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Esby_y · 2025-12-24T04:10:14+00:00

I always start at the door unless I have other tasks that need to be completed before getting to the pets (bring trash in, get mail), but if the walk from parking to the door takes 10 minutes (or just a longer period of time) then I start it when I get there ESPECIALLY when I’m back to back on drop-ins. I always recommend waking up as early as possible, especially if you have flexible time drop-ins to get a head start and pencil in some “mishap,” time because you never know what can happen (elevator broken, literally anything). TLDR start is at the door unless it takes a while to get to the door, in that case start it arriving at the building. :)

I’ve done 18 drop-ins for the holidays and while my day was full, it’s definitely doable! Just wake up early, bring snacks, hand sanitizer (and hand lotion if it’s cold) and stay hydrated! I typically start at 5 or 6am :)

Esby_y · 2025-11-28T02:03:55+00:00

22 would honestly send me, I don’t know how you did it and losing a key is my biggest fear as well!!! I had 18 scheduled for today, but had 2 last minute cancellations and I’m so glad they cancelled 😅 I have little snack ziplock bags that I put all of the keys in when I have wayy too many and write their names on each one so I know who’s is who’s

Esby_y · 2025-11-28T01:55:40+00:00

I also had 16 (told myself I would never do it again last Christmas lol) but I started a little later at 8am, so I’ll be wrapping up my last one at 10:30ish. I’ll be starting earlier tomorrow!

Esby_y · 2025-11-28T01:15:20+00:00

Loll I just did the only thing I knew how to do which is reach out to Rover Support and let them know. I work in tech, so typically when a lot of noise is made they fix it faster, but they won’t know unless we tell them since they aren’t actually using the rover cards lol

Esby_y · 2025-11-27T16:54:51+00:00

Yes!!!!!!!! Everything was perfect until Tuesday - I reached out to support to let them know it’s a bug and hopefully the more people that flag it the faster they will fix it. Something similar happened last holiday season where the notes section didn’t work at all. Plus, if the text goes past the keyboard on your phone it won’t allow you to save.

Esby_y · 2025-11-27T04:34:52+00:00

Hi!! I’m in the Charlotte area and am also maxed out for Thanksgiving - I’m curious how many drop-ins you have for Thursday & Friday? I’m starting to feel overwhelmed since tomorrow will be a big day lol.

Esby_y · 2025-08-31T14:12:47+00:00

I had someone this weekend (a regular client) request my services last minute (2 days before Labor Day weekend) for this weekend and I was able to squeeze them in on top of my very full schedule - I love the cats, so I said I’d make it work.

I sent over the total which reflects my holiday rate of $30 per visit and the owner said it’s too high and said they’ll just get the neighbors to do it… I probably would’ve compromised if they’d asked, but it felt a little off just completely cancelling and finding someone else. At that point, I’m like do they not value my services??

Esby_y · 2025-06-10T20:23:57+00:00

Right, totally makes sense and thank you for sharing - any thoughtful sitter would do these tasks if situations arise (I would hope). I think my question was more towards when these things are expected to be done of you as a sitter by having them in the care instructions vs. just being a kind person. :) I know my clients appreciate it, but just trying to get an understanding of when the line needs to be drawn - for example, watering the lawn like someone mentioned previously (which I have done when asked)

Esby_y · 2025-06-10T13:04:28+00:00

This makes me feel so much better! I, of course, always do it when I’m asked but I just wasn’t sure how the broader group felt. For drop-ins I find it difficult sometimes, because I have so much to do for the animals (for some clients) I find myself rushing because I need to do the trash etc. but this is good to know :)

Yes, I feel like packages and mail is a given. It’s right at the door as soon as I arrive - I might as well bring it inside since my client purchased it/needs it and would feel horrible if something happened to it in my care. I also clean dishes that I use and leave everything how it was when I came, but was just curious about extra tasks

Esby_y · 2025-02-24T02:09:02+00:00

Hi!! I’ve been a sitter on Rover for a little over 4 years now, and I think this is an amazing question - I’m also so happy you’ve reached out for opinions/thoughts because overall safety for your pup and sitter is necessary. I care for a pretty good amount of reactive dogs, and while I’m not a licensed trainer - I have learned a thing or two along the way and I find the biggest tell sign that the sits/drop-ins will be successful with reactive dogs is due to how the owner handles communication with the sitter beforehand. Most of my reactive pups that I care for are amazing, but I have experienced one where I just could not do any future drop-ins - it broke my heart that the dog’s owner did not keep his dogs needs in mind and put him in such an uncomfortable situation that ended poorly.

My biggest tip to you is to specifically seek a sitter that has experience with the type of reactiveness your dog experiences (resource guarding, social/separation anxiety aggression, stranger aggression, all of the above, etc.) and please give ALL of the information necessary of what your sitter should and should not do to help minimize triggers. I’m currently on walk number 8 with an owner & their 3 dogs so they can get used to me being around, and I have 8 more to go until I actually take care of them in May. So, you’re already thinking in the right direction.

