Oh, yes, I knew in advance that this would not be a hands-off sit.
In the months after the sit was confirmed the HO would ask questions. Sometimes for the same things that I already answered, with introductory sentences like “so far you have not answered my question about…”
I thought that I would be able to deal with that. But when the lack of trust in my judgment and capabilities became too much, I took offence. So halfway through the sit, we clashed. After that, the constant stream of directives ceased, and my daily pictures were just acknowledged with “ok” or with a heart symbol.
Yeesh. Personally, if I’d gotten such signals, I wouldn’t have done the sit, because I figure people who are like that have issues that other people can’t solve for them, LOL.
I wouldn’t take offense, though, because if they have issues like that, that has nothing to do with me. Not my monkeys, LOL.
Yes, I thought so too. But at some point, it got under my skin. When there was again a thing that I did not find acceptable, after a few hours I decided that I needed to tell them off.
I offered to go home if they could find someone capable instead.
As a sitter I always send daily messages to HO with good pictures showing them the activities the pet is doing. Sent via text on phone or on whatsapp.
As a HO I always want daily interaction. I also want more than ‘your cat is fine’ messages. I’d like to know how the sitters are enjoying themselves, how my cat is behaving, is my cat eating / pooping good (he is an older cat) and I’d like pictures showing him interacting with sitters. This may seem like alot to some sitters, but my cat is my “child” and it puts me a great ease to get more information rather than less. I also have gotten to know sitters much better via these daily interactions and for me this site is also about building relationships with sitters and HOs.
Yup, I figure that sitters who empathize with pet owners make for better matches. When someone asks me for updates, I don’t see that as some kind of “demand.” I see it as they love and miss their pet, which would be the case no matter which sitter they choose.
On one sit, I did multiple updates each day. That cat had nearly died of an illness a year earlier and the host was going away for their longest trip since then. I understood the circumstances and expectations ahead of the sit, because we communicated. If I’d thought it too much, I would’ve declined the sit.
I tend to ask. The lastest HO told me once every 3 days was fine. Previously some have wanted several pictures per day, and one of them told me they didn´t need updates. Everyone is different
To me it really doesn’t matter how often the owners want updates. We had owners that were of the ‘no news, good news’ type and other ones that preferred to get an update mornings and evenings.
And no that didn’t bother me. They leave their beloved pets with somebody they basically don’t know, so I totally understand!
If they would start micro-managing like in @pietkuip 's case, that would bother me! But not if they just want an update/pic.
Why didn’t you ask this during the video call or at least before you accepted the sit?
Then you could have told the home owner that you don’t want to use your phone that often. Probably the home owner would have declined you, because if it’s essential for them and as you don’t see the need you’re not a good match.
Actually, what is so complicated about taking a quick picture and writing a sentence with it every other day?
Most of our homeowners have asked for once a day. You may want to get used to using your phone. You’ll get more sits that way . After all, this is THS.
But now I sent a few seconds of video, where I first say her name - maybe she perked an ear there but not much of a reaction. Then I ask “Walk?” and she immediately darts towards me
Homeowner and sitter here. As a sitter, I am in a position of trust. Afterall, I am a complete stranger the homeowner found on the internet! The homeowner is entrusting me with their most prized possessions. They need reassurance. In my profile, I offer daily updates so they know how their pets are adjusting to their new friends. It is not unusual for me to send two or three updates on the first day. As a homeowner, I ask for daily updates for the first week and two or three times a week thereafter if my pet and sitters are doing fine. I always ask the homeowner how frequently they want updates. Some have wanted daily to one who wanted none at all!
You can set an alarm on phone to repeat each day. I always try to send messages at time of day that Owner is likely to be awake. I am usually in California but Owner could be in France or Japan!
I usually say that I try to send a photo at beginning and end of day. If things go well you’ll hear from me less, if other you’ll hear from me more. Then say - if you want to hear from me more - let me know.
Some people care, some don’t. I would think once every other day is a very bare minimum and not close to being excessive.
We’re on our 20th sit and it sounds like we must be the exception. We haven’t had anyone that wanted daily updates. The norm was every few days. One even said updates weren’t necessary unless there is a problem.
We ask what they would like and follow their wishes. It only takes a couple minutes and if it makes the HO feel better, it’s well worth the effort.
Dan
I usually send a photo most days. I assume that owners miss their pets and want to see what they’re doing. On a longer sit I may only message every other day.
We send an update daily for most sits- usually a couple of pics and a short message.
If the sit is short- up to a week- we don’t even ask- we just send daily updates. If longer we will ask their preference. If we don’t have a personal handover (e.g key under the mat) we’ll send a first message- immediately -to confirm arrival and another one that evening -hopefully with pics of the pets to show we’ve established contact and everyone is happy!!
I think - as a housesitter for people you don’t really know- it is a great trust builder to send daily messages. If a family member were staying at the house the trust would already be there naturally so updates, except for emergencies- would not be needed. We always try to put ourselves in the shoes of a home owner who has placed their most treasured possessions- home & pets- into our care. For us its the most natural thing to want to give every reassurance that all is well. If I was a host I know I would very much appreciate a proactive and interactive sitter.
I’m 60 years old and I specialist in a specific part of our business. Every time a new person joins our company in a function related to that part, I know we have to go through an education process. Mostly this goes well, but sometimes I have to be firm and say, no that is not how it is done, this is how it is done. Patience is fine, but there is always a limit
I think the best thing is to ask prior to future sits how often the homeowner requires updates. I typically go by whatever amount they request, it’s their pet afterall and some owners can be a little more paranoid (understandable since we are strangers afterall!)
If their requirement seems too extreme, explain your situation and try to find a middle ground. If there is no middle ground, it’s best not to do the sit, otherwise you may be setting yourself up for a bad review. I usually update the homeowner once a day, even if I know they don’t have cell service or our time zones are opposite…I like them to atleast have some reassurance as soon as they do get service again.
A lot of times there just isn’t anything to update them about, in which case I just send them pics of their pet sleeping or something lol
Daily updates is pretty standard and I’m happy to do that. One couple asked for twice daily, which felt a bit much but I did it. Like others have said, it is very little effort to take a photo and send it through WhatsApp.
I had one person invite me who wanted daily video calls with her . That would have been too much for me!
. That would have been too much for me!