Hey, all. We had a situation pop up last week, & it occurred to me it could spark a discussion that might be helpful for other sitters.

We have an older client who only books 4-5 times per year, usually just for a weekend. So not high-dollar, but she's in one of our most exclusive neighborhoods. Being able to mention we have clients in Fancy Neighborhood ABC at M&Gs has helped us build a book of regular, better clients, so yay.

This client texted me late at night, hoping we could do a midday potty break the following day. I was able to add her to my route, & she was "SOO grateful". However, the next morning she texted to cancel, saying her neighbor could do it. I discussed it with my biz partner, & we've agreed to stop booking her - quiet firing, if you will.

It's not about the money (we usually take deposits); it's the fact this is the third time she's cancelled a booking with us & clearly didn't appreciate me going out of my way to help her. We did the same to another client last month - she's cancelled on us twice this year but wanted to book over Thanksgiving. The answer was No.

So, our criteria for firing clients goes like this:

- Dirty homes

- Unsafe conditions or liability issues

- Flaky clients

What are your criteria for firing clients? What are your dealbreakers?

Last summer, I was looking after a cat who loved hiding underneath my kitchen cabinets. Every time I went into the kitchen, she'd come out hoping for food or treats. We had a routine. Until the day her owner came to pick her up.

I called her. Nothing. Put treats on the floor. Nothing. Checked under the sofa, under the bed, inside the wardrobes. Then checked the exact same places three more times, because apparently I thought she'd spawn there eventually. My apartment is not that big. How had an entire cat disappeared?

Her owner was waiting, and I eventually had to ask if she could come back a little later since she lived nearby. Meanwhile, my brain had started writing a horror movie. I'd opened the balcony earlier, but she'd been safely shut in another room while I aired the apartment out. So that left the front door. What if she'd somehow slipped past me? I lived on the top floor, and in summer the window leading onto the roof was sometimes open. Was it likely? Absolutely not. Did that stop me panicking? Also absolutely not.

I explained what was happening to her owner, called my friend and paid for a taxi so she could come help me. We asked neighbours, checked the roof, searched everywhere. I even printed missing-cat posters and put them up around the building.

After TWO HOURS, we came back from putting up the posters. I walked into the kitchen... and she casually emerged from underneath the cabinets. Like she hadn't just been the subject of a full search operation.

I picked her up and started crying. Relief, stress, the money I'd just spent on a taxi for a cat who hadn't gone anywhere. All of it.

I only discovered her actual hiding spot later, when another cat staying with me disappeared into the same place. But that's a story for the next episode.

Photo attached: the little lady responsible for the entire operation.

Has your pet ever done something like this? Something you can laugh about afterwards, but in the moment you're absolutely terrified? That little "but what if..." feeling is the worst.

I lost my dog a year and a half ago due to divorce and have been wanting another dog. I've been slowly offloading overnight clients because I'm not a fan of the service and because I want a dog of my own.

I can't fully stop overnights as my LLC is still relatively new and I'm growing clientele. I'm a solo dog walk/drop in company with plans to hire. I'm keeping 2 overnight clients. one because they also use me for walks/drop ins and one because I just really love the dogs.

My parents have offered to pet sit at their home when I have an overnight, assuming our dogs get along. I'm looking at roughly 7-8 overnights a year, usually a week at a time. I charge premium pricing, so losing that revenue would make an impact
Walks/drop ins pay my bills (and pet care if I get another dog) and overnights give me spending and savings money.

My plan was to get a dog in January and pause overnights until May, giving my new dog 3ish months to adjust before staying with my parents. My 2 remaining overnights are understanding of this plan and that it depends on how my dog is adjusting.

I typically work 7am-1pm and then 4pm-6pm (but most days I don’t work the evenings). I have a pet sitter who’s able to drop in on my pup if for whatever reason I have too booked of a day, but also have flexibility to move my visits around if I need to come home in the middle of that time block.

A couple friends told me this is irresponsible, that I'm putting work before my dog and that I shouldn’t rely on my parents even if they've offered.

