I try my best to communicative with owners as I am a sitter but I wish some owners show the same courtesy to fellow sitters more. Owner booked a 3 night stay for his 6 year old mix lab. It was a same day request, which I’m always hesitant to take because I prefer to do meet and greets first. But I am accommodating. I just request the owner to answer a series of intake questions to prepare for the stay, with thorough details and honest information about their pets.

1st annoyance. Owner barely answered my questions. In exact words replied “No to all the questions but he likes to stay away from other dogs. Or be more independent and pics and videos it’s ok.” I still proceeded, as their pet had a positive feedback from another sitter in their profile. 

2nd annoyance. I work from home taking calls, so I have certain drop off/pick up times. The owner wanted to drop off his pet outside of the hours due to an approaching flight. Accommodating again, I informed him my can fiancé also assist with drop off asked if him he’d be okay with that. He said it was fine. I told him to let me know an ETA, he said 30 minutes. He sent a text saying he’s running 30 minutes late. I said it’s okay, asking him for an ETA so I can let my fiancé know and secure boarders. No response but shows up 30 minutes later knocking at the door. 

3rd annoyance. He ended up picking up his pet a day earlier which is fine. As you can see in the screenshots we agreed to a certain time for pick up. He was running late and noticed he wasn’t responding to my texts. I just had a feeling he was going to again show up late and with no communication. And he did. 

When I arrived reiterated I had to work and care for the pets in the morning and showing up without notice past pick up isn’t okay. I told them other than that their pet was amazing, I would be happy to sit him again but there was a lack of communication and to work on it next for a smooth experience for both of us. 


How do you guys handle this? Do you guys get clients like this? Should I start charging late fees?

How do you handle owners with bad communication?