My Difficult Dog Sitting Experience – Lessons Learned for Homeowners

Owner Questions, Advice & Chat
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Reflecting on feedback from this forum regarding leaving my dogs for only two hours, I’ve adjusted this expectation to allow for up to four hours. While I rarely leave them alone for that long myself, being retired allows me to have them with me most of the time.

My profile indicates that a car is a necessity, as public transportation isn’t available in our area. I would never expect a sitter to rent a vehicle.

Regarding your second point, I apologize if my previous message implied you weren’t a dog sitter. That certainly wasn’t my intention.

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I would definitely recommend fewer people in your house on a sit. A whole family would definitely want to be out and about more than sitting in the house, and that presents a lot of energy. I have 1 very sweet, well behaved little dog who loves kids but wouldn’t select a sitter with young kids mainly because I like her to stay calm as much as possible and kids can get her revved up.

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I’m so sorry to hear this. This has been the complete opposite of our experiences with THS. We always do video chat interviews and carefully check the online references. We also encourage our sitters to stay an additional night with us if we are arriving home in the evening, and arrive a day ahead if we need to catch a very early flight in the morning, so they don’t need to drive in the dark. My husband and I also trust our instincts… if either of us has a bad “vibe” or any type of misgiving about what is said (or not said) in the interview, we move on to other candidates. We don’t “settle” if we aren’t completely at ease with our sitter selection. We also ask a question designed to assess the sitter’s problem solving ability… something along the lines of “What would your backup plan be if you got sick or had a family emergency?” You could ask, for example, “What would you do if the dogs barked excessively?” You could also share your bag of tricks for calming your sensitive dogs with them. Most good sitters will have good problem solving skills. If they don’t pass this litmus test, I would move on!

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@Trish2024 I was interested in your example of the question asked to a sitter re their problem solving ability. I hope they answered “Contact owner immediately so that owner can put in place their Plan B and notify their emergency contact.” Emergencies happen and both sitters and owners need their own back up plans. Would you be responsible for a sitter’s alternative accommodation should you cancel/return early because of an emergency? I can’t help but feel you don’t look on this as an equal exchange by your use of “interview”, “check online references”, “candidates”. Experienced sitters also have their ways of checking whether owners “pass the litmus test”. I hope I’m wrong and that you do see this as a mutually beneficial exchange considering the positive experiences you have had with past sitters.

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@Ckone2541, approximately when did this unfortunate incident occur? THS introduced blind reviews in November 2023.

There have been several threads on THS Forum in regards negative reviews and negative experiences. Some unfortunate developments. Hopefully very rare in THS community. But advice from experienced pet parents and housesitters seems to be to let bad stuff go; move forward towards happy THS future opportunities; and so to smother bad memories with plentiful good ones.

External cameras are permitted within THS Camera & Recording Device Policy.
https://support.trustedhousesitters.com/hc/en-gb/articles/4419467716241-Camera-Recording-Devices-Policy

We suspect that inability to leave pets for more than two hours would be an immediate red flag for many housesitters. We decline any sits with fewer than four hours. But the housesitter community is diverse and perhaps a remote worker intends to spend substantially all day with the pets. Such an important decision criteria and related expectations are probably best directly discussed in a video call before any sit is offered.

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66

From the very beginning of using TrustedHousesitters (THS), I’ve prioritized having a comprehensive emergency plan. I always provide my vet’s emergency contact information and list my son as an emergency contact.

Fortunately, I haven’t had any emergencies during my dogsits, but I recognize the importance of continuously strengthening my plan. For future sits, I’ve enhanced my preparations by: My next-door neighbor is now a primary local contact. She will have a spare set of keys to my home and my contact information so she can reach me if necessary. Sitters are also encouraged to contact her if they encounter any issues. I’ve added two local sitters from my city who specialize in short-term sits. My primary sitter can contact them for assistance if needed. I always leave detailed contact information for myself, including the name of the hotel or Airbnb where I’ll be staying. I also create a customized calendar for each sitter, outlining important dates and details.