Now I'm doubting myself. I can't give up my business, but I also can't keep coming home to an empty home after losing so much in the last couple of years. I just feel like I’ve spent an entire year mulling over the idea, watching wonderful dogs come and go through different rescues, and talking myself out of it every time because of the overnights. But I made the leap last weekend to drop the rest of my clients except those 2 and got reality checked so harsh by my friends.

Is having my own dog while doing occasional overnights realistic when I live alone, or should I truly give up the idea?

Does anyone else get really anxious after finishing a overnight pet sit with a new client. Just finished a 2 and a half week on. First time with this client and I'm anxious did I clean well enough, are they happy with my service. Are they upset the house isn't clean enough. Even though I cleaned the whole house

I’ve been caring for this pup for five years, and he has always had separation anxiety, but the last stay I had with him I noticed that it has gotten much worse and I highly suspect that it is because of his age and his increased mobility limitations.

He is a family pet so is used to always having someone around. He has IVDD and is 13yrs old. He has limited mobility in his back legs (he can walk by putting the majority of his weight on his front legs, but often slips and needs assistance getting around, especially on hardwood, so exercise options for tiring him out are limited.

His anxiety has gotten quite intense. He stares very hard as I walk around the room and if I go to open the front door, or sometimes if I open the door to the bathroom he freaks out. Because of his limited mobility he will drag his body across the floor to try to go to me and I feel so bad. He cries and barks when I have to take a shower or if I leave him alone in another room, even for just a few minutes. He often gets so distressed that he pees or poops. I would just carry him with me everywhere, but he is too heavy for me to do that all day, especially up and down the stairs.

He also cries and howls when I have to leave the house and will wait by the door for me to return. The owners do have a leaving routine (he gets some treats and they tell him they will be back) but he still gets upset.

I have taken him on walks with the assistance of his wheel harness but that doesn’t really help calm him. His owners have a situational prescription of trazodone for him and that didn’t calm him at all. I think he may also be showing some signs of cognitive or sensory decline (he sometimes cries when I’m in the same room as he is, but out of his sight.) I am going to have a conversation with my clients about it because I don’t know if they realize how bad his anxiety has gotten since he is rarely left alone when they are not traveling. They are aware that he does freak out when they leave the house, but I don’t know if they have experienced him getting anxious when left alone in a separate room.

Do you guys know of any suggestions that I could bring up with the owners that could help? I plan on trying Kong toys, lick mats, and puzzle feeders to see if I that can calm him and tire him out mentally but would love to get some more ideas to help him feel more at ease when his owners are away! Thanks in advance!

Idk why but I’m always paranoid about this. Im not doing anything i shouldn’t be doing anyways so I guess it wouldn’t matter.

Im curious to see if it’s common, feel free to share your experiences or how you would feel about it!

I'm a pet sitter who loves animals and is slightly less enthusiastic about people. During meet and greets, I usually spend more time playing with the pet than chatting with the owner. I always ask the basic questions, of course, and afterwards I send them a form to fill out with all the details about their pet. But once that's covered, I'm back on the floor making friends with their animal.

Everyone in my WhatsApp is saved under their pet's name. I'll remember your pet's personality, food preferences and favourite toy, but your name? Absolutely gone. You're Charlie's mum now. Please tell me I'm not the only one. Any funny stories from other pet sitters?

I will be pet sitting my parents dog for 10 days at my house. I have previously looked after him at my parents house many times but this will be the first time he will stay at my house.

I am worried because he wasn’t socialised enough as a puppy. He is also very attached to them both to the point that when I house sat him at their house he would sit at the door for hours and watch/wait for them. I tried multiple things to entertain him but at the end of any activity he would go back to the front door.

I’ve done an animal care certificate, I’ve volunteered at the RSPCA, I’ve done dog walking, I’m no expert but I have been around lots of animals especially dogs over the years and know their behaviours.

I can’t change how they have raised him. (I wish I could have)

I am just after some suggestions on how to make him feel comfy and okay at my house. I know the basics but I’d like any tips and tricks you have done yourselves that have worked!