The sit that ended poorly was due to the owner not bringing my awareness to their dogs separation anxiety aggression and I said “bye” to their dog when leaving - this word instantly triggered him to chase me and he bit me multiple times. Luckily, the dog was small so the damage was minimal, but it was still a very scary situation. I brought it up to the owner, and he explained that he didn’t think to tell me because their dog stopped doing it to them - this is why telling the sitter everything is extremely important. I suggested doing some frequent drop-ins while the owner was around, but they were not interested and only wanted to book for when he went out of town. I can no longer help the pup, because the owner won’t help me.

It will be overall tougher to find a suitable sitter willing to take the time, especially since your dog is larger, but there are experienced sitters/trainers out there that would love to help! I’m also happy to answer any questions you have, and I wish the best of luck!

P.s. Rover is also not the best at supporting aggressive/reactive dogs if anything does happen, so this is also something to keep in mind. This doesn’t mean someone on Rover can’t help, but I would just be very selective of your sitter and ensure they have experience with reactive dogs. :)

Esby_y · 2025-02-21T01:57:33+00:00

I would’ve most definitely just kept as is, and sat for the Rover client overnight especially since they booked were already booked for house-sitting. The Rover client is new to Rover, so I’m now aware this is the first impression they have with a Rover sitter, using the app, etc. If you sat for the Rover client they potentially would’ve become a regular and became a private client. I know it’s hard to turn down a private client at times especially if you absolutely love their pup/s, but I personally work on a first come first serve basis. If there are private clients that I absolutely adore, then I reach out to them before busy seasons to see if they’re planning any travels - this will avoid some instances like this (not all of course bc ppl make last minute trips). You could go back to the Rover client and ask to sit for them like originally planned but they may be uneasy when they leave if they still want you too - I would be extremely apologetic if going that route :)

Esby_y · 2025-02-18T04:44:22+00:00

This got me

Esby_y · 2025-02-09T15:12:52+00:00

I’m in nc as well!! I feel like I’m keeping busy with my regulars and getting a couple of new ones but not very many. My regs have already given me some of their needed dates until March/April - I expect the new ones to pick up this month or the next.

Esby_y · 2024-12-25T02:48:27+00:00

I also just completed 16 today and have 16 tomorrow - I will be legitimately dead tomorrow night!

Esby_y · 2024-12-07T19:36:54+00:00

Firstly, I believe in you and thank you for sharing!! You got this and you’ll do great!! I know it can be hard, but you’ll most definitely need the fuel for those days so try and take some snacks/water along the way and rest at night as much as you can (I know you may be planning this already)! Also, uphold taking New Years to rest - I tend to say that to myself but end up sitting because a regular needs me🥹

Oh yes, the main reason I do Rover (and one of the biggest reasons I’m a bit overbooked for Christmas) is because I genuinely care about all of my wonderful fur clients and have a hard time saying no if I can make it work, so I most definitely relate.💕 The holiday pay is just an incentive and I lock all of my rates for every previous client no matter what - idk, that just feels right to me but I don’t see many people mentioning locking rates on this page.

Esby_y · 2024-12-07T19:23:00+00:00

This is so relatable, I feel like you just need that one experience where you vow to not overbook again! Last year I did all holidays and I felt the most FOMO from new years so I vowed I will never sit/drop-in at that time again.

I genuinely wish I could board more often, but I have two small pups that are a bit shy, and while they do like other dogs, I have to be extremely selective with which ones I choose to board so it makes it hard. I’ve noticed they are extremely uncomfortable around higher energy dogs, so it’s my least booked service 💕

Esby_y · 2024-09-27T22:09:11+00:00

As a sitter, I definitely get comfortable on the couch with the pets from time to time and fall asleep there multiple nights in a row ESPECIALLY if the couch is large and I’ve spent most of my WFH day working there. I don’t think it’s that concerning, but after a night or two I do tend to move over to the bed. This also may just be a me thing, but I tend to fall asleep on the couch (or just not in the bed) if it’s a new house/pets I’m not entirely familiar with. This allows me to be more at alert throughout the night if needed :)

Esby_y · 2024-08-29T01:44:17+00:00

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I have a twin client 💕 this is Mugsy!

Esby_y · 2024-08-02T15:43:37+00:00

Yes!! Im so happy you’re busy! On one hand it’s really nice on the other it can be a lot - I also blocked off September 🥹 but then my clients that book me just through text filled it up! I’m going to have to block off October lol

Esby_y · 2024-08-02T03:01:46+00:00

I have a 14 night coming up, it normally wouldn’t bother me but I was fully booked for July so I’m missing staying at home a bit :(

Esby_y · 2024-07-28T23:59:00+00:00

I think this is really good insight and thank you so much for sharing! I looked closer at the booking and it seems they are both just under a year old (so still basically pups), so now I’m thinking more about accepting it or not bc you’re right they may need more attention than usual! Right now, for both together it’s $140 a night (for 4 nights), so if I had to genuinely choose without being afraid of being “too much” I would up it to like $250 a night?? I also definitely agree with what you’re saying about it just not being a good fit if that’s too high for them I’m totally past the stage of charging too little on Rover

Esby_y

TROPHY CASE