Before I recently sat for a couple and their pets the lady wanted to book me for a further two more sirs which I understand from the posts getting people to sit can be difficult .
My dates weren’t corresponding and havnt heard from her I think being a bit wary is a good thing what does anyone else think
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@Joyfull I don’t tend to do many repeat sits but I’d certainly want to do the first one to check everything was good before agreeing any more sits. That’s just me though.
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As sitters with THS for eight years, I would do the first sit with the homeowner to see if it’s a good fit for you with the homeowners, pets and home, before accepting future sits with the HO. We have done a few repeat sits with homeowners knowing from our first time sitting for them that we were really happy to return and have a repeat great experience. Good luck!
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Years ago when we were new home & pet owners we has several longer summer trips planned and in our listing we advertised that we were looking for a couple or single sitter that would be interested in doing two of the sits if not all of them. This was because our dog was still a puppy and did best with the same people and a consistent routine/caregivers. It was solely for his overall wellbeing that we were looking for a sitter(s) that could do all of our sits within a four month period.
We got really lucky and found a couple that were young remote workers that had family in our area and really wanted to be in our area for the summer so having the same sit to come back to throughout the period was really appealing to them and then they booked other sits in-between. I certainly don’t think this common for most of the sitters on the platform. Myself included, we want to travel to places that we haven’t been to before. Even though we fall in love with the pets it feels fun being able to meet new pet personalities. So I can understand their perspective of wanting consistency for their pets I don’t think it’s something to be wary of but I do think it warrants a discussion with the homeowners because they might only want someone that can do all the sits.
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I’ve done multiple sits for the same people. Sometimes one sit booked after one was completed and sometimes two sits booked at the same time. I had one of those recently, two sits with a week in between and then they decided to stay away that week since I was there already. A win-win!
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Hi @Joyfull. This is a great question. Thanks for asking it. This is something I had to learn the hard way. I’m hoping you and other newer sitters benefit from my experience.
When I first started sitting I did many repeat sits to help build my “resume”. I loved revisiting homes I’d already learned the in’s and out’s of, pets I’d loved, and pet parents who’d become friends.
At one point I accepted two sits with a pet parent I hadn’t sat for before. She lived in a wonderful area close to my son, so it seemed like a great situation. Unfortunately I found during the first sit that it wasn’t really a good fit for me, and then I was in the uncomfortable position of either having to do the second sit anyway or canceling it (I did do the second sit.)
This taught me to never accept multiple sits until I’ve at least sat for the pet parent once before. There could be something about the pet, the pet parent, the home, how easy it is to get groceries, or what it takes to get back and forth to the sit that makes it not a good fit for you, no matter how well you’ve researched and know about what works for you. I still have pet parents I regularly sit for, but I won’t accept a repeat sit until I’ve completed the first one. Lesson learned.
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I’ve done two repeat sits and would love to do more. It’s more enjoyable for me coming back to a place I know and love. I agree with what was said though, I wouldn’t agree to more than one sit until I have completed my first one.
Thankyou yes that is what I did and was glad
An advance yes to subsequent sits before the first one is risky. You can always say that you don’t plan repeated sits until the first one is complete and you both feel that is was a good fit and the pets were happy too.
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The first repeat sit we did we booked both sits together (2 months apart) as we’d a great connection with the hosts on the video call and knew we’d still be in the region to be able to do both.
When we arrived for the first sit we immediately regretted having committed to two sits! Reasons being the home, though lovely& comfortable, was not rural as we’d expected from the description and pics. We arrived to find it was actually pretty central in a town but within a leafy enclave and the dogs needed to be driven 10 mins to a walking spot as there were no walks straight from the door. (We always prefer to be able to walk from the door) They were first timers and this had somehow not come up in the video call. Awkward moment! As we never use our own car for dogs -mainly because we live out if it when on the road. But this issue was solved when the host right away offered use of one if their cars and put me straight on the insurance.