I want to clarify that I absolutely view the pet-sitting arrangement as a mutual exchange. When I speak with potential sitters, whether on a call or via Zoom, it’s a two-way conversation. I ask questions, and they ask questions. This allows me to “interview” them just as they are “interviewing” me. My goal is always to achieve the best possible outcome for everyone involved, and I’m confident that sitters share this same objective.

And I have never thought about their backup plan. A good question to ask.

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@ shelleybean my comment was to @Trish2024 not you but I somehow missed directing it to her. I’ve adjusted it now.

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I have such a terrible time following these:p

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Honestly, I would be careful with how you video survey your home, they would make me very uncomfortable to not know whether or not I am being watched or when is disconcerting. Are you going to disclose that information when you meet or in the listing?
I say this because it seems like you might be setting yourself to be rejected by sitters. I would vet the sitters in the future a little more, if something seems off then it’s probably not a good fit.

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These were my thoughts exactly, @temba . The terminology and approach outlined by @Trish2024 all comes across as rather unequal and presumptuous. This is a voluntary exchange based on trust and goodwill, and If a sitter got really sick or had a family emergency, it is the PPs backup plan which would need to be actioned!

With respect, @Trish2024 , you’re not interviewing paid staff here, and if any pet parent chose to test our ‘problem-solving ability’ with questions relating to what we’d do if the dog barked excessively, we’d take it as a red flag that they’d not properly disclosed his / her behavioural issues in the listing! Indeed, either of your stated questions within an interview and test format would simply imply an unequal exchange, and we’d immediately withdraw our application if that proved to be the case.

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Indeed, PPs should - not could - always share this info with sitters, and state in the listing if dogs are especially anxious or sensitive.

The more we know about the pets and the owner expectations from the listing, the sooner we’re able to assess best fit.

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I know some sitters are sensitive to job “interview” type questions or even the word “interview” for the chat. Personally, I wouldn’t be offended by a question designed to gage how I would think about a situation. As a host, I had one sitter whose lack of cat sense almost led to disaster (luckily it didn’t). I’ve often asked sitters questions like: “Could you tell me about your worst sit?” partly because it’s a good question to gage how they think and problem solve as well as a gage expectations. Sitters are trading actual “skills” and “experience” for accomodations so just as homeowners showing of photos and talkingabout amenities, it’s not inappropriate to gage someone’s skillset. I think, however, that the turnoff for me as a sitter has been stuff that is inappropriately intrusive like being asked to share my faceback. I don’t have a problem with ring cameras being mentioned in a listing, but I would have a big problem with a homeowner who upfront told me they’d be checking the camera to make sure I stayed in line.

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I’ve only been considering it; I haven’t installed anything yet. My main reason for thinking about it is the local wildlife – we have raccoons, bears, and there was even a cougar sighting recently. Plus, during my last pet sit, if I’d had video of the sitter leaving my two senior short-haired miniature dachshunds outside in -7°C temperatures, it could have served as crucial evidence since my neighbors’ accounts weren’t usable.

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I don’t know many dog owners who leave their dogs alone for more than 5 hours. Perhaps that was the norm before the pandemic, when people went to work for 8 hours and left their dogs alone all day.

I’ve noticed some interesting dynamics between sitters and homeowners on this forum.

This is one of the main reasons I rarely post or engage here. Tone can easily be misread or misunderstood in a text, and it’s easier for discussions to go sideways unintentionally (like I am right now, lol). There are a few people on here I can read easily because of the many interactions I’ve had with them on different topics. It would be easier to go directly to them, but sometimes I think getting other people’s perspectives is good.

Regarding the Velcro/needy/high-maintenance dogs: I personally wouldn’t take offense with my dog being called Velcro or needy. I know he is. That’s part of his personality and charm, but I take issue when people call him or me high-maintenance. To me, most dogs are usually needy; most cats are not. Very few dogs are not needy, and very few cats require as much attention as needy dogs.
I had an outdoor ring camera before I joined THS, and our new house came with one too. It’s not being high maintenance or being a helicopter pet owner; it’s mainly there for safety. I live in a front-range town now, and we also have wildlife, so having outdoor cameras is just a precaution.