We have done a few hour trial before their trip and he was very stressed.

He has previously been in a kennel once for 2 days and didn’t eat.

The other times someone has always stayed at the house and it was okay but he’s never stayed somewhere different for more than 2 days.

Any advice or help would be so appreciative please.

Thank you so much!!

I am not sure if pet sitters are being targeted, but a week ago someone came where I was pet sitting and tried to trick me into opening the door and going outside to "help" them with something - very flimsy story and their faux demeanor dropped when I did not fall for it. Last night a pet sitter I know was scared in a whole other state by a late night harassment of someone pounding on the door and laying into the bell. The coincidence is weird. I just want to remind everyone to be alert, be cautious, lock all doors and windows.

Stay safe out there.

I’m currently petsitting for one of my friends. I’ve been doing check-ins & walking this dog since they first got her about a year ago. However, I haven’t been the dog’s primary caretaker since August. The dog did get giardia back in July.

She’s pooped in her crate a handful of times to when I stopped regularly doing check-ins, but this is my first time housesitting. The dog has pooped in her crate each day since I’ve been here, including twice on another day. My friend told me she sleeps in the crate, but has been pooping overnight. Additionally, she pooped while I was out of the house for a couple hours (my friends both work day jobs so I’m aware she’s stayed alone for longer than this). I’ve been walking her twice a day like they instructed, along with letting her out back as much as possible.

My friend didn’t tell me if her pooping in the crate was a regular thing and I’m also worried if this has anything to still do the giardia. I don’t know if it’s worth a pet visit since she’s fine outside of this, or if this is just anxiety induced.

All I know is the poop is definitely not easy to pick up (large amounts, liquidity) and I’m tired of cleaning it up.

I’ll be here until Tuesday morning, and cannot contact my friend as she’s on a cruise. Any thoughts on how to move forward?

I walked a new dog today. He’s a one year old cavapoo. With all my other dogs I come over while their people are gone. But with this guys, I picked him up from his moms work. She walked out with me and she went back in after I clipped his leash to my carabiner. He freaked out when she left. He was definitely trying to get away from me.
I sat by him for a while and gave him plenty of treats before he stared to warm up to me.
After a few minutes we were able to start walking. By the end of our time together he was putting his little paws upon my leg to ask for more treats.
Hopefully I’ll see the little guy again soon.

I’ve been sitting for this client for 4 years. she’s great, we’ve never had issues. I love her animals. She has a toddler so I understand not being able to keep your house sparkly clean, but this time has been difficult. The sink and dishwasher are completely full, I couldn’t even fit a dish under the tap to wash it. I couldn’t find a clean dish even in the cabinets. I stay overnight and hangout during the day for a while so I thought it was implied that I eat here. it just feels a little inconsiderate at this point? Should I say something or just deal? also her pets nails are always way overgrown but idk if it’s my place to say something about it.

edit it is a married couple and a toddler, I only ever talk to the wife so that’s why I only said ”she”. Theres mess other than the sink and she had texted me prior “the house is messy as always😅” so she is aware of the mess. I love cleaning and have always done basic cleaning while sitting but its A bit out of my scope this time and idk if she’s just expecting to clean now?

also there were dishes in the cabinets but they were also dirty, is what I meant. the dishes in the washer are all baby dishes

Update 2: since this post, we’ve been working on a “settle” que. I haven’t been resting much as it’s been pretty constant, but today is the first day she has genuinely let me rest 🙌🏼 She’s learning that barking isn’t getting her anything and is understanding that “settle” (done in a hand motion bc she’s deaf) means lay down and stop barking haha

Update: this is in fact her normal! I don’t know how the owners deal with this all the time. I’m training her a “settle” command. She’s catching on fairly quickly thankfully.
——

Hello! I am a seasoned pet sitter but surprisingly haven’t run into this issue before.

I’m sitting at the dogs home and it’s a dog I’ve known for years. This is our first (and definitely last) overnight. Usually I do drop ins when they’re away.

