During a recent sit, the 2 year old golden retriever chewed my passport. The passport was in a leather wallet, they were in a zipped pouch which was in my handbag in the middle of a table. I was going on holiday immediately after the sit. It was a very stressful time having to get an appointment, travel 1hr 45 mins away for the appointment and pay £166 for a new one at a passport office. A few days later the dog chewed one of my shoes, now I can’t wear either. Also chewed my umbrella. These were stored where the owners shoes and umbrella were.
No apology or sympathy from the owners whatsoever never mind offering a contribution to pay towards any damages.
I would be mortified if any of my previous dogs had done that! What would you do in this situation if you were the owner of the dog.
I have been sitting for 2 years now and have had dogs most of my life and have never had a dog that chewed like this. This dog obviously did not want its owners to go away.
You may find this previous thread helpful.
In my jurisdiction, I know that I would be liable. I then should have a liability insurance for my dog, and I would start reading the fine print to see what was covered. Probably not your extra travel expenses.
If it would take time to process the insurance claim, I would probably send you at least a sum of money, as an advance.
Welcome @rosie_baines! That is really, really unfortunate and not the norm. I hope you mentioned this in your review, so that future sitters are forewarned. I guess most considerate owners would apologise and offer a contribution. But clearly these are not considerate owners, unfortunately. Sorry for your loss.
@rosie_baines have you specifically told the owners the details as you descibe here? Have you explained how upset and inconvenienced you were and your financial loss? Have you asked for restitution from the owners?
People often put on blinkers hoping issues will disappear until they are confronted with reality. A factual, unemotional conversation (aka adult conversation) can often have a positive outcome.
Sometimes we can be our worst enemy, imagining potential reactions of others that in reality don’t eventuate. You can’t control how others react to situations, you can only control you.
Best wishes.
What would I do? Send an invoice for the total cost of replacing items, with a notation on where payment could be sent (Venmo, PayPal, etc.). I’d send it to the HOs via the THS portal or in any other forms that you have available (email, text) and either cc THS by email or forward the communication to THS via email support.
Transparency about pet behavior is key to avoiding misunderstandings. In my experience of caring for at least 100 dogs (my own, friends, rescue, sitting), destructive behavior is evident and typically not out of the blue. The PP was not forthright about their dog’s behavior. And since the dog was going after your things (with your smell), it sounds like a form of aggressive destructive behavior.
If it were my dog, I would have warned the person and would reimburse them. It’s undoubtedly ethical, but you’re also legally responsible for your animal’s behavior.
Yes, the owners are fully aware of everything. My distress was obvious and they knew I was going on holiday immediately afterwards. I was their very first sit. I never gave them a review, I wanted to see what theirs would be first. It was bad. I reported it to house sitters but there was nothing they could do. I itemised damages and sent a photograph of damages. It just drew a blank. No apology whatsoever. They accused me of not walking the dog enough, they advised 1 hour in the morning and 30 mins late afternoon. I told them to look at their video doorbell. It would show 2 hours walked in the mornings and 1 hour in the evenings. Nothing back.
I know I would be mortified if it was my dog.
I see they are advertising again for a sitter in June. I am so upset by all this. I normally get 5* reviews. They gave me some 3 some nothing.
When I arrived for their sit, I was 40 mins late. The motorway was closed due to an accident, a man died at the scene. I had to find an alternate route, once I got out of the traffic jam. The sitter wasn’t interested in ‘excuses’ as she put it.
I will send her a bill via email and cc to houseitters, good idea.
Thanks all for comments and advice.
But it does not work like that anymore. Reviews are double-blind now.
If I were the owner, I’d totally be mortified and would definitely apologize and offer to cover the damages. It’s only fair! Sounds like that pup was having some serious separation anxiety. Can’t believe they didn’t even say sorry or chip in. You’ve got way more patience than I do, that’s for sure!
I honestly feel for you on this one. I had one THS sit that was similar regarding the dog. He was 80lbs, severely anxious, destructive; on prozac and other meds that made no difference. An unsocialized pandemic dog. The PP were nice, but it took a huge toll on me. After a series of bad sits I’ve added items to my profile, including that I don’t take care of dogs with behavior issues. So it’s in writing and if a PP decides to mislead me, I’ll leave the sit. Not worth destroyed property, the mental toll, potential harm to myself or others.
I’m really sorry these people don’t seem to have integrity. I think THS could do something, they just choose not to. A dog with behavior issues like that shouldn’t be allowed on the site, for their own protection really. The dog needs someone with dog training experience.
You can always respond to the HO/PP review.
I sent her a message with an itemised bill on WhatsApp as I don’t have their email, and copied the message to HS via email. No reply and it looks like they’ve come off WhatsApp too, or maybe now using her partners email instead. They are advertising for a new sitter in June. I wish I could warn potential sitters.
You can warn sitters by replying to their review of you. It is a shame that you didn’t leave a review while you had the chance.
Definitely want to respond to the review in order to warn future sitters. Wow. What a terrible situation. Sorry that happened to you, and then to get a negative review as well.
How long was that sit? Just curious.
Greetings,
This is the third article I have read today that one of the sides hasn’t left a factual and truthful review.
We as members have to get our feelings less involved and stick with facts; Good, bad and in-different so other sitters/HO have the proper knowledge to make a decision on whether to sit/accept a sit or not.
The sit was for 10 days.
I couldn’t leave a review when I got back from my holiday, too much time had gone by.
I know! I usually do but just went on holiday. I can’t do a review while I’m so angry so chose not to at that time.
That does not work very well.
When the sitter has not left a review, this is not very visible. Actually, I don’t see a way to find the reviews that HOs left when there is no sitter review.
THS should have a disclaimer…or a blank spot with some details indicating that a HO chose not to leave a review on a sitter…and vice versa…that way, we can at least see if a review wasn’t left. It may not mean anything, but it is just another clue perhaps.
THS allows 14 days post visit…on your next sit, for the sake of all members, find a moment and write a review over a cup of coffee or tea.
Hopefully you have better experiences moving forward!