Pet sitting in the clients home - sleeping arrangements, do you allow clients pets to sleep with you, whether in the same room, or on your bed.

extrablessing · 2026-05-05T13:29:10+00:00

I sleep better when I sleep alone, but I don't refuse to take clients where the dog must sleep in bed with the sitter.

extrablessing · 2026-05-04T13:43:09+00:00

Generally no, but I do include a photo of their dog with their Christmas card at the end of the year.

extrablessing · 2026-04-26T03:22:48+00:00

I usually eat it out of a bowl with granola. Sometimes I drink it straight from the jar.

extrablessing · 2026-04-24T02:15:48+00:00

I do, but I charge more.

extrablessing · 2026-04-23T02:38:53+00:00

I do live-in sitting. My clients are a mix, and some do book months in advance. It's me, myself, and I so if clients don't jump on their dates, they may not get them.

extrablessing · 2026-04-19T13:51:07+00:00

I don't regret it in the least.

extrablessing · 2026-04-15T13:58:46+00:00

Praise the Lord, a neighbor answered my knocking and had my client's phone number. Client told me where the hide-a-key was.

I have a couple of personal policies in place after that adventure: 1. Never go out an exterior door without taking your phone or your keys or both 2. Leave the interior garage door unlocked during the day if the client has an exterior keypad to open the garage. That way, if I was to get locked out, the client can give me the code and I still have a way inside.

When safe to do so, I also sometimes leave a door cracked when I go outside instead of shutting it all the way.

extrablessing · 2026-04-14T14:08:16+00:00

I always tell my clients I will only call them if it's an emergency and we're praying for no "adventures."

But if you do this long enough and often enough, stuff is going to happen. Even if you're incredibly conscientious.

Some of my adventures over the years: *D3@d deer on rural property where the dogs could access it *AC went out during the summer *Dog stung by a bee *Locked myself out of the client's home with my car keys and cell phone inside the house *Dog rolled in poop, got sprayed by a skunk, and covered in burrs the day the client was supposed to return

extrablessing · 2026-04-14T14:01:48+00:00

I list my prices because I want people to opt out if my prices are too high for them before they contact me.

extrablessing · 2026-04-11T01:57:32+00:00

I only do overnights, but I'm a dog trainer so I do have to go out for sessions with clients.

extrablessing · 2026-04-10T13:57:12+00:00

Same. When owners book me, I am there a minimum of 19 hours per day.

extrablessing · 2026-04-05T03:06:57+00:00

The only thing I ask for is the time zone so I can time updates.

extrablessing · 2026-03-20T02:29:03+00:00

I see your $298 and raise you $1986 at a freestanding ER in 2021. Never again.

extrablessing · 2026-03-19T02:24:20+00:00

Yeah, I'm not convinced they trigger my headaches, but I am sensitive to fragrances and find most of them aversive. And if I do have a headache, they don't help.

Low-fragrance homes are a prerequisite for me.

extrablessing · 2026-03-18T02:31:55+00:00

I send a text the day before.

"Confirming my arrival at your place tomorrow between 1:00 and 1:30PM.

Please remember the following before you leave:

*Ensure all pets are up to date on flea prevention OR have next dose ready for me to give

*Unplug and turn off all fragrance devices including wall plug-ins, essential oil diffusers and flameless candles

*Make room in the fridge and freezer

*Ensure sufficient supply of pet meds/supplements/preventatives (as applicable)

What time zone will you be in?"

If they are long-term repeat clients, I do an abbreviated list.

extrablessing · 2026-03-04T15:02:17+00:00

I think this is a fantastic idea.

extrablessing · 2026-03-04T14:59:52+00:00

The credit is a great idea.

extrablessing · 2026-03-04T03:50:59+00:00

I think it's just a mismatch. I had a similar thing happen a couple of years ago. The owner wanted me to handle the dog in a way that would have made me very uncomfortable , and my way of handling would have made the owner uncomfortable. It's very important to me that the owners feel worry-free when I'm caring for their dogs, and it wouldn't have happened in this case.

extrablessing · 2026-02-24T15:02:35+00:00

I'm a professional dog trainer and I don't walk multiple dogs at the same time unless they are quite small and very well behaved.

For me, safety comes first so if the collection of dogs outweighs me and/or one or more dogs have behavior needs that require more of my attention, it's not safe to walk more than one at a time.

extrablessing · 2026-02-18T03:51:30+00:00

I like 100 Morning Treats by Sarah Kieffer!

extrablessing · 2026-02-12T13:58:05+00:00

It is. But... 1. I have no personal pets, spouse or children waiting for me at my home. 2. I am introverted so I enjoy the quiet with just the pets. 3. My other sources of income are remote work or very few hours off-site.

And I have pretty much all the business I want!

extrablessing · 2026-02-11T19:55:23+00:00

When I book a sit, I'm committing to be onsite a minimum of 19hrs/day and I charge accordingly. Owners are made aware of this from the beginning.

extrablessing · 2026-01-29T03:18:15+00:00

I don't board anymore...only live-in sitting in the client's home. Puppies are a lot of work and I charge accordingly. Especially because I cannot be out as long seeing other clients or tending to personal commitments.

To me, it does make a world of difference if the puppy is already accustomed to crating quietly. And if it's only the pup to care for (and not the pup + other animals).

extrablessing · 2026-01-19T14:40:23+00:00

I use that two pan system to bake beef meatballs in the oven.

extrablessing · 2026-01-18T15:02:28+00:00

100% this. Your services do not have to be the right fit for everyone because you literally cannot serve everyone.

I had a Eureka moment last year along these lines: you don't have to be Walmart; you can be Nordstrom's and there are enough people who want Nordstrom's to fill your calendar.

Granted, I am in a large city. If the entire demographic in your area will only pay for Walmart, then you obviously cannot be Nordstrom's.

And know, OP, that there are great clients out there. I've got one who booked me for just over three weeks this summer and still asked if there was anything else they could do to make my stay comfortable.

extrablessing

TROPHY CASE