I agree owners need to be aware that this will severely limit the number of sitters that apply -(and we wouldn’t apply ) -
However I don’t think it’s unreasonable for owners to state this as a requirement since THS have an option for owners to select that their dog can never be left alone -so THS accept this as a scenario- and that might work for some sitters especially if the dog can go out along with the sitter to the places the sitter wants to visit.
(isn’t reasonable for most, unless, yes, the dog can accompany them in the car 
)
The listing specifies that she can be left alone for up to 6 hrs a day. I used to work outside the home and she was fine.
That’s important information that doesn’t actually show up in your listing anywhere that sitters can see .
Perhaps you ticked a box that only THS can see . Many homeowners don’t realise we can’t see that information.
If you add it , to your listing in the responsibilities section that will make your listing more attractive.
Suzanne, it’s also worth it to improve your headline. That’s extremely valuable real estate, and right now you’re wasting a lot of it on ’ while caring for Ku’ulei. Lots of fun!’ We know you need pet care, so it’s not pulling anyone in. I’d go with something like ‘Relax in spa, Research Triangle area’ or something.
@Suzshark your listing looks great now that you’ve made those adjustments ( after taking onboard the feedback from the forum )
I am confident you will get some applications flooding in soon .
The key point is ‘for most sitters’. There are sitters who would be willing to take the dog everywhere as long as ‘everywhere’ includes things like fabulous hikes or to the beach or whatever. But never being able to leave the dog alone is going to drastically limit the pool of good sitters.
I noticed that you have updated your listing - well done, it’s looking much better! One thing I noticed though is that you have deleted the information about the dog having accidents in the house. Unless it rarely ever occurs and is highly unlikely to occur during the sit, you really do need to disclose this in your listing, and explain how frequently this happens & how you expect a sitter to manage this and/or prevent it.
Love the revisions made to your listing. However, and this may sound harsh, depending how sensitive you are, but I say it with love: I too noticed that you have deleted the information about the dog having accidents in the house. This absolutely should be disclosed in the listing, even if it’s a rare occurrence. It would be a waste of time, for both you and potential sitters, to go through the application process and video chat to then have this disclosed only after… Disclosing this information in the listing won’t discourage sitters who are willing to deal with this issue and prevent those who aren’t.
@Suzshark Your listing looks good to me! Personally we would not apply because I don’t like dogs in/on the bed but you have mentioned that point so those who don’t like that can just move on…
I see you have updated a lot of things in your listing based on the tips given by fellow members. That’s great! We are here to help each other.
I would like to say-based on the comments that ‘accidents in the house’ has been removed- please do add that if its an issue-even occasionally.
We’ve had three sits this year where we did not feel fully prepped. In each case nothing was mentioned in the sit listing about accidents. In one case we were warned in the video call that one of the older dogs had very occasional accidents. The family & dogs were lovely so we agreed the sit. However it turned out to be a daily occurance. Every morning going down to make coffee I was met with pee and poo in the kitchen. Not nice! The family were mortified and extremely apologetic and said it was much more often than usual- we believed them so did not mention it in the review.
In the other two cases nothing was mentioned till we arrived at the sit!! This non disclosure is really off and many sitters will feel mislead and tricked into the sit. In both cases the hosts, pets, home were lovely but the daily clean ups were not!- so we (tactfully) mentioned the issues in both reviews and dropped a star on pet behaviour.
Many sitters will be put off by potential accidents and won’t apply. Others, in certain circumstances, will proceed. But please do always be honest. No sitter, or host, likes to be misled in this ‘mutually beneficial exchange’
Note: If your listing isn’t transparent about a pet that has accidents and a sitter is unpleasantly surprised, you risk them writing a review that marks you down on accuracy of the listing, the pet turning out as described and your communications. That could lead to it being even harder for you to get sitters in the future. Other sitters might also wonder what else you might mislead them about.
I did a sit that was otherwise lovely, but the hosts didn’t mention till they headed out the door that one of their cats might randomly bite or scratch. Based on that and the cat’s behavior, I marked them down on accuracy of the listing, the pet turning out as described and communications. I did that to warn other sitters, because we all want to be able to make informed decisions.
In a separate case, another host didn’t reveal till after I’d accepted a sit and they’d sent me their welcome guide that one dog had to be let out in the middle of the night and the other was prone to diarrhea. I asked them to cancel right away, because they’d hidden dealbreakers for me. I mention that, because you might end up with a sitter who withdraws before your sit starts or quits your sit, depending on how many messes your pet makes.
Suzanne, just as an FYI, it looks like your home is mostly hard-surface flooring. If the accidents are mostly on hard-surface flooring (rather than carpets or rugs), it’s worth pointing out. I couldn’t care less whether I’m picking up poop from a tile floor vs. a tree lawn. And pee on tile is not a huge deal for me, either…go get a towel, soak up the pee, throw towel in washer. Done. If OTOH I’m expected to get out the carpet cleaner a couple times a day, and then clean the carpet cleaner, that’s a whole 'nother thing.
This is so true but also there is a risk that the sitter would simply cancel. I know I would. I wouldn’t abandon the animal but I would notify the HO that they need to find a solution, check into a hotel, and feed/water the animal until a solution was found. Harsh, I know.
This is a really good reason to ask for and then read that welcome guide immediately.
Yes, that’s what I meant by this:
Personally, depending on what a host misled about, I’m always prepared with a Plan B. That includes potentially giving the host and THS 24 hours notice and leaving. I don’t plan to be trapped into sits by liars. And if they have to disrupt their travel or scramble to get alternative pet care, that’s on them.
I agree that’s key information. Actually, in two of my favourite sittings there were pee accidents, which were mentioned in the listing. In one of them, with 5 dogs, it was mentioned just like that “but laminate floors ensure easy cleaning” and it was easy, there was a great wet mop so no need to wash towels, water and bleach were enough.
I deleted the part about having accidents in the house because that was then. This is now and, since I have changed MY habits and listen better, she is doing fine.
To all who mentioned me removing the part about accidents, I updated the listing being quite specific that, if Ku’ulei is let out 1st thing in the morning and just before bed time, and whenever she asks during the day, she won’t have an accident.
Thank you everyone for your suggestions and help. I am hoping my updated profile will attract someone mutually acceptable.
I like your thinking, Maggie. Just like in a plane, we need to know where the exit points are, the same goes for a sit. Always best for us to have some kind of contingency plan in place in case of any goal-posts shifts happening. Otherwise, things can end up going sideways very rapidly!
If you are not getting anyone applying then your sit is simply not attractive.
Either make it more attractive to sitters if you can or pay someone.