# Sitter application declined as she wanted to use our dogs whilst BUSKING **URL:** \ **Category:** Host Questions, Advice & Chat\ **Created:** [22 July 2025 07:28 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/sitter-application-declined-as-she-wanted-to-use-our-dogs-whilst-busking/66841 "2025-07-22T07:28:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Maggie8K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@Maggie8K](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/Maggie8K)\ **Post date:** [22 July 2025 17:14 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/sitter-application-declined-as-she-wanted-to-use-our-dogs-whilst-busking/66841/21 "2025-07-22T17:14:23Z")
This would be news to THS folks, including ones who sit while telecommuting. For instance, I’ve had lunches on two continents with a longtime THS exec, while they were sitting. More like, THS doesn’t want someone operating a service out of a hosts’ home or otherwise monetizing off the home or bringing customers to a sit home. THS knows well that many hosts actually prefer telecommuters over other sitters, because they’re typically home more. If THS changed their stance and drove away telecommuters, the inventory of hosts probably would decline as well. ---
**Author:** ![andrealovesanimals](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/0ea827/32.png) [@andrealovesanimals](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/andrealovesanimals)\ **Post date:** [22 July 2025 19:10 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/sitter-application-declined-as-she-wanted-to-use-our-dogs-whilst-busking/66841/22 "2025-07-22T19:10:55Z")
I don’t see a problem with asking this question. Some people might be fine with it. As long as they don’t do it without your permission, what is the big offence? ---
**Author:** ![andrealovesanimals](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/0ea827/32.png) [@andrealovesanimals](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/andrealovesanimals)\ **Post date:** [22 July 2025 19:12 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/sitter-application-declined-as-she-wanted-to-use-our-dogs-whilst-busking/66841/23 "2025-07-22T19:12:20Z")
> [@Colin](#): > > Isn’t that just taking your dog to work? > > Buskers are not beggars. People give money to buskers for their talents. Yes, yes and yes. ---
**Author:** ![anon9376833](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eada6e/32.png) [@anon9376833](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/anon9376833)\ **Post date:** [22 July 2025 19:56 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/sitter-application-declined-as-she-wanted-to-use-our-dogs-whilst-busking/66841/24 "2025-07-22T19:56:11Z")
Wow. This wouldn’t even have occurred to me. 100% agree that pets should not be used for any commercial purpose by the sitters without written permission from the homeowners PRIOR to confirmation. This woud also include tik tok videos, and other “in home” activities. Geeze. ---
**Author:** ![Smiley](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/user_avatar/forum.trustedhousesitters.com/smiley/32/86_2.png) [@Smiley](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/Smiley)\ **Post date:** [22 July 2025 22:26 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/sitter-application-declined-as-she-wanted-to-use-our-dogs-whilst-busking/66841/25 "2025-07-22T22:26:32Z")
Well my thoughts are that at least they mentioned this to you. ---
**Author:** ![toml](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/user_avatar/forum.trustedhousesitters.com/toml/32/2049_2.png) [@toml](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/toml)\ **Post date:** [22 July 2025 22:47 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/sitter-application-declined-as-she-wanted-to-use-our-dogs-whilst-busking/66841/26 "2025-07-22T22:47:28Z")
At least they were honest about their plans and you could say no. Not exactly the same, but using a dog in business - years and years ago I found a truffle-hunting excursion in Prague. The guy running it was a PhD student in botany specializing in mushrooms and such and he had trained Nela, his weirmariner to find truffles. Not that there were any naturally occurring truffles in Prague - he planted a few the morning before the excursion. And I learned how the dog was trained. Then we had lunch - pasta with a truffle sauce and I got a thumb sized truffle to take to my airbnb to cook with. (I was headed to Copenhagen soon after and took about half the truffle with me - probably violated some law taking a truffle across a border; fortunately there were no ‘agriculture dogs’ working at the Copenhagen airport.) I think Petr has turned it into a travel and food business and Nela the weim is still the star. If you ever sit or visit Prague - [https://praguetruffle.com](https://praguetruffle.com) ---
**Author:** ![Cuttlefish](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/user_avatar/forum.trustedhousesitters.com/cuttlefish/32/24382_2.png) [@Cuttlefish](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/Cuttlefish)\ **Post date:** [23 July 2025 04:39 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/sitter-application-declined-as-she-wanted-to-use-our-dogs-whilst-busking/66841/27 "2025-07-23T04:39:52Z")
We don’t think it’s that weird depending on the dog, the age & the location. A larger, older golden retriever would probably enjoy some blues music most days lying in the shade on the streets of Berlin or by the river in Richmond! Also how experienced the musicians are with busking with dogs & looking after them as they play would make a difference. Agree with members who said at least they asked. Might have been wiser to ask a repeat host who knew them better but hey, takes all sorts. #lifeislikeaboxofchocolates ---
**Author:** ![Silversitters](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e480ec/32.png) [@Silversitters](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/Silversitters)\ **Post date:** [23 July 2025 07:23 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/sitter-application-declined-as-she-wanted-to-use-our-dogs-whilst-busking/66841/28 "2025-07-23T07:23:19Z")
Have they had any reviews from previous sits ? ---
**Author:** ![botvot](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/user_avatar/forum.trustedhousesitters.com/botvot/32/13547_2.png) [@botvot](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/botvot)\ **Post date:** [23 July 2025 09:30 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/sitter-application-declined-as-she-wanted-to-use-our-dogs-whilst-busking/66841/29 "2025-07-23T09:30:15Z")
In my (very) younger years, I was a busker. Your comments are interesting and I can see all points. Here’s the thing, though: it can be the best laid plans, the idea of having a cute dog come along for a few hours, BUT, in practice, said dog may not sit still long enough for one song 🤣 Or if the dog is then secured to a lead, it may pull the whole setup down if it’s not a relaxed dog. Or what if it’s starting to have altercations with other visiting dogs… And there goes the vibe and enters the drama. It’s a very risky plan - a busking gig based on an unknown dog!! ---
