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Tipping your dog sitter

Do most