Secondly the dogs were two extremely energetic Vizlars. One especially was super demanding and hyper. We found them lovable but rather exhausting to be around! Anyway we all got used to each other and all went well- & we certainly had no intention of cancelling the 2nd sit. The host family were absolutely lovely and so generous and appreciative. We overnighted at the beginning and end of their trip - where we shared lovely meals and they even brought presents back for us! It was such an easy connection. They invited us to come & stay anytime if we had any gaps in our back to back schedule. Turned out we had only one gap of 2 nights which happened to coincide with their Wedding anniversary! So rather than us just staying as guests they decided to have a romantic break away and it turned into another sit for us! 3x 5* reviews made it all very worthwhile! Also we found that we enjoyed being walking distance to town for a change as we usually do rural sits.
So it ended up being a very positive experience!
But in I think in future we’d probably just book one sit at a time- to be on the safe side!
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What a lovely story @Lokstar!
Did the dogs calm down a bit once they got to know you?
We had a full-on panic moment when we arrived at one sit and the dogs were crazy at the gate, and all the way up the very long driveway. They jumped (and superficially scratched) the car and ran nearly under the wheels all the way. So stressful. I thought I wouldn’t be able to handle 3 weeks of that! But the owners assured us it was just because the dogs didn’t know the car. Surely the second time was much better (and we were prepared with bribing snacks), and by the 3rd time it was raining and no one even accompanied me to the gate 
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Haha! No! They were consistently full on but we got used to their ways. In the afternoons they had a quiet chill out spell and at night they slept together downstairs completely covered by a blanket! So sweet! It was mainly mornings when they were super hyper & food orientated! and crazy on the walks (but good recall thankfully!)
Your experience sounds alarming though- i can just imagine it!! Good thing the owners reassured you and all went well!
The things we housesitters experience eh?!!
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Yes I thought it best try out first then see how it goes. And if you know the area wel then it could be that perhaps a revisit might not be necessary.
The last sit last weekend I did was a 13 week old puppy undisciplined and unsure of himself .
It was first time owner left him and had to get into a different routine but once he knew what he could and couldn’t do he settled and was happy.
There were two cats as well that were allowed out with transponders on but had to be kept in at night so a juggling act using the garden as toilet facility.
I could not not take puppy out as even with a buggy I had no collor .
So four days on my own with puppy and two cats! A experience.
I did enjoy it but was hard and had put me off caring for a puppy!
Had anyone had an other puppy experiences!
Joy s
I had a sit when I was new to THS and agreed to care for two pups about nine months old. Their owners had them crate trained which was very helpful but they were so rambunctious! Pulling on the leash, jumping on me and really expressing their energy! I don’t regret the experience but I’m glad it was just a long weekend! 
Hello love the word runbubctios!
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Hi @Joyfull I’ve had many puppy sitting experiences and each time I vow not to be too eager to repeat caring for another baby because that’s what they are, but I do. I love the puppy breath moments and have a tear in my eye when I leave and handing them back to their human family, we hope with a few more good manners, 
is always rewarding.
Although I must say I find puppies less demanding than my three year old granddaughter, puppies don’t constantly ask “Why?”
I’ve had shoes, glasses, books and even a make up brush redesigned (my fault for leaving in temptations way) We really do forget how utterly demanding, naughty but adorable they can be and only when 100% sure you’re up to it should anyone take on the responsibility of a puppy (or any pet) for that matter …
Pet parents too need to be completely transparent about their pet’s behavior, needs and their own expectations so that the only surprises (if any) are good ones.
It all comes down to communication and being the right sit for everyone concerned.
Safe and happy sitting, travels 
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Thankyou I do believe I was a help to both puppy and parent . She sent a video of her puppy after the sit he was contended and enjoy ing ball commands then relaxing .
He had a crate he slept in at night and I played classical music which calmed him she I believe has carried that on.
Kind regards
Joy shaw
Our last puppy sit was in the mountains in Spain. The ‘puppy’ was 9 months old and already weighed 45kg!! With all the playfulness of a small puppy. You can just imagine the force involved from both sides!
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@botvot the 9 month old puppy we cared for was a Scottish Deerhound - Greyhound cross. Scottish Deerhounds were originally wolfhounds, similar to the Irish Wolfhound but when wolves were eradicated from Scotland they were trained to hint deer. She was already taller than the adult male Golden Retriever she lived with, and could easily occupy a whole sofa! She was wonderfully well trained though.
At the other end of the scale we cared for a 4.5 month old chihuahua who must have just hit puberty. Lots of trying to hump the older beagle he lived with and marking his territory in the house. Thankfully being a chihuahua they were very small pees!