**Author:** ![Ray2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/cab0a1/32.png) [@Ray2](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/Ray2)\ **Post date:** [23 July 2025 10:50 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/sitter-application-declined-as-she-wanted-to-use-our-dogs-whilst-busking/66841/30 "2025-07-23T10:50:13Z")
Not to mention anyone with a travel blog or similar. Isn’t THS currently using those to further their own advertising? ---
**Author:** ![Jenny](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/user_avatar/forum.trustedhousesitters.com/jenny/32/43703_2.png) [@Jenny](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/Jenny)\ **Post date:** [24 July 2025 12:15 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/sitter-application-declined-as-she-wanted-to-use-our-dogs-whilst-busking/66841/31 "2025-07-24T12:15:00Z")
Hi everyone, I wanted to pop back with an update on this. The wider THS team have asked me to pass on the following: _"Although there is nothing explicit in our terms of service, we do not endorse this activity taking place during a sit._ _Furthermore, we will be reaching out to the sitter in question and making it clear that if they intend to take a member’s pet busking with them, TrustedHousesitters is not the correct platform for them."_ I hope this helps alleviate any concerns you’re having. ❤ Jenny ---
**Author:** ![Crosswords\_and\_puzzles](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/user_avatar/forum.trustedhousesitters.com/crosswords_and_puzzles/32/36875_2.png) [@Crosswords\_and\_puzzles](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/Crosswords_and_puzzles)\ **Post date:** [24 July 2025 12:56 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/sitter-application-declined-as-she-wanted-to-use-our-dogs-whilst-busking/66841/32 "2025-07-24T12:56:57Z")
@Jenny. Hurray! ---
**Author:** ![Aideen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@Aideen](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/Aideen)\ **Post date:** [24 July 2025 20:29 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/sitter-application-declined-as-she-wanted-to-use-our-dogs-whilst-busking/66841/33 "2025-07-24T20:29:46Z")
I had to check it wasn’t April 1st ---
**Author:** ![janistowns](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/user_avatar/forum.trustedhousesitters.com/janistowns/32/30639_2.png) [@janistowns](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/janistowns)\ **Post date:** [25 July 2025 15:16 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/sitter-application-declined-as-she-wanted-to-use-our-dogs-whilst-busking/66841/34 "2025-07-25T15:16:59Z")
so give them another chance, with just a warning? Of course they won’t be honest with HO’s now. How could any reputable sitter even think this was ok? I would hope/expect THS to ban them (AND add this language/expectation to their policy). People like this clearly do not have the right intentions for this platform/exchange. I would be furious if someone did this with my pet. They should just be banned. Period. ---
**Author:** ![Maggie8K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@Maggie8K](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/Maggie8K)\ **Post date:** [25 July 2025 15:18 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/sitter-application-declined-as-she-wanted-to-use-our-dogs-whilst-busking/66841/35 "2025-07-25T15:18:55Z")
All these sitters did was ask. So they should be booted from THS for that? Consider that folks who propose booting people for asking are essentially saying it’s better to not ask. If you’re asked, you can decline. If you’re not asked, maybe a sitter does X and you just never know. ---
**Author:** ![anon9376833](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eada6e/32.png) [@anon9376833](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/anon9376833)\ **Post date:** [30 July 2025 00:53 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/sitter-application-declined-as-she-wanted-to-use-our-dogs-whilst-busking/66841/36 "2025-07-30T00:53:54Z")
I can think of all kinds of ways busking could go wrong and lead to pet harm: (1) the activity might be against a local ordinance and if the sitters get arrested, and the animals could wind up in a public shelter. (2) heat stroke. (3) lost or kidnapped while the sitters are entertaining. (4) bite someone or fight with another animal while the sitters are entertaining. What I don’t understand is why THS wouldn’t put busking in a category along with other commercial uses of the pet – creating cute pet videos for social media, selling images of the pet for stock photos or other commercial uses, etc – and have any “commercial” use be declared a no-no without explicit written permission just like 3rd parties. ---
**Author:** ![anon9376833](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eada6e/32.png) [@anon9376833](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/anon9376833)\ **Post date:** [30 July 2025 02:41 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/sitter-application-declined-as-she-wanted-to-use-our-dogs-whilst-busking/66841/37 "2025-07-30T02:41:25Z")
Or the dog is NOT your dog and you don’t have the owner’s permission. ---
**Author:** ![Colin](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/user_avatar/forum.trustedhousesitters.com/colin/32/1940_2.png) [@Colin](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/Colin)\ **Post date:** [30 July 2025 09:42 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/sitter-application-declined-as-she-wanted-to-use-our-dogs-whilst-busking/66841/38 "2025-07-30T09:42:47Z")
Pesonally, I think a few of us are getting carried away with the ‘what ifs’ in this scenario. My guess is the sitters did not want to ‘use’ the dog whilst busking (unless of course, the dog could juggle or sing?) It’s more likely the sitters asked if it was ok to take the dog along whilst they were busking ---
**Author:** ![anon93260006](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4491bb/32.png) [@anon93260006](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/anon93260006)\ **Post date:** [9 October 2025 03:18 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/sitter-application-declined-as-she-wanted-to-use-our-dogs-whilst-busking/66841/39 "2025-10-09T03:18:42Z")
agreed… they could have seen it as all day pet care which is actually really nice. [Previous page](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/sitter-application-declined-as-she-wanted-to-use-our-dogs-whilst-busking/66841.md?page=1)