The homeowner (HO) interviewed a few candidates and stressed that their pets can’t be alone for over 5 hours. After my interview, they suggested I co-sit with another person for more flexibility in pet care. When I messaged this potential co-sitter, their first message was:
“I don’t mind either way, but I’m not keen on full-time dog sitting if I can’t ski on some days. Not sure about your thoughts.”
I work from home 9-5 with lots of meetings. Since I’ll be living with them for 2 weeks, I asked about their work and if they had a LinkedIn profile. They avoided answering, so I explained it’s to minimize interference. They abruptly said they’re withdrawing their application.
I informed the HO about the sitter withdrawing. Their response was:
“Thanks, but I’ll decline you too as she said you asked for a resume. Sorry!”
I’m puzzled. Firstly, I don’t understand why asking for a LinkedIn link, which THS requests for all sitters, caused rejection. It’s common and builds trust and safety for both sitters. Secondly, the co-sitter’s initial message seemed odd, prioritizing hobbies over pet responsibilities, which isn’t what I seek in a co-sitter.
THS community, I need help understanding this and how to proceed with this HO and future sits, thanks!
The HO asking for a “co-sitting” situation should have been an immediate no. And asking for a LinkedIn from the co-sitter also is too much. It’s possible they withdrew because they realized the whole thing was a bad idea. Seems like it’s for the best for everyone that this sit is not going forward
@Trave11er this sounds like a very odd , strange, unusual and impractical arrangement. It doesn’t seem like the homeowner trusts either sitter !?
Who would actually be responsible if things went wrong / one of the sitters decided to leave the sit early / one didn’t take proper care of the pets on their days / one damaged or didn’t clean the home / invited friends over for a party - it’s open for each party to blame the other .
THS has a third party policy for a reason and the THS insurance would only cover the sitter who was the one with the confirmed sit .
I think you dodge a bullet with this one …
For future sits don’t agree to co- sit … it’s not a ( THS )thing
@Trave11er THS does not ask for Linked In profiles. And I personally would find that request invasive and unnecessary. We are all background checked in the US. No one needs to know the details of my work history or my personal connections. Sounds like a risk for identity theft.
Of course, people that apply for sits in ski resorts during the period for winter sports are likely to want to go skiing. There is nothing odd about that. Was this “max 5-hour” absence in the HO’s listing?
It would not really help the HO to choose a couple - they are likely to want to go skiing together. If it is a gigantic house, co-sitting could solve the problem, but still very weird. I would not apply if this was in the listing.
It is already problematic to split the period of a sit. This co-sitting is even more likely to give rise to problems.
Thanks, this is helpful! The HO said they have had co-sitters in the past and havent had a problem. Though I can neither confirm or deny that based on reviews since cositting were not mentioned.
But yes, knowing that it’s not allowed on the platform is what I’ll take to HOs if they were to suggest this.
I think you’re getting caught up in the linkedin part. That’s not even the big issue here. The big picture issue is that there is no such thing as this kind of “co-sitting” where if I’m understanding correctly two complete strangers would be sharing the space and dog sitting responsibilities at the same time.
There is no template for this in THS. It is all kinds of wrong. There is a strict “no third party” policy which this sit proposal violates on its face.
I’m guessing that both you and the other sitter are relatively new to THS. So regarding the linkedin: While sitters can link their airbnb and linkedin accounts to help establish “trust,” neither is required. Some sitters find it useful to have linkedin linked when they start, but then for privacy close the link once they have some reviews. But this is very much a side issue.
If the HO doesn’t trust the sitter, or recognizes that the sit would be tough for one person, they can look for a couple. They could also come up with another plan, like have a walker – friend, neighbor, relative or paid – drop by at schedule/time that you are okay with to relieve you and walk the dog. If there is a doggie daycare nearby, the HO could offer a few days of doggie daycare if you wanted to ski or do something without the dog.
Others have answered as well, but 1) LinkedIn profiles are optional, and if someone doesn’t provide one, I would find it intrusive for an HO to ask for this (or a sitter to ask this of an HO) and 2) asking it of the other sitter is even more intrusive - although the ‘co-sitting’ is so wrong that neither you nor the other sitter should have been put in this position.
Sorry but no!!! We gladly share both our linkedin profiles with HO’s, but if a fellow sitter asked for that I wouldn’t want anything to do with them. I would actually feel it was very rude for a fellow sitter to ask.
I fail to understand why a sitter would ask for my linkedin, or why they would feel it was relevant to them. Maybe it’s because I/we are self employed and my own boss, rather than employed.
I understand it is a concern to you if they want to be out and about doing things, but sorry their linkedin/job/career/income has nothing to do with you as a sitter. Those are things they reveal about themselves if they so choose, not for you to ask about. You simply needed to know when they would be about, that’s all, that’s it, nothing else.
But, sitting with another sitter is very weird anyway.
Sorry if this is harsh, but I can’t believe YOU thought they were out of line, it’s the other way around.
