A couple wishes to sit our mini Schnauzer with their 6-month-old baby. Is this a liability for us should something happen to the baby, either playing with our very docile dog or an ordinary home accident, because we have not conducted a thorough “baby proofing” of our home?
@CarloBos, gosh - an unusual applicant.
As housesitters, we complete due diligence on prospective housesits. The nature and intensity of this can vary significantly depending on risk and reward. Are issues mentioned in listing? How much joy would result? We effectively ask Pet Parent questions, typically in video call, to satisfy ourselves.
Suggest that same concept apply to yourself as Pet Parents. Were there other great applicants? Prepare targeted questions - for THS Message, video call, otherwise - and ask prospective housesitters to provide information (eg how manage sit with young baby) to satisfy you. Them have information to decide any next steps.
The US (where I am from). Is more sue crazy than some other countries so good you think about liability. I would put in writing ( an email is fine) that your home is not baby proofed and you hold no liability if the child gets bit.
Have them acknowledge that email and agree. I would be concerned about the child being around the dog and maybe sticking her finger in its eyes and being bit. You don’t know the couple to know how well the child is monitored by them. Are you sure your dog is OK with a child that young and their unpredictability.
I see you only have one applicant and this may be them. You are requesting a couple for only one dog that you are putting in doggie daycare twice a week. I think if you open your listing to those traveling alone you will have more choices to pick from.
I’m not sure how a liability would play out, but I wouldn’t worry too much about a 6 month-old baby, really. Realistically - where would a baby be - in a stroller, a cot, in a chair, on a blanket, perhaps. I would worry more if the child was 2-3 years old and up and about.
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Some babies do start crawling at 6 months. I would be concerned they would lock my dog up in one room, so baby
wouldn’t get hurt from dog playing with the child while it crawls. Also, they may be moving in portable furniture to help take care of the child. A portable changing table or will they change the child on the bed? A crib to sleep in. Will they be moving around your furniture to make room? It would be a no from me if I was the PP. I don’t know the couple and the dog can’t tell me what’s going on. Their first concern is their baby, my first concern is my dog.
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Any sitters could do that. Lock up the dog or move the furniture. Without a baby. Has been topics about furniture being moved here without kids.
If one doesn’t think it is a good match, just decline.
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As a HO, I’m more concerned that they are not paying enough attention in taking care of my dog and all attention to taking care of the baby. Plus, my house has many breakable items and certainly not child proofed as we are in our 60’s. 
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It’s your decision. You under no obligation to accept children or infants in your home. If you have any concerns about this, politely decline.
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When in doubt, don’t do it. 
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Is 6 months the age of the baby right now or when the sit will happen? 6-month old babies aren’t very mobile and are not going to play with the dog but a lot can change in 3 months. If you don’t have many applicants, have a video chat with them and ask plenty of questions.
A few years ago i sat for a home owner with three dogs, with my daughter and 8 month old granddaughter, at the time, and all was fine. it had just been me agreed to the sit, but then last minute my car developed problems that could not be fixed. It would have been extremly difficult to get to without a car, as a couple of hundred miles away and off the beaten track . My daughter was still on maternity leave at the time. I mentioned my ;predicament to the home owner and they were more than happy for me to bring my daughter and granddaughter with me. My daughter drove in her car. It was a very large house in large grounds so plenty of space. They had a six year old daughter and said the dogs were very friendly with children.
My daughter was extremely careful and did not ever leave my granddaughter alone with the dogs, as they were likely to be over friendly and may haveb started licking etc, She always stayed with her when crawling. It all worked out really well, with my daughter appreciating having an unexpected weeks holiday away from home. And the dogs were all extremely friendly. If you have a very docile dog, all should be fine. You could point out that your home is not baby proof so please move anything that could prove a problem but put back afterwards. At 6 months baby may not have quite reached the crawling stage yet. But if responsible parents it should be fine.
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