No way. This happened twice when pet parents wanted us to drive somewhere for the dogs’ walk. On both occasions, they provide their cars and gas money. In turn, we’ll also be able to use their cars for grocery shopping and sightseeing. On both occasions we returned their cars clean and with a full tank of gas.
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My second sit in FL, they expected me to put the puppies in the car to transport them to the dog park every day. It was only a couple of miles, but every day, it added up. Once, I did it twice that day. There was a cover with harness etc. But it was never mentioned until I got there. Like anything, you learn. I actually took my sit dog out for walk. It wasn’t fun. I did it at 10:15 am, only encountered 3 other dogs. Crossed the street when I saw them. She pulled a bit much, but I think she was happy to get out of the backyard. I have walked reactive dogs, this one is tough. But I want to do a good job.
I sometimes wonder why some people even do THS. Too often, the stories here sound like it’s sitters vs. hosts, and honestly, I’ve never experienced that. I’ve never felt taken advantage of — even in situations where I wasn’t technically “compensated.” I’ve never had an issue driving dogs in my car or running small errands. For me, it’s about give and take. I do a lot of things I don’t have to do, but in return, hosts often do the same — offering us things they don’t have to offer, simply because they appreciate us.
We’ve had hosts ask if they should transfer money for expenses, and we’ve said no, because we never felt like it was needed. THS is something I do with a different mindset. I do it because I love it — I love the animals and the people behind them. We just finished a 2.5-month sit a week and a half ago, and we still message the owner every day. I left lots of handmade flower arrangements behind and spent my own time and resources doing that. We fixed things during the sit, and even bought a few items for the dog or the house that we felt were helpful. It was absolutely no issue for us — and we received so much gratitude in return.
We simply love this lifestyle. So when I read posts about people refusing to drive dogs around unless compensated, I can only think: wow, people really are different.
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I think doing a 2.5 month sit vs a 2 day sit is very different. Sits vary in so many regards. I read the review of the person that sat this dog before me. It was very brief and telling. I didn’t do a review for a sit I did in Detroit. Not my favorite but the dog was sweet, a pit mix. And the one now is a pit mix. I don’t have a problem sitting reactive dogs, as long as I can walk them on my rules. This dog, they want me to walk them on their rules, which are complicated. Like if I see a dog, I must cross the road, and run in the opposite direction. I took this dog on a walk yesterday. I crossed the road and handled the situation and continued and the dog was happy to go on a walk. But they were upset on how I did the walk. That is crazy. It is hard for HOs with reactive dogs to get good sits. And I feel for the dogs. But owners have to accept the way the sitters handle it or pay someone.
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@Huronbase.
Great question.
We see housesitting as a trade. Give and take between two parties. Housesitter use of own vehicle to transport Pet Parent dogs seems a term that would reasonably necessitate an offset term - some aspect of the listing that is specifically attractive to the housesitter.
In our ~40 sits then we have only once used our vehicle to transport Pet Parent pets. We did not relish the concept. That said, most of our sits are international.
More than half of our international sits have kindly included use of vehicle by Pet Parent. For listings with dogs that clearly need exercise, we highlight this option upfront, often at application stage. We do not require car - not our place. And we have never received, not requested, financial contribution for fuel. But for us then use of car is one factor of several in decision process. In our experience, use of car greatly enhances the dog care experience … getting to favourite walks; any medical matters; and getting to amenities (for sits in rural locations). Car insurance policies vary substantially by country.
I have never been offered the use of a car to exercise dogs. Only once told to use my car to exercise dogs. That was my 2nd sit. I was asked part way this sit if I could transport to some location to walk the dog. Then was told that one of the pet parents’ cars was on the street and I could use that to transport pet to said location. But this was not spelled out in the beginning, it was a suggestion 5 days in a 8 day sit. And I just didn’t want to deal with it. They are very particular on commands and patterns of behavior. Like the pet cannot sit while the other dog passes on the other side of the street, I must run in the opposite direction so the dog doesn’t see it. To me that is stupid. And that was not spelled out when I took the sit. Two more days. I am done. Now I know why the previous sitter wrote her review as she did. I will write the same.
@Huronbase, understood re car usage. If this is important to you on any specific housesit then we encourage that you expressly ask about use of car upfront. Encourage be cautious re car insurance. Policies vary a great deal by jurisdiction - we ask Pet Parents to sign a brief form confirming that we (details) are covered by their car insurance (details) between dates (details). Use of Pet Parent vehicle without proper car insurance seems, to us at least, foolish.
