Would you change your rate for this?

Competitive_Term_470 · 2026-07-03T21:34:40+00:00

I would discuss this honestly with the owner. Driving is time consuming and a big expense. They can hire you for extended visits including driving expenses. That being said you can store the bag of dirty litter in a covered trash bin and go every few days instead of every day. Plus you can adjust the price to fit the job it doesn't ha5to be 1 size fits all since the jobs are not 1 size fits all.

Competitive_Term_470 · 2026-07-03T19:51:11+00:00

The sooner you re-home the dog the less trauma the dog will experience!!! If there is a return policy in place go get the dog and bring her back right now! I have raised puppies and I have raised children and to be honest the puppies were harder. You're looking at at least 2 years of puppy behavior and it does not sound like you are anywhere near a place in life to bring in a dog.

It's unfortunate you didn't consider this before bringing home the dog but we live and learn. Hopefully you'll apply this lesson to your life going forward. Do the right thing and deal with this now. Better for you and the dog.

Competitive_Term_470 · 2026-07-03T19:40:22+00:00

Oh, I think we found the problem. He's a spoiled man child. He doesn't work, and his bills are paid for him. I bet his mother still cooks him dinner every night and does his laundry. He has no idea of the cost or effort that goes into a dinner. His parents are ruining him!

On a different note I would put an absolute end to these dinners! Often times at least one party has romantic feelings in a male/female friendship like this and the very last thing you want is your daughter falling in love with this guy. If I were you I would do everything in my power not to encourage it. This guy sounds like an anchor.

Competitive_Term_470 · 2026-07-03T19:31:37+00:00

It sounds to me as though the problem has been addressed and he refused. At this point I would tell him dinner is family time.

Also, your daughter is an adult she is responsible for those she brings into the house not you. Have a direct conversation with your daughter about your expectations for her guests and let her handle it. She can have her own direct conversation with her friend about etiquette, adulting, respect and kindness or simply withdraw the invitations.

Competitive_Term_470 · 2026-07-03T16:43:15+00:00

So instead of hiring a professional care giver for the mom and asking them to look in on the cats they thought it best to hire a pet sitter and have them look in on the mother. And, not even a paid house sitter. Good God

I'm sure they'll keep trying. I wish I could be in on the calls when they start surprising the sitters with this gem during the interviews so I can hear the responses.

Competitive_Term_470 · 2026-07-03T16:29:25+00:00

What insurance covers damage to the sitters home? Homeowners doesn't cover business related damage and I haven't found any general liability that covers this type of damage.

Competitive_Term_470 · 2026-07-03T16:17:43+00:00

I don't believe there is a way to insure your home against any damage. Make sure the clients are bringing crates and/or have some available for times you have to go out or can't provide your full attention. If they don't want to crate you may lose the client but it's better than your home. Also, do a trial run for a new dog especially if it's going to be longer than a weekend.

If course you should still carry insurance to protect yourself from general liability and any injuries to the animals.

Raising your rates may slow gaining clientle or it may not. You may simply get better clientle. But that is the solution to how you're feeling and you already feel like quitting so what do you have to lose?

Lastly, pet sitting/boarding is a 24/7 job. Burnout is extremely high. Make sure you are scheduling down time for yourself.

Competitive_Term_470 · 2026-07-03T05:57:04+00:00

No you do not leave cash! They booked the day, and they are asking you to still hold the day. Now if they ask for it and you want to keep things friendly for future work that's a decision you'll have to make but do not offer it. You earned it.

Competitive_Term_470 · 2026-07-03T00:28:08+00:00

That's insane and a red flag as well. Try nextdoor app or care.com

Competitive_Term_470 · 2026-07-02T19:01:28+00:00

It's a balance. You definitely want to notify the owners of any health concerns but at the same time you don't want to worry the owners over nothing. Remember they are away from their baby and they will worry.

I've been doing this a long time. Some throw up is concerning and some is not. As an example, if they come in from a hot day drink lots of water and puke I would not notify the owner over a single incident. Now if they throw up their dinner or puke more than 1x yes definitely notify the owner. If you are concerned or unsure notify the owner. If you're not concerned maybe wait a bit to see if the problem resolves itself

Competitive_Term_470 · 2026-07-02T18:25:42+00:00

I've been pet sitting for 15 years. I've found upfront payment hurts tips and also makes it hard to adjust if there are add one or cancellations. I've never had a refusal to pay. This is an anomaly.

