Hi. I’m wondering if there is something I’m missing as far as trying to get a pet sitter for our golden retriever. This is our first listing, and I’m wondering if sitters normally inquire when the date is closer? We need someone for May, so I’m hoping that’s the reason. Thank you in advance for any tips or help.
Hi there,
The dates shouldn’t be a problem, as sitters often confirm sits months in advance. However, they may be a problem if they’re short dates of less than a week, as a sit of only a few days can be hard to get takers unless you live in a big city.
The best way forum members can help is to link your listing so we can view it and give feedback. Here’s how:
How to add a listing or profile link to your FORUM profile
Here are also some listing guides that may help to ensure your listing is attractive and on the right track:
By me:
https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/uploads/short-url/pLTxH15JL8f02lWEkv8FsjpLKxD.pdf
By @Fatamorgana:
https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/uploads/short-url/2j2Xbyp2Go6y4DDKISeAKg8njw7.pdf
Hope that helps!
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Hello @lnwerner and welcome to forum!
I’m not sure where you are in the process. I imagine you have a live listing? Have you published the dates of your sit? Dates must be published, if not, sitters are not able to contact you.
Depending on your location it could take some days to get applicants.
As sitters are paying members, the listing and tasks must also be attractive enough for someone to want to apply. You can get help with input on your listing if you add the link to your forum profile:
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Hi @lnwerner, welcome to the forum.
There’s no short answer for your question as there’s no general rule. Some factors influence how long in advance people apply:
- the “desirability” of your listing (location, requirements, tone of your listing, level of detail, pictures shown, information about the area, etc)
- Length of the sit. If it’s a short sit, most people would apply closer to the dates either because they use it as a “filler” or because it’s something you don’t plan so long in advance as a long stay.
- Accessibility of your sit for the sitter that applies.
- Personal reasons for being in your area at the time you list.
As there are different answers for different people, I see no harm in posting in advance and waiting until you find a good match. One important thing is not to keep applicants waiting. As soon as you read an application, you may consider acknowledging if and proceeding to the next step: either declining or keeping further communication to make sure you are a good fit. If that’s the case, confirm that sitter.
If you don’t get applications for a while, I think you can pause your listing and post it again and that will give it more visibility as a new listing even if it’s not. You might get a “low application “ tag but that is not essentially good or bad.
If you want to work on the “desirability” of your listing, there’s lots of advice on this forum, you can also link your listing to your forum profile and we can share our thoughts to improve it.
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If no one applied I strongly advise letting the forum view your listing so both sitters and hosts can give you advice. It could be that just a tweak or two can make the difference.
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Can you attach a link to your post to see if sitters can help you make it a stronger listing by tweaking, etc. ? Likely the May dates have little to do with the lack of responses.
Thanks for adding the link. I see that your listing states you’re not longer in need of a sitter, so I’m guessing you found someone? If not, make sure your listing is live, otherwise sitters can’t apply.
Overall, your listing doesn’t lack lack too much in terms of the info there, but the responsibilities section is quite restrictive of sitters and will really limit your pool of applicants.
You could add in your introduction what you expect for handover (when should a sitter arrive?) and how many sitters you can host, as well as giving a compelling reason straight away in your intro for sitters to pick your sit (what’s attractive about your area?)
In your home and location section, tell sitters where the nearest public transport is, and whether you can collect sitters from the nearest airport or station. Is there parking? Try Making this section not about Dexter, but about what’s in the area and your home for sitters to enjoy. Info about Dexter’s sleeping arrangements and where he’s allowed in the house should be moved to the responsibilities section.
In your responsibilities section, state how long Dexter can be left for (and remember that less than 4 hours will really limit your pool of applicants unless he’s able to be taken on adventures in car rides or on public transport - if so, definitely mention this!)
You could also give more detail about Dexter’s personality and sociability, and how he behaves on walks (does he like other dogs, do you take him to dog parks, you say he is “strong,” but what will sitters need to to do or be aware of when walking him?)
Dexter’s routine is very structured and has quite set times and activities, which doesn’t leave much free time for sitters, especially if he can’t be left alone for long. Just tell sitters when he needs feeding and walking/pee breaks, as it’s up to the sitter how they spend the rest of their day - listing every moment of Dexter’s day may come across as a bit over-baring and micromanaging of sitters. As you have a backyard, can’t sitters let him into the yard for his potty breaks? Having 4 outings a day is a lot for a free exchange. Just keep in mind that THS is a mutually beneficial exchange, which needs to have clear benefits for all parties - it’s not a paid job for sitters.
Hope that all helps and best of luck!
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As I mentioned when you replied to another thread:
Thank you! I changed and added quite a bit so hopefully it’s better now. Not sure how it is on the forum, as I wasn’t able to add the link. Very strange. Also I am still in need of a sitter for May and I’m showing it’s live. Are you seeing that it is not live and I no longer need a sitter? I’m not seeing that. I also was worried since I checked under “Find a House Sit”. I entered my city and dates and my listing did not come up. I checked it three times. 
