Prior to accepting a sit, I have video chats with the HOs. Also, prior to accepting a sit, I give a disclaimer to HOs that I will not accept a sit unless they have completed their Welcome Guide (WG). The most important things I look for in the WG are the pets’ behavior, personality, health, and vet information. Now I am wondering is it even worth it to have a Welcome Guide because HOs do not disclose the overall health, personality, and behavior of their pets. Nor is it disclosed during the video chats.
During a meet/greet after a confirmed sit or after an issue has been shown by the pet is when the HO reveals, “Oh by the way, keep the cat away from the dog, the dog has incontinence issues, separation anxiety—needs these medicines, is leash reactive, pulls hard on leash, etc.”
If issues with the pets are not disclosed during the video chat or the Welcome Guide, sitters are left to deal with unexpected challenges.
HOs please be transparent in your Welcome Guide and in your video chats with sitters about the behavior, personality, and health of your pets. We then can make an informed decision of whether or not to accept a sit.
Sitters do not want to be blindsided by HOs not disclosing pertinent informatiion about their pets.
Help us sitters so that we can be prepared to care for and love your pets in your absence.
It can be difficult to know for the owner how they behave with someone else.
I was now on a sit where the dogs were described as “quiet” and I encountered two large dogs that were more hyper than any dog that I had taken care of. They were too much to handle on walks when together, and they were a constant distraction in the living room.
But at the end of the week they were asleep next to me on the couch. And I could walk them together without a leash.
All the more reason why the HO should be honest and transparent.
I arrived to a home where the HO brought out diapers for the dog and I was told to limit the dog’s water intake because of incontinence issues. None of that had been discussed or disclosed prior to my taking the sit. I was taking the dog out every 3 hours for bathroom breaks and right before bedtime at 11 p.m.–still the dog had pee accidents in the house.
Is there a way to tell in the sit listing if the HO has completed the WG? Or do you accept the sit after explaining you will decline the sit if they aren’t forthcoming with a completed WG?
I agree with you that the more information during the HO-sitter meet and greet the better. It’s far better for the pet and sitter if one understands as much as possible what will be encountered.
I’ve done wonderful sits with elder/chronically ill pets with diaper/frequent potty needs/medications. These needs aren’t deal breakers for me at all, but I would be unhappy to encounter these situations as a surprise.
Unless a previous sitter comments in their review on the HO having a Welcome Guide, then there isn’t another way I am aware of.
During the video chat is when I ask if the HO has a completed Welcome Guide. If they do not have a Welcome Guide, I let them know my stance of not accepting a sit until it is complete. Once they let me know (usually after 3-5 days) that they’ve completed their WG, they have the green light to confirm me as their sitter and then I accept.
Just being honest can alleviate such surprise encounters. It is when the HO knows about a pet’s condition and not disclose it that is problematic.
Okay!! After all those sits I was under the impression the guide was done after confirming the sit. I’ve not once seen a Guide before the HO had confirmed any sits.
Going forward…if I ever get another sit. Ha! All the 5 star reviews in the world won’t save you from someone who’s dishonest. One bad review is worth a thousand GOoD ones.
@ThisEarth_444 I’m not clear that sitters are getting the guide before confirming a sit, just that they make sure there is a completed one, and then receiving it once the sit is confirmed.
I would not send a welcome guide to an unconfirmed sitter.
As a sitter, I appreciate a timely Welcome Guide (or its equivalent), meaning it’s sent to me soon after confirmation. As a homeowner, I state in my listing that my Welcome Guide is ready to send once confirmation occurs, so that the sitter knows it will be quickly sent. I always let my confirmed sitter know that if there’s anything in the Welcome Guide not to their liking, they can cancel. I’ve never had anyone cancel after reading my Welcome Guide, but I always want to give them that option.
Thank you for clarification. I was told it was completed once. Then she said, “Well I intended…” When in fact she hadn’t done it.
I shouldn’t talk about that anymore. Of the dozens there were only a few disingenuous ones.
Technically you can’t be provided a THS welcome guide before the sit has been offered and accepted unless you exchanged email addresses and some other set of notes was emailed to you. As far as I’m aware the current version of the website/app doesn’t allow for document sharing in chats and the request welcome guide link is only available once the sit has been agreed. 100+ sits and I don’t recall any time that I was provided with any notes until after the sit was agreed - not to mention I rarely see anyone bothering with the THS guide these days. As an HO on another platform I also don’t provide my notes to every applicant. Just to the person who will sit for me.
Near the end you said you don’t see people providing guides anymore. They need to. Covering yourself is part of the plan for everyone. And why on earth wouldn’t someone want to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible?
