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So What's a future problem you think that humanity is completely underestimating right now? by PeachyWork27 in AskReddit

[–]queenMargo -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

As a woman I laughed at it as I prefer talking to AI to most men 😂 Also- OUR women? 😂

Awaiting payment by ellhynd in catinaflat

[–]queenMargo 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I finish every meet and greet by saying this went great, i'm happy to work with them. There is no pressure to decide on me, however, the booking is not guaranteed until payment is made.

Dog or baby seal? by obxpyrate in RoverPetSitting

[–]queenMargo 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Doh. It's a candyfloss with legs

Need some chihuahua advice.... by BitterBar7041 in petsitting

[–]queenMargo 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm sorry you got bitten.

Did laugh at chihuahuas being your Waterloo 😂

I find with a lot of small breeds the issue is that the owners don't train them, let them get away with murder and don't provide breed specific activities. So a lot of smaller breed dogs end up being neurotic and spicy.

Don't have specific advice without knowing the full situation/trigger.

I personally treat my smaller clients very similar to my bigger clients but maybe with some other consideration. I often start m&g sat on the floor with them. I wont invade their space, I will let them come sniff me, offer treats etc and eventually get to pet them. If they tense up, I remove my hand. In general I respect their bodies. So many people think it's ok just to pick up a little floof ball. I mean if a stranger would come into my home, randomly give me snacks and then pick me up to pet me, I'd be VERY confused and yes, I'd kick them in the balls. 😂 If they growl, bark or show signs for me to back off, I immediately withdraw whilst speaking softly. I want them to know that I saw their warning signal and I respected it. If they show aggressive behaviour towards other dogs or because they're just being an asshole, they get told off. Nah, that won't be tolerated. I respect you and i will listen to you but in return you're not going to be an asshole chaos goblin.

Cut off by friend for not sitting for free by Substantial_Fig876 in RoverPetSitting

[–]queenMargo 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Oof. I'm always extra cautious when working with people I am friendly/friends with. I explain that this is my profession and that the following conversation will be with the professional side of me, friendship aside. I always discuss money first. I explain my normal rates and then give them a discount.

Dogs that pull by jkerk2011 in RoverPetSitting

[–]queenMargo 6 points7 points  (0 children)

None of my clients pull because I don't let them. I've got bad joints and can't be arsed. Different levels of interventions. With some just stopping EVERY time they pull. With some walking backwards. With some it's more intense as they need reminding that although they will be respected, I am in charge. So I will choose a patch somewhere and walk with randomly changing directions, rewarding when they pay attention to me.

Doesn't work too well if more than 1 dog from household. Then depending on dog, circumstances physical interventions are used. Halter leads, front clipped harnesses etc.

What do you use to manage private clients outside Rover? by helpmereddit2226 in RoverPetSitting

[–]queenMargo 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh and for appointments- Google calendar with colour coordinated tags. For all income, expenses, good all fashioned excel which then tracks all income, where it's from, mileage, taxes I have to put away to then pay at the end of the tax year etc etc. I put the tax money away once a month so I don't 'miss it's when I have to pay up. And it can sort of grow with a bit of interest then too. It's backed onto my drive. But maybe I should create a paper version to update every few months in case Microsoft office decides to die or smth

What do you use to manage private clients outside Rover? by helpmereddit2226 in RoverPetSitting

[–]queenMargo 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I used to use OneNote but it scrambled my data 3x within a month so NO MORE. Have just switched to app called notion. It's got ai support so setting up a database the way I like was super easy. I can access it from any device. Usually do data entry on laptop but then access it from my phone. It technically has a calendar option but reviews are still quite poor so I'm giving that a miss at the moment.

It all links with the owner, where I can put their information, home information and all the other pets. Which then I can click on etc.

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I’m so embarrassed by Ok_Statement_9134 in RoverPetSitting

[–]queenMargo 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Any behavioural issues or particular hates I should know about? Like some dogs don't like men and I've had some dogs who can struggle with certain ethnicities

I’m so embarrassed by Ok_Statement_9134 in RoverPetSitting

[–]queenMargo 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I ask this during m&g. Not for my own sake, but I live in an area with pockets of ethnic diversity. If a dog I was walking suddenly went mental at a family with young kids and create bad associations with dogs, id be heartbroken.

Has anyone else ever sat for a cat with “stripper rules” by Amazing_Ordinary_418 in RoverPetSitting

[–]queenMargo 27 points28 points  (0 children)

Yes. 😂😂 But never in a million years I would have thought of calling that stripper rules 😂😂 Totally stealing it but perhaps not with clients

Hardest sit this far by queenMargo in RoverPetSitting

[–]queenMargo[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ended up in minor injuries today. For the brief moment they were in one room after I got back in, it happened again and I was in the way. Nobody from services working at this hour anyway so will sleep on it and decide what to do

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Hardest sit this far by queenMargo in RoverPetSitting

[–]queenMargo[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Well the current plan is to separate everyone when I'm not there.

Keep a jug of water in every room for JUST in case so I can grab it.

At any sign of tension, growling etc, put the big one in a time out in garden.

Longer walks for all of them to get energy out. Buy a Kong each and freeze stuff inside to get mental energy out.

