There are lots of paid platforms for that case.
The short answer is: Yesđ
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Friendly guide, it reads to me like a contract with Terms and Conditions. Iâm sure there are plenty of HOs that like this approach, but others that Iâve sat for prefer something more relaxed. Iâm also doing something right, I get multiple repeats and invitations.
I donât need to be reminded to read the whole thread.
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Good for you!
PS: If youâre not willing to read the entire thread, then you canât expect others to respond when youâre clearly making comments that have already been addressed and really donât require any further reply.
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Iâve been following the thread, I just donât need to be lectured thanks.
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Trusted Housesitters is all about offering mutually beneficial experience to both sitters and pet parents, so many times weâll promote the importance of communication and understanding and I think the principle of what @Fatamorgana describes here could be beneficial.
Afterall, itâs not about finding a pet parent/sitter, instead youâre looking for the right pet parent/sitter to match you, your home and your pet(s).
Whilst this approach could rule a few people out, it may also speed up the process to finding the person whoâll be the right match. Iâd love to hear how this approach works over a longer period of time.
Of course, when people do disagree, a little compassion and understanding on all sides wouldnât go amiss.
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Iâve read the entire thread, and didnât really find it necessary to do so.
You say in a comment that
and that sums up my first impression
of the OP. The important points of the text is (should be) already covered in the THS terms and the listing. So basically it is saying again that the terms and the listing should apply. (Apart from the aggressive pet-issue which is not a preference but a term of service.)
If a member would like to send it and feels that that is an asset that is great. But I think the proof in the pudding for me is whether it makes a difference. It seems that the OP reads listings thoroughly and that the sits align with the listings they have chosen. So not really sure if the text «works», then I would think some hosts would decline after receiving it, or the sitter would end sits re. the text.
But ofc I havenât yet had a bad sit as such, and the listings (which I read thoroughly incl reverse reviews and a close look at photos - #clean #clutter) has aligned with seeing them IRL so far without such a text. 
Who knows, I can change my mind. Would love to hear how it works going forward. 
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Of course, Garfield, youâre absolutely right. Itâs a bit redundant, and maybe I only wrote it (or rather, had ChatGPT write it based on my input) because I recently had some bad experiences with last-minute sit calls (I actually started a thread about it).
Maybe I was just so frustrated that I thought Iâd give the homeowners a little wake-up call, to let them know that this isnât really a service. Iâve sent it out twice now after a video call, which went really well and was well received, because I explained what it was about.
Both homeowners still wanted us afterwards. But it didnât work out, because in one case the sit was postponed by two days, which didnât fit our schedule anymore, and in the other case I became unsure because the homeowner backtracked on some thing heâd said. Who knows, maybe the guide had an effect because the homeowner realized he shouldnât be dishonest with me.
But youâre right, I choose very carefully, so carefully, in fact, that Iâve never had a bad sit (except for one, but that was okay; it was just really, really dirty, which you couldnât see in the pictures). We also have really good video calls, where we can quickly figure out if thereâs a connection. So maybe a guide isnât even necessary for us. I donât know. Iâm undecided. Thanks for giving me something to think about.
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I completely agree on the principle. The more clear the terms of the mutual agreement, the better for both parties.
Where I differ is in the way to enforce that principle. But, of course, that is up to every sitter to decide what works for them. If it works for @Fatamorgana, thatâs great and I am sure their approach will be helpful for others, as it is this thread.
In my experience, some HOs lose interest when I am not over enthusiastic about their sit or ask âtoo many questionsâ about aspects not covered in the listing. I am OK with that because I just sit as a hobby and I am happy to avoid sits where HOs think I need accommodation and they are doing me a favour rather than both of us making a mutually beneficial agreement.
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Iâve added various Equine related points to your excellent âGuideâ which Iâve copied and edited for our own use but these two in particular might be of general interest.
- Please ensure Farrier visits are prepaid and dates agreed with us in advance.
- Please ensure Dog Grooming appts are prepaid and agreed with us in advance.
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Yes, I have read the entire thread.