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I think your listing is live with dates
(It seems, although I’m on another sit and can’t apply)
For me as a sitter I would not apply for several reasons;
It doesn’t say how long Dexter can be left alone. I would need a pet to be able to be left for 6+ hours unless home is in the middle of a city so I can pop by at lunch and go out again. But still at least 4+ at a time. Less is an issue. If Dexter can’t be left long enough for a sitter being able to explore what is to see, an option could be to provide a dogwalker or something a couple of days a week to allow sitters to explore.
It says Dexter sleeps near and in guest bedroom. Many sitters avoid sleeping with pets. Suggest you offer bedroom where Dexter doesn’t sleep if possible.
I’m also in doubt whether Dexter can be walked from home? Or is it expected for sitter to take Dexter in their own car? Many sitters avoid that, as it is additional mud/ accidents/ other in their car.
Is anything walkable from home, groceries, shops, cafés so the sit is doable without car? Many sitters come by air and don’t have car/ don’t want additional expenses for a rental.
A little work on your listing will probably make wonders.
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Hello 
Dexter looks gorgeous & your home and location are lovely so that’s all good. We’d be fine with the sleeping and walking info give given. Is his diet straightforward? Any meds? The main info that’s missing is how long Dexter can be left for when the sitter explores/grocery shops/hikes etc. so that they can see what the exchange is for his free care. Might be worth adding that the sit would suit a WFHer as he’s used to company and there are plenty of digital nomads on the site. If it’s less than 4 hours you could offer a dog Walker for him at the weekends so at least they get out properly those days. #loveagaolden
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Lovely house, beautiful dog in a great location, and you sound nice as HOs, so no problems there! As others have said I think the main issues with lack of applicants comes from concerns they might have about:
i) Dexter’s requirements. There seems to be a lot of walking required - a morning and afternoon walk is fairly normal but is a pre morning walk and then post afternoon walk really necessary while you’re away? And how long can he be left alone after a walk? 4hours is really an expected minimum.
As a sitter, I’d also be cautious about the ‘pulling’ warning (especially as he needs to be walked so much), as he’s a big dog. Have you thought about training him with a Halti, which I find worked well with a large dog I had with the same issue?
ii) You say you are “only 15 minutes north of the Golden Gate Bridge”. Is this by car? You also give shop distances by driving minutes, which suggests to me that although you say the sit is accessible by public transport, I’d really need a car to do it? This will limit applicants as many sitters don’t have a car/don’t want the expense of hiring one, especially when they probably won’t use it much due to Dexter’s schedule. It’s risky to take dogs in hire cars as most don’t allow dogs in their T+C and often impose a cleaning fine for hairs and dirt. Could you offer use of a car? Or are there shops within cycling distance, and could you offer a bike? Many sitters would be very happy with that. If it really is accessible by public transport - outline how far away that is and what you can get to on it.
Try to address some of the questions that someone travelling from outside the US, who is looking to do a good job looking after Dexter and your home but also wants to have some free time to sightsee and shop will have.
Good luck.
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Your sit is live and there and showing 2 applicants! It all looks great, and your pooch is adorable, but being that the sit is in May it may take a little bit to wrangle more applicants. Some people plan that far off, I personally don’t but I think I’m an anomaly in that! There are goods and bads with letting your post sit for some time - you’ll give yourself more opportunity to find an ideal sitter by waiting a bit, but some sitters may pull their application if they’ve not been confirmed after a couple/few weeks because they want to firm up dates. All the best in this journey!
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You lend truly exceptional insight and advice!!
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Aw you’re so welcome. I’ve got a total soft spot for Goldens so I only want the best for them! x
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You have two applicants. If you like both but want to wait for five to make a decision, I suggest emailing them and thanking them for their application and letting them know you will be reviewing all applicants once you hit 5 or in a week, whichever comes first. Some will withdraw their application if they don’t hear back from you within 48 to 72 hours. If there is an applicant you would not consider I would decline now and give them a chance to look for another sit.
I would suggest though if you see someone promising to FaceTime quickly because you risk the chance of that person saying yes to another homeowner as some apply to more than one homeowner at a time I have learned on the forum. No one is perfect but many will be right for your sit. Good luck with your first experience with TH. BTW, your dog is adorable! He looks so happy.
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+1 for the remarks of Seniorsitter.
You don’t need 5 applicants, you need one sitter which is a good match.
Sitters are encouraged to apply for several sits at a time. If you are happy with one of your applicants, go forward. You might lose the sitter to another host who proceed faster. If you are not happy with one or more applicant, decline and let them move on - it will also open a spot to apply for your sit.
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Thank you!
Thanks for the info
@lnwerner, +1 for review initial applicants and, if ok, schedule video calls.
The THS process is not some form of contest. You don’t need five applicants to choose one great housesitter.
Many of our application processes are remarkably rapid. There is often just 1-2 days between application to video call to sit invitation/confirmation.
+1 also for @Garfield great advice on clarity on pet sleeping location and acceptable time pet can be left. Important Q for us. Honesty will secure housesitter best fitted to your dog (e.g. WFH vs tourist).
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