Hi there! It seems like i am getting a lot of rejections because I want to bring my little Boston Terrier with me on sits. I love dogs and I think it’s a good thing for them to socialize… I understand HO dogs that don’t get along with others but have you had any success/tip for me to get more offers with my little baby?
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Being a petsitter and a dogowner I totally understand hosts not wanting to have the dogs of the sitters on site, for a lot of reasons. You never know how dogs will react to strangers in their home, and dogs that are accepted as guests visiting might not be accepted when the dog understands that that dog is not going home any time soon. The visiting dog can in the same way play nice visiting, but if they stay for an extended time might turn dominant and try to fight the hosting dog for territory. I have seen these things happen also with dogs that knew each other and were friendly to begin with.
Same goes for peeing inside and marking territory, which is particularly an issue for males but can be also for females.
In addition - a host might worry that their own dog will be the «stepchild» and the sitters dog get priority. And of course the added wear, muck and fluff in the home.
These are the same reasons for me not taking sits Where the host want to bring in dogs from friends or family for the sit (dogs that don’t usually live in the home).
So it makes perfect sense for me to decline sitters with dogs. I would think sits with low applications, maybe particularly rural sits, with lots of space can be easier to get with an accompanying dog.
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That’s unfortunate because i have only had good experiences so far 
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I think many times it will be just fine. But I can also understand hosts that worry. If something happens they will often be far away from their pet (-s).
You can surely get sits with your dog - the pool of available sits will just be smaller.
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I know there are sitters who do bring their dogs because I’ve read reviews that said this.
So there are HOs who allow it.
Realize you’re limiting the number of sits you’ll get and you may not get the primo locations or dates you’d like because you’ll have a much smaller pool of sits to choose from.
All of what Garfield lists above are legit reasons I can see why a HO would not want their sitter bringing a dog along.
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I understand that. But I am wondering if there is anything I can say, any tips on how to reassure them that 1. theirs pets will be loved just like if they were mine LOL and also that I have a well behaved little dog that will match their dogs’ energy… I am a bit discouraged.
I don’t think it’s a question of “reassuraning them” or trying to convince them. This is just the way it is. You can travel with your dog and you can find some sits with owners that will accept another pet. But you have to accept that most pet owners have a history with their dogs and know what works and what doesn’t. The best thing you can do to assuage concerns is have a profile and write application letters, reviews, and recommendations that all attest to your petcare skills, and the great behavior of your dogs.
(Note: My last dog who would have been a bad fit for THS for many reasons, would have been a disaster with another dog, and no matter amount of reassurance would have changed that.)
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If you use the spyglass at the top of the page and type in ‘Bringing pets’ you will see threads where this topic has been discussed.
You will see opinions from both sitters and homeowners.
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Maybe you should apply to some of those Christmas sits that are going begging for sitters. If you have a plan B for when a sit isn’t working out with your dog, you should say what it is.
Share your process for introducing pets and how you get them acclimated, as well as what you’d do if they didn’t get along. You can also ask previous hosts whether they’d be willing to talk to prospective hosts.
Recently, a sitter started a sit-gone-wrong thread, which included mention of the sit dog attacking her dog three times. And apparently she just showed up and plopped her dog down before the first attack. Seemed irresponsible of both her and the hosts. That poor dog of hers — how traumatic that your human exposes you to being repeatedly attacked. And that sit dog must’ve felt threatened.
Lots can go wrong with random pets being introduced, and even being introduced is different from another pet suddenly eating, playing or otherwise roaming a pet’s territory.
I have actually booked a christmas sit 
I actually booked 4 sits so far. People seem to be super open here in Canada but I am trying to book Florida and it doesn’t seem to be the same there…
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That’s a good idea thanks! My dog is not a puppy and we make interact with as many dogs as possible and I know exactly his ‘type’ 
Hence why i wouldn’t go to a lab because I know it’s a big nono. But he is lovely with small dofs and I chose my sits accordingly! Thank you 
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Our son has a Boston Terrier, they’re adorable and fantastic with other dogs 
. I think some have a little more success with rural sits when taking their own dog, but I think it’s just a a case of numbers, you need to put a lot more applications out there.
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Right I always think, how can they say no to that face! 
And feel sad for him 🩵
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I think the problem that a lot of owners will have, is that they will presume that your own dog will get far more attention than theirs. Who will end up snuggling up with you in the evenings for example? Also you may have to take two or three dogs together on a walk, which could be too much of a handful, especialy if their dog/dogs do not get on with your dog. Owners generally do not want other pets, as do nogt know how they may react with their own pets: cats and dogs etc.
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I understand that. But I do that because I genuinely love dogs and we are just happy to see our have fun with others. Plus, our dog is independent so it’s always nice to meet dogs that actually show us some love hahaha! But it’s not something that can be explained easily. I hope to get excellent reviews that will help in that sense 
I’d mention that previous sits have been successful and perhaps attach pics showing your dog with the sit dog(s).
As others have said, the number of sits available to you will obviously be reduced and you’ll probably have to be prepared to travel further afield, or compromise on location.
Best of luck to you.