Question for Pet Sitters

[Unique User]

We're getting ready to sell our house and are still going back and forth between  bouncing around the US via Airbnb living or an RV (or a combination of the two with a teardrop trailer we can tow behind our car), but were also wondering about house/pet sitting.  We have a very low maintenance dog and she gets along with other pets, but weren't sure if that would fit in with house/pet sitting.  I thought about signing up for trusted house sitters and just start applying for sits to see what would happen, but also wondered about awesome mustachians that have real experience.  Any thoughts are welcome!

[secondcor521]

Your dog may get along with my cat, but my cat would probably not get along with your dog.  Nothing personal, my cat just prefers to be a loner.

OTOH, my sister's families both have dogs that are very friendly and would probably consider the additional dog to be a positive thing.  They both have long done informal pet exchanges with friends while they or their friends are traveling or whatever.

I think if you disclose your dog to potential customers, then they can decide if they're OK with it or not.  I like your idea of just applying for some sits and seeing what happens.  I think housesitting can be a real win/win in most cases.

[Metalcat]

It might be doable, but it will dramatically lower your pet sit options.

There's no way I would allow an unknown dog to come live in my house with my animals.

[BikeFanatic]

^+1
I would not want someone to bring their dog to my home and trust my pets will be OK. My home isnt so nice so I would welcome a home sitter if my dog and cat were on vacation with us. But maybe if potentially  they have a big dog, low maintenance kind, it could work for both of you.

[Sibley]

I don't want your dog, no matter how nice it is, even if I know the dog and generally like the dog, in my home. Even the nicest, calmest, most well behaved dog still smells like a dog. In fact, I generally try to keep my friend's dogs out of my home.

[cool7hand]

I would want to observe how you handle your dog. If your dog is calm submissive and you have your dog enter our home as a follower, and my dog responds to you immediately the same way, and I watch you handle them in this state for a couple of hours in different situations, especially a long walk, I'd be fine with your dog accompanying you.

But as you can see, you have a lot to prove.

[DadJokes]

My wife and I used to housesit with our dog. It was mostly friends from church or other people we knew, so they didn't mind that we brought our little dog along. I think it would be a different thing with strangers. We stopped when another dog attacked him.

I would not recommend it.

[Freedomin5]

I would not want your dog in our home. We dog sat a really old, laid back, chill dog  for a friend for three days and afterwards, we had to wash the rug because it threw up on it, wash the sofa covers because it smelled like dog, and air out the entire house because its dog food also smelled.

Also, your dog may be laid back, but if you’re pet sitting, you don’t know if the other dog is as well behaved as yours. Their owner may not always have the most accurate perspective. DD was just attacked by an overly exuberant and not well-trained dog yesterday and the last thing you want is for your dog to be attacked by another dog.

[Metalcat]

I would not want your dog in our home. We dog sat a really old, laid back, chill dog  for a friend for three days and afterwards, we had to wash the rug because it threw up on it, wash the sofa covers because it smelled like dog, and air out the entire house because its dog food also smelled.

Also, your dog may be laid back, but if you’re pet sitting, you don’t know if the other dog is as well behaved as yours. Their owner may not always have the most accurate perspective. DD was just attacked by an overly exuberant and not well-trained dog yesterday and the last thing you want is for your dog to be attacked by another dog.

This was more my point than anything else. If you are pet sitting, I don't care if you are amazing with your dog and your dog is the best behaved mutt in the world. That doesn't guarantee that your dog AND another strange dog (or cat) are safe living together under stressful conditions.

As someone from a dog breeding/dog grooming/dog boarding family, I've seen A LOT of different dogs together, and you can never predict how two dogs will react when one is forced to have another living in their space, with their owners disappeared, and strangers taking over the house. That's an unimaginable amount of stress for a lot of dogs. Even the gentlest dogs could end up trying to kill each other under those circumstances.

People ALWAYS underestimate their own dog's capacity for violence. Sure, a lot of the time it will work out fine, but it could just as easily end up with a dead dog or cat, and/or some very expensive vet bills.

[Unique User]

Thanks for all the blunt feedback.  I was thinking it was not a good idea, but just wasn't sure if I was being pessimistic.  Kept remembering all the people I knew that were caretakers in Colorado with dogs.  We'll have to save pet sitting for when DD can have the dog.  Thanks everyone!

[Metalcat]

Thanks for all the blunt feedback.  I was thinking it was not a good idea, but just wasn't sure if I was being pessimistic.  Kept remembering all the people I knew that were caretakers in Colorado with dogs.  We'll have to save pet sitting for when DD can have the dog.  Thanks everyone!

Don't take the feedback that it can't work. As I said in my first response, it will just dramatically limit your options.

What you've received are all the reasons why the people responding wouldn't want you to house/pet-sit for us with your dog, but there are people out there who won't hold the same reservations.

I made my reply about dogs fighting because you also need to be aware of that. Even if someone is willing to have you and your dog in their home, are you comfortable with breaking up a vicious dog fight? Handling vet emergencies? Handling the home owners if you ever need to explain to them that their loving, precious, gentle little Bowser who has never hurt a fly actually tried to kill your dog? Because it can so easily happen.

If you want to try it, are able to find clients who are cool with it, and you are experienced and confident with dog conflict (and handling dog owners), then go nuts. If I were in your shoes, I would do it, but I have a ton of experience handling the above. Know what you are comfortable with and act accordingly.

[BlueHouse]

I would accept your dog if it is well behaved.  In fact, I'd love the opportunity for my dog to play one-on-one with another dog. 
Just another opinion. 

[Unique User]

Thanks @Malcat.  My dog is pretty submissive and I didn't think about the capacity for her to be injured by another dog.  The few times she goes to doggy day care the feedback I get is that she hangs with humans for most of the day so it probably would not be a good fit for her anyway.  Good things to think about.