Hi, we see all the lovely adverts of large, exotic sits around the world which makes us think joining THS may be a waste of money for us as we aren’t quite such a catch!
-We have 2 GSPs - one with separation anxiety and the other is a pup so we are hoping she won’t have and may help him with his SA eventually.
-We live in an ordinary 3 bedroom house in a village in Herts, with a small garden - but it is cozy and clean!
Are we likely to find sitters who would be prepared not to leave the dogs at all?
We have lovely, rural walks right from our back door and they are happy to travel by car to go other places - they just need to be with a human!
5 Likes
Hi @C-A welcome to our community forum and I hope we can welcome you and your German Shorthaireds to TrustedHousesitters as a members very soon.
@anon36831737 is an experienced sitter member and his insights are so helpful, as he says the most important thing is to include enough information in your listing to let sitters know your dog’s needs and your expectations so that the right sitters apply, you can then take the discussion further via message communications and the recommended Skype call before confirming your sitter, by which time you will have begun to develop a relationship with your sitter.
You will also have access to our great Membership Services Team for support and advice throughout your membership and access to the 24 hour Veterinary HelpLine.
Sitters with TrustedHousesitters choose to sit for free out of their love for animals and when it comes to homes, clean, tidy, comfortable and welcoming are top of their wish lists, no matter what the size or location … pets, people and places.
Thank you again for joining us on the forum, enjoy connecting with other members and sharing in their stories and experiences.
Angela & The Team
4 Likes
Don’t be put off by the more exotic sits, the majority of sits are in ordinary homes! It may be a little tougher to find sitters prepared to be with the dogs 24/7 but you certainly wouldn’t be the first to ask and as long as you are honest and upfront about their needs so there aren’t any surprises for the sitter you should be fine.
People look to sit for different reasons, it’s not always about landing in a glamorous location. I can tell you that my preferred sits are always in the countryside or smaller villages with friendly dogs and nice walks, and I don’t believe I’m alone in that!
Like @anon36831737 said, there are loads of experienced dog sitters on here who would enjoy a sit like yours and take fantastic care of your GSPs. You may have slightly less applications than some other sits but I would be very surprised if you didn’t have any, it sounds like you have a lovely cozy spot and you are in a beautiful corner of the world. Best of luck!
5 Likes
Thank you for all your encouraging replies!
1 Like
@C-A We would certainly consider applying to sit for your dogs. We like to sit in rural locations or small villages with plenty of walks nearby. We haven’t done many sits, and most have been ordinary 3 bedroom houses as you describe!
When we first joined THS we couldn’t quite believe that homeowners would want a family with 2 children to stay in their house and look after their pets. Obviously not all do, but there are many who are open to family sitters.
Don’t be put off by the fabulous houses in exotic locations. There are many sitters out there who are just looking for a comfortable place for a change of scenery with some lovely pets to give some love to!
4 Likes
Welcome C_A 
2 Likes
Thank-you: very good to know!!
1 Like
Hi C-A,
if your dogs are well socialised, get into the car, enjoy trips to new places and like to be around people, finding someone will certainly not be a problem. If you have no problem accepting a sitter who brings their dog with them, that certainly increases your chances of finding someone. Think about it. We, for example, always travel with our dog and the fact that we promise to be there 24/7 for the dogs has helped us with many applications. But no matter if the sitter comes without or with his dog, if it is communicated what you expect from a sitter, I am pretty sure that only those will apply who will stick to it. There are undoubtedly many dog-loving sitters who enjoy taking your dogs on an adventure every day and do not let them alone.
1 Like
Thank-you for your help - it’s starting to look more hopeful!!
1 Like
Welcome to the site.
I wouldn’t worry at all about no-one wanting to sit. Not everyone wants exotic places to stay and go out sightseeing on their own. We live in a small 2 bed bungalow near the countryside that we love and having housesat in large houses find them not a cosy as our own. We would love to sit anytime if available and take the dogs with us on walks which is what we love to do. A walk is not the same without a dog by your side. Good luck.
3 Likes
Thank-you for your support!
1 Like
Hi @auntyaud welcome to our community forum and thank you for posting such an encouraging reply to @C-A and sharing you own experiences.
You are absolutely correct, sitters choose pet sitting stays for many different reasons each experience id different. They are not tourists but have chosen a unique travel lifestyle which is not about the location or the home, there is much more involved … it’s about being the right fit for pets, owners and sitter alike.
Welcome again, enjoy connecting with other members and sharing in our wonderful community.
Angela & The Team
2 Likes
We would definitely be interested! We are homebodies and love to walk with the pups and then settle in at home in the evenings. Welcome!
2 Likes
Hi C-A In our experience as sitters the Sits offered in exotic locations or beautiful country homes are often extremely competitive, with huge number of applicants and that can be off putting. The vast majority of sits are in ordinary homes. Important criteria for us are than the home is clean, beds are comfy and that the pets and duties are a good fit for us. Its that simple. From your perspective you don’t need loads of applicants- you just need the right one!! Good clear communication is key so there are no surprises either way. Good luck!
1 Like
Thank-you - that’s good to know!
1 Like
Thank-you for your reassurance!
2 Likes
I’m in a semi-rural area and have found many sitters that enjoy the bushwalks, birds and wildlife. Being an hour from Sydney I ask if they anticipate trips away and most say they consider themselves “on the job” and will do their sightseeing before or afterwards.
I did have one young couple who did a few overnight trips to Sydney, but they used the dog-walker whose contact details I had left for an emergency. I now prefer older sitters who are less likely to miss the bars and coffee shops, though I have no complaints about how that couple looked after the house and my dog.
3 Likes
I am interested in your outcome . We’re you successful at finding someone who wouldn’t leave your dogs ? I am currently in the same position .
1 Like
I arrived for a return sit with Flynn, the cockapoo yesterday. The HOs left early this morning.
I left my room door ajar as the flap is in my room. About 1 am I was awakened as Flynn passed through, used the flap and then came back through a few minutes later. I’m pretty sure he slept with the HOs or their son upstairs last night.
This morning I slept through the HOs early morning departure, but woke to find Flynn on the bed with me.
Clearly no separation anxiety for Flynn!
6 Likes
If knowing it in advance, there won’t be any problem.
I’m currently pet-sitting a sweet doggie with separation anxiety but I have no problem in taking her wherever I can. And look, it’s already 2 months!
So don’t worry: we’re many out there who are interested in taking care of your babies as they were ours 
2 Likes