I decide whether to apply or not based on the following information in the responsibilities section. It would be great if all other information could go in the Welcome Guide. I am curious to know what other sitters look for in “responsibilities” that helps them with the decision to apply.
Behavior issues. Medical issues. Disabilities. It is not that I will not apply if there are issues. It is just important to know them before applying. I have taken care of many pets with all three issues but I am not comfortable for example giving them fluids using a syringe.
Sleeping habits. Will they need to sleep in bed with the sitter.
Oh, another one for me as HO. One of my cats will overeat if the bowl gets empty. We have an automatic feeder which prevents this, but the sitter needs to keep the dispenser filled, as if the bowl ever gets completely empty this idiot cat will overeat on the next feeding and then vomit. I discuss this in the Welcome Guide, but didn’t have it in my listing until now. Thanks!
HOs that have listings where I have to try and figure things out, I pass on by. For an example, a listing that only lists “feed and water the animals” I would skip. I would also skip a listing that shows 3 pets, but describes care for 2 pets in the Responsibilities section.
The more information I have, the less questions I have to ask. Mostly, I would like to know what a dog’s daily routine looks like / dog’s behavior / special / medical needs.
You have a great list…I sit dogs and I also look for:
Is the dog potty/house trained?
Will the dog use pee pads?
Will the dog require walks? If the dog does not require walks, I pass on these listings. Taking dogs on walks gives me joy and gets me moving.
Is the dog aggressive / reactive to other dogs?
Does the dog pull on leash?
Does the dog have a high prey instinct on walks? I had this experience on a sit. Had the HO disclosed it in the listing, I would not have taken the sit. Walks were not enjoyable as the dog pulled hard on leash and was always looking for prey. It also was not mentioned in the Welcome Guide or during video chat.
I would think dogs that do not «require» walks often would be more than happy to go for walks if it is offered? I guess some dogs are not able to due to health or not being trained to go on a leash, but I would imagine the majority would be delighted to accompany you for walks?
When I come across a listing that states that the “dogs do not require walks” and it is a fairly young dog, it also crosses my mind that the dog perhaps isn’t leash trained or may have some aggressive tendencies.
I once sat 2 dogs (ages 3 / 4) and it wasn’t disclosed until I read the Welcome Guide that the HO stated that they did not need to go on walks. I asked her about it and she said that I could take them if I wanted to.
I would take the dogs out on walks and they were not leash trained—pulled hard on leash. The dogs were excited and as you mentioned, “happy” and “delighted” to go for walks. And while walking the dogs, when I would pass by neighbors walking—they would comment that they had never seen the dogs before.
And walking a dog with aggressive tendencies, walking can manifest triggers towards other dogs and be stressful for the dog and the walker.
It is disheartening to see listings that say, “dogs do not require walks”, especially young pups.
And while the “majority of dogs would be delighted to accompany a sitter for walks”, it is at the HO’s discretion / wishes (for their reasons) that they do not.