Yes I am now very skeptical of anything a host tells me about their pets, and will be packing ear plugs on my future sits if I ever get any!
Hi everyone,
Things are getting a bit off-topic now, so let’s refocus on the purpose of this discussion, please! 
Jenny
“Yes I am now very skeptical of anything a host tells me about their pets,”? Ooh, maybe petsitting isn’t your thing. As you may be aware, an animal may act very differently around a steanger than their human. I expect to work on the relationship with an animal and gain their trust. If an animal is distressed and crying alot, it becomes my purpose to figure out the cause of their stress and help them calm down. At the same time, communicate with the HO to get their input. I don’t think HOs always know how their pet will behave.
The only thing I expect from a HO is that their pet is not going to be a threat.
Terminology is simply words. Action speaks louder than words. Perhaps choosing sits with HOs that “show” their appreciation by reading their listing carefully (looking for tone or one-sidedness), read the reviews the HO has given to past sitters, read the reviews of the HOs from the past sitters and paying close attention on the videochats as they consider you to be their sitter.
This thread has comments making me go back to the reviews I have given to my mere 6 past sitters to see if I said “I would hire Joan as a sitter again”. Well I DID NOT use those particular words thankfully. As a newbie HO, how would I know to not use certain words like ”interview” and “hire them again”? I have learned a whole bunch after spending time in this forum, refined my listing several times, and I am learning how to be a better HO. Plus I am gathering tips on how to be an amazing sitter for my future endeavors.
Agree. I’ve recently seen ads pop up on my streams for THS. It’s the recent video. The one that presents sitters pampering pets and that’s certainly one side of it. Nothing showing homeowners mopping the floor at 2 am or trying to figure out what treat to buy to welcome a sitter who is a gluten free vegan with a soy allergy, or sending the spouse out right before the taxi to the airport comes because they are out of poop bags.
I would pay good money to see that ad @Marion 
That’s great. I have learnt a lot, too. Unfortunately, only a tiny fraction of members read the forum.
I think there are two sides on this thread:
1 - Does the use of a word reflect that someone is entitled.? IMO it doesn’t by itself. We would have to consider other signs like unreasonable demands,
2 - Can / should THS change some words and make other minor changes to help new members understand the equal nature of the exchange? My answer is Absolutely Yes. It would be in everyone’s benefit and the cost is close to 0€
I completely agree. I doubt THS will change this.
I encourage sitters to do your own signaling to reaffirm that sitters and hosts are on equal footing. Ask questions in the video interview to make it clear that this is an equal exchange. For example, you’re setting up a video chat to “see if we’re a good fit” it it not a video interview etc.
@rayray next you will be saying the sit is a job 
I am afraid what you’re quoting is not a reliable source. Some of the things were already in the old T&Cs: sitters pay vet, there was never an insurance but plans, etc. other statements are simply not true, sitters who leave a sit early do not instantly receive a lifetime ban, the consequences are as unspecified as those for owners breaking T&Cs…
Here’s a link to new T&CS in case you want to check.
I don’t like them either, THS limits all sorts of liability but there’s no real change that differentiates sitters and HOs further
Thanks for bringing it up and I totally agree. I also think the agreement needs to be more sensible and personalized.