Hi, I am in my second year of membership and recently posted my first sit for dates in February. I have 3 pugs, and I’m located in Northern VA a train ride away from Washington DC. I’ve had 2 sitters contact me for the February sit. First a couple in this metro area. They never responded to my message in response which was to connect. The second did respond, and I suggested a teams/zoom call since she is out of state. Today she wrote back apologized for the delay and said she took another sit in the same area for the same dates. So I need advice, I would like this service to work but I am not sure what I am doing wrong. Thanks
Welcome to the forum @DianesPugs Feb is a way off - so still plenty of time to find a sitter.
Sits where sitters have most days where they can leave the pets to go and enjoy the area for the day ( cats) or 4-5 hours ( dogs) are most popular and get applications from sitters most quickly .
Sits with anxious or sick pets or those with anxious pets that can’t be left alone are not as attractive to most sitters. These may appeal to someone who works from home , although they too will likely want some time to see the local attractions .
What will the weather be like for your sit in Feb ?
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Without more details it’s hard to help you. If you attach your profile to your forum profile, others will be able to see if there is anything that can be improved, this forum is great like that.
Also I am a little confused about the below…
So, they applied for your sit, but your response was to connect??? If you worded that right on here, then it will be your messages that you are sending that turns sitters off. What we receive (we sit as a couple), is HO’s saying how we sound like the perfect fit for them bla bla bla, and within hours of us applying we typically get accepted.
Then again with the below…
Perhaps that again could be how you responded to her that put her off, most sitters will be ‘out of state’ so it’s a little strange to have worded it like that, were you expecting a visit beforehand??? Because while we’ve done it several times, that isn’t the normal. It’s the brilliant way the THS platform is designed, it’s designed for travelling while pet sitting, so perhaps it’s in the wording. You can get tips off the forum for how to respond, because they obviously loved both you and your ad to apply in the first place, but the response you first send is HUGELY important, we, like you, want to know you’ve read our profile, and you want us… not just any old sitter or a selection to chose from.
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@DianesPugs, welcome to THS Forum. Your post does not state timelines. This may be a key factor.
We’ve had plenty experience from housesitter perspective. Most processes have rapid progression (1-3 days total from start to finish) from pet parent listing → housesitter application → pet parent request for video call → pet parent ‘invite to sit’ → housesitter ‘accept sit’. There seem plenty housesitters on THS Forum that withdraw applications if no response within 48 hours of application - as may signal communication, preparedness or other challenges.
Great idea that you asked for a video call. Even for local housesitters then this is probably best practice and good due diligence.
Keep trying. You’ve got plenty time. Ensure responsive.
Exactly what I was thinking!
@DianesPugs Please be aware that most sitters submit numerous applications for dates which coincide, so it’s important to respond very quickly to anyone who sounds like a good match or they’ll very likely commit to another sit.
I’d advise not focussing on the sitters given home area, since most will not be in that vicinity prior to a sit. Indeed, some sitters simply list the area where they wish to sit next.
There’s still plenty of time for you to secure a sitter. As suggested by @HappyDeb , if you link to your profile, you’ll receive lots of advice from experienced sitters on how to potentially improve your listing.
Wishing you the best of luck!
I think I’ve found your listing. It will be an adventage to work on your listing to get more applicants that want to commit. It can be interpreted what is considered red flags in your listing that many sitters will avoid.
In particular the howling part, and what might seem problems with leaving the pets (the howling, but also that they are used to having you around all the time, what seems to be frequent potty walks, sleeping on bed etc.) To attract the right sitters and ensure a good match it is important to be honest and factual and to disclose what the sit actually is. I do however think that a more precise description could be beneficial.
What is the exact daily routine, incl. feeding times, walks, lenght of walks etc.? How long can the pets be left for? You mention that they stay in the kitchen? What would be the setup and lenght for going out? Can the pets be taken with sitters for outings (how, and can you lend a car)?
You mention dogs sleeping on bed. Is that what you do - is it required or optional? Can the pets sleep elsewhere than with sitter? If so, will they go to sleep or make noise (howl…) or could they sleep in your bed and sitter elsewhere? Many sitters value their sleep.
Just a few main issues. If you add your listing to your forum profile you can get help improving it overall.
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I’ve had a look at your listing @DianesPugs and I don’t think you are doing anything ‘wrong’ but it does sound as if the dogs need constant companionship and have attachment issues (i.e. the howling / crying if left alone). It also reads that they need to be convinced to go outside to do their business (why? will they otherwise pee and poop in the house?) and accompanied to do so, but then will only come back inside with a bribe. You also say they ‘run away’ if not on the lead. This is a bit at odds with your comment that they can be left in the kitchen and have a dog flap so can come and go as they please, so probably a good idea to be a bit more clear on this.
At the end of the day, THS facilitates introductions for a mutually beneficial arrangement, so you have to ask yourself how sitters might benefit from your sit. Please don’t take this the wrong way but, it sounds like this sit wouldn’t allow much time for sitters to do anything except pet sit in your home. Since Ellie can’t go for walks anymore and Violet is not good on the lead, it doesn’t suggest they can go out and about with sitters, and the howling means they can’t reasonably be left for very long at all (as sitters, we usually expect that dogs can potentially be left alone for at least four hours at a time, though to be honest we rarely leave them for that long). So, although you describe your area as ‘a lovely area to walk and hike’, how can sitters reasonably expect to do that? Do you have a buggy for Ellie and Violet?
Ellie is an old lady now and needs antibiotics administering to her facial folds and not every sitter will feel comfortable in doing that. When sitting for oldies, there are increased risks of something going wrong, which is another thing some sitters will consider. With dogs at 15, 8 and 3 years of age, you have an ecclectic mix of energy levels and responsibilities there.
I’m sorry if this sounds all negative, I’m just trying to be realistic about what your sit offers. You may be lucky and attract someone who just wants to stay home and relax for the entirety of the sit, or someone who works from home. You’ve received two applications, so that’s encouraging, and thanks for being so honest and up-front about the dog’s needs and behaviours because it enables sitters to make an informed choice.
Wishing you the best of luck!
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Thank you. I guess I need to re-read and edit my descriptions. I have a dog door and fenced back yard and it is only the older girl, Ellie who needs coaxing to go out sometimes.
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Thank you for the suggestions. I have some edits to do and I also added a profile link.
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Thank you Happypets for all the suggestions.
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Thank you for the encouragement. This forum provided a bunch of information for me to make my profile better.
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