So far, I’ve managed to spot warning signs and avoid hosts with unreasonable expectations, but all sitters see such listings and can decide for themselves.
Unless a listing is outright violating THS terms, subjectivity is involved. To me, it’s self-correcting if sits ask too much — presumably no one would apply then. But if someone wants to take on more than you or I do as sitters, it’s their choice.
What’s (un)reasonable is subjective. I’d say for instance that letting dogs out to do their business is not the same as a walk, which is extended time out beyond peeing and/or pooping.
Three actual walks a day is a lot for many dogs. My own simply refuses to walk that much, for instance, though he does all of his business outdoors. Sometimes, he just wants to do that and hop back inside. And we know he can hold it, because he often refuses to go out in rain or snow, for instance.
Of course all dogs need to relieve themselves. Any sitter who doesn’t do that enough will end up with indoor messes to clean up.
Anyone who tells everyone else what every dog needs is overstepping and lacks experience, because dogs and sit homes are all different. Some dogs don’t walk at all, for health reasons, for example, but all dogs need to pee and poop.
I say that as someone who has a dog and who sits dogs, including senior ones, ones who’ve had back surgery, one that was on anxiety medication and trembled in fear of leaving the house, but loved her back yard, and so on.
I recently sat a funny, quirky senior one who HATED walking. She’d quickly do her business outside the house and make a beeline for the indoors. If I delayed by a minute to grab the newspaper delivery, she’d bark, bark, bark to be let inside. Every day when it was time for her one walk, she’d resist. I’d have to carry her part way or half-way, so she’d be forced to walk home. Her humans said she’s always been like that and they’ve had her since puppyhood.
I had another sit where the hosts told me their dog needed an hour of walking, plus separate pee breaks. I took him out accordingly for the first few days and noticed he was dragging at the end of walking (versus peeing and pooping breaks), and adjusted, so he got his walking spread out more. His humans were fine with that, because they were rational — no one should force a dog beyond their health, energy or enthusiasm level.
Of course, sitters should not ever be picking just based on a sit location. If you don’t want to walk as much or do anything else that’s mentioned in the listing, then skip it. Like I avoid all sits where the dogs are described as energetic or active, or certain breeds that I know will need lots of activity.
But some hosts create problems. Like ones who spring unexpected responsibilities or limits on sitters should be reviewed accordingly and sitters need to uphold boundaries. In extreme cases, sitters might need to give notice and leave. That’s why everyone needs a backup plan. Otherwise you could end up trapped or stranded by a terrible host.
