The dog sitter I use with is a local business - the owner is the daughter-in-law of my vet - and they are licensed and bonded. They do carry their own insurance. Also, my home owners insurance has coverage for if my dog were to bite someone - a real bite, not the puppy torture, er, I mean nips. They were recommended to me by several people I work with - they live in the same area of town and have the same sitter. They charge $30.00 an hour for in home visits, for up to 3 dogs. Not cheap, but worth it for the peace of mind for the first few weeks of leaving my babies home alone all day. Their over night fee for 10-12 hours is $75.00 - so I do not think I will be traveling any time soon.
The in-home consultation/interview lasted over an hour and was very detailed. We went over daily routines, feeding, play, toys, chews, - pretty much everything. Do I want the tv turned on/off, radio, trash days, mail and paper picked up, heat or a/c adjusted, etc. There is a check-list she fills out when she is here and she writes about a half page note about what the puppies did while she was visiting - I have to say, I am so proud to read that they went potty on the potty pads! I asked a lot of questions and watched how she interacted with the puppies when she came. She has worked for the business as a dog-sitter for the past 8 years and loves it.
I have never had anyone come in to the home when I am gone before. Poppy used to stay with a nice retired couple - I paid a daily/overnight fee of $25/35 per day. I always brought back a gift from where ever I went and they always happy seemed pretty happy. I always planned in extra time when I would drop-off/pick-up to visit with them - after 8 years they were more like family then a dog sitter.
When I went on-line to book the dog-sitter, it mentions if you would like to tip the sitter to please leave cash or check in an envelope with the sitters name on it so they know it is for them. I planned (budgeted) for her come by for the first month they were home. Did not even cross my mind to tip at the time. |