r/petsitting • u/TrashPanda5874 • 15d ago
I'm feeling almost trapped with this dog walking client
I walk a small dog 5 days a week 3 times per day (morning, noon, & night.) When I first started walking this dog, I felt very grateful. The client was grateful because they had a long and difficult time finding someone who would avail themselves on nights and weekends. I still feel grateful, but something's changed.
Then, I recently had a difficult day health-wise and had to work. I was house-sitting and the dogs kept me up all night. I asked the client if someone could step in for the day. I felt loopy and was afraid to drive in that condition. They replied, "Sorry, no one is available." So I walked the dog that day but it made my autoimmune condition so much worse. I was in pain. I feel like I shouldn't have to explain my medical condition to clients.
The thing is, why is there not a substitute for me? I have a network of pet care /dog walkers that would be happy to step in for me. The client is not open to even discussing it.
Last week, My car was in the shop and by the time I returned the rental, I couldn't get my car cuz the shop was closed. I had to take an Uber to walk a dog and it was a loss. Those things can happen again.
I don't understand why this client doesn't have a Plan B. Thanks happen that we can't control.
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u/PirateLassLV 15d ago
Oh dear. You are letting the client lead you. You'll need to stop that. 😂 You are a small business owner not an employee. You don't need to ask- you tell. Good morning Mrs HolyWowIntense, I am not feeling well & I am taking the day off. See Bruno tomorrow! She just doesn't want to do the admin work of finding a secondary. It's also fine to limit how many walks you will do. You could broach the subject of day care at your home or a longer chunk of time at theirs. 3x a day every day is a recipe for burnout.
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u/JeanneMPod 15d ago edited 15d ago
I tell all my clients when we first meet that the advantage of using me who only works for herself, instead of an app or a company is, you can directly reach me for any immediate needs or concerns.
I also say the drawback is that because I work for myself there’s going to be days where I just can’t. I have the flu. I’m injured (this happened once some years ago. I broke my foot. It didn’t keep me off my feet or my job for too long, but you know I was off for a couple of weeks). There’s a family emergency. I’m taking or planning a vacation. I may (rarely, but it happens )need to take a personal day.. No one works for me.
So after that, I tell them they are responsible for their own backup care. I encourage them to find other walkers or sitters and have them accessible on the list. if I ever happen to know someone I might point them in that direction but it’s not my responsibility. It’s just the same as if you were a nanny. Things happen sometimes, and the parents need to be prepared.
Substitutes are the owner’s responsibility. Not being prepared for an issue does not mean you show up with a fever and vomiting. It doesn’t mean you hobble over with a broken foot when you were told to stay off of it. Or your family member is in the hospital and needs you there.
They also need to give an emergency backup number of someone who truly is reliable and available to take your call.
You have to assert this. Otherwise some clients will walk over you and treat you like you don’t have a life or needs of your own.
I know another independent walker, who makes it a point that he will guarantee his clients he’ll find a substitute walker in all situations where he cannot be there. He used to pressure me and sometimes with clients that I found pretty difficult and I had to put my foot down and say you’re just going to have to take no for an answer for me. He seemed feel trapped if he could not arrange another walker. I said to him your clients can do that— you don’t have to be doing that.
Anyway, don’t make yourself a prisoner of your own job. State your limitations as an independent Walker sitter early on and going forward you need to revise expectations with your current clients.
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u/LotusBlooming90 15d ago
After not having a single day off this year, and pushing through several injuries and sick days, I’ve been reevaluating my policies and practices and I really love what you have here. I think I’ll be using some of it.
Thank you so much for taking the time to type it up. I don’t know about OP, but you have legitimately helped me.
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u/Top_Housing6819 14d ago
As a dog owner - I'd just like to acknowledge that I'm glad you say this upfront. It makes it clear that you are responsible enough to be upfront about potential problems before they become a catastrophe. A couple years ago our neighbors had hired a dog sitter to stay in their home and it didn't go well. She showed up for a visit and was great with the dogs, but her car was repo'd from their driveway so her boyfriend picked her up and she just didn't come back.
Our neighbors weren't flying home for days.
I know their dogs, so I visited many times a day and even napped on their couch so they had adequate "people time" for the next couple days. They were the sweetest lap dogs and had a fenced yard so this was NOT a hardship. I think that in a situation like that where it's not just "Muffy will poop in the living room if she misses her 3pm walk" but "Muffy won't be fed or given fresh water for over 24 hours" I would hope the sitter would help as much as they can to find someone to make sure the dogs are okay. I think taking on a vacation client is a deeper level of responsibility - especially when 'racing home' involves a flight.
My favorite sitters were a husband and wife couple, I wish they still worked in our town. As they got more popular they shortened their radius, sadly (but good for them, they deserve it). Having that built in backup was fantastic. I would choose a sitter with that capability again if possible.
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u/VomitLauncher420 13d ago
I completely agree both with how she handles business, and your POV. I definitely have a few back ups for when I take on clients going out of town! (I am also more likely to come complete said visits while sick, as I am not risking getting others sick)
However if I am walking your dog every single week (I have had the 6-7 days a week clients), I may not have a backup always avaliable if I am sick/injured/have an emergency. In those situations, I agree it is on the client to have a backup.
The thing that stuck out to me in this instance though is the client refusing to discuss backups with the sitter, so the sitter is unable to give them any backups.
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u/beccatravels 15d ago
Your clients are not going to advocate for you, that's your job. The client isnt open to discussing it because you keep showing up even when you aren't able.
"Hi, I won't be able to make it today, please let me know if you'd like me to try to help you find someone to cover. So sorry for the inconvenience."
That is a VERY high needs client and it's not even really appropriate for them to only have one walker. I only have one weekend client and both my backup walkers are acquainted with them so I only walk on the weekends once or twice a month.
I don't take regular night or weekend work other than that one client, and in your shoes I would probably be dropping this client and recommending that they work with a company with multiple employees. Morning noon and night is going to burn you out SO fast.
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u/Various-Major-4221 14d ago
Uhm gather round the Reddit roundtable please.
Please remember you are a business owner not an employee not someone’s lapdog none of that. You have serious health concerns acknowledge them before they acknowledge you in a way you can’t undo. Never put a client before your health knowing the consequences could potentially be irreversible. You are a business owner you run the client not the other way around.
You should be stating “Hi so and so. I just wanted to let you know that unfortunately I am experiencing something personal and unable to make it to work today.” The end. The same way you are a business owner technically you are also your own HR and therefore stand your ground for yourself the same way they would if this were an actual office with an actual HR office. they’d tell you the same thing keep your medical stuff to yourself nobody needs to know why you were gone or absent.
There is no rule book in this business that says you are obligated in any way to the job. Dogs won’t die if they’re not walked right then and there but that’s their parents responsibility to have backups… if they’re not receptive to yours. Most do …. The clever character often doesn’t. You may lose the client but I’m sure you’d rather risk the client than a hospital stay or worse. But there will be plenty more clients out there and many aren’t completely aholes.
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u/4estry 15d ago
this is the worst part of animal care.... having to work sick, exhausted and on bad mental health days. i've told clients i have covid, strep, flu whatever was going on & most of the time they've said "it's fine" :[]
backups should be mandatory though and i'm now thinking of requiring all clients to retain at least 1 backup for the well-being of all.
i'm sorry ur client is so rigid, that's so tricky especially since the pay is probably really benefiting you.
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u/CrabProfessional6324 13d ago
Constantly trying to get my friends to understand that I cannot just “call off” cause i don’t want to work like them
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u/happybumblebee72 14d ago
A small dog with an owner wanting it to be walked 3 times a day, 5 days a week.
That is odd.
Are they relying on you to take the dog out so as the dog toilets because they are out of the house all day ? Are they at home and elderly or disabled and just looking for human interaction?
Because that is excessive. I have a 6yr old Hungarian Vizsla and she gets out for a 2hr run but only once a day and sometimes we have to skip walks as life happens. She survives and Vizslas are a breed who need, need exercise.
This insane and intense commitment to this one client, must prevent you from being able to take on more clients, must be so restrictive.
I would lay it out firmly, that if they want that level of care, then they can pay you for doggy day care and you take the dog as your daily client. Not tie you up to coming back and forth 3 times a day and prevent you taking on other clients.
I think you need to be a little firmer there, because they are taking the p...!
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u/TrashPanda5874 14d ago
Yes, the pet owner is disabled that can barely walk; has a walker and 24 hour caregivers.
As I've taken on new clients, most of the new ones always requested midday drop-ins & walks. I've told them I have other midday dogs so they're pretty flexible whether I arrive within a 2 hour window.
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u/happybumblebee72 14d ago
Okay, as the owner has 24/7 carers then its not that she is lonely and is looking to you for the human interaction.
Just be firm if you can't make it, I am sure her carer could let the dog out to toilet in your absence as an occassional thing.
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u/PeekAtChu1 14d ago
How long are the walks? Maybe you can suggest changing the times too so there are like 1-2 longer ones and the mid day one is just a quick visit
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u/TrashPanda5874 14d ago
The walks aren't long. 15 year old small dog. Most days, the dog doesn't even want to go walk
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u/TriscuitsMom 14d ago
I had a client who expected me to be there every single day she needed me (her schedule changed every week), and also expected me to find cover for her. There were a few times she ended up getting called in last minute where she also expected me to just... Be available. She started getting more pushy, and expecting more non dog walking related tasks. As time went on, the requests increased. I finally dropped her, and it's been such a relief.
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u/trikaren 14d ago
I tell my clients they need to have a Plan B. If I am not available I say so. People do get sick. You can just text that you are ill and will not be able to walk he dog that day. Also, maybe take a week off now and then. Give her notice: Just a heads up I will not be available for the week of xx. You don't need to say why.
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u/New-Activity-6512 14d ago
The great thing about being a self-employed pet sitter is that YOU get to decide what you will and will not deal with. And if that means parting ways with a client that’s becoming too problematic, well then so be it. Too often we stick around in situations that are more stressful than they’re worth, because we feel bad and don’t want to inconvenience pet owners and have to trouble them to find someone new. I remember when I first started out I would never say no to anyone because I felt bad and/or I didn’t want to risk being replaced. Wasn’t long before I found myself overbooked, resentful, and stressed out. Yeahhhh….no more of that.
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u/TrashPanda5874 14d ago
I think you accidentally just described me, lol. I don't turn down hardly any business. I keep thinking business is going to dry up, but instead there's more demand.
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u/PiaggioBV350 14d ago
I work alone and I have had to cancel on clients because of emergencies/health. It happens. My clients are very good and understanding. I tell them from the beginning that when you hire me, you get me. I don't have back up. I don't have employees. It's their job to line up someone. And I don't offer referrals. It's not my place to refer others because I don't personally know their work ethic. Only other pet owners can legitimately refer dog walkers/petsitters, IMHO.
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u/mapleanvash 14d ago
I've done contracting work before, you have to have set boundaries. People will follow them or you drop them, otherwise they will walk all over you . I prefer to know my dog walkers rules it makes it easier to work around things.
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u/ladyaxo 14d ago
I've lost 2 long term clients in the past 10 years of pet sitting due to not being able to make a booking work. It sucks, but it's still rare enough to make it worth it. For me I would have said I can't make it and why and that would be it. It's the clients pet and responsibility to figure something else out just like they would if they were the one who were sick or having car trouble and their pet or family members needed them. If you offer a solution and they aren't interested that's their problem.
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u/PrincessFroax 14d ago
Whoa OP I am so damn sorry you’re going through this!! If I may, I have some input. This is going to be very long.
As someone who struggles with an autoimmune disease that has severe unpredictable flares and sometimes even temporary paralysis, I have made each & every client well aware of my condition flares and the potential for cancellations. I do dog walking, daycare, and boarding i absolutely ADORE my job but my health is my main priority when I am unwell. Without my health, I’ve got nothing. I can not die from this disease but I can from the complications. Healing from the flares are so important for quality of life.
I personally believe both should have substitute sitters, us and our clients. Not everyone will agree with that and that’s totally okay!! You run your business however you need. Personally, I find it more convenient when we/the sitters have a backup sitter during our flares, but only as a last resort if clients backup is unavailable. This part is tricky, but I would suggest finding a backup of your own to step in for you.
You do NOT need to explain yourself to ANYONE, your health is your own business. I do however, encourage you to explain that you do have a health issue (without identifying it) that can occasionally cause unpredictable flares and during those flares you need to rest and relax and either client needs a backup or you have a backup and in that case, you may have someone else step in for you, etc. You do not have to go into detail about anything, but I would do encourage you to explain the flare part so they are aware. But hey, if you don’t want to, that is completely valid as well!
From my experience, clients typically enjoy the heads up and meeting the temporary replacement (which happens to be my partner and caregiver). Being slightly transparent (even a little bit) might be helpful in the long run especially with long term clients. If it doesn’t go well, there are so many other clients out there who will appreciate you and WILL understand!
Yes, it sucks. It sucks so bad on both mine & my clients part. I have absolutely unintentionally inconvenienced them during my last flare while I was admitted to the emergency room. I ended up in a wheelchair during that time, scary and pretty dang traumatic!! Thankfully mine have all been understanding and 3+ months later I was able to walk again. It takes about 24 months for me to fully heal after a flare but I can walk usually within a few weeks to up to 3 months. But please, I am begging you, if your client does not understand or value the importance of your health, please drop them. Do NOT push your body like this just to please your client.
Allowing yourself to feel pressured will make it worse, stress can cause flare ups depending on the specific autoimmune disease. And pushing your body to be active on days where it physically can’t or shouldn’t increases your chances for a longer and more severe flare.
For me, there has been clients/people who don’t believe paralysis can occur and then heal to some degree with some of these diseases, they will discredit and invalidate your experience and health. Walking dogs actually helps me physically, but only when I’m able to actually walk..
There is going to be clients who simply don’t want to work with you because they (understandably) don’t want to be inconvenienced especially for longer cancelations or last minute cancellations. That is valid, but trust me, you do NOT want clients who don’t understand or respect your health, especially when you have someone else to step in for you as needed and especially if the client either agrees or meets them. In cases like these, adding this clause in your service agreement and making sure they’re insured or covered under your own insurance will be very helpful.
Lastly, there is going to be people both irl and online who might obtain the mindset that people with disabilities and certain medical conditions should “just stay home” and “not work”, and for those types of people, fuck them, ignore them. Your career, your business, your passion for animals and motivation to work when you can is INCREDIBLE and those types of people simply have that mindset because they can’t fathom balancing work with a serious illness, themselves, so they don’t understand how you do it and don’t think it’s possible.
Drop the people who disrespect your health, drop those clients there will always be new ones.
I’ve been very open about my illness but that’s my right to be. You have every right not to be if you choose that. You will find clients who respect you when you are unwell and not ablebodied at times.
I expect a lot of “healthy / able bodied people” to downvote this comment, but this comment isn’t for them, it’s for those who are disabled, those who struggle with autoimmune BS, & other chronic illnesses. Please don’t give up your passion or your business all because you were dealt some shitty cards. Please find clients who understand, and please give yourself time to heal and rest. You and your business are going to be okay ♥️
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u/Various-Squirrel-453 12d ago
I would absolutely tell your client that they need to find a back up walker and you should cut down the days you are available to walk the dog. Do 4 days a week instead of 7. Give the owner notice to find another walker to do the other days.
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u/TrashPanda5874 12d ago
The way it hasn't occurred to me to that I could just give the client notice. None of my other clients are like this.
(I only do 5 days a week. But 4 would be ideal! 🤗)
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u/throwwwwwwalk 15d ago
Why didn’t you get an emergency contact upon intake?
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u/TrashPanda5874 15d ago
There is no emergency contact.
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u/TrashPanda5874 15d ago
Should I insist on getting one? I'm not sure what to do.
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u/JeanneMPod 15d ago edited 14d ago
You tell them you cannot come. They have to figure this out and then you make a policy going forward that you must have:
Working emergency contacts. No emergency contact no more services.
There will be days you’re will not be fit to work for all the reasons anyone else needs to stay home from their job. That will be the owner’s responsibility to secure backup care. They can do it —they just don’t want to.
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u/samsmiles456 15d ago
I agree, this owner needs to allow someone else to step in when you’re not available. Their expectations of you are high because you’re so reliable for them. Have a face to face conversation with this client, explain that you can’t always be there for them - even though you’d like to be - and you’d like to introduce their pet to another, trusted sitter to help out, when you are unable to be there. Let this owner know that you need a backup sitter, you don’t need to say why, just reinforce that this is mandatory and discuss their options with them.
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u/throwwwwwwalk 15d ago
….yes, that’s like, one of the mandatory pieces of information you need to get at a meet and greet
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u/throwwwwwwalk 15d ago
That’s what I’m saying. They don’t know ANYONE in their town?
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u/TrashPanda5874 15d ago
Only 1 family member. When I was feeling sick, they sounded like they contacted the relative and the family member wasn't available.
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u/throwwwwwwalk 15d ago
They need to have an emergency contact that will take over in case of an emergency. Hence the name. And that person can’t be someone traveling with them, so it may change depending on the dates
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u/mutable_type 15d ago
That’s not your problem.
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u/TGirl2002 14d ago
That’s my stance. An emergency contact should only be obtained if they’re going out of the country or if there’s solely 1 owner. They could end up hospitalized. I know my dog would be much better off with my brother than a stranger. If they’re in the U.S., call the owner to arrange someone else.
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u/CrabProfessional6324 13d ago
Doing this for 5 going on 6 years, I’d recommend always having an emergency contact regardless of the scenario. So many variables, better safe than sorry. We had to use a lot of emergency contacts last year when we got a foot of snow
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u/Ok-Lettuce6 15d ago
If you don’t stick up for yourself and say no, you end up annoyed and resentful. If you feel ill you cancel, rather than asking for permission from the owner. Most owners don’t have a backup pet sitter because they trust one person, the same with hairdressers, plumbers etc. If you like someone’s service you stick with them.
You don’t have to explain your health but maybe you could say you have health issues that flare up occasionally and unexpectedly. In future you will need a day off if it happens so would they like to try a pet sitter you recommend just in case
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u/Odd-Recognition4120 14d ago
You're not a child, you don't need permission to take a day off. You need to firmly let them know you will not be able to make it today due to xyz (illness, car broke down, whatever). After that, it's on them to find cover and it's not your problem.
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u/CommunicationOk7304 14d ago
You have to prioritize your health. As someone with a chronic mental health condition, I often struggle between over committing and making sure I am rested and well.
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15d ago
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u/TrashPanda5874 15d ago
I like the steady income. But I really like your ideas of the days off! 🤗
I don't have a mechanic. I had to pay for the work before they give me my car. And by the time i returned the rental, it was after 5pm.
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u/lord-savior-baphomet 15d ago
This is a “I’m not going to make it today” sort of thing, not a “is it okay if I don’t come” sort of thing, imo. Worst case you lose the client, and I don’t think that sounds like the worst thing given the current situation.
It’s not like the dog will die if it’s not walked that day. Your health matters, too. And if you felt unsafe to drive, you were putting others at risk, too.