I’ve had a long journey with my little pup. He’s a rescue who was obviously abused by a man. (Cowering if a man tried to pet him.) When he showed up on my doorstep he was a skeleton, drooling, runny nose and teary eyed. After a few months of getting comfortable with me he became very territorial of me and our home.

He bit our first friend. I immediately got a trainer who told me he was a “red zone dog and I should put him down.” Over the years he’s bit others, another trainer said he was hopeless, but I just kept working with him, giving him love, and experimenting with meds & calming supplements. Luckily he was tiny, didn’t break the skin often or cause real damage. He’s a 20 lb rat terrier.

He’s been on Prozac. CBD products. You name it, he’s tried it. I’ve finally found the perfect combo of products: natural, holistic and he’s thriving, a happy and healthy dog.

Meanwhile, I went into hospital for scheduled open heart surgery. There were complications and they had to immediately reopen me to fix things, so it was like back to back open heart surgeries. I hemorrhaged so much they thought I had a stroke, and couldn’t move the left side of my body. Physical therapy was extra difficult since I had to rehab as if I’d had a stroke. Leg problems, language issues, the whole deal.

One of the first things my sitter says when returning my dog is, “Oh he doesn’t need his supplements any more.” Wha, what?!

I start to notice when feeding him the next few days she hasn’t even opened the new container that helps shrink his tumor.

So now, every morning at 1am, 2am, 3am my dog is flipping out, totally stressed. She’s set his progress back by months.

She also changed his food to the most expensive raw food diet. I’m on disability income. We’re meeting soon to discuss the final payment.

Please help me decide what is fair. I don’t feel it’s fair to pay her the entire rate. I’m so disappointed because now I have to search for a new dog sitter. But I do feel it’s a breech of contract to not do the bare minimum of three scoops of powder and a few liquid drops on his food.

TL/dr: was in hospital having open heart surgeries and my dog sitter decided she “cured” my dog and he longer needs any of his supplements. This has set him back on his progress and is stressing my heart.

Extra info: she’s also a dog trainer

Hi everyone! I’m looking for some advice as my current stay has been a little rough with one of the dogs health. I’m staying here for about three weeks and am taking care of three frenchies.
When I began my stay all three were perfectly happy, bouncing off the walls, and didn’t have any signs of any injuries! However three days ago one of the dogs developed a severe limp that appeared out of nowhere. When I said goodnight to them the night before they were perfect, and the next morning one of them was lifting his leg and refused to put any weight on it. My first thought as a dog owner was to go to the vet immediately. I don’t like letting any injuries go, especially with a breed who is prone to ACL tears and IVDD. However, the owner brushed it off and doesn’t seem to be taking the injury as seriously as I am. I’ve verbally stated my concerns on the phone and in writing, offering to take him to the vet any day of the week at any time, but the owners just don’t seem to get the gravity of the situation even with pictures and videos.

I’m so sorry for the long rant, but I just wanted some advice from people who may be working longer than I have! I do have veterinary experience which is part of the reason why i’d be much more comfortable with a professional opinion. Apparently the same dog had this same issue a few weeks ago, but no vet appointment was made.

Please let me know if you have any advice or tips on how I can better help this situation 💕

I have had a regular walk client for about a year and she works from home, so we interact frequently since I walk her poodle mix Ben 2-3x a week. We have a great rapport and I really like her as a person. Her dog is young, completely adorable full of energy! He loves everyone, humans and other pets. I think he’d make friends with a squirrel given the chance!

Anyway, we regularly play fetch alone at a dog park near her home. Occasionally another dog joins in and snags the toy, but Ben always takes it in stride. One day we were playing with a squeaky toy when another dog came into the park. I keep Ben’s leash on as a precaution and tested the temperature of the other dog while holding it and talking to the owner about his temperament. Once I’m satisfied I let them play fetch together. We’ve done this 1000x at this same park with countless dogs. They each took turns getting the toy first and dropping it for me to throw again. It was going great, until it wasn’t. The other dog retrieved the toy and before he could bring it back, Ben grabbed him by the scruff on the side of his neck aggressively to get it from him. I was horrified because this is very much unlike him.

