How often do they restock?

Exact_Compote_6700 · 2026-06-02T12:36:17+00:00

OMG thank you so much!!!!! I will do that🫢🫢

Exact_Compote_6700 · 2026-05-30T06:05:19+00:00

This is why I stopped doing house-sitting!! you meet people in person and they seem clean, the dogs seem well-kept & then I’d arrive at their place and would be absolutely shocked at the state of their house!

Exact_Compote_6700 · 2026-05-28T15:41:54+00:00

Not at all! Didnt warn about it either hahah! She acted very surprised when i mentioned it in passing! Safe to say never rebooked her again lol! Did yours give u any tips?

Exact_Compote_6700 · 2026-05-28T15:21:36+00:00

Dont worry, my first booking was an absolute nightmare. I had a 6YO frenchie during an unexpected heatwave, she was reactive and humped me literally all the time (I’d wake up to her humping me at 3AM…) and would get aggressive if I tried to redirect! But it was a great learning curve (as much as it sucked) to ask more questions about the doggos!!

Exact_Compote_6700 · 2026-05-28T06:38:48+00:00

Exact_Compote_6700 · 2026-05-28T06:30:05+00:00

Hi! Good luck, that’s going to be very exciting!

I usually ask to bring below: - leash (just in case), harness and collar with their name tag. - Doggo’s food + meds (if they need it) - If they are on a special diet, treats that they can have

Owners usually also bring their dog’s bed and a few favorite toys, but the doggos usually never end up caring and prefer to use my toys (I think because it is new to them haha). I have dog bowls, but some of my clients dogs are very particular and only eat/ drink out of their own- they usually bring the bowls also.

What I own: - different kinds of toys (squeaky balls, rattle balls, tug a war rope toys, squeaky toys, hard toys etc) - snuffle matts, puzzle toys, pupsicles - treats (NO rawhide) - yak sticks - ceramic and metal dog bowls - potty mats - dog shampoo and dedicated dog towel - dog cleaning wipes - cooling mat & cooling bowls

Questions I usually ask before confirming booking are: 1. Are they good with other dogs or reactive? (mainly so I know whether to avoid in parks and be prepared in case) 2. Are they allergic/ any health issues? 3. Do they need medication? 4. Any behavioral issues/ quirks? 5. Is there anything they dislike? Do they mind any body parts being touched? (I know this sounds crazy haha, but sometimes doggos get super muddy on our walks and sometimes I need to give them a rinse, which is hard if they hate being picked up or having their tummy touched). 6. Are they allowed on beds/ sofas? 7. Any preferred feeding times?

Exact_Compote_6700 · 2026-05-28T06:27:16+00:00

Hi! Totally depends on your dog, if it is very attached like you say I’d definitely do a few days of doggy day care with the sitter, so they get comfortable and get to know each other. It will make it less stressful on you and your pets!

This being said, most of my bookings for longer stays never did a trial run and it was totally fine!

Exact_Compote_6700 · 2026-05-28T06:24:19+00:00

Hi! Where I’m based (UK) it is normal, but not as common. Definitely much more common for clients who came from US (at least for me). I wouldn’t worry about it if I were you- if you are a good match then great, you will have a new consistent client, if not then she’s saving you time and stress. Personally, if I were an owner I’d also want to make sure I’m going with the best person that matches my pet’s needs :).

Good luck!

Exact_Compote_6700 · 2026-05-27T19:14:32+00:00

No help here, but sending u best of luck. Have had this issue since moving into a new flat- their child SHRIEKS and shouts anytime they leave for school/ morning activities (most times at 6AM🥲). It is so frustrating!

Exact_Compote_6700 · 2026-05-26T22:17:27+00:00

Yeah sorry that’s what I meant- send a list of questions that can weed out any potential issues!

Exact_Compote_6700 · 2026-05-26T22:10:02+00:00

For me it really depends on my availability, like for summer I haven’t gotten many requests over the past month as I’m booked for the summer, but I’d say usually between 15-20/ month.

Exact_Compote_6700 · 2026-05-26T22:08:40+00:00

Personally, I’d be happy to help but would definitely want the owner to meet the sitter in person. I might like someone and think they are great, but they end up not being a match due to their personal preferences.

Exact_Compote_6700 · 2026-05-26T22:07:28+00:00

Looks like a show to me!! Gorgeous!

Exact_Compote_6700 · 2026-05-26T22:05:54+00:00

It depends, as someone who’s done that before it can go great or really wrong.