So letâs do a recap. You have submitted this guide twice but neither of those two sits eventually took place. I would judge the âsuccessâ of your guide only by whether it had an impact on the sit. For example your guide emphasizes the need for a clean home and refrigerator space. But the sits didnât occur so you donât know if your requests would have been honored. Please update when the whole process has had a chance to play out.
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Thanks for sharing your experience. Yes, I completely agree â for me itâs a huge red flag when homeowners arenât at least equally enthusiastic about having us as sitters as we are about looking after their dogs.
Unfortunately, some listings are very minimal, even if the dog looks adorable, the photos are nice, and there are some glowing reviews. In such cases, I tend to ask quite a few questions to get a better picture.
Recently, for example, I had a situation where the homeowners accepted us without even having a call. I responded by saying that I always have a call first â and they seemed quite puzzled by that. When we finally found a time to talk, the woman walked around the house during the call and gave me this odd vibe, as if she was thinking, âSo? Whatâs there to discuss?â
Then her husband apparently walked into the room, and she said something like, âOh, here comes my husband,â but right after that, she claimed it wasnât him â which seemed like a lie, probably because he didnât want to talk or be on camera. Still, he did eventually appear, reluctantly.
The whole thing felt awkward and strange, and immediately after the call, they sent us a message telling us when they expected us to arrive and what we should bring â including an ID and proof of liability insurance. Needless to say, I hit the Decline button faster than ever.
That interaction really left a bad taste in my mouth.
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I would think as a previous non THS HO (just sitting now) âthese sound organised and clearâŠ. exactly our type of people!â
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I have asked questions in my application, and had a real quick «decline». It has typically been a vague listing on the toilet habits of the pet, and I have asked if the dog goes to toilet indoor. Seemed they didnât like to be asked which I have interpreted as the pet does indeed pee indoor, and a decline was a win.
I have been sitting for pets with indoor toilets, it was then clearly described in listing. It is the covering up I avoid - what else are they covering up.
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Proof of ID and liability insurance, was this in the UK where you do 90% of your sits? This is very unusual behaviour for a Brit, or perhaps they werenât natives.
Yes, it was in the UK. I think they were from South Africa, but not sure.
What, if any, response have you had from the home owners to your guide? Has any cancelled!
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As Iâm getting more experienced with the platform, I can chime in that HOs and sitters can each list whatever boundaries and needs they want. As long as they are all disclosed, considered, and there is conscious consideration for both sides. Then an informed decision can be made.
Welcome Guides for both sides are a great idea, because it helps to have things in writing, even if youâve discussed it.
It really is all about the pre-sit vetting, the convos and the process of deciding yes or no on if itâs a match. This should not be rushed, no matter who is trying to rush you through it or skip the steps. (Itâs valuable when itâs a match so of course people are eager.)
Similar to a dating platform, you could match with hundreds and have a lot of insane experimental experiences, or you could choose carefully and slowly and have richer rewards. Iâm sure people do both, depending on circumstance.
Remember this site (like many apps) is an experiment, with almost no onboarding and very little QC or protections. We are all learning and parsing it through as we go!
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I love clarity so this would not scare me off at all. I find - in general - people that donât prefer lack of clarity ask for more than what was reasonable or arenât very clean.
I have a form that I ask owners to fill in. Itâs not like this. Itâs more focused on clarity on tasks and expectations, wifi codes, dates of arrival and departure and pet/household quirks. I do thread through questions about security cameras and mention no third parties, request guest policy and ask for cupboard/fridge space. Then I include a friendly checklist for preparing their home for the sit. In other words, itâs a pragmatic doc focused on a successful sit and mentions some important points for me. It works great. All my sits are five-star and smooth. No surprises. I respect whatever you wish to do that makes you feel safe, happy and heard.
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I also developed a sheet for use during video calls. I like to make sure of a few things past general items like names and locations. 1) confirming pet behaviors and needs and any follow-up questions regarding this. Not everyone updates the information in their postings often enough! 2) arrival and departure dates/times for both parties. I have found I like to discuss these and then confirm via written message.
After reading the OPs âguideâ, I think I may add a couple more conversation starters to make sure they are discussed. This is partly due to recent experiences as well. I agree with the premise of the OP - make sure we are as clear as possible on expectations from both sides.
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