I agree notes are important but personally I don’t care if it’s a THS guide or something someone has drawn up in word or written by hand or even some video clips to help demonstrate something. If it’s a straightforward sit (and I’ve been doing this for long enough to mostly avoid the ones that aren’t) I don’t even mind if it’s a well thought out stack or post it notes waiting for me on the kitchen counter. I do mind if the words ‘thank you’ don’t feature in any of the above especially if I’m presented with 9 pages of do’s and don’t’s yet somehow a ‘do enjoy your stay’ didn’t make the cut.
To me, hosts who don’t provide info like this ahead of a sit are thoughtless and heighten the odds of a sit going wrong:
• Emergency contacts. Like who has extra keys and will care for the pets if the sitter is injured, falls ill, etc.
• Vet info, including contact and account details.
• Gas and water turnoffs in case of emergency.
• Pets’ daily routine, medication schedule and any special needs.
If someone is a homeowner, in their own interests, it helps to provide the names and contact info for plumbers, electricians and such they regularly use. Why: Savvy homeowners know that trades people who routinely maintain the home know where things are, how they work or not, etc. And they’re less likely to gouge you in an emergency and you presumably already know their work is reliable.
Imagine if the plumbing burst, for example: Do I want a sitter to be scrambling to find someone and they might not even show up or do good work?
I’m on my 15th sit in 15 months with THS. I’ve not done a sit without a welcome guide or such info in another form, like a Google doc, PDF or such. I’ve had no trouble getting such ahead of my sit and I wouldn’t go into a sit blind. I tell my hosts that. I screen carefully, looking for responsible hosts who want to set their sitters up for success.
@belluca As sitters, we feel it would be helpful if we could view the welcome guide - minus contact details - before confirming a sit. Often, sitter responsibilities and pet behaviours aren’t properly defined in the home listing (and sometimes, not until arrival at the sit!).
Hmmm. I concur. I believe I’ve not been specific about what I mean by guide. I may have on occasion said THS before the word guide. Yes any type of guide would be fine. I have had many sits in my three and a half years. I do it full time. The absent guides, could very well be written on sticky pads. They could be written with a marker on the wall for all I care. I just need a guide.
Comparatively, you are a brand new sitter. When you have 50 to 100 sits under your belt, you will have a better idea of what everyone is talking about. My first 15 sits or what compelled me to give up the regular life for what I love. Those first 30 5 Stars are what propelled me forward.
And then there’s the ones which we discussed here on the forum. Which is why I joined.
Congratulations on your first 15 sits. I know the euphoria been there, bought a t-shirt with dogs and cats and hamsters and rats. Bought another t-shirt with chickens, and horses and cows and remorses. Fortunately the former keep me going.
Nothing like having carpet the size of the world, and a roof that spans a planet.
LOL. I doubt my outlook on sitting will change about getting useful info in welcome guide form, whether on THS or otherwise.
I know my mind. Like I chose my first career at age 14 and started doing it for money right off, then did such work for 30 years.
For me, sitting is supposed to be fun, so I don’t plan to take on other people’s lack of thoughtfulness, etc. What I’ve observed is that often the issues that folks have with sitting is in setting boundaries, having clear communications and pushing back in friendly, but firm ways.
For me, those characteristics are about living, having a good career, having healthy personal relationships, etc., not just sitting.
I found it entertaining. Seriously, though, one of the reasons that sitters end up being taken advantage of is that some exploitative hosts expect that sitters are desperate and have little or no choice. That’s why I always recommend that sitters (and hosts) have backup plans.
Personally, I started observing power dynamics as a kid: Whoever cares less and can walk away the easiest has the most power in any relationship, personal and professional.
I worked in an industry for example where many people were exploited, because they didn’t feel like they could leave or they lacked alternatives. I saw that as a teenager and decided that I’d form a strategy to gain and retain power to protect myself. That worked well and 30 years in, I switched to another industry in which there are many things to look out for.
If I don’t take crap from companies, bosses or such that pay me well, what rational reason would I let any host take advantage of me, not be a good partner, etc.?
Of course, everyone is different and maybe they don’t mind, because everyone has their own priorities. From my life experience and from seeing many cautionary tales, I’d say that if you can’t stand up for yourself, you’ll suffer needlessly.
I’ve mentored and coached a lot in my work. I always urge folks, especially young ones, to not rely on the behavior of others to give you good experiences — focus on what you control. That’s because there will always unfortunately be some people out there who are selfish, entitled, bullies, etc. Best to steer clear of them and, if needed, hold them accountable.