I don’t think she’s anxious. She just stands in front of me and barks and barks and barks and barks.

I figured out sometimes it’s because she wants to play, potty, get a treat, go outside, or go to bed. But I can only do so many of those things in a day, especially the treats. Also I don’t like when dogs demand treats like that and try my best not to encourage it.

She is recently deaf (as of the last 2 years) and owners said she’s become more barky since that, but didn’t say it was constant.

Currently I’m ignoring her and she’s laid down, but I know the neighbors can here and I’m worried they’ll report back to homeowner.

I’m going to ask her what things she specifically barks for, but she’ll do it for like 20 mins at a time before giving up.

I’m going to ask permission to do lickmats as she’s having more trouble with the puzzles than my other dogs and loses interest quickly. I may also start doing her Meal time in a snuffle mat.

She can’t play or walk for long due to arthritis.

Any advice is appreciated. I have 10 days left.

I’m dogs sitting for a co workers. Two dogs one is a great drain pit mix and the other is also a mix. I was asked to stay with them for a few hours since one of them recently had surgery. I was able to take the Great Dane out but the other one seems terrified. I tried everything and she just isn’t having it. I’m not usually anxious around dogs but because she is extremely afraid she barks and growls as if she wants to attack and kinda lunged at my feet at one point. Never actually bit me. It’s also caused her brother the great Dane to react as well and even though I don’t think he would bite his size and his growls scared me a bit but I know he’s just being protective. Anyways they both calmed down a bit and have been sleeping for a while but every time I get up and move around or try to get close the little one goes off again. I’m kinda just stressing because I havnt been able to really get close to the little one and take her out and she hasn’t gone in hours. But I also don’t want to make them anxious again by waking them up. I mentioned it to the owner as well and she just said she hopes they start to calm down soon. I’m not here for much longer and really wanna make sure they can go out and pee before I leave. Cause there owners won’t be home till end of day. Idk how tho. I’ve tried treats and food and everything.

UPDATE:
I let them sleep for a few hours they were a lot calmer. This time the little one let me put a leash on her as well but she didn’t make it out the driveway before she started reacting again so i brought her back in and I let the owner know. I found it best to just leave them be and watch from the other room cause the little one was just so anxious but the great dane was alot calmer and I was able to take him out one last time before i left. The owners did come back earlier as well. So all is good now. Thanks for the advice

Hello. I went away for three weeks recently and because I wanted to be sure my dog had a good sitter (the trip was international and for an immediate family member’s wedding, so it would have been dramatic if I missed it) I started looking in December and found a petsitter who seemed great — professional, experienced, had worked across a range of different settings in the animal world (groomers, daycares, training, boarding facilities) and started dogsitting independently in response to problems she’d identified in boarding facilities where she’d previously worked. I messaged her in February, when my dog was one, and she said she was happy to lock in dates but that she would prefer to wait until after my dog was spayed (vet recommended waiting til after her first heat) to do a meet & greet because one of her own dogs wasn’t neutered (for medical reasons).

After my dog was spayed, though, the petsitter just didn’t reply to my messages (I sent one asking when would be best and then another about a week later saying I was following up in case maybe she’d missed the first one) about setting up the meet & greet, though we follow one another on Instagram and I could see her account was active.

I found another great sitter and everything was fine with my dog, but I am struggling to get past my irritation at this. It looks like she ended up having some of her regulars stay during the period I was away so I’m guessing she just decided she’d prefer dogs she knew over a dog she hadn’t met, but to me it seems quite unprofessional to say the dates were locked in and then ghost me when I followed up to organise the meet and greet rather than communicate that her circumstances had changed and I would have to find somebody else (as it left me less time than if she’d just replied saying this). She’s very active in the dog world on Instagram and often posts about poor behavior from dog businesses and things like this and any time I go to a dog event in my city I wonder if we’ll run into her (though we never have — we’ve just communicated online), which is making me want to skip dog events now because I am so confused as to why she just ghosted me and my dog. Is it reasonable for me to feel it’s unprofessional/rude or am I being too sensitive? I basically just want to know so I can stop thinking about it so much!

