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Post by Katie on Jan 9, 2019 19:56:15 GMT
DH and I are going out of town in a March for 7 days, and for the first time, we are faced with finding a dog sitter. We could board her at her daycare, but she’s very shy and fearful (rescued breeder dog), and I just feel like that is a looong time to leave her. One day a week she’s fine with, but 7 days??? I just don’t know...
So, the other solution I have come up with is to get a pet sitter via Rover who will come and stay at our home. I have selected a candidate, and she is coming over tonight for a meet-and-greet. She does not have a 9-to-5 job, so she will be able to stay with the dog pretty much 24/7, aside from quick trips for errands and things...and this of course is very appealing to me, since my dog has never been home alone more than 4-5 hours at a time.
Anyway, my issue is my family, and even DH, who are a bit paranoid about this person wrecking the house, or going through all our things, etc. Am I crazy to trust this is a perfectly acceptable solution? Of course if we don’t get a good vibe from her we won’t proceed, but assuming we DO like her, would you think we should trust her? If this is her business, why would she risk ruining her reputation, ya know?? Of course ainknow there are a lot of crazies out there these days and it is hard to know who to trust, but I feel like this is a pretty good option.
Have you used Rover, and have you - or would you - allow someone you don’t know personally to stay in your home with your pet(s)??
My only other option is my elderly parents, and my dog is so quirky, I just don’t want to put them in that position, even though they have offered. The biggest issue is their yard is on a busy street, my dog refuses to go potty when we are there. She gets spooked that easily, lol.
Ugggh...help me decide what to do, peas!
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 19:32:34 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2019 20:08:57 GMT
You can have your parents check every day.
And you can request photos , videos and tracking.
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Post by Katie on Jan 9, 2019 20:17:05 GMT
I should add, we do have an ADT security system, with 2 cameras in the house.
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Post by disneypal on Jan 9, 2019 20:20:47 GMT
I don't see a reason not to trust her, especially since this is her source of income/her business. Since you have security cameras, you can check in every day if needed.
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Post by MichyM on Jan 9, 2019 20:22:39 GMT
Sounds like the perfect situation for your dog.
I have a cat sitter who comes by for a half hour every day when I’m out if town. One if the trips was a entire month. I also have house cleaners who come every two weeks. Both have unfettered access to my home and both had excellent references. I don’t worry about it.
If you’re concerned, lock up the things you’re worried about in your bedroom. Or give them to someone else to keep.
I do not have cameras, nor would I consider them unless there was a specific concern.
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Post by bc2ca on Jan 9, 2019 20:46:14 GMT
One of DD's friends and her older sister pet/house sit through a service like this (not sure if it is rover.com and DD not around to ask). They build their business and reputations by being trustworthy and, based on reviews/referrals, I wouldn't hesitate to have someone in my home.
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Post by piebaker on Jan 9, 2019 20:49:37 GMT
My kids left their dog with a sitter they found on Rover. They checked their references and went for a house visit before the trip to see if the dogs got along well. The sitter sent photos every day. My grandpup enjoyed playing with their kids, running in their yard and socializing with their dog.
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Post by Katie on Jan 9, 2019 21:35:48 GMT
Thanks - Thanks to you all I am already feeling better about this. I will feel at ease knowing my dog is at home where she feels safe, we can check in via the cameras, and reviews on this girl all said she sent many updates and pictures. It will be good!
Now to wait 2 more months to go to Nashville...I can’t wait!
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Post by christine58 on Jan 10, 2019 0:48:00 GMT
Thanks - Thanks to you all I am already feeling better about this. I will feel at ease knowing my dog is at home where she feels safe, we can check in via the cameras, and reviews on this girl all said she sent many updates and pictures. It will be good! Now to wait 2 more months to go to Nashville...I can’t wait! Maybe do a trial run with the person you choose. |
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Post by mlynn on Jan 10, 2019 1:02:52 GMT
If the trip is in March, you have time to work on increasing her daycare days. Also to do a trial overnight.
How is the dog with other people? Will she be comfortable with another person in the house? Especially with her people not there?
My inclination would be to go the daycare route. She is familiar with the facility and with the staff and other dogs. That may actually be more comfortable for her. A few years ago, we had a guy helping us prep and paint the house. We had the guy in to feed him and he used the bathroom at will. One day we ran an errand to do. He came in the house while we were gone, and our chocolate lab growled at him to the point that he slowly backed out of the house and waited until we were home. Recently I got a caretaker who helps out around the house. Our black lab, Rorie, just loves it. One more person to love on her! One day she was out by the driveway, and I had her call Rorie to see if Rorie would go to her. Not only would Rorie not go to her, but it changed their relationship. Rorie is very glued to me when the caregiver is here now. She still likes Roberta to love on her, but Rorie is very possessive/protective (not sure which) of me when Roberta is here. She was not like that before.
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 19:32:34 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2019 3:34:11 GMT
We used a housesitter/petsitter through Rover for 2 weeks. Her reference were good and I asked her if she would give me the names of 1 or 2 previous clients. She was happy to do that. We have a dog, cat, and fish and it was a better solution than trying to board them and find someone to take the fish. When we met with her, she brought up sending daily photos, but I would have asked her to stay in touch daily if she didn't bring it up first. I did mention to her that we were close with several neighbors and she could contact them if there was a problem so she probably picked up that people would be keeping an eye on things while we were gone. It was a relief in the end to have someone at the house to pick up our mail and watch the house on top of taking care of the zoo. We have another long trip planned for spring break and have her lined up to come again.
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Post by Basket1lady on Jan 10, 2019 4:35:25 GMT
We have used a kennel for years, but they filled up crazy fast for Christmas (I called November 18!) and we were left hanging. We asked a college friend of DS’s to stay with her. She loves Danny and it was a good solution. He got some quiet time at our house and Emma had a buddy she already knew. A lot of our friends use college students because many live at home and like to get away for a few days.
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Post by mrssmith on Jan 10, 2019 5:14:05 GMT
My sister had a good experience with Rover, but the dog goes to the sitter's house. The sitter also has a small dog, so the two dogs can socialize and get plenty of attention. They use her quite frequently now.
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Marina
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,543 
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Post by Marina on Jan 10, 2019 7:15:34 GMT
A friend recommended someone from rover who they had tried and had a good experience. We used her and all was well. We plan on using her again for a short trip and then a long trip.
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Post by destined2bmom on Jan 11, 2019 0:41:09 GMT
We have used Rover on both coasts for our dog. We found one we liked on both coasts and we used the same person year after year. The difference is that our dog stays at the sitter’s house. We got pictures daily and our dog seemed very happy at both places.
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Post by wonderwoman on Jan 11, 2019 3:18:24 GMT
I went to a meet and greet yesterday at the sitters house.. I wouldn't feel comfortable with a stranger at my house..
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