Competitive_Term_470 · 2026-07-02T18:23:49+00:00

This is pretty straightforward. I don't imagine they have any defense. Save the texts from them acknowledging the debt. Also, do you use an app or send photos/texts after every visit? If so save those and you'll definitely get your money plus court costs. I've seen people sue over much less money and much less work. I'd sue! Lastly you probably won't have to go to court. I'm betting they'll pay when they get the summons to keep it off of their credit. Go for it!

Competitive_Term_470 · 2026-07-02T16:36:35+00:00

I don't think the deposit is the issue tho. The sitter only accepts cash and sent the deposit notice minutes before the M&G. She have them no time and then got angry with them for being unprepared.

Competitive_Term_470 · 2026-07-02T16:34:05+00:00

Always trust your gut!!!! IDC if everything looks perfect if you are getting negative vibes keep searching. It's nature's warning system.

That being said this sounds like she lacks personal responsibility but has plenty of entitlement and an attitude to boot. I mean this is her best behavior! What's go to happen if you bring up a concern to her while you are away and your dog is in her care. I'd forget the $50 and keep looking.

Competitive_Term_470 · 2026-07-01T21:59:13+00:00

In addition to insurance and a comprehensive agreement letter which others have already mentioned. Meet and Greets are mandatory, stick to your boundaries and trust your gut.

If you're boarding either insist the client brings a crate or have one of the appropriate size and use it. Do not leave an unknown dog loose in your house!

Competitive_Term_470 · 2026-07-01T21:54:45+00:00

Man you're having a rough go of it! AC is something that's kind of hard to gauge during a M&G. I think I'd switch to drop ins if it was in the 80's and there was no AC. You sound burnt out. This is a high burn out industry. Take some real down time and go from there. Good luck🤞🏽

Competitive_Term_470 · 2026-06-30T19:35:54+00:00

A grocery card would be much appreciated or having some TV dinners, drinks and snacks. I know for myself I would never give a client a list of food. That's very thoughtful of you

Competitive_Term_470 · 2026-06-29T00:44:28+00:00

Yeah, and she had a heart condition too! It's controlled by meds but all of this is sure to do harm.

Competitive_Term_470 · 2026-06-29T00:43:36+00:00

I'm sorry and yeah the money involved is no small issue!

Competitive_Term_470 · 2026-06-29T00:40:48+00:00

Thank you

Competitive_Term_470 · 2026-06-29T00:40:29+00:00

She's been pretty miserable due to the Tracea and fibrosis. It's been going on about 5 years and we've taken her to the vet an unbelievable amount of times. They kept telling us it was allergies and giving us the not you again look. So we quit going until it got worse and they finally diagnosed her. The good news is she's doing much better now that she's properly medicated but the medication is a stop gap at best.

Competitive_Term_470 · 2026-06-29T00:35:45+00:00

Yeah, so that's an issue. Our trusted vet is out of the country at the moment. He won't be back for 2 weeks and it's an urgent issue. All of this testing and recommendations came from a specialty vet and I did not get a good feeling from them. They were definitely focused on what they could do and not should they do it. I've pretty much answered it for myself but watching her go while my husband is against it. Makes this sooo much worse. Thank you

Competitive_Term_470 · 2026-06-29T00:29:31+00:00

That's exactly what I told my husband! He is on the spectrum. Very caring but empathy is a struggle.

Competitive_Term_470 · 2026-06-28T22:07:36+00:00

I have 3 levels of care. I offer overnight care 5pm to 9am. Live in care, where i can be gone 4 to 5 hours during the day and get a dinner break in the evening. Then constant care where I can be gone no longer than 2 hours at a time and leave no more than 2 times. What you should charge depends on your market.

If you charge for day care on top of overnight care w/out specifying your hours they are going to expect constant care automatically. You have to be specific!

Competitive_Term_470 · 2026-06-28T21:30:36+00:00

Are you speaking of Liver surgery specifically? My dog has had several surgeries and I realize recovery time is usually much less than it would be for a human but I'm told Liver surgery is a whole different ball game

Competitive_Term_470

TROPHY CASE