What I Wish I Knew Before Becoming a Pet Sitter

[@JenelAmelliee]

I relate to so much you say already. As a new pet sitter almost 6 months in. Your channel is a gold mine for gems. I'll be taking notes and binge watching.

[@DougtheDogGuy]

Thank you so much! Let me know how I can help :)

[@missstarlin6184]

Getting burnout when one does this as a full-time job. As a secondary part-time job, one won't become emotionally fatigued. I've been doing it for over 20 years, not counting my own dogs. In the beginning, it was for friends. I didn't charge them, which was a dumb thing because they took advantage of me. I'd take care of their pet(s) after I'd leave work for several weeks at a time while they enjoyed Europe. Of course, I'd get FIRST DIBS on a bag filled with tchotchkes for friends. Nuts to that. I started getting paid ten years ago.

[@DogNerdShow]

This is a great list! I didn't think about all the heartbreak you guys face, but gosh, that's gotta be hard. We need to collab and have you on Dog Nerd Show!

[@DougtheDogGuy]

Thank you! I'd love to be on the Dog Nerd Show!! Let's connect - [e-mail]

[@aarondias-jayasinha8087]

I've just started up my Pet Sitting Business. Today did my first visit and it was definitely out of my comfort zone, as was in a not so nice area, walking through London estates. I loved it though. My First visit is 10 days! :) Then got a second one in August for 2 weeks

[@DougtheDogGuy]

Congratulations!

[@marycordes4509]

Great video! As a fellow pet sitter/dog walker, I can totally relate.

[@WZech-ly8dm]

Excellent points, Doug. Thank you so much.

[@missstarlin6184]

05:15 - that is important to be aware of.

[@flowersafeheart]

Hi Doug. I like your channel and a lot of it is helpful reminders plus some new ideas. Have done pet care often for years as sometimes employee + sonetimes self-employed - but recently decided to take it to the next level in multiple ways. Excited!

[@pixilivvi555]

love this!! im going full time and taking this seriously after years and years of pet sitting! thank you for this video

[@DougtheDogGuy]

Thanks for watching! Congrats on going full time!

[@our.secret1130]

@@DougtheDogGuy did you rent an apartment when starting out or just pet sit constantly?

[@skwnmkr]

This was really helpful. Thank you.

[@Agel19407]

wow bro i am amazed to know that you are located near central florida. I am as well and I know you are probably a busy guy but would mean the world to me to link up for coffee and just be able to have the honor to meet you and ask you a few questions. I am also considering starting a mobile petcare business with my transit van. Ive noticed that not alot of people run it that way soo I am extremely nervous about it. Ive spent my day off yesturday all day completely watching most of your videos and just sinking in all the valueble information that you shared with us. Thank you soo much Mannnnnn and god bless your soul=)

[@DougtheDogGuy]

Hey thanks for reaching out! Sounds like a cool idea! Theres a link in the video description to get in touch with me! :)

[@DrLauraRPalmer]

Going back to watch again. Chop fill of realness and raw!

[@deliawing168]

Doug, Do you pass on reactive dogs? Do you incorporate obedience into your walks?

[@MORGZMACHINE]

Aww, I wish there was more, cus I wanna know! Thank you for sharing

[@DougtheDogGuy]

I am going to make an updated "what I wish I knew" video soon!

[@MORGZMACHINE]

@@DougtheDogGuy Mate, can't wait! 😁

[@ParrisCrockett]

I love this list boss ! Thank you for this ! Everything you said was spot on, I couldn’t agree more 💯

[@DougtheDogGuy]

Thank you!!

[@armandpitout1307]

Great video! Thank you for the tips for petsitting, really gave me a few ideas for my own business that is finding its paws. I dig your name too, its very suitable for petsitting.

[@meganlem]

thank you for this!

[@TheRusticMama]

I'd love to hear some of your craziest stories! I am a cats only sitter, and I've been in a few strange situations, but my weirdest one ever was walking into a home where a dog destroyed all of the contents of the trash can, where a "junk removal specialist" could've made a pretty penny.

[@CZX3]

I have never got a cat request... I have my rates super low at 15

[@liveyouryoga]

Primarily cat sitting. I have done dog walking though. Due to my own health conditions, I have to restrict myself. Dog walking requires me to be there at very specific times. Cat sitting is a lot more flexible.

[@CZX3]

I have never got a cat request but my rates are very low at 15

[@coulorfully]

tyy for this info!

[@DougtheDogGuy]

Thanks for watching!

[@ABANOB_MUSICIAN]

When I’m doing my pet sitter service the dog will need to go out for a walk maybe 30-60 min Should that walk be priced separately or I should including it with my pet sitter service ? And not mention that if u want walk ur dog for that much I charge this much? Or pet sitter is included the walk? And how to make weekly and monthly prices ?