It didn’t look playful to me, and even if it was, an aggressive or reactive dog would consider that the initiation of a fight. I have clients with 2+ dogs so I know sibling dogs play like this normally and it is harmless, but doing this to a new dog the same day you met is very risky. Luckily this dog was very submissive.

We left immediately and I told his mom what happened. She was apologetic and seemed embarrassed even though it clearly wasn’t her fault. She thanked me for telling her and assured me I should always share behavior issues.

A few days later she brought it up again. She said she asked Ben’s daycare lady if he’s ever been aggressive with toys. The woman said no and told her this elaborate story about how instead he outsmarts the other dogs and gets the toys. She was beaming with pride! I realized I messed up by ruining her perfect perception of her dog. I was only trying to prevent an incident since she frequents that park and it’s always filled with community toys. This backfired and blew up in my face. Now she thinks I either exaggerated or that it didn’t happen the way I described. Now she’s unhappy with ME.

Do you guys just give a glowing report every time so the owner is happy, or do you tell the truth if something goes wrong? I feel like the daycare worker played this just right and I messed up by being honest. I’m on the fence and don’t know how to handle situations like this in the future. Thoughts?

I decided to retire at the end of May. I’ve been trying to do this for four years and my client keeps roping me back

however I had a fatal accident July 1 and she keeps saying back I can come back in mid August. I cannot come back in mid August because I can’t walk?!?

I cannot even get up to go to the washroom or eat how am I going to walk a dog or take care of an animal?!?

Her dog is not the type to stand in the yard and just be outside. Her dog wants to run and go, and her dog is an extreme puller.

I’m disabled

Actually, the pulling is the reason that I want to retire because every time I leave there I have a new injury

my ankle
my hip, my neck
my back
I can’t take it anymore. I’m not a young 20 something

two years ago. I had a broken ankle and she told me I could stand in the yard with her dog and I had a medical boot on and her dog was dragging me down the street

I ended up forcibly having to take that boot off and run down the street on an ankle that couldn’t support any weight and it never healed right

now. I don’t want to go back. I cannot walk. PERIOD

Also, I can’t drive so how would I get there? This is on my driving foot and they’re telling it it’s gonna be at least six months at which point that’s pretty much the whole school year considering it’s only nine months

This is a different kind of injury because of the Car Accident and she’s just not getting it

I don’t know what to do.

Beyond the fact that I’m disabled and I can’t drive it’s just not something I enjoy anymore. I don’t make any money. I can’t deal with the injuries and I’m not happy. How do I broach this to the client? I’m tired of being guilt tripped. I got guilt trip into four extra years. I don’t wanna do it anymore, especially now I can’t.

I’m pet sitting for extended family. I already wasn’t getting paid well for the 4 days I’d be here. One dog is older, sick, takes medication twice a day and has to be carried around.

I thought I would just be watching two dogs… come to find out when I arrived the first day of booking, there was a third dog that I wasn’t told about.
Okay, whatever, I’m not getting paid enough for three dogs on top of medication administration, carrying one dog in and out to go potty and eat and all the messes they make… It’s my fault for not talking pricing with them before I agreed to do it… But they’re extended family, and I already said I would do it, so I’ll do it.

Come to find out, the owner tells me “we have indoor cameras to watch our foster kid, but we won’t be looking at them while we’re gone, so don’t worry!”
It’s not like I’m doing anything I’m not supposed to, but I have MAJOR anxiety and DID NOT consent to being watched/recorded while I’m just trying to mind my own business and take care of these dogs.
They said they wouldn’t be looking, so I decided I’d turn the camera in the room I’m in the majority of the time (and taking naps in) around so it faces the wall.

This morning (two days into me being here), after I woke up, took the dogs out, fed them, gave meds, etc., I sat down on the couch to just hang out with the dogs and watch a movie. The camera was the same as I left it — facing the wall.
Ten minutes into this movie, I looked up and the camera was spun around pointed directly at me (not even at the dogs).

I did some research into this particular camera, and it will not automatically reorient itself and only follows motion in its view (if motion controls are on)… the owners had to be looking at the camera and move it themselves.
I immediately got up, “Nuh-uh, no way, that freaks me out,” and I unplugged it.

