, regardless of what the HOs think about it (not sure they can complain really, as it’s all true!) Almost a week later, they haven’t left one for me, so they haven’t seen it yet. Regardless, that was my experience and I have the right to communicate this in a review, as you have also done. You’ve nothing to feel bad about whatsoever xx

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Remember that you are leaving the review not only as feedback for the HO, but as a (potential) warning to future sitters.

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Ooooooh I’ve had a very childish response by the HO to my review. It has been written by the naughty dog,

I’m pretty angry that they have done this but it just backs up the childish mentality of the owners.

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clever dog! :rofl:

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@Lumpybum on behalf of any future sitters thank you for leaving an honest review about the dogs behaviour. :clap:

If the reply from the owner ( or dog ) comes across as childish , unreasonable or over critical of you , it will just emphasis the truth of the situation to future sitters .
If the reply addresses all the issues you raised in a respectful tone that means that your review has accomplished its purpose in identifying some areas that could be improved for future sits.

Out of interest , what kind of review did the hosts give you ?

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House sitting on THS works when it’s an equal exchange , pet behaviour is a huge factor in this .

We are on a delightful sit with a well behaved ,gentle ,sweet ,calm , lovable dog. We are fully able to relax , unwind and enjoy the luxury home and beautiful area that it is located in .

Whilst walking the dog in the neighbourhood we met a sitter who is staying in a house in the same the road . Another luxury home , but she is having a stressful time with a destructive young dog who (in their words) is like a naughty toddler , eating , chewing and destroying every thing in sight with high energy and no recall on walks .

We are having completely different sit experiences due to the pet behaviours. It’s so important that owners are honest about the pet behaviour in their listing and also that sitters are in their reviews .

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I got an excellent review with highly recommended. This was just a spiteful and childish thing to do.

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Having just read it I think they have written a very well worded humorous response that future experienced lab sitters will love and fully understand.

I can also understand your response to it because it highlights some areas where they believe you could have done things differently which may have resulted in better behaviour from the pup.

It’s sometimes easier to give feedback than it is to take which is why all you need to do is consider what they’ve wrote, take from it what you can and move on.

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They gave me a wonderful 5star review

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That’s great , validation that you did a good job in looking after their home and pets .
The review is what future hosts will see when looking at your profile .

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