[@DougtheDogGuy]

Hi! Our pet sitting service includes walks and anything else that is needed during that time frame. I have seen businesses not include the walk though. It is really up to you and how you want to run your business, just makes sure your clients know how you're doing it.

[@bridgetmercado5903]

Such great information. I’m OCD 😂 and want to clean their home.

[@DougtheDogGuy]

Haha thanks! I have had to remind myself that I am not a house cleaning business way too many times

[@ABANOB_MUSICIAN]

How much should I charge for overnight pet sitter service?? Is it per hour or day ?

[@DougtheDogGuy]

Here's my video on pricing: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqHImZaeqsRjq9U

[@lesliweinheimer3280]

Love it!

[@aloononthemoon]

this was helpful :) thank you!

[@DougtheDogGuy]

Thanks for watching!

[@leanneburgergoingaway1801]

i could write a book too after 18 years since 2005 in SOUTH AFRICA

[@shingles1465]

I'm thinking about doing this iv been pet sitting for my family so it could be cool making it an actual job

[@MisfitTina]

I’ve been doing it 23 years and I DO NOT recommend it!

[@cindy7733]

How do you determine how much to charge?

[@DougtheDogGuy]

Here is my pricing video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHini6NqmcufeK8 And I have several other videos on the channel talking about different aspects of pricing :)

[@cindy7733]

@@DougtheDogGuy Oh thank you So much! I'm going to check it out now!

[@dvfreelancer]

The business side does take some research and investment. Insurance, quarterly taxes, LLC, a business license and commercial insurance for your car. If you let Wag or Rover handle that bit, then you'll be losing a big chunk of your income.

[@DougtheDogGuy]

Definitely!!

[@Bia_3514]

I wonder what you all do for you own dogs during overnights at clients homes? Do you bring them with you or do you board them? Also, do you add that into your prices if you have to have a sitter come watch your dogs?

[@MisfitTina]

I used to bring mine and clients had no issue with it. Now I no longer do overnights. I offer boarding in my home now as well.

[@SG-lw5et]

Thank you for very informative videos. What is your solution for the phone number? Do you advise getting a number that can be used on multiple phones? How do you handle calls from the clients?

[@DougtheDogGuy]

Thanks for watching and commenting! We use Grasshopper for our phone. It's a dedicated business line and anyone on my team can download the app and handle calls and texts for the business

[@liveyouryoga]

I would use public transit.

[@MisfitTina]

Then you’d never be a pet sitter.

[@liveyouryoga]

@@MisfitTina how come I'm doing it then?

[@ashesrene03]

Do I need a petsitting license to petsit for neighbors?

[@DougtheDogGuy]

You need a business license from your state and you may also need another license from your city/county depending on your location. I talk about this and the other things you need in several other videos :)

[@melodyebuskin5490]

What if I have a dog? Do ppl allow bringing your own pet? Also, so I need to learn pet first aide?

[@DougtheDogGuy]

Hi! Pet first aid is definitely very important for anyone that is going to be working with animals. And some clients will allow you to bring your own dog, most will not go for that though. If it is important to you that you be able to bring your own dog, you could make that part of your terms of service and marketing plan to attract those clients.

[@melodyebuskin5490]

@@DougtheDogGuy thanks for that answer. Very helpful. We realize having a dog will limit us even more because we’re just starting out. It’s been hard to think of re-homing our beagle but because of our circumstances, a direct result of Covid affecting my husbands business, pet/house sitting was the only way we could see forward. We will not be giving our dog back to the shelter he came from. He deserves more than that. Hopefully, friends/angels will step in and help.

[@MisfitTina]

If I knew what I know now after 23 years in the business I would not have started it to begin with. There are way to many downsides than upsides.

[@angelacalderone9608]

Very honest and 'real' perspective. PPL Listen closely!💔 🐶🐕 😍🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾 they make us 'better'humans!

[@liveyouryoga]

I will have compassion for people who are cluttered and messy because my own household is like this. I mean cluttered but not dirty. Hard if you live with a pack rat.

[@liveyouryoga]

I have had to deal with pet loss. Very very hard. Even worse if the owner dismisses my feelings, although this has only happened once.

[@CZX3]

While you were sitting the pet passed?

[@liveyouryoga]

@@CZX3 No. This happened when the owners were "looking after" him.

[@liveyouryoga]

@@CZX3 My point was the dog walkers and cat sitters can also get attached to pets, not in the same way as pet parents can, but still relevant.

[@tree..1001]

I'm 10 I want to pet sitter

[@ashesrene03]

yea i wonder if we can do it