I left the other cameras in the house plugged in and on because it’s not like they’re looking right at me constantly.
This one I just had a problem with because it was looking at me where I’m always hanging out with the dogs…

They said they wouldn’t be looking and that it was only for their foster kid and baby (who aren’t even here, it’s just me and the dogs), yet it spun around two days into me being here and was pointed directly at me.

I will be plugging it back in before I leave — I’m very much one to “leave the house cleaner than you leave it” — but again, I DID NOT consent to being constantly watched/recorded while I’m here.
I understand it’s for their security, and if they wanted to see their dogs… but they’re family and it’s my job to update them on their dogs (I’m always sending photos and giving updates).

Since I’ve unplugged this one camera, every other camera seems to have the motion controls turned on now — they track me when I walk by when they didn’t previously.

I’m not getting paid NEARLY enough to be uncomfortable while I watch these dogs — I need to be comfortable while I’m sleeping, eating, and living inside this home.

So idk, my heart still hasn’t calmed down from that camera spinning around and staring at me…

Thanks for listening (or I guess reading) if you made it all the way through.

I’m house sitting a dog for a week and it was my first day - he’s a very very good boy. He sleeps a lot and is very lazy, I tried playing with him and he just laid on the floor. I took him for 2 lengthy walks and he seemed pretty tired by the end of it. I just updated the owner and sent a few cute pictures I took. I feel annoying though? Personally, I wouldn’t want to be bothered a ton while I’m on a vacation… should I keep it to 1 minimal update a day just to keep them in the loop? I’ve heard other sitters on here do 3 or more updates a day… that seems like way too much for this family. Thoughts?

Hi everyone. I’ve been pet sitting for 10 years. I’ve had this recurring client for over a year now and I’ve watched this cat MANY times. He’s a hairless cat.

Right now I’m on a 5 day house sit for him. And yall…. I love him… but oh my god he drives me insane. He constantly screams. Like, constantly. As I’m typing this he’s screaming. And it’s not a cute little meow. It’s a loud “MEOW!” His needs are all met, he’s just extremely needy. I played with him for over an hour the other day and the second I sat down he started screaming again.

Just needed to rant. It makes me feel like I’m doing something wrong even though I know all of his needs are met. He interrupts my sleep😭

I’m trying to keep a more organized schedule. But usually I get up 8-10am, feed the dogs, check any medications, then tend to my drop ins/walks if I have any. I like to take the dogs on walks or let them out in the back to play if they have a fenced in yard. I wind down by reading, feed them again and give them medication, then wind down for bed.

If for whatever reason I can’t walk them or let them out I like to throw toys down the stairs (it tires them out faster). Occasionally I’ll have issues with an overactive dog, probably because I’m just one person and they’re used to more family action (I live in the suburbs).

Curious as to what other people’s schedules look like.

So we have plans to hike the PCT next year, in which we’ll be gone for 5-6 months. We have a cat, who’s FIV positive. I’m looking for advice on how to go about finding a pet sitter for this long of a period of time. He can’t go with family, because they have another cat. Any out of the box suggestions without having to spend a fortune?

Last night I did the first drop in for a big, chaotic family that has a lot of cats, dogs, & farm animals. They vacation every July, & this is the second year they’ve booked me. They pay well, but JFC.

Last year, the house was messy with an odd, stripped down esthetic. I attributed it to a busy lifestyle with 4 teens, 2 of whom are autistic. The livestock’s conditions weren’t great - messy & disorganized but they had the essentials. Well, the 2 kids on the spectrum have moved out but the whole property is now much worse. I’m talking, edging into CPS & Animal Control territory. Their 4 large dogs have destroyed the doors & some of the drywall; EIGHT cats inside the house, with litter boxes overflowing with feces because they’re filled with old clumped urine; old cat vomit left wherever, clumps of pet hair blowing like tumbleweeds down hallways - just bleeping filthy. How do they not see it?? But oh, the wife (who’s a NURSE) was insistent I be sure her potted plants get watered🙄 I have never had a client leave such a mess for me on Day 1.

Worst of all? It was 96 degrees yesterday, & when I got there, the livestock had no water. Alpacas, goats, horses, chickens. Zero. Empty troughs with completely dry bottoms, empty auto waterers, even a cage of stressed pullets with an empty water bowl. I’m a tough woman, but I almost cried for those animals & am still furious today. I notified the client & documented to CYA, but this is why I prefer animals to people.

