I’m currently a sitter, but do not have a homeowner profile because I’ve always had kids or partner at home to stay with my dog. My kids are now grown/away and my partner and I want to travel together. The problem is that we live in a fairly rural Midwest town and have a grumpy chihuahua mutt. I’m worried about paying for the extra membership when I doubt anyone will voluntarily travel here (two hours from the closest airport, O’Hare) to stay in my very modest home with a 15 pound dog who hates men, children, and other animals. My home is clean and minimalistic, and my dog is awfully cute in photos. 
Advice?
Well. Rebecca.
Described that way I am not sure I would apply. Why not put a bit of TLC into your description ? Let’s practice one.
No lyes but presenting the situation on a positive way. What do you find interesting about living in your area ? What is to see en route to your place or what is a Midwest town ? Any chance you could meet the future sitter at the airport ? Show pictures of your clean house. A garden ? library in town ? any specialty food to try around ? What about your WIFI ? Tell about your grumpy but cute doggy that no one can resist even though he has “special emotional needs”. And just explain that because of those, one woman or two willing to stay around with him would be the best fit. Let’s see what forum members have to say.
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Hi, Brigitte! I would definitely put a more positive spin on my listing than I did here! 
I’m just trying to keep it real and figure out if I’d be wasting my time and money trying to get a pet sitter. Personally, after living in Illinois all my life, I look for exciting new places to visit… and I just find it hard to believe my home town could provide that to someone else. But perhaps sitters within driving distance would be attracted? I’m just trying to work it out in my head before I commit to the extra fee. Thank you for your suggestions and taking the time to help me! Btw, my dog is awfully cute and a sweetheart… if you’ve passed his inspection.
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You never know who has family from the area or have long lost friends n may ponder the house sit idea. Also, they may be birders etc & keen to see a particular spot after.
On things to do in your state n possibly close to you…
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Thank you @RunnerC, I appreciate your feedback and that link!
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I am not a sitter but I think you might be very surprised at how many people would apply for your sit. Of course right now things are difficult but in the old normal times I do believe you would get people. There are always people interested in seeing places they have not seen but they may not wish to travel far if the sit was for a short period of time. Maybe that is a consideration. But lots of the people who have in the past replied to my sits have really wanted to take time out from their normal lives and write books, do yoga etc.
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@Kerri thank you! You’ve all been so helpful in helping me realize what my home has to offer. I do have a great home office and high speed wifi, so it’s a great place to get some work done or kick back and relax with the dog. Now I’m looking forward to scheduling our next vacation and writing my listing! 
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There you go ! 
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Good luck. I’m not getting any interest in my Wisconsin home for an October and/ or February sit. It is snowy and can be cold in February but you dress warm and do some things you never thought you would do…like ice fish or snow ski or sledding on some beautiful local hills. Maybe that’s not appealing to everyone but I hope to get some interest soon. I am beginning to worry 
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Good luck @Javadee, I hope you get some applicants soon!
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Hi Rebecca. Yes I think you would most certainly get sitters who like many other here have said are looking for a more peace , quiet and concentrate sit. And if you check out the tips a la travel info etc as some have said you can most definitely maybe even be surprised by the area you are living in yourself. We often forget how lovely our own area’s are !!! I don’t think your sit is even the most remote on THS. I think I saw one a while back that was for a real jungle retreat for which the owner said it would be great for people working a a longterm project like a book or something similar as it was an Extremely independent sit virtually in the wild outback.
And a grumpy chihuahua sounds like a lot of personality !!!
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Thank you Rebecca for your response! Glad I could help you. High Speed Internet ALWAYS sells and an office these days… People can take time away AND work. 
if they choose. The “kick back and relax with dog” sounds like something most animal lovers would be happy doing as well. Good luck!
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I wonder if its ok with THS if you post the main part of your ad and people here on the Forum can give you some feedback. Maybe Angela can advise on this one.
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You’ve got some great feedback here Rebecca on positive twists, and I can add a little more as we’ve sat in the UK to what must be your chihauhua’s twin 
His owner was worried like you as he also had an aversion to men and pretty much anyone he met on his daily walks (he was a city boy). We approached this by having a longer handover where Buster got used to us being around, going on walks together before the owner left, and putting some strategies in place, like walking early morning to start with to avoid as much contact as possible, while he got used to us.
We learned about how he best liked to be approached, where he didn’t like to be touched, and that he really didn’t like to be disturbed from sleeping. We’ve done a couple of repeats and guess what Buster goes straight to Ian and jumps on his lap!
You’ll find caring, responsive sitters I’m sure by sharing your honesty. If you can find someone local and do a short first sit that might help too. Let us know how it goes!
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Hello Javadee,
Maybe you should send an invitation message to potential sitters. Group or targeted message. I guess there are a lot of sitters in Wisconsin. You can start with them, there are surely new sitters who will be interested in a sit near them to try, see if they like this way of life and travel.
With covid not all destinations are possible yet. There are still many travel restrictions depending on the country, let’s hope that by the summer it will improve, especially with the vaccination.
I saw that there had already been sits in your city, so…nothing is lost
Good luck, there are still a few months left.
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@Brigitte
quote=“Brigitte, post:2, topic:2720”]
Why not put a bit of TLC into your description ? Let’s practice
[/quote]
that was a kind thought.to help out like with this 
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I have sent out 15 or so direct invites to sitters who listed Wisconsin as one of desired states. I will continue to do that but it is concerning. I have a 2 week sit in October needed and the month of February which is the height of winter sports here in Wisconsin including skiing, snow boarding, snowmobiling etc. I’ll keep trying but I would have thought I would have had at least one sitter interested. Ty for your suggestions and encouragement 
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Honestly don’t give up hope! October and next February are still very far away. I definitely understand wanting to have a sitter secured, but maybe people are probably just hesitant about agreeing to something that far in advance. This past year has been difficult for everyone with travel restrictions leading to cancellations, all that kind of stuff. I some sitters do love planning far in advance, but I know I personally wouldn’t commit to a sit that far in advance. We’ve all seen how much things out of our control can happen to completely upend things within the course of six months to a year.
Anyway all that is to say don’t lose hope and you still have heaps of time to find someone before your trips. You never know what might work out!
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Of course! because all sitters need to start somewhere.
My home is located in a very well known community by the beach in Southern California and provide sitters with a large guest suite and use of the pool, spa, bikes, and well appointed kitchen. Because of this I receive about 25 applications within the first 24 hours of my posts.
Because we get so many we limit those we would even consider those with at least 10 great reviews (the sitters we have worked with usually have closer to 30).
Sitters are well aware that in order to get sits in choice locations they need to be able to demonstrate a solid history of successful sitting gigs. Therefore newer sitters are known to take any sits they can find to begin to build their profile and resume.
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Some sits include a car, which is a huge plus. If you can offer a ride from the airport and a car, that might be the perfect motivator. If someone is working from home and has family in the area, they would love to stay there.
I would brag about things to do in your area but I would be very upfront about your dogs personality. I like to know exactly what to expect.
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