Hmmm… I don’t list any outdoor activity-hobbies on my profile. Does that mean I’m a couch potato? No. I just assume that if I’m applying to look after an active dog, the dog’s owners will realise I’ve read their listing and am able comfortably to fill the role. (In fact, I’m a keen hiker, wild swimmer, jogger, cyclist and birdwatcher. Surely everybody can tick at least three of those…?) Although I rather think that even if I were to mention my outdoor activities specifically, a lot of HOs would assume that, because of my massive old age (62) I must be a crock…
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I appreciate hosts who are transparent and specific with their listings, so I can self-select (out) appropriately and avoid bad matches.
Often, hosts provide too little info. That probably contributes to some rejecting a lot of sitters.
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People complain that not enough information is listed on their profiles. This thread is discussing being rejected. We don’t assume a person is a couch potato, but it would help us HO’s if more information is given. Just like sitters want as much information as possible when they choose which sits they apply. Just because you apply doesn’t mean you’re the right fit. We’ve experienced this in the past so that is why we are a little more choosy. People look at the location more than what is required of the actual sit. This is why video calls are so important for both sides. A profile is hard to explain everything. There is nothing personal about which sitter we choose, it is what is best for our pet.
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Fair points. I’ll add the outdoorsy stuff to my profile. Perhaps I’ve been assuming too much is taken as read.
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You’d be surprised!! I explicitly call out specific dealbreakers/needs in my listing and a shocking percentage of applicants ignore them. When I reiterate information from my listing in my response, some have been actually surprised by the “new” details. I’ve learned that I can’t assume anything that hasn’t been said.
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Yeah, I think …. I know…. The age issue is huge! I’m 70, and twice have been told it is a red flag cuz of past bad experiences with over 60 “lazy” TCH experiences! I did get both of those jobs, though, and I do list my athleticism in my profile to help assuage those fears in general. Once, for a sit in Tahoe, I was immediately rejected without comment, and she continued to list for a month afterwards. Hummmm…. Bet I could out ski her, but she’ll never know and why bother with such ageism anyways? So, I’d be sure to include some data in your profile about how active you are, can’t hurt.
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I explicitly state i walk five to six miles a day with or without a dog. I’m 63. My other “hobbies” stated are eating, cooking and amateur gardening. Never been rejected because of my age or lack of exercise.
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That’s because there are boneheads, lazy people, folks who’ll blindly pursue, etc., in the world.
The same sorts of people who don’t read about how THS works before they sign up for it, for instance.
Similarly, such people send out sit invites, etc., without reading sitters’ profiles.
Or job hunters who send clueless applications that get deleted immediately. And so on.
Just the unfortunate reality of humans.
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I’m a marathon runner. Should I be putting that in my profile? I didn’t really consider HO’s would like some mention of how active I am.
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Some people have very specific requirements or they just can’t make a decision and are always looking for that sitter who is just a little bit “better” than the ones that have applied so far.
I seem to recall a post a while back where a HO was wondering why they had no applicants for their 2nd listing when they had 50 when they first listed a sit. Turns out rejecting 49 people diminishes the pool of people who are interested in your listing.
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That’s up to you. If I get 4 out of 5 applicants that state they enjoy hiking, biking, etc and the 5th one doesn’t state anything, that 5th person won’t be contacted by me. Sorry, I’m just doing what is best for my dog. That is my job as a pet parent. It is nothing personal.
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I have a saved search for a certain area, since I need to be there for a month. I applied a month ago for a sit, got declined, though the wife had responded said, they would chat, but her husband was reviewing. Never got chat, just declined a couple of days later. I did get a better sit in the middle of that period, so still have the search to fill it in. The sit where I got declined is till up, low applications. It is really in the middle of nowhere, way north of Toronto in March – winter. What are they expecting? You would definitely need a car. Unrealistic expectations.
@avidtraveler We’ve had a couple petsits like this with highly active dogs. I’m always curious to see if the dogs will wear my teens out or the opposite. We once had a sit where we were watching 2 dogs and all 5 of them had a slumber party every night in the basement even though they’ve had 1 hour jogs, walks, playtime in the background running around. Too much fun for everyone.
Another annoying habit. Apply, they thank me, ask for availability for a chat, I respond, then nothing. Why do they ask and then nothing? It has happened a few times.
You can “unfavourite” listings by clicking on the solid heart. The heart becomes clear.
I agree; there should be a way to mark listings so that they never show up again for you, or at least have some sort of mark/label to indicate a listing that you have already decided is not appropriate for you.
Thank you for responding to applications promptly!
Are you saying that you need 20-25 applicants to find “The One” applicant?
I imagine among the first 10 applicants, you must find at least ONE applicant to interview? But you keep going, until you have at least 2 excellent prospects to interview?
How do you like the 5 applicant limit? Does it provide a “gate” which helps you to manage the applications, or is it an annoying hindrance?
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No! I decline only the ones, that are clearly not a match, and then unpause the listing. I think last time I had 15 applications.
I hate 5 applications rule. It requires me to check the app way too often to keep the listing open. And, since most sitters are from a different time zone than us, the listing will still be paused at some point.
I’d much prefer to be able to set a limit for applications by myself, or a time limit for the listing to be open.
There are so many sitters applying too fast without reading the listing. Or just interested in future dates. Or just sending a one line application, and/or not having hardly any pet relating info in their sitter profile. Or sending an application with info that contradicts their profile. Or they don’t answer messages after applying.
Luckily there are also great sitters with good applications (I don’t expect a novel!) and well written profiles 
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First time around we ended up with sitters who were the first to apply. After that, we went with sitters, who were the last to apply. Third time, the sitter we choose was one of the last aswell.
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This is what I do too. Let it fill up to five, turn down any that aren’t a fit (for whatever reason) and open it back up again. I do communicate quickly with all applicants - even if to simply say “I’ll be choosing another sitter this time.” I try to make my decision within 3 or 4 days of initial listing. It can be quite a job for a few days!
I wish there were things we could filter applicants for. (# of sits done, whether they’d have their own car, if they’re good/experienced with rambunctious dogs, can give meds, etc.).
I, personally, do NOT like the 5 applicant limit. I’m very forunate in that my 5-sitter-limit fills up within a couple of hours typically - I’d rather let the listing be live for two days and then review them all rather than having to start filtering within hours in order to find the perfect person (or people).
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I applied for a competitive sit in FL in winter, they asked for a chat a few days ago, I responded my availability, then nothing. Then I get asked to this morning if I was available for a chat today, I respond yes, etc. Still waiting for them to respond, then I see the listing again as new. I haven’t been declined, but how did they get it as a new listing?
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