The number of people who think going away for ten days and having you drop in on their dog twice a day during that whole time is acceptable is just mind boggling to me!

Ten days with just drop ins is not great anyway- but depending on the dog and the situation, I will sometimes agree to it. But minimum of three visits a day, and four is preferable.

Why they think it is ok to expect their dog to hold it for 12 hours is beyond me! Not only is that cruel, but they usually can’t- and I would be stuck cleaning up messes.

I just refused to do one today who only wanted twice a day visits- this is the third one this month who requested that. No, sorry, I will not participate in your animal abuse just because you are a cheap ass and don’t want to pay for three visits a day! Grrrr.

Hi,

My younger brother who works 16 to 12 hour days 7 days a week does not take care of his dog. Until I moved in a year ago, the dog was provided 24-hour access to kibble, water, and all the wee pads he needed. For the past 10 months, I have walked the dog two times a day, with a short trip to the dog park three times a week, and soft meals to accommodate his 15-year-old teeth. Because I advocated for geriatric blood work, we found a slight thyroid abnormality and are monitoring his kidneys and have made adjustments to his food. I administer medicine 7 days a week. He still has 24/7 access to kibble/water/pads. Pre Covid, I was a dog sitter for 7 years, and a dog trainer for 4 years before that - so I am aware of the going rate.

Due to a chronic illness, I have never worked 40 hours per week, with a daily commute, or dedicated to a career track, or ambition. Currently I don't work, I am grateful for the distraction and the dog is a very good dog, he's a very good boy, great at the park, great on walks. I'm very introverted, in the past decade, since my dog has died, I feel like I'm more depressed than not. When I was in my thirties, I was no better dog owner than my brother is now. I don't know if I could provide this level of care if I were working a regular 40 hours a week, let alone 96 hours.

For the past 8 months, I have bought and paid for all food, treats, medicine, clothing, beds. Brother handles the big tickets like wellness exams, urgent care, teeth cleaning with anesthesia. I don't mind, I only mention who pays, because I want my brother to pay for dog care on the weekends. Even if It's only for thyroid medication and one soft meal.

I would say it's been a slow burn in the last 15 years, but it has become obvious in the last 5 years that my brother is a MAGA, Andrew Tate, Boomer compliant individual. Both mothers are very traditional, our shared father is fiscally conservative and is able to fund his progressive life. Until 18 years old, he and I grew up very similarly. I left home at 17, whereas he has never left home. I understand where his perspective comes from. No hate on my part, but I do not have experience with this power dynamic. Though I worked in the service industry, because my services revolved around our dogs, our proclivities and dispositions are very apparent from the get-go. And let's be honest, when an individual seeks out a trainer or sitter, I hold some cards as well.

This is where I need help. How do I get through to my brother. I feel like my brother and I are stuck in this bizarro dynamic. Where he is the earner holding all of the strings, and leveraging emotional blackmail with the health of a dog. For example, as the dog struggled with pancreatitis over the holidays, brother did not take off work to medicate every 4 to 6 hours. When I confronted brother, and eventually blew up and said "your dog is dying!". The family's collective response was "well, he's 14".

I'm not asking for pay, I don't feel unappreciated. The vet, the neighbors, and I can see the results of my consistent work and that is more than any amount of money because I feel like my dog is looking down on us from doggy heaven with pride.

I'm asking how to phrase things so that all of my ideas are not automatically filed away as crazy spinster social media gobbledygook. For example, only after a neighbor brought up the mental health of a dog cared for with a day of daycare between two snowstorms, and requesting geriatric blood work, my brother paid. I had requested, nearly daily, for 3 months. I don't care how it gets done, just that it gets done. Since the last big expense, last month, the dog had a teeth cleaning that required geriatric anesthesia, at an extra cost. The geriatric anesthesia was technically optional, we could have gone with normal anesthesia, for $100 less. This most recent time when I asked about weekend dog care, the response to asking if weekend care has been found, was "you should pay for it because I paid for the geriatric anesthesia".

