u/Cautious-Cap5278

I have a pretty full schedule. By pretty full I mean I don’t even really have time to myself anymore but I can’t afford to not work so I try to enjoy even if it’s an hour or two of free time. I have a regular client who I’ve been sitting for for almost 2 years now. Every single sit she books with me she asks “can you stop by at certain time? we changed a couple things for the dog’s schedules” and this client loves to talk. I will be at the door with my hand on the knob for 3 hours saying goodbye type of talk. I feel like they’re unnecessary little stop by’s because the “things” that change in the schedules is always “oh we add a tea spoon of broth now” or “we don’t put puppy pads down anymore” or last time it was “we switched food”. And the exact. Same. Routine. Respectfully unless you switched medications I don’t NEED to use my only free time to swing by to see how Debarkus likes his new food or what new color Kong he has. I don’t need to see how Debarkus got a new water bowl and you now put it 2 inches over from where it originally was at. Again, if it’s any change in meds, I’ll 100% be there no questions asked. But it’s always little things that could be written down on notes, not needing me physically there for, and I’m getting a bit annoyed of it at this point. Opinions? Do you have a client like this as well?

I know some people do rover with their partner, for those who don’t, when you have a house sitting gig, how do you ask the client if your partner, or anyone can stay? Do you ask in person or text? Owners opinions? Let me know!

Do you still continue your drop in when there’s people in the house?

I asked the owner if someone else was checking in on their pet since I noticed the garage was open with a car in it. Still waiting for them to confirm whether they’d like me to continue with the visit or if they forgot to let me know they didn’t need me today.

I got a request- 4 nights, pup cannot be left alone more than 2-4 hrs at a time, $205.20 after rover fees. Client also add they can pay extra for mileage. 35 mins away.
Would you take this? I’ve been upset rover doesn’t have me listed at the top anymore and I’ve been getting nearly 0 requests when I’m usually booked out. Then when one comes in it feels a bitttt of a stretch of a drive away. Opinions?

Have you ever lost or misplaced something at a clients house to where you started panicking?

I am just beyond furious. My partner’s boss needed her dogs let out. Ok cool first day was great. But these dogs are in the garage 24/7 only let out once a day. In the kennel the entire time. Mind you it’s 88 degrees where I’m at. 2 dogs super sweet, no intro first since they work out of town so I was hesitant at first but they warmed up quick. First visit I had to clean feces and pounds of hair from 28 hours that they were not cared for, let out, fed, no water. 2nd visit here. Both dogs dart out the backyard onto the street as I’m cleaning their kennels since the owners don’t seem to do so. The first one has a great recall and instantly comes back. The second is a Belgian mallinois and I chased her 7 BLOCKS and when I grabbed her by the collar she started yelping and trying to get away as hard as possible making it look like I was abusing her. I leave as soon as I put her back in the kennel. 15 mins later the owner asks if I’m still there and I say no. Asks me to TURN AROUND and let her 3rd dog out that’s inside. Why did you not say that while I was here??? Turned around on the highway. 3rd dog is HIGHLY aggressive. Shitzu. Peed himself when I even opened the door and immediately bit the kennel and barked, he jumped at me so hard through the kennel it tilted over. Imagine that. I get a pen. I get a spatula. Anything to just open the kennel so he can run out back and run back in without me touching him. DARTS OUT THE BACKYARD. BRO. I go chasing him in my car. Obviously he won’t come to me because he’s absolutely shitting himself and he nipped my hand already when trying to get him inside. “Just grab him by his scuff and bring him back in” what part of your dog isn’t coming back in wasn’t clear?? Mind you I have an appointment at 12. It’s 10:48. Now I’m waiting for a family member to come help me catch him because he will not come to me. I asked the owner any suggestions on how to grab him? I can call animal control to come grab him for me. “Can you just put him inside? :)” hello??? Your dog IS TERRIFIED and clearly is not friendly. Family member was supposed to be here in 10 mins. It’s been 45. What. The. Fuck.

Update: family member arrived and even with them the dog would not come inside.

Okay I just would like opinions on what you guys think because maybeee I’m not understanding correctly? I have a new client wanting to book me 07/09-07/13. After rover fee’s it’ll only be $356. 3 dogs. They stated their backyard is fully fenced so the dogs don’t need walked just let out 5 times a day, have someone stay, and playtime. Husky is an escape artist. The first intro text they sent me they added towards the end, “My husband is very protective of all the dogs but your reviews speak very highly of you”. Ok that already put me in a “I need to exceed expectations” type of mood. Which I always love to please new clients but realistically of course. I do not provide 24/hr care. They get up at 5 am. Go out. 7:30 am, go out. Can be alone 8 hrs max but they’re not left alone typically more than 4/5 hrs. Now here’s where my confusion comes in. “You wouldn’t need to be here all the time, but we are definitely looking for someone to stay the night with them and let them out a few times during the day, play, etc.” that eased my mind thinking ok, awesome they’re not expecting me to be there 24/7 and aren’t overly anxious clients. 2 weeks later they text me again and just say “Also, my husband is worried about the fact our flight leaves super early Friday morning. Would you be willing to stay the night 7/8 so we wouldn’t have to leave the dogs alone the morning of 7/9?” I thought they were fine to be alone 8 hrs max..? Let’s say the flight leaves at 4 am. And they leave at let’s say 2:30-3. I could realistically get there at 7 am, being within the 4/5 hr window they’re used to being alone. I even asked chat gpt to confirm I read it right and what I’m understanding is they want me to stay the night the 8th, while they’re asleep as well waiting for their flight to leave, just so the dogs won’t be alone at all after they leave? I thought they’d be fine for a couple hours?? I just don’t feel comfortable sleeping in someone’s house while they’re physically present especially if they’re that anxious about leaving them already. I don’t know them and haven’t even done a meet and greet yet. Mind you they would not be paying for the extra night since I’d probably arrive around 9/10 pm and it wouldn’t be considered a full day, just a literal sleepover with strangers. Also, my mother’s birthday is the 8th. If you’re familiar with Latino birthdays and festivities, you know they can go on pretty much all nighttt. Advice? Opinions? TIA! (I haven’t responded to them)

Start time of the booking would be 10 am for what they requested initially **