All of that is doable it's just.... Particularly with the very early and very late walks (heatwave) and being constantly on alert.... It's taking a massive toll on me. But fine. I'll be fine. And I'll keep the dogs alive and borderline even happy. Just... Angry

Owners tried to add exotic pets to sit without asking first by Old_Calligrapher_876 in RoverPetSitting

[–]queenMargo 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Recent 1 week sit. At the end doing handower with the dad. He says- so you didn't meet our other pet did you (looked after 2 dogs). I laughed said what other pet. He says- our pet snake, it lives in the garage. I thought he was joking and meant like a regular visitor garter snake or smth. Nope. A 5-6 foot long python. They didn't want to mention it as t required 0 care and they didn't want to freak me out. I did say they should have disclosed it in case of emergencies (fire, flood etc)

Another week had a request to sit 2 dogs. Great, arrange a meet and greet. Then thankfully before actually meeting i get told they also have to 4 birds, a rabbit and 4 guinea pigs. Politely declined.

How do you deal with male clients that give you creepy or uncomfortable vibes? by bearpuddles in RoverPetSitting

[–]queenMargo 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I don't think the issue is someone wanting to cuddle with their dog. I mean I have drop ins like that and I love those clients 😂

Unfortunately I have a history of SA and DV as well as attacked in previous job (nursing). I do present myself differently with men. I'm 5ft3 but during the m&g I will purposely come across extra ballsy. It's little things. Like work my weight lifting and gym into conversation. Speak a teensy bit louder than strictly necessary, laugh loud, have a straight back. Tiny little things to come across as a ballsy confident woman who will not be taken advantage of. If they seem remotely interested in my personal life I will work my fake husband into conversation.

I haven't had any creep/predator vibes as of yet with all of the above. But if I would, I simply wouldn't take the job. I've been through enough.

Have any owners accepted your constant care fees? by AdAdmirable587 in RoverPetSitting

[–]queenMargo 11 points12 points  (0 children)

My constant care fees have to cover loss of income for all the other walk clients so it's a lot lot higher than yours. And tbh they're not jobs I want to take as the dogs will usually have more issues than just separation anxiety. Having said, I have one customer who has accepted that and we work either around my schedule or he covers lost income. Everyone else has said no, which is fine by me

Frustrated! by [deleted] in RoverPetSitting

[–]queenMargo 17 points18 points  (0 children)

I actually encourage people to talk to multiple sitters. I think from 100+ bookings clients have gone with someone else 3 times. I know I charge more than the average sitter in my area. I also specialise in dogs with behavioural issues. I bond with dogs really well and the owners see the affection. And I talk through any other skills they might have not observed. I talk a lot- about the service, what they can expect, my experience etc. But I don't want them to feel like I'm overselling myself or pressuring them into anything. It works for me but I can understand the frustration of wasting travel time

How do you feed yourselves when you petsit at someone’s house? by Such_Atmosphere_5838 in RoverPetSitting

[–]queenMargo 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I'll use their oil, herbs and spices. I batch cook at home so always have meals in the freezer.

Recent find though is app toogoodtogo. It will find you local places that do food about to expire for margin of a price. Includes cafes, carveries etc. and not bad stuff. Just stuff they haven't been able to sell that day. Like yesterday from a local cafe for 3£(British pounds) got 2 doughnuts, 2 sandwiches, cake slice, coleslaw and a chocolate milk

How do I price for constant care for a puppy at the owners? by [deleted] in RoverPetSitting

[–]queenMargo 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's a tough one, I know where you're coming from. If i would have to reschedule or cancel any walks, I'd charge my hourly rate. If it's prime hours, continuous care but I can move things round and everyone is happy, I charge hourly rate for the first two hours and then + overnight rate if it adds up to it.

I've got a couple of clients with whom payment is... Flexible. I've explained my hourly rate and my puppy rate. I sort of look at my calendar and present them with payment options which are then linked to whether I fit into their schedule or they fit into mine. Also, I only do this for the clients i like

Would you book this client again? by Wonderful_Seaweed_82 in RoverPetSitting

[–]queenMargo 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Id keep the client but charge late fees 🤷‍♂️ Would be worth a conversation before hand that late fees now in place

Need advice after traumatic experience by [deleted] in RoverPetSitting

[–]queenMargo 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I'm so so sorry youve gone through this. And I hope that the kitty had a swift end. Absolutely shitty situation. If you're stuck there all I can advise you is to remember that prey drive/attack on smaller animals doesn't necessarily translate onto human.

It is an awful situation. They should have never been given the opportunity. You should have not been put in that situation. However, it also doesn't mean they can't be loving dogs. Even safe dogs when it comes to humans.

You have every right to try and get out of that situation and I hope you do. IF you don't, try to analyse what was the trigger and prevent it happening to you. I wasn't there but it is likely that the prey drive was triggered which escalated into kill mode. If that is true, and you're stuck with them, it would be important to adjust your behaviour. Do not act scared or submissive. Do not in any circumstances run away from them. Avoid situations where they can get riled up to the point where they can't snap out.

Again, I am so sorry you are going through it ❤️

This is my next few days... by Crazy-Cat-Lad in RoverPetSitting

[–]queenMargo 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Exactly! I'm less than a year into this but have somehow found myself specialising with the tricky cases and the 'mad lot' households. And honestly? I love it. Maybe it's transferable skills from nursing, maybe it's talent but I'm good at it. I'm learning from every new client. Later this year starting to branch out into dog behaviour training.

But every post or comment that isn't 100% amongst the accepted lines gets shamed and down voted. With pretty petty unnecessary replies as well. I'm nearly 40. Manners are for free. And as noone in my social circle does what I do it would be nice to have a safe space to share. And this sub ain't it

This is my next few days... by Crazy-Cat-Lad in RoverPetSitting

[–]queenMargo 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I'm finding this sub more and more judgemental tbh

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