Dog sitter in my home

[Anonymous]

I am about to hire a Rover sitter to care for my dogs in my home for 4 nights/5 days this summer. I’ve used Rover a lot, but I usually prefer to board my dogs in the sitter’s home.

I’m unsure what to expect as far as how this normally works with respect to house rules. I will make clear that staying overnight every night is expected (I’ve heard horror stories about sitters taking multiple simultaneous bookings and not actually spending the night). And I will communicate no parties or anything. But is it reasonable to allow the sitter (college age) to have a friend over to watch a movie or should I say no guests? Any other suggestions of things to iron out clearly ahead of time?

When my dogs board at the sitter’s home I don’t care what they do and with whom as long as they keep my dogs safe, cared for and out of danger.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am about to hire a Rover sitter to care for my dogs in my home for 4 nights/5 days this summer. I’ve used Rover a lot, but I usually prefer to board my dogs in the sitter’s home.

I’m unsure what to expect as far as how this normally works with respect to house rules. I will make clear that staying overnight every night is expected (I’ve heard horror stories about sitters taking multiple simultaneous bookings and not actually spending the night). And I will communicate no parties or anything. But is it reasonable to allow the sitter (college age) to have a friend over to watch a movie or should I say no guests? Any other suggestions of things to iron out clearly ahead of time?

When my dogs board at the sitter’s home I don’t care what they do and with whom as long as they keep my dogs safe, cared for and out of danger.

Make the rules you need for safety and functionality. Don't try to micromanage the details.

I used to do a lot of house-sitting/pet-sitting. The people I accepted as repeat clients paid well, had well-behaved pets, and didn't make me feel like a suspect. You either trust the person or you don't, so honor your feelings about that. If you don't trust them to make good decisions (no parties, actually doing the job as specified) don't hire them.

Consider how you're going to enforce the rules you make. No guests? Really? Are you going to have cameras? Do you need to disclose that you'll have cameras? This is a lot of micromanaging, and it's probably just going to cause you more stress. Besides, Rover has its own liability coverage if your selected sitter does stupid things and/or doesn't do the job well. You could probably just review those with your selected sitter.

[Anonymous]

This should probably be labeled as “pet and house sitter”.
Rules:
Absolutely no guests.
Sitter should remain in home as much as possible during time period (cook at house or get delivered meals), only leaving for 30-60 mins at a time.
Sitter should do trash and mail pickup, as well.

[Anonymous]

How much does this cost?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This should probably be labeled as “pet and house sitter”.
Sitter should remain in home as much as possible during time period (cook at house or get delivered meals), only leaving for 30-60 mins at a time.

Uh, this is way out of the line of what I'd expect from a house/pet sitter - so if it is your rule, I'd say it's pretty important to make that explicit.

[Anonymous]

It is not micromanaging to not allow a guest in your home while you're away who you've never met. I would say no guests.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am about to hire a Rover sitter to care for my dogs in my home for 4 nights/5 days this summer. I’ve used Rover a lot, but I usually prefer to board my dogs in the sitter’s home.

I’m unsure what to expect as far as how this normally works with respect to house rules. I will make clear that staying overnight every night is expected (I’ve heard horror stories about sitters taking multiple simultaneous bookings and not actually spending the night). And I will communicate no parties or anything. But is it reasonable to allow the sitter (college age) to have a friend over to watch a movie or should I say no guests? Any other suggestions of things to iron out clearly ahead of time?

When my dogs board at the sitter’s home I don’t care what they do and with whom as long as they keep my dogs safe, cared for and out of danger.

Make the rules you need for safety and functionality. Don't try to micromanage the details.

I used to do a lot of house-sitting/pet-sitting. The people I accepted as repeat clients paid well, had well-behaved pets, and didn't make me feel like a suspect. You either trust the person or you don't, so honor your feelings about that. If you don't trust them to make good decisions (no parties, actually doing the job as specified) don't hire them.

Consider how you're going to enforce the rules you make. No guests? Really? Are you going to have cameras? Do you need to disclose that you'll have cameras? This is a lot of micromanaging, and it's probably just going to cause you more stress. Besides, Rover has its own liability coverage if your selected sitter does stupid things and/or doesn't do the job well. You could probably just review those with your selected sitter.

OP here. I think there is a huge difference between micromanaging and giving clear communication to someone you are hiring so everyone is on the same page and not making assumptions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This should probably be labeled as “pet and house sitter”.
Rules:
Absolutely no guests.
Sitter should remain in home as much as possible during time period (cook at house or get delivered meals), only leaving for 30-60 mins at a time.
Sitter should do trash and mail pickup, as well.

This is bonkers. You’d get very few takers and have no real way of enforcing this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is not micromanaging to not allow a guest in your home while you're away who you've never met. I would say no guests.

You can do what you want, but my dog loves hanging out the our dog sitter and his friends. I wouldn't want parties, but a friend or two? No problem

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This should probably be labeled as “pet and house sitter”.
Rules:
Absolutely no guests.
Sitter should remain in home as much as possible during time period (cook at house or get delivered meals), only leaving for 30-60 mins at a time.
Sitter should do trash and mail pickup, as well.

