@naalehuretiree My sits state no kids also. I had a family apply and sent a note that I don’t have beds for children and declined them. I posted another sit about 2 months later and they applied again saying they have air mattresses. I just declined them with no note.
Talking about mattresses, I remember a post here where someone complained that they were not accepted because the owner only had a bed available but the bed was big enough for all the family. I think there were two adults and two kids, one of them was a toddler. They claimed it should be their choice how they chose to sleep.
Although to be fair, yes…their choice how they sleep.
Of course! But that would only apply here if they are invited. I should perhaps have worded it differently, they were entitled to choose where they slept but just can choose from places that are really available for them. No one can decide where they can sleep in my home without my consent. That’s what I think, at least.
The first sitter I had with TH, asked if she could bring her 4 year old child and her small yorkie. My little dog is good with all dogs and kids so I said ok. It was only for a weekend. I didn’t see them when they arrived but got home before they left. What I observed, made me aware that I needed to be more selective.
The little yorkie wanted all of the attention and growled at my dog everytime she came near me or the sitter. She didn’t hurt my dog, but I realized my dog had to give in to her all weekend.
The little girl was sweet, but very active and loved being in a house with a yard as opposed to their condo with a neighbor below that didn’t want her running around. I didn’t mind except that she ran out to the backyard several times barefoot then would come in and jump on my white chair. Sweet little family but it just didn’t work in a home not meant for small kids and a dog that tried to boss my friendly little girl around.
Since then it’s been “no kids” and only small friendly dogs that my dog gets to meet ahead of time or an older dog that doesn’t get jealous if attention is paid to mine.
I wish every new HO read this.
For me it’s a form no on families, other pets, and now even overnight guests. I ok’ed one overnight guest and it was hard on the house itself as they used a lot of towels for some reason. Not doing it again.
Like rejecting job applicants who filled the form in in blue ink when the instruction was to use black ink. Reject pile without reading any further.
Another thought. I went through training one time on The Ontology of a Request. It actually changed my life as I was one of those people that feared rejection. The gist is, “Anyone has a right to make a request. Inherent in the right to make a request is that the recipient has the right to accept, decline or counter offer.” That’s all it is—it’s not personal. As a result of learning that lesson, I took a career chance that ended up changing my life.
I have a wonderful little, non-shedding, therapy trained dog that I like to take with me on local sits to Santa Barbara where I used to live. I also foster dogs sometimes, so she has a ton of experience with other dogs. There have been 3 sits so far in SB that state no other dogs. If the dates seem right for me and the dog doesn’t have issues with other dogs, I submit an application. I explain up front that if possible and agreeable, I’d like to bring her. I offer to drive to SB so that the dogs can meet ahead of time. If I can see by photos that their dog is never on furniture, or they state that, I skip it because my little poodle mutt cannot be constrained that way. She is, however trained to only hang out on her known blankets which I wash right before the sit and pack in the car. I lay it all out there and say, if this doesn’t sound acceptable to them, I understand completely. In all three cases, plus one in Santa Cruz, they have fallen in love with Shula and have asked us back for repeat sits. They often do not mention her in their reviews because not everyone is as conscientious as I am and has the ability to have the dogs meet ahead of time.
This photo is from our last sit and we will be going back there in a few weeks.
Totally agree that trying to push or force a homeowner to change their mind is not okay at all. If it’s a ‘no,’ it’s a ‘no’ and you have to respect that.
But on the other hand, I think it’s still okay to apply if you truly believe your specific situation fits because there are kids, and then there are other kids!
Just to give some perspective: My daughter has done over 90 housesits together with me around the world full-time over the past 4 years with nothing less than 5-star reviews in all categories. She is more experienced than most on this platform. We’ve looked after everything from a tiny ferret to a 125-pound mountain dog, 4 German Shepherds, horses, and entire farms with tons of animals.
The main reason I still sometimes apply to a listing with a “no kids” policy is when the pets are described as very shy, rescued, or abused. My daughter has a truly special knack for connecting with these types of animals. She is so gentle and patient that even homeowners who originally had a strict “no children” policy have accepted us, and afterwards told us they wish we could always come back.
I think it really depends on the individual kid and having a proven track record of past sits with large or sensitive animals to give the owner peace of mind. It lets them see the full picture and decide for themselves. But again, if they still say no, you move on. Forcing the issue is never okay!
I wouldn’t want a sitter with me children as my senior dog is not used to living with kids & I think it would stress him out with kids running around or potentially teasing him.
I’d also be slightly concerned about what state my house might be in once I return.
The HO can decline applications that don’t meet their needs. If they decline 1, 1 more application can be submitted; if they decline 5, 5 more can be submitted, etc.
Unfortunately for sitters, sitters would have to “rediscover” the listing, as there is no “waiting list.”