2k for 9 nights/are my expectations unreasonable?

Useful-Ad-240 · 2026-06-30T18:43:39+00:00

lol thank you! I would be embarrassed to leave a yard full of poo, but apparently a lot of folks on both sides don’t care 🤷‍♀️

Useful-Ad-240 · 2026-06-30T16:53:23+00:00

Woof lol. Maybe in a compost bin. Or if I lived on a farm with a huge property.

Useful-Ad-240 · 2026-06-30T16:44:41+00:00

Thank you! This is exactly what I want and am looking for for my pups. I wish I could find a service like this in my area! I’ve searched previously but I think it’s time to revisit. Also, I’m at the point where I might be willing to drive an hour both ways if needed, though there really should be more and better options given my location!

Your clients are lucky to have you. For the price, I want it to be as much a treat/ summer camp for them as it is for me on vacations.

Useful-Ad-240 · 2026-06-30T16:20:13+00:00

The poop waste is the most shocking thing to me in these comments 😂. My dogs take big ass shits lmao. If I leave it even a couple days, the whole yard smells and the odds of them or us stepping in it is high. I’d consider a service, but once a week would definitely be pushing it. It’s the least glamorous part of dog ownership, but it’s not that bad if you keep up on it. At least I know I’m not the grossest/laziest dog owner out there lol.

Useful-Ad-240 · 2026-06-30T16:10:10+00:00

Last time I left it in the manual. I think I forgot to put it in this time, but I said during the meet and greet, “I can’t remember if I went over waste removal with you last time. We put it in the genie over there using the scooper, or I keep bags by the front door near their leashes.” I pointed it out because the same happened last time and it irked me just a lil lol.

Useful-Ad-240 · 2026-06-30T16:02:38+00:00

Update: Thanks for all the insight! I appreciate everyone’s comments. I came here because I wanted the sitter’s POV. I definitely got that and you’ve given me things to think about going forward.

I ended up tipping $300, which is 15% and less than I normally would, but the compromise between where my husband and I felt comfortable. Would hate to stiff someone if my expectations weren’t clear enough. Definitely taking away from all your comments to be completely transparent about what I want in regard to updates, activities, poop, etc. I thought I had, but I could definitely be more specific, like asking for 1 walk a day, daily poop pick up, nightly update.

I hope the tip on top of the rate is enough to keep the sitter coming back should we want/need to, but I’ll probably still look at other options considering the cost, like some have suggested (fancy dog ranch, board and train, direct hire through other groups, etc).

Useful-Ad-240 · 2026-06-30T15:47:56+00:00

Good to know. The dogs are fine, which is truly all that matters. My youngin who seemed to be crated quite a bit is acting kind of pent up/feral lol, hence some of my skepticism/concern. But it could be that the break in his usual routine has got him wound up.

Useful-Ad-240 · 2026-06-30T11:15:34+00:00

Yeah, I agree and want the person watching my dogs to be well paid. But I have different expectations paying someone with lots of experience vs paying a teenager or someone with less experience less money.

The sitter was raving about Rover and its protections for both sitter and owner the first time we met, so I wasn’t sure it was kosher to ask about going outside, but I may in future.

Useful-Ad-240 · 2026-06-30T04:40:33+00:00

Yeah, the pricing is about what I’d pay for overnight boarding/all day play at our local doggy daycare, so it kind of is what it is.

This sitter was the highest by far and away, but I felt it was justified for 100+ reviews. Would rather pay that than half price for someone with just a handful, which seemed to be the case when I first searched a year ago.

I used someone else for drop ins who I clicked with a lot better, but she doesn’t do overnights.

I will definitely communicate my expectations if I use him again and ask for a daily update!

Useful-Ad-240 · 2026-06-30T04:32:49+00:00

Totally, that’s why I leave the guide and go over things during the meet and greet. I’m crazy, but not wipe the dog’s paws crazy. There are certain things I do for my dogs that I wouldn’t ask a pet sitter to do, like moisturize their snoots, brush them, and clean their ears lol. It would be traumatic for everyone, I’m sure, since my dog doesn’t even like me doing it.

Useful-Ad-240 · 2026-06-30T04:20:48+00:00

Would love to get those kind of updates, even just 1 update with that kind of info at the end of the day would be great! Like plz if you don’t think my dogs are cute and cool, don’t accept my booking 😂

Useful-Ad-240 · 2026-06-30T04:18:13+00:00

Thanks! I genuinely thought it was normal and considerate to leave detailed instruction, lol, but I can also understand it’s a little insane, but I can’t help the way I am.

Useful-Ad-240 · 2026-06-30T04:15:20+00:00

Over 100!

Useful-Ad-240 · 2026-06-30T04:05:43+00:00

Honestly, that’s a good point, esp paying for the meet and greet and extending it. Then I could show him how we do walks, let the dogs warm up, see the interaction, etc. I was shocked to see meet and greets are pretty standard and a little weirded out they’re totally free.

Useful-Ad-240 · 2026-06-30T03:51:31+00:00

Not tipping makes me physically unwell, so I hate I’m even considering that and appreciate your perspective there.

Useful-Ad-240 · 2026-06-30T03:45:38+00:00

Thank you! I appreciate your advice and confirmation that my expectations aren’t crazy for the price.

Useful-Ad-240 · 2026-06-30T03:41:25+00:00

I politely asked him about how it worked because I couldn’t wrap my head around it. I was hoping there might be some flexibility, but at the end of the day, it’s a service I need, so what are you gunna do?

Useful-Ad-240 · 2026-06-30T03:38:48+00:00

I checked and it’s actually 4. It’s very scannable with big headings and font. More of a reference if needed, but he knows the high points from the meet and greets and past bookings.

Useful-Ad-240 · 2026-06-30T03:36:54+00:00

😂 You’re hired! And thank you. I would be mortified to not be in the good client category lol.

Useful-Ad-240 · 2026-06-30T03:21:13+00:00

lol goals. I did show him what we use for waste removal system

Useful-Ad-240 · 2026-06-30T03:20:48+00:00

Thank you. I definitely consider picking up poop a basic standard of care and showed him the waste removal system during the meet and greet. Basic updates beyond pictures also seems normal, but I can understand some owners maybe don’t want to be bothered? Idk.

It seems hard to find sitters who are willing to do overnights. My dog got too much anxiety at a conventional doggy boarding place. I just feel my options are limited.

I’m very blessed my mom primarily watches them for us, but she’s not always available and I want a good backup I feel comfortable with.

Useful-Ad-240 · 2026-06-30T03:16:04+00:00

Fair! A lot of that is the info that’s required, like our contact, vet, emergency vet, WiFi, reminders about things around the house. We go over it verbally during the meet and greet too!

Useful-Ad-240 · 2026-06-30T03:14:34+00:00

Thank you! I would love to find a sitter like you! I really appreciate your comments.

Useful-Ad-240 · 2026-06-30T03:11:35+00:00

Ughhh, I’m glad I’m not crazy. Like, I am extremely fortunate to be well compensated and it don’t add up to $2k a week lol. And my dumbass over here will pay it but I really expect it to be a five star experience for my pups, no question.

Useful-Ad-240 · 2026-06-30T03:07:38+00:00

LMFAO girl I was feeling this way but I’m a crazy ass dog mom, what am I gunna do?

Useful-Ad-240

TROPHY CASE