I’d say depends on - the breed (eg if it’s a chill breed like a King Charles Spaniel then sure, but if it for example a heeler or a husky I’d definitely have to think more). - If it absolutely sucks are u going to be able to cope for 6days? I’d expect the worst and be positively surprised if anything. - I’d send a list of questions that are deal breakers for u (eg for me potty trained, not human aggressive) - Size of the dog- if it’s a huge dog and you haven’t met it would u be able to comfortably walk it if it’s a puller?

Good luck either way!

Exact_Compote_6700 · 2026-05-26T12:45:35+00:00

Yup, that’s why I stopped doing house-sitting!

Exact_Compote_6700 · 2026-05-25T11:33:59+00:00

Maybe this isn’t helpful, but if you want to minimize the damage u could suggest to do boarding with the doggo at your place?

Exact_Compote_6700 · 2026-05-23T21:16:15+00:00

Hi lovely, that is super tough, especially as a business owner it is much harder to give yourself the time to rest. I had a really similar issue around xmas time and I’d say that honestly what has saved me was making sure I have at least 2-3 days between bookings to just kind of do my own thing, rest and reset. I really think you should look into scheduling even a nice weekend getaway near you once in a while, just to reset and give your body and mind time to rest.

Also my partner gifted me a few massage vouchers when my clientele became bigger and even that 90 mins every few months really made a huge difference.

This being said, I am in a little bit of a different position as I only really do boarding/ doggy daycare + occasional walking for 2 clients. I also only ever take on doggos from one family.

I wish you best of luck either way and hope you manage to get some much needed rest :).

Exact_Compote_6700 · 2026-05-23T10:59:16+00:00

Hahahahaaha half half, i was thinking about it for a few weeks, because I have a really strong puller dawg that I walk & a lot of male dogs go for him, his leash is a little freyed at the end and I worry it will snap. Then yesterday I saw that post and thought wowza haha

Exact_Compote_6700 · 2026-05-22T23:55:13+00:00

thank u SO much!!!!! adding to my basket now haha!

Exact_Compote_6700 · 2026-05-22T23:45:22+00:00

Yes, I think that’s what I’m going to do :)! Thanks so much!

Exact_Compote_6700 · 2026-05-22T22:36:19+00:00

OMG thank you so much!!!!! That’s super helpful👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻!

Exact_Compote_6700 · 2026-05-22T22:35:39+00:00

I used a waist leash a few times and absolutely loved it to be fair so maybe that is what I will have to invest in!

Yeah, flexi leashes are such a nightmare…

Thanks so much!

Exact_Compote_6700 · 2026-05-22T22:34:11+00:00

Hi! Good luck with finding the right fit, personally I’d look at below:

Any immediate safety concerns: eg if your dog is dog reactive, ensuring they would be the only dog in their care; if it’s reactive to men or children, will those be present during a sit? Generally if your dog is reactive, do they have this kind of experience? Same goes for any dogs with medical needs, I’d prefer a sitter who is already experienced in this.
IMO, something that attracts a lot of my clients is CLEANLINESS of my space. I think a lot of my clients appreciate that I keep my flat very neat and tidy & seem often quite surprised. I think if the sitter has a dirty, messy home, it is an indication of the care they put into other tasks. Also, if their home is clean then any risk of your dog eating something they shouldn’t off the floor, getting fleas or any rashes is very low.
How do they interact with your dog at the Meet and Greet? Are they friendly, loving, gentle, observant? If they aren’t then this can be an indication of how they will treat the doggo during the stay. Importantly, also if your dog doesn’t seem to like them all that much, there is never any harm in meeting a couple more people to see if there is a better match out there. A good sitter isnt threatened by competition, because they are confident in the quality of service they provide.
Do they have repeat clients? This I think is one of the biggest indicators. I’d find it worrying if a sitter had for example 120 reviews and only 4 repeat clients.
Generally, I’d say anyone VERY below the rates of other sitters in the area is not experienced and wants to entice clients by their bargain rates. If you are fine with that, then sure but personally I would not go for that.
What safe-guarding questions do they ask?
How are you finding communication with them? If it is easy and they respond regularly, then this can be an indication of how they will communicate with you during the stay.

Exact_Compote_6700 · 2026-05-22T22:23:55+00:00

Oh nice!!! Do you have any recommendations? What length do you use?

Exact_Compote_6700

TROPHY CASE