Our forum has so much knowledge and experience, I thought we could share some of that with members who are new to THS.
What are your top 3 do’s and don’ts for people just starting their THS journey?
Think back to when you first started, what do know now that would’ve come in handy back then?
Have a great day!!!
Communication: don’t be put off asking owners questions. It’s not rude, clarification helps avoid potential problems.
exchange contact details as the messaging service via THS isn’t always reliable. (Sorry THS but it’s true)
read listings carefully and only do tasks that you are comfortable with and as such, inform owners so both parties are clear.
You don’t have to apply for just one sit at a time, if you see more than one suitable sit, apply for them.
Don’t guess, if unsure, always ask.
Don’t ignore red flags or that gut feeling.
• Always have a backup plan, no matter whether sitter or host. Along with upholding boundaries, this is part of agency and self-care. And if you’re a host, you’re responsible for leaving your pets with good caretakers. Better to pay for care or skip a trip rather than go against your gut.
• Try to show grace and flexibility, because these are voluntary exchanges, not paid jobs. You’re not hiring a house cleaner. And you’re staying at someone’s home, not an Airbnb or hotel. Have reasonable expectations and be mutually considerate. If you’re hosting a sitter, don’t expect them to live in dirty conditions. That is not hospitable.
• Don’t do sits if you don’t actually want to hang out with pets and take care of them. And if you’re a host, remember that your routines at home don’t necessarily leave sitters enough freedom or enough incentive to pay to travel to your location and care for your pets and home. Try to put yourself in the other person’s place and be flexible within reason.
read these forums for a minimum 24 hours….
take notes and create a realistic plan
do your absolute best
don’t be entitled
don’t be selfish
don’t be unkind to the pets
Don’t take a sit on a whim. Be sure you’re going to keep your commitment. I see too many PP on the forum advertising last minutes sits because someone canceled. Easy to use the excuse you are sick but if you have a chronic illness that does not improve in a few days then this site is not for you. Canceling hurts the rest of us as PP may decide this is a flakey site and leave. Not fair to the PP who has tickets out of the country to cause them stress and frustration.
Remember the pets come first.
Stick to your agreed amount time out of the house.
Agree with all of the above.
Do: Put time, energy, and thought into creating a great profile. Get and use photos of you with pets, use other sitters great profiles as examples
Do: Write a proper application letter, describing why you are a good fit.
Do: Respond to messages ASAP to show you are a good and prompt communicator
Don’t: Be afraid to apply for appropriate sits outside your local area, even when new.
Don’t: Commit to more than you can reasonably handle. Start with one or two pets only.
Don’t: Be afraid to say no, not a good match, after receiving more information
Here are my top 3 Do’s and Don’ts for new TrustedHousesitters members:
Top 3 Do’s:
Do leave the place better than you found it.
This isn’t just about cleanliness—it’s about gratitude. Vacuum, wipe surfaces, wash linens (if asked), and tidy up anything you used. Small gestures—like leaving fresh flowers, a thank-you note, or restocking pet treats—go a long way.
Do follow their directions to the letter.
Whether it’s pet feeding routines, thermostat settings, or which sink not to use—honor their preferences. It’s about respecting their home, habits, and the trust they’ve placed in you.
Do communicate clearly and consistently.
A short daily message with a cute pet photo reassures owners and builds trust. Be prompt with questions before and during the sit, and let them know when you arrive and leave.
Top 3 Don’ts:
Don’t treat it like a vacation rental.
This isn’t Airbnb—it’s a responsibility. Avoid inviting guests, hosting parties, or making yourself overly at home. Be professional, quiet, and respectful.
Don’t deviate from pet care instructions.
Even if you think a different food or routine is better—don’t do it. Owners know their pets best, and breaking that trust could result in poor reviews or even harm to the animals.
Don’t go off-grid without notice.
Always keep your phone charged and stay reachable. If you’re headed out of cell range for a hike or errand, let the homeowner know in advance.
Sitters should be perfectly fine being unreachable for a few hours without letting a host know. It’s not prison. Nor are you expected to jump at a host’s command.
I don’t even expect this for people I manage professionally. Nor does my boss expect me to account for my hours.
As for cleaning, I return homes as I found them — no more, no less. If hosts want more than that, they can hire someone and pay them for cleaning. And I get great reviews, including cleaning, from appreciative hosts.
DO - always let a prospective host know if you are no longer available - it’s so incredibly rude to keep people waiting when you’ve expressed interest and just don’t let them know. I’ve had this happen so much to me recently and I don’t know where this lack of common decency is coming from, everyone used to be so polite? Maybe it’s a sign of the times?
(Post edited by the Forum Team to comply with the Community Rules).
Don’t for homeowners, don’t leave sitters hanging. I have a couple of sits “reviewing”, one for over a month! Of course I’ve given up on that one but what a waste of time for all involved.
What do you mean by that “making yourself overly at home”?
The phrase “don’t make yourself overly at home” means don’t get too comfortable or act like the house is yourswhen you’re house sitting. In other words, respect boundaries and remember you’re a guest, even if you’re staying alone in someone else’s home.
Here’s what that might include:
It’s basically about showing respect and not treating the house like your own personal space.
Anecdotal story from a homeowner - after returning from their holiday, they had to replace all their upholstered furniture because the sitters had been naked on their furniture and left copious stains (they knew this, not because of cameras, but because of reports from the neighbours who had witnessed it through open curtains).
So…yeah. Don’t do that.
I sit and host so here are mine for newbies:
Sitters:
)Homeowners:
It’s also a good way to lose great sitters. I’ve found moving fast helps as sitters apply to multiple sits at a time and they aren’t waiting for yours. In fact, a lot of sitters will no longer have availablility because they will have been accepted for overlapping dates elseqhere.