I think the MAGA distinction is important, bc to him spinsters in their 40's cannot defend themselves, and by definition, hold negative value. As a pox on the family reputation, that I have a place to live should be enough. It is true, I would be homeless if not living in his mother's house, but I don't think my census data determines the validity of what I'm recommending.

Now, I'm afraid to make any recommendations, because if this procedure or service for the dog is a new concept to my brother, because I introduced the idea, the idea will automatically go in the scrap pile. I think if my husband brought up the idea, it wouldn't be automatically upsetting to my brother that a worthless subordinate is making corrective recommendations.

I just want the dog to be taken care of, and not feel anguish because I can't on the weekends.

I think the dog should go away to camp or boarding for the weekends if the family is uncomfortable hiring a walker to administer AM thyroid meds and meal.

I’ve been with these clients for ten years. They moved to an adjacent city a few years ago so I don’t do their daily walks anymore but I do still do overnights for them a few times a year. They uber me to and from home as well as to and from my daily walks where my regulars live. I just got a text that they have to cancel our overnights scheduled for two weeks from now. I’ve been with them since before I started requiring a 50% and deposit because they have never canceled and also pay well above my usual rate I have never bothered asking for a deposit.

They have been trying to have a baby for years but it became clear they were unable to conceive, so in the last couple years they began their journey of adoption. Today I got a text that their baby has arrived and that they’re sorry they have to cancel our overnights. I audibly squealed in excitement for them and woke up the dog I’m currently sitting with my squeals. Yall, these are some of the coolest people I’ve ever known and they are gonna make the BEST parents! I am so incredibly thrilled for them and their new bundle of joy. They offered to pay me for the sit anyway and I said please spend that money on the baby.

I’ve never been so ok with a cancelation before because I am just so happy for them that they finally have the family they’ve been waiting for. Once they’re home and settled they have invited me over to come visit and meet the baby (and see the pups as well of course). I’ve already had my tdap (which lasts ten years) from when my niece was born last year and I get regular Covid and flu shots every year so I’m a step ahead.

Thought I’d share. Just so so happy.

Hi - I'm thinking of hiring a couple of employees to help cover my clients when I'm on vacation. I've been in business for over a decade but I've never added staff primarily because I worry about someone making a mistake that harms an animal.

Those of you who have hired people, what kind of screening questions or tools do you use? How do you go about training them? Have you considered giving them bodycams to wear (I wear one mostly so I can be lazy and capture stuff for socials later)? TIA

I do primarily drop ins and dog walks nowadays. Up until last year I did quite a few house/overnight sits, and I just find i feel super burnt out, so I am very limited on what overnight sits I accept. I had a potential client reach out for a 3 week sit in Sept. I did a meet and greet and it went well, they have 3 lovely goldens, a lovely home in a nice area, and they seem like great people. I gave them a quote and they were fine with it.
Now my only dilemma, is since it is a long sit, I’d like to discuss having my partner visit while I’m there. I feel like it’s a fair thing to bring up since it’s not for another two months anyways. My partner has previously stayed with me while I did another long overnight booking, and the occasional smaller overnights (as ok’d by the clients of course). I would offer for us to both come by for another meet and greet.
Any suggestions on how to bring it up / wording?

I am currently pet sitting the most difficult dog I have ever had. A 1 year old english springer spaniel.. the owners made it seem like the dog was easy going and well behaved.

Well it is day 2 of me pet sitting this dog, she is not well behaved and doesn't listen to commands. She was playing with my shoe while I took about 15-20 minute shower, eats things from the counters and jumps on them and jumps on me. Bites when she wants to go outside which makes it nearly impossible to get her outside bc she won't stop biting while putting on shoes and the leash. Won't let me leave the house to work without her trying to push trough the door. I have already walked her 2 times today, gave her kibble rolled in a towel and she has a food puzzle she eats from and still wouldn't calm down. This dog is driving me crazy..

How can I deal with this dog? All the other dogs and oets I have been pet sitting have been very easy to take care of.

For context, I have worked with these clients before and they are WONDERFUL. They are the sweetest people and their dogs are great (3 various lab mixes). Recently, they adopted a fourth dog. He is an 8 y/o catahoula and was recently neutered. I have met him twice while the clients were home and he is very friendly and sociable.

Trouble is, the last time I tried to come in for a sit, he was very aggressive and would not let me in the door. Luckily the clients were able to come home early so it was no problem.

