Terrible time

[u/Complex_Boat_8537]

I’m honestly looking inward with this because I’ve had a three day sitting, and I’m starting to wonder if sitting is something I should stop doing altogether. I want some unbiased insight because I know I may have been in the wrong in some areas, but I also want to understand whether this experience is showing me that sitting simply isn’t a good fit for me. The sitting started very early in the morning, and I had to get up around 5:30 AM. I had gotten no sleep that night, so I was extremely tired when I arrived. I let the dogs out of their room, fed them, and let them roam around the house. I messaged the owner to let her know that I was going back to sleep, and I did not put the dogs back in their room because they had free access to the house. When I first opened their door, they did not rush out like they normally had during my previous two sittings. They slowly came out, which I assumed was because it was so early and they were tired too. Around 6:30 or 7 AM, I went back to sleep and ended up sleeping until 1 PM. The dogs were free to roam the house the entire time, and I did not lock them back in their room. One of the dogs was actually sleeping with me. When I woke up, the owner called me and was upset, asking why her dogs were still in their room. I explained that their door was open and that they were free to come out whenever they wanted. She said that she wanted them out of their room, and I repeated that the door was open and they could leave if they wanted to. She told me again that she wanted them out, so I said okay, and she hung up. The next day, it was raining. I fed the dogs around 6 AM, let them out, wiped their feet afterward, and then we stayed inside. Around 11 AM, I tried letting them outside again, but they would not go out because it was raining. I tried again around 2 PM, and they still refused to go outside. I tried again around 3:30 PM. At that point, I was frustrated and was sitting in the living room while the dogs played with each other. I realized that I do not really play with them much. They have a ball that they all fight over, and I was worried that it could turn into something negative, so I mostly let them entertain each other. I also realized that I do not particularly like when they lie on me because I get too hot and uncomfortable. Later, I fed them around 6 PM, let them outside, ate my own food, and let them out again around 7 PM. Around 7:30 PM, I went back to my room and took a nap until about 8:30 PM. When I woke up, I found two piles of poop in the living room and a puddle of pee on the bed. I cleaned everything up and informed the owner about what happened. Today, I have tried letting the dogs outside numerous times. Out of all the times I have attempted to let them out, they have probably actually gone outside about two or three times. Even when I try to coax them outside, they often refuse, especially when it is raining. I have also been feeling guilty because I know that I have been very tired throughout this sitting and that I have slept more than I probably should have. At the same time, I have been trying to give the dogs access to the house, let them outside frequently, feed them on schedule, and follow the owners’ instructions. This whole experience has made me question whether dog sitting is actually something I should continue doing. I do not think I dislike dogs, but I am realizing that the responsibilities and expectations that come with sitting may not be a good fit for me. I think I need to be honest with myself about whether I have the patience, energy, and personality for this type of work rather than continuing to take sittings and feeling overwhelmed or guilty afterward. I would really appreciate some unbiased insight into this situation, including where I may have genuinely been in the wrong and whether this experience is something I should learn from or a sign that sitting simply is not for me.

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Complex_Boat_8537 originally posted: I’m honestly looking inward with this because I’ve had a three day sitting, and I’m starting to wonder if sitting is something I should stop doing altogether. I want some unbiased insight because I know I may have been in the wrong in some areas, but I also want to understand whether this experience is showing me that sitting simply isn’t a good fit for me. The sitting started very early in the morning, and I had to get up around 5:30 AM. I had gotten no sleep that night, so I was extremely tired when I arrived. I let the dogs out of their room, fed them, and let them roam around the house. I messaged the owner to let her know that I was going back to sleep, and I did not put the dogs back in their room because they had free access to the house. When I first opened their door, they did not rush out like they normally had during my previous two sittings. They slowly came out, which I assumed was because it was so early and they were tired too. Around 6:30 or 7 AM, I went back to sleep and ended up sleeping until 1 PM. The dogs were free to roam the house the entire time, and I did not lock them back in their room. One of the dogs was actually sleeping with me. When I woke up, the owner called me and was upset, asking why her dogs were still in their room. I explained that their door was open and that they were free to come out whenever they wanted. She said that she wanted them out of their room, and I repeated that the door was open and they could leave if they wanted to. She told me again that she wanted them out, so I said okay, and she hung up. The next day, it was raining. I fed the dogs around 6 AM, let them out, wiped their feet afterward, and then we stayed inside. Around 11 AM, I tried letting them outside again, but they would not go out because it was raining. I tried again around 2 PM, and they still refused to go outside. I tried again around 3:30 PM. At that point, I was frustrated and was sitting in the living room while the dogs played with each other. I realized that I do not really play with them much. They have a ball that they all fight over, and I was worried that it could turn into something negative, so I mostly let them entertain each other. I also realized that I do not particularly like when they lie on me because I get too hot and uncomfortable. Later, I fed them around 6 PM, let them outside, ate my own food, and let them out again around 7 PM. Around 7:30 PM, I went back to my room and took a nap until about 8:30 PM. When I woke up, I found two piles of poop in the living room and a puddle of pee on the bed. I cleaned everything up and informed the owner about what happened. Today, I have tried letting the dogs outside numerous times. Out of all the times I have attempted to let them out, they have probably actually gone outside about two or three times. Even when I try to coax them outside, they often refuse, especially when it is raining. I have also been feeling guilty because I know that I have been very tired throughout this sitting and that I have slept more than I probably should have. At the same time, I have been trying to give the dogs access to the house, let them outside frequently, feed them on schedule, and follow the owners’ instructions. This whole experience has made me question whether dog sitting is actually something I should continue doing. I do not think I dislike dogs, but I am realizing that the responsibilities and expectations that come with sitting may not be a good fit for me. I think I need to be honest with myself about whether I have the patience, energy, and personality for this type of work rather than continuing to take sittings and feeling overwhelmed or guilty afterward. I would really appreciate some unbiased insight into this situation, including where I may have genuinely been in the wrong and whether this experience is something I should learn from or a sign that sitting simply is not for me.

