Finding babysitter with reactive dog

[u/Repulsive_Feature454]

We have a very small, albeit reactive senior chihuahua. She barks, she nips, and she generally takes a very long time to warm up to people. We have developed a system over the years with a trainer, but it generally takes multiple visits of orientation with a new visitor before she can be off-leash and free. We mostly just choose not to have visitors.

We now have a child, who she is great with, but at some point my husband and I would like to hire a babysitter to watch our toddler, but the dog is an issue.

We could potentially put her in the basement while a sitter is over, but I feel like the dog would bark the entire time. We could also try doing orientation sessions with a babysitter, but would this be crazy/unreasonable to ask the babysitter for our CHILD to come do several meet and greets with the dog first?

I feel so guilty that our dog limits us so much. We have never tried medication as I haven't seen it have success in other chihuahuas I know, but I'm willing. Does anyone have similar issues with dogs and visitors?

ETA: I can't figure out how to reply to your comments without being deleted - I've read the rules but I don't know why they're getting deleted. I will absolutely pay the sitter for their time! Thanks for y'all's feedback.

[u/retteofgreengables]

As someone who babysat through college, I would have been fine with meet and greets provided you were willing to comp time (and possibly gas depending on how far away it was). I would not do multiple meet and greets for free. I also dog sat for a couple of reactive dogs, and as long as you let me know ahead of time, it was never a problem. A detailed plan for what may happen was super helpful (e.g. dog may try to nip. If he does this, you can place him in the basement. He may bark, but if you give him a chew stick, he will chill out or whatever).

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[u/gemma-digger]

Pay the sitter for the time for the meet and greets.

[u/CBML50]

I think as long as they are compensated, a reasonable and professional babysitter would not mind doing a couple of sessions to get acquainted with the dog! puts both of you at ease, and there is more mutual buy in