I guarantee you don't pay for this level of service. This is completely wackadoodle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am about to hire a Rover sitter to care for my dogs in my home for 4 nights/5 days this summer. I’ve used Rover a lot, but I usually prefer to board my dogs in the sitter’s home.

I’m unsure what to expect as far as how this normally works with respect to house rules. I will make clear that staying overnight every night is expected (I’ve heard horror stories about sitters taking multiple simultaneous bookings and not actually spending the night). And I will communicate no parties or anything. But is it reasonable to allow the sitter (college age) to have a friend over to watch a movie or should I say no guests? Any other suggestions of things to iron out clearly ahead of time?

When my dogs board at the sitter’s home I don’t care what they do and with whom as long as they keep my dogs safe, cared for and out of danger.

Make the rules you need for safety and functionality. Don't try to micromanage the details.

I used to do a lot of house-sitting/pet-sitting. The people I accepted as repeat clients paid well, had well-behaved pets, and didn't make me feel like a suspect. You either trust the person or you don't, so honor your feelings about that. If you don't trust them to make good decisions (no parties, actually doing the job as specified) don't hire them.

Consider how you're going to enforce the rules you make. No guests? Really? Are you going to have cameras? Do you need to disclose that you'll have cameras? This is a lot of micromanaging, and it's probably just going to cause you more stress. Besides, Rover has its own liability coverage if your selected sitter does stupid things and/or doesn't do the job well. You could probably just review those with your selected sitter.

OP here. I think there is a huge difference between micromanaging and giving clear communication to someone you are hiring so everyone is on the same page and not making assumptions.

Think what you want, but what you should be thinking about is "What do I really need, and what control do I really have?" You can say you only want the sitter to wear a purple tee and jeans. Can you enforce that? You can say "no guests". Can you enforce that?

Most importantly: are you paying a rate that supports that? If you want to pay $60/day and expect someone to give up their whole life and love your dog like you do, you're insane. If you expect them to be there full-time, alone, you'll need to pay a rate that provides adequate compensation for that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am about to hire a Rover sitter to care for my dogs in my home for 4 nights/5 days this summer. I’ve used Rover a lot, but I usually prefer to board my dogs in the sitter’s home.

I’m unsure what to expect as far as how this normally works with respect to house rules. I will make clear that staying overnight every night is expected (I’ve heard horror stories about sitters taking multiple simultaneous bookings and not actually spending the night). And I will communicate no parties or anything. But is it reasonable to allow the sitter (college age) to have a friend over to watch a movie or should I say no guests? Any other suggestions of things to iron out clearly ahead of time?

When my dogs board at the sitter’s home I don’t care what they do and with whom as long as they keep my dogs safe, cared for and out of danger.

Make the rules you need for safety and functionality. Don't try to micromanage the details.

I used to do a lot of house-sitting/pet-sitting. The people I accepted as repeat clients paid well, had well-behaved pets, and didn't make me feel like a suspect. You either trust the person or you don't, so honor your feelings about that. If you don't trust them to make good decisions (no parties, actually doing the job as specified) don't hire them.

Consider how you're going to enforce the rules you make. No guests? Really? Are you going to have cameras? Do you need to disclose that you'll have cameras? This is a lot of micromanaging, and it's probably just going to cause you more stress. Besides, Rover has its own liability coverage if your selected sitter does stupid things and/or doesn't do the job well. You could probably just review those with your selected sitter.

OP here. I think there is a huge difference between micromanaging and giving clear communication to someone you are hiring so everyone is on the same page and not making assumptions.

Think what you want, but what you should be thinking about is "What do I really need, and what control do I really have?" You can say you only want the sitter to wear a purple tee and jeans. Can you enforce that? You can say "no guests". Can you enforce that?

Most importantly: are you paying a rate that supports that? If you want to pay $60/day and expect someone to give up their whole life and love your dog like you do, you're insane. If you expect them to be there full-time, alone, you'll need to pay a rate that provides adequate compensation for that.

OP here. I think we have gotten slightly off track. I came here to see what people who have hired in-home dog sitters tend to do or expect and see if there is anything prudent to discuss before hiring that I’ve not thought of. It doesn’t sound like you have had that experience as a pet owner or have offered a data point of what has worked for you in my position.

I’m not looking for judgement about what I should pay (Rover sitters set their own rates which I pay, plus I tip generously) or your assumptions about my ability or inability to trust someone I haven’t even met yet. Of course I’m not expecting this person to quarantine in my house 24 hours a day or wear a particular outfit.

Very simply, if you’ve hired a dog sitter to stay in your home, what basic rules/requests/expectations have you had or found necessary?

[Anonymous]

I have been a guest in the in situation.

Why don’t you say no guests for the first visit.

If it’s goes well and I get to know you, I can loosen rules.

First time = do not bring any other individual with you while sitting.

[Anonymous]

^this situation (correction)

[Anonymous]

And commenting further as the guest in this situation, the people trusted my friend who was the dog-sitter. They had gotten to know her over time, chatted with her at each visit. Got a sense of her personality, knew her through a recommendation from a trusted friend, etc.

We really only stopped by here and there.

So, while I think a nice and good dog-sitter should be trusted, it’s fine if you take your time to feel comfortable.