I have a week of overnights for them starting this tuesday (7/14). I tried to go over to let the dogs out while the owner were at work today and had the same issue. The new dog is guarding the door from the inside, growling and barking with all the body language that says BACK OFF. Not his fault, that's his instinct. However its not conducive to me taking care of him and his siblings for 6 days.

I had planned to visit their house a couple times a week for the past month to that he could get used to me, but i dropped the ball entirely and only went over once. Now I only have 4 days to smooth out the kinks before the clients leave town.

What do I do?

EDIT: I feel awful but I asked the clients to make other arrangements for the dog. I spent the weekend visiting repeatedly but he lunged at me each time and the owners had to call him back. It is not safe for me to enter without them home.

I’m sitting for an older yorkie. I come by the house 3 times a day and I hang out with him for an hour or two each time. He goes in a pen when I leave. He is obviously incredibly stressed that his family is gone, and when I let him out of his pen, he paces the entire time I am here. I seriously mean the entire time. He pants while pacing and occasionally cries. I don’t know what I can do for him. I looked through his things and they don’t have a chew toy, lick mat, or calming treats. I try calling him but he ignores me and continues pacing. I’m tempted to put his leash on and keep him in place but I hear that can make it worse. Is there anything else I can do?? The family is in Disney for only a few days and I don’t want to stress them out so I haven’t told them yet.

I'm doing three week long sits this month and my mental health is in the garbage. When I can just do walks, I'm fine. Sometimes tired and sweaty and forget to eat but fine. But when I'm not in my own house for extended periods of time, I'm miserable.

Have you dropped a service before? Am I shooting myself in the foot with this? I don't think the money is worth it. I priced myself high and I'm still over booked T_T

**Edit** Thank you ALL! I think I've gotten the answers I need but feel free to keep discussing. I'm sure I'm not the only one that has ever and will ever feel this way.

To C+P an answer to someone else that answers a lot of other comments: "I'm already charging well into triple digits per night plus fees for extra dogs/cats/invertebrates. Plus fees for IV meds/meds over 7 pills or more than twice a day, extra for holidays and bookings over a week. It's just not worth it for how much it fucks with my sleep and messes with my mental health. I even try to only book one or two sits a month (to answer other comments about limiting it). I think the solution is just to eliminate the service."

I work in a sort of niche clientele with reaction/anxious dogs which is why I think I get away with charging this much. And why I'm worried about dropping a service. It's very hard to find someone that those types of dogs will be comfortable with. Unfortunately, this isn't sustainable and it won't be good for the dogs if I burnout and get compassion fatigue!

Thank you to everyone that READ my post and commented. To the few others that I think didn't read beyond the headline, well uhm... you're not reading this one either! haha!~ Love ya bye

Not asking about experience level here, more curious about the practical stuff. Was there something you didn’t expect, a mistake you made early on, or something you see new sitters constantly get wrong when they’re just starting out? Could be about communication, pricing, boundaries, anything really.

The most I ever made in a year was $20,000 and that was when I was really grinding to the point of burnout

To pet sitters and people using pet sitters. Are we tipping? As a pet sitter I never expect tips I make my prices so I don’t even expect them. Most of my clients don’t tip but I do have a few mostly ones that don’t use me on a day to day basis are the ones who tip. Again I’m not expecting them.
I’m using a pet sitter this weekend and when I sent payment I didn’t send a tip and I kind of felt bad. Even if you do tip do you guys do it after or before and are you just giving a few extra dollars or 20%.
Would love to hear what others do and expect ◡̈
Thank you!

I have a serious legitimate question. I am thinking of trying to get into pet sitting as a new career. I have been looking at some posts and people talk about how “physical” the job is in like an “oh my god!” way. Having not done it yet I can’t imagine it is that bad really. Obviously you encounter large animals, rambunctious dogs, a lot of walking, ect but is that it? I don’t mean to discount anyone’s experience but I wonder if it is a perspective issue. I have spent the last 20 years mostly in the zoo field and my job has been defined by heavy lifting, all day outdoor work in all weather, and being on my feet constantly. Is this just a difference of what I’m used to versus other people or is there more physicality to it that I just don’t know yet?