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You’ve hit on some really interesting and relatable points about dog ownership, pet sitting dynamics, and even the nuances of online communication. I definitely agree with your observations.

Your point about dog owners generally not leaving their dogs alone for more than 5 hours post-pandemic really resonates. The pandemic certainly shifted many people’s work-life balance, and with more individuals working from home or having hybrid schedules, the idea of leaving a dog alone for a full 8-hour workday seems less common now. It’s a positive change for our canine companions, as it allows for more frequent potty breaks, exercise, and companionship throughout the day. I don’t leave my dogs for more than 2 hours because I’m retired. I enjoy them with me on my outings. I have changed on my TH profile that they can be left for longer because of the reactions I received on this forum.

You’ve accurately captured the challenges of online forums. It’s so true that tone can easily be misread in text, leading to unintentional misunderstandings and discussions going “sideways.” It takes a lot of prior interaction and familiarity with someone’s writing style to truly gauge their intent, and even then, it’s not foolproof. Your preference for getting diverse perspectives while also acknowledging the value of trusted interactions is a smart approach.

I completely understand your perspective on the terms “Velcro,” “needy,” and “high-maintenance” when applied to dogs and their owners. Many dogs are naturally affectionate and seek close companionship, which can be described as “needy” or “Velcro.” It’s often just part of their inherent nature and, as you said, part of their charm!

Where the distinction becomes important is with the term “high-maintenance.” While a dog might be needy, labeling the owner as “high-maintenance” for simply meeting those needs or taking precautions (like having outdoor cameras for safety) feels unfair. It implies an excessive or unreasonable demand, when in reality, it’s often just responsible pet ownership. Your point about cameras being for safety, especially with wildlife in a front-range town, is a perfect example of a practical precaution, not a “helicopter” approach.

It’s a good reminder to choose our words carefully when discussing pets and their owners, as there’s a significant difference between describing a dog’s personality traits and making a judgment about an owner’s care.

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76

Sorry, but I am a woman traveling alone. I want to match your profile pics with the person I’m interviewing, & with the person who answers the door when I arrive. I want my husband to know what my host(s) look like too — as well as their name, phone number, address, etc. It is a security check.

As a homeowner, I wouldn’t blame you for wanting the same from someone showing up at your house to live in it & take care of your beloved pets.

I get that it’s called Trusted Housesitters, but as they say: “trust but verify.” It might not prevent every bad outcome, but I guess it’s like seatbelts…we didn’t always have them but now that we do, it’s an extra tool that’s available to me that keeps me safer than I’d be without it.

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We have two wildlife cameras in our backyard because mountain lions, raccoons, coyotes, bobcats, hawks, and owls are prevalent predators in the area. When I had a sitter, I made sure to let them know that the cameras are for security, not surveillance. I showed them how to turn them off if they wanted privacy in the backyard, but asked that they turn them back on over night. I don’t think they ever turned them off, but since I didnt receive motion alerts overnight, I had no reason to check the feed.

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I agree with shelleybean and wendy_chicago. We have a dog who was severely abused in her previous home. She has a lot of anxiety, food sensitivities, environmental allergies, and flare-ups from old physical injuries.
Before the pandemic, I had a dog walker come by midday once or twice a week if I had to work away from home; an 8-hour workday quickly turns into 10-11 hours when you include the commute.
She could easily be labelled as a high-maintenance dog. I don’t consider myself high-maintenance for taking steps to ensure her needs are met. When we had someone housesit, I made a point of minimizing as many tasks as possible so the sitter could prioritize the dog’s needs without burning out.

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Speaking of misunderstandings - I had to Google this! I didn’t know what “front-range town” was. I’d love to know what kind of wildlife you get to see.

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In my area we have raccoons, deer, elk, bears, cougar and wolves. I’ve only seen deers. But our neighbours outdoor camera caught a bear in our yard. My husband and daughter have seen it a number of times. We recently had cougar warnings and 2 people lost their dogs.

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