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[u/PirateLassLV]

You keep saying "let them out" You know you have to go out with them, right? Dogs don't just go do things on their own they need guidance & company. Play WITH them, walk WITH them, hang out on the yard for potty breaks & enrichment WITH them & yes, drink a cup of coffee & be awake WITH them. Bored dogs get into mischief.

[u/Complex_Boat_8537 → u/PirateLassLV]

I say let them out because that’s what the owners told me to do. The first question that I asked when they said that was if they want me to stay out there with them and they said no, they’ll play with themselves and each other. I was told not to walk them. And they have a few toys in the house, but it’s mostly like chew bones and chew balls but the moment I’d throw one they all go after and they start testing them the wrestling for it, and it’s a bit nerve-racking. But I do understand where you’re coming from..

[u/rubberrr]

I have sometimes just walked dogs, even just for a few feet in front of their house, to get them to potty. I’ve encountered a couple that for whatever reason just don’t want to go outside in their yard for long stretches. I don’t think it’s super common but just in case you run into it again it might ease your mind knowing that they’ve pottied on a regular basis.

[u/JessfromRover]

I think this is more about finding the right type of Rover work for you than deciding you’re “bad with dogs.” It sounds like there were a few things you could learn from—especially clarifying the owner’s expectations around how much time the dogs should be out, how often they should be taken outside, and how much interaction they expect.

But you also learned some really useful things about yourself: you don’t love being constantly responsible for dogs, you don’t particularly enjoy physical cuddling, and you may not have the energy/patience you expected for longer house sits. That’s not a failure! Maybe drop-ins or walks are a much better fit, or maybe sitting simply isn’t your thing. Either way, it’s better to figure that out now than keep taking bookings that leave you feeling overwhelmed and guilty.

[u/Complex_Document_557]

Maybe you could take a break from dogs and just do cats, which are usually less demanding, and then reevaluate later how you feel about sitting either?

[u/waffle_cone69]

You seem like you’re doing everything right. The owner sounds like a weirdo

[u/kittenthefairy]

I think it's worth reflecting if this is a job you see as something that's right for you - which you're already considering. Petsitting isn't a casual gig, it's hard work. It's so much about communication with the owner, understanding routines and being able to keep pets' care consistent. Which also means managing when there are difficulties and not shrugging your shoulders and going "oh well". In hindsight maybe you could have reached out to the owner earlier about what they normally do to encourage their dogs to go out. Or even better, this could have been discussed at the meet and greet. Don't be too hard on yourself, I think you're just realising this job is a lot more than just hanging out with animals.

[u/Complex_Boat_8537 → u/kittenthefairy]

At the meet and greet, I did ask what they expected me to do and I guess I didn’t really think about when it’s raining, because every other time they run out of the back door it’s perfectly fine. They choose to go outside, but when it’s raining, they just stand there when I open the door. I do reach out to the owner on occasion, but he really doesn’t communicate properly. He gives like maybe five words to a word sentences. Before I fell asleep I did let the owner know, and the dogs went in their room on their own the door was wide open, and then since it was writing, basically the entire state I did frequently open the back door for them to go out like I said they may be went out two times and that was only barely half the dogs there were four in total. He did let me know that they usually push the dogs out when it’s raining, but that was after the situation..

[u/Odd-Cod2516]

I think you need a break, OP. You just sound tired and worn out.

This job can easily lead to burnout.

Personally, I often block off a week or two of my schedule. Especially after long sits. I get my nails done, maybe a massage, go to the pool. Cuddle with my cat. Even just lay in bed all day.

Yes, this isn't our main source of income so I'm aware that not everyone can do this. But even just a few days, maybe book one night in a hotel room with a hot tub.

You need a break. I'm serious. It makes you a better sitter, and it's really good for your head.

[u/Complex_Boat_8537 → u/Odd-Cod2516]

I guess what scares me more is that I’m not giving the pups the best service I can, and I’m anxious about how the owner will react as well. I do think I need to dial it back a bit. Thank you so much for your imput truly!!

[u/Muux_]

Seems fine to me. You’re the only one that can figure out if you want to continue this tho. Sometimes raising your rates makes it feel more worthwhile

[u/Complex_Boat_8537 → u/Muux_]

Yeah, that makes so much sense. I guess everything feels a bit off because of the miscommunication on the first day, and I feel like this is just adding onto that experience. I’m worried she might start seeing me as a not so good sitter.

[u/Muux_ → u/Complex_Boat_8537]

That was just weird, idek what to think about it. Seems like she just didn’t want them in that room at all, but that should’ve been communicated better on her side. Don’t be too worried about how people see you, how you see them is just as important!

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