@ElEd If the HO wishes for their pets to sleep in the bed with the sitter, it is their responsibility to indicate that in the listing. Otherwise it should be left to the sitter’s judgment.
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You’re right, I made an assumption that it was stated as I can’t imagine, as a HO, not stating where the pets sleep. But if it is not clear in the initial information and is a dealbreaker for the sitter, as with any potential dealbreaker, they should clarify with the HO before accepting the sit.
I am glad to have seen this thread. Before becoming a THS member I had never known anyone who allowed pets in (or even on) the bed with them - very often not even in the bedroom. Therefore I wouldn’t have thought to ask the question. It is definitely a ‘no’ as far as I am concerned so I would leave any such sits for others who are comfortable with this arrangement. At least I know to ask now and luckily none of my sits so far have pets with such a routine.
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@ElEd It’s really the HOs responsibility to spell out their pets needs. About half of dog owners sleep with their pets. Half don’t. It should never be sprung on the sitter after confirming the sit.
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I think everyone is different and has different boundaries. If a HO insists the pet be allowed to sleep in the bed, that needs to be stated up front!
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I read a lot of sit listings and maybe 10-20% indicate where their pets sleep…so it’s definitely not something that HO’s pay much attention to in listings. It would be great if it was different.
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Yes, more than one is a bit too much for me too.
Years ago, I was asked to have four cats sleep on top of the bed with me. A shower curtain had been provided to sit on top of the duvet as they were apparently prone to ‘accidents’. As lovely as these cats were individually, they tended to have some almighty cat scraps between themselves with full on hissing and shrieking at night. Definitely not conducive to a peaceful night’s sleep.
Never again. One is my absolute maximum now.
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Hi @mandi905 welcome to the forum! It sounds like you have a well trained pup!
Keep posting, as more perspectives makes the forum robust!
Yikes! I’m not sleeping with pets that are prone to accidents. So far, the pets I’ve sat have slept like champs.
One of my previous sit cats would greet me in the morning sometimes with gentle pats on my head and then lightly “comb” my hair. I wonder if he did that, because he LOVED having his head and whiskers brushed and he thought I’d like it, too.
He was a sweet floofball.
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I’m getting a good chuckle out of this thread.
When I was young, I do not think “dogs in the house” was even common in my culture (maybe back porch in rain or snow?); by the time I was in my early 20s I had inside/outside dogs and cats; by my 30’s I had mainly indoor dogs — but they were not allowed on the furniture or even IN my bedroom. That continued through my 50s, with increasing degrees of “indoor.” I must note that they were all pretty big dogs (50-70#).
But THEN I got really loose 
with a 20# dog who was my first ‘sleeper’ dog — haha, the first ever even allowed in my bedroom!!! And then a second!! And if anyone remembers the old band “Three Dog Night”, I can tell you that sweet critters in your bed does make for cozy sleeping in cold weather!!
Thanks for the memories—it’s nice to review the changes in my life 
And, even in my profile heading it says “will sleep with dogs” (although I only mean the canine type!!!)
Even though I now only have one small dog, I’d be happy to sleep with a few small ones or even, maybe, 2 big dogs…. But I also respect that some folks would find this disgusting (as I would have as a youngster).
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Glad that THS has a function that stops you posting a new thread when there’s a similar one! I was going to ask about peoples’ experience with this. I am a very light sleeper and can’t have animals in the bed. Very happy to be ignored by HOs that require the sitters to have the animal sleep with them. But one of the dangers is the HO who says, ‘oh, they normally do but it’s totally fine if you don’t want them to sleep with you.’ Because the HO doesn’t know that they often bark all night at the door.
Best sits have been when dogs have their own crates at night. It’s not at all cruel. When it’s their routine, it makes them feel safe and everybody sleeps well. I loved the joyous greetings in the morning.
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I LOVE sleeping with pets in my care. I will follow the routine that the pet parent wants, but I prefer sleeping with furry friends. I know a lot of folks don’t understand that, but I don’t understand the aversion to it.
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Yup, me, too. But I don’t sit big dogs.
I think it’s amazing when a pet trusts you enough to sleep together. They’re at their most vulnerable then.
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