After a bait and switch demand for transport of a dog, I put in my profile that if there is an expectation of transport then the HO will need to pay for fuel (based on U.S. mileage rates, currently .70/mile) and professional car cleanup. In this case the HO’s said the dog could be walked nearby off leash, then changed their minds after confirmation. So the only option for the over-the-top energetic dog was a dog park that turned out to be 20m each way. It was also raining non-stop, so lots of mud. Between the unexpected 40m a day transporting the dog and the dirty car, it was not a positive experience. That the HO’s thought nothing of this says everything about them. I’d compare it to leaving someone’s home covered in mud and dog hair and using up all the soap and detergent without replacing. What would that review look like? Side note, if I choose to take the dog with me in my car (HO approved, but not required) I feel that is my choice and wouldn’t expect reimbursement.
Finished the sit and barely got 5 stars. I messaged her back after the review that she should learn the difference between complexity and micromanaging. And should consider paid sitters going forward. She said I couldn’t handle complexity. My IQ is at least 20 points higher, even in my retirement age. She said I could only handle dog walking and housekeeping. The house was nothing, no amenities. I took it because I had to go to the dentist in that area. She wanted me to walk the dog, but if I see another dog to run the other way. Instead, I kept it on a tight leash, made it sit and rewarded it with treats when it didn’t react. I am so annoyed. She asked me what they could do to attract other sitters. I should have said it was a great sit and nothing. Paid for my response in my review. And I was actually nice. I said most people are not coming to Ann Arbor as a destination. And why would someone stay in a mediocre house, with no amenities, walking a reactive dog that has strict handling rules that must be adhered to, including learning all the commands. Who wants that sit? Scatchy linens, horrible pillows. Dirty oven. I was nice in my review. Wish I wasn’t. too late now.
I read your comment about the sit, and I wanted to offer you a different perspective.
You mentioned the host couldn’t distinguish between complexity and micromanaging, but what you describe sounds more like someone who cares about how their dog is handled. That may not suit everyone, but it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s unreasonable.
Bringing up your IQ and stating that you’re above certain tasks doesn’t really help your case, especially when it comes to caring for a dog in someone else’s home. Intelligence doesn’t exempt us from respecting others’ wishes or trying to meet expectations that were clearly communicated in advance.
The fact that the house had no amenities or wasn’t to your standard is a valid observation, but it might have been more constructive to focus on that aspect in the review, rather than using it to discredit the entire sit afterward. Saying you only took it for a dentist appointment also raises the question of whether the sit was ever the right fit to begin with.
Your dog handling approach may have worked well in practice, but disregarding the owner’s instructions or philosophy without dialogue can easily come across as dismissive, especially if their rules were clear from the start.
It’s good that you stayed polite. If you felt the host asked for feedback, it might have been more helpful to keep it focused and constructive.
Just offering this as reflection, not to criticize, but because your words seemed to carry a lot of frustration, and sometimes it’s worth pausing before deciding what really needs to be said.
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Your review was only one sentence: sweet dog, good communication. If the dog was reactive then you should have included that for the benefit of future sitters.
The home pictures and description seems perfectly average and I am unsure what amenities you were missing out on other than flavored seltzer water.
Your published response to the HO review did mention that the HO should learn the difference between complexity and micromanaging and use paid sitters. As I have suggested many times to many sitters: no need to respond immediately to a review that you are unhappy with, better to wait until emotions have settled.
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I never said i was above certain tasks. I made the statement that i could understand complexity. I did exactly as i was told initially. Do not walk dog. Play with dog in backyard. Then a few days into sit, walk the dog. At 10ish, to avoid people. I did, but saw 2 dogs, which was too much for her. So she wanted me to take her in my car to some sniff spot to walk her. I daid my car is full of stuff. Next day she said husband’s car was on street, take that. I didn’t feel comfortable driving his car. Their house was not the cleanest, the car was dirty. Yes, i didn’t want to get into his dirty car. These were changes halfway through sit. I am not above, but annoyed when you change the rules without discussing. This is not complexity, this is changing responsibilities.
The HO only modified the instructions because you weren’t following them.
The offer of a car is right in the listing. Because you came in your own car, it probably didn’t get discussed extensively.
Plus ‘initially’ you were following their instructions so, again, the car offer discussion came later.
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No, she decided–because they took in a foster when i did the meet and greet-- and the dog was acting up- no walks. Only play time in backyard. They it changed because the dog didn’t play much. You are a frustrated detective. Looking into my reviews, listings, how bored are you?
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Not a detective. Just a fan of consistency. I have actually learned a lot from your posts and how you handle things.
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Have you read all my reviews?