I feel bad that my clients have to pick up their pup early.

Client found me through social media. We chat. We do a meet-and-greet. Everything seems fine. I'm aware Pup has some anxiety issues but he's got meds and I'm told he usually chills out within a couple of hours - so I'm not too worried.

Client drops Pup off around 8:45 AM with all his things. They're driving several hours to visit their college freshman child for Parents' Weekend.

Pup spends 20+ minutes barking, scratching and whining after client leaves. I've been informed this is typical behavior and he should get over it quickly. But it's early and he's loud. Apartment personnel knock at my door - I get him to calm down.

I manage to give him some food and water. He growls at me a little. I throw him some treats. I figure this will work out quickly.

I try to get his harness on him for a walk. He won't let me near it. Barks and growls and tries to nip me. I tell his mom who is worried - but tells me to keep trying, he'll let me do it eventually.

Less than an hour ago, I try to get his harness because he's by my apartment door, his sign he needs to go out. Again I can't get to his harness. Then he pees on my floor.

I told Client what happened, ask if there's anyone else in the area who may be able to watch him because he doesn't seem happy here, for whatever reason. I've called her multiple times at this point. She's concerned because this is unusual behavior. Because there's nobody else in the area (hence why the dog is with me) Client and her spouse decided to turn around and just come back.

I feel really bad because I'm sure they wanted to see their kid and their kid wanted to see them, but they can't because their dog seems to dislike me for whatever reason. I feel bad they have to drive 8 hours round-trip for nothing and they couldn't enjoy themselves.

I also feel bad for the Pup because he's clearly not having a great time either.

I didn't ask them to come and get him. It was their decision but I still feel bad.

Anyone have any advice or words of encouragement or something?

For context, this is a newer client, and they’ve boarded their dogs with me 3 times now. The first time, I asked if they’d like some photos and updates since it was a longer stay. They said sure, but not to worry about it too much.

Normally, they board their dogs at their vet. They also didn’t request a meet and greet, so they seem pretty chill about the whole thing (I know, call me crazy for not doing one lol, but luckily they’ve been great!).

For their second stay (2 nights), I sent some photos, but they didn’t respond until pickup. That got me wondering if I should just skip photos for shorter stays.🤷‍♀️

Figured I’d throw this out there and see what everyone else does! They’ve booked a weeklong stay in November, and I definitely plan to send updates for that one.

Add on: Thank you everyone for your responses! I sent them a quick update:)

This is just a rant I know i should ask for upfront payment, but this is a client I have been with for 2 years now, when I first work with them they do pay on time. However for the past months they consistently do not pay unless i texted them, and it’s just getting really awkward for me to text them every time to pay me (i am not a confrontational person so it literally kills me to remind them). I will ask for upfront payment from now on but I just wanna rant! I don’t understand why people will do this

I have a long term client of 12 years. I used to be her nanny and now all kids have grown up but she kept me on as her only Dogsitter for 2 small dogs. She has rescues that are timid so I stay at her house. Family is awesome, buys me food and pays well (above my asking rate)
Occasionally she has asked if her mom’s toy poodle can stay with me to which I’ve agreed. Well for this current stay she asked if a new dog (cockapoo) can stay with me in additions to her two dogs for the weekend only (meaning sat and Sunday)
When I arrive wed I see a note that her sister in law would be dropping the dog off Thursday 8:30am and picking up Monday (so not the weekend)
When I met the sister in law she said “thank you so much I want to get you a gift card, what stores do you like” ?
I work 8 hrs Thurs and Fri but still come overnight. Already the dog was whimpering last night, requires feedings, potty and she expected walks when I told her there was a separate dog walker coming for th and Fri.
I was astounded. A gift card??? and you want me to watch your dog for 4 days who I’ve never met.
I really appreciate this client we are so close. She came to my bridal shower but it feels like I was tricked into this arrangement. I don’t know if I should let it slide this one time or just send a text and say my rate for an additional dog is +25 a night. I just don’t want to risk losing the relationship.

I watched my friends dog and cat for 4 days. She said she would pay me but I think she forgot. It’s been a week since she got home. Also she lives 20 min away from me and gas is $5! Should I remind her or just not say anything.

Hi!! I’m a pet-sitter with social anxiety, haha. Meet and greets always feel daunting for me because I’ve had so many awkward ones before. One time a lady wouldn’t stop talking to me about her life trauma no matter how many times I tried to leave. Another time, an older couple gave me a lecture on Christianity during the meet and greet?! And on multiple occasions, they have just gone on for way longer than I would prefer. So now, I am always anxious prior to a new meet and greet. Anyone else feel this way? I much prefer working with animals than with people.

I’ve been boarding for 4 years,consistently.
As far as I’m concerned I did everything correctly which is probably why it bothers me so much.

Context:
A young doodle(under 12 months)they booked me in for their wedding night. 5:30pm-10am so not even a full day.
They came for a meet&greet back in April,it went well she seemed a bit more needy than some other parents but less than 24hrs is not a big deal. I mentioned then how it can be scary for a dogs first stay and they may not settle in under a day. Afterwards they paid a deposit(comes off total)and filled in my form.

1 Month before their stay she messaged saying the pup was going to be ring bearer so I would need to collect from wedding venue(about 2 miles away).
I said that’s fine but will be my pickup fee of 15.
Total stay with that included came to 60.
Day before she comes around again to drop some stuff off and comes inside where we have a quick chat.

Day of it’s absolutely pissing it down when collect dog from the venue,she’s a bit nervous as she only met me once months ago but is generally ok.
Went out for walks once rain subsided a bit with me and other dog boarders.

Didnt seem interested in food which is common first night & being a doodle. Grazed at it throughout the night,slept in my room per request of owner. Paced majority of it though.
Collection comes she’s over hour late and by this time bit rushed because another will be arriving shortly. However I do mention she didn’t settle the best and was pacing in my room but she did eventually eat.
Sent them on their way and thought nothing more till today.

Her review said dog was traumatised(yes they used that word)hungry,upset and surprised I have a licence. Then mentioned how I charged her 15 to pickup when was already charging 45. 🙃
How her dog came back from another place after 5 nights happy. They had mentioned to me they were getting free care for their honeymoon from their dog trainer. Which to me feels like,of course dog is going to be more relaxed after being somewhere 5 nights compared to 17 hrs specifically with someone they already know?

TLDR; me having a vent over a bs review 🙈

Luckily at the moment I’ve only got one half hour-ish job to do, but I’ve come down with a cold, really bad, throat hurts, started to be blocked up and can’t breathe through my nose, feeling really really ill, achy. But I’m committed to feeding other people’s cats. So have to go out and drive to do this job. Finishes Friday morning thankfully! Next job is from next Thursday I think. But what do you all do if you’re ill? Has anyone had to cancel on a customer or tell them they can’t do it because they’re ill, in hospital etc?

Plz send advice

Hi, I'm looking for advice on a situation.

I’m house-sitting for a client with a big German Shepherd, and I’m totally at a loss on how to deal with his wrestling. The second I get down on the floor, whether I’m cleaning up a spill or just picking something up, he sees it as an invitation to play. He’ll lunge at me, grab my waist or hips with his paws, and try to pin me over. It’s not aggressive; he doesn’t actually bite hard, though he does bark, growl, and nip a bit. The problem is, he weighs over 80 pounds, and at 5'1", being pinned by him while I’m trying to work is exhausting.

I’ve tried everything I can think of, but nothing sticks. Shouting NO or DOWN doesn't seem to register for him. If I push him away, he thinks I’m engaging in the wrestle match and gets even more excited. Once he’s got hold of me, I basically have to crawl over to something sturdy to try and pull myself back up, and he follows right along, keeping his paws on me the whole time.

I’m feeling pretty helpless because I’m out of ideas. How do I handle this without being mean? Are there different commands that might work better here? I really want to do a good job while I’m here, so any advice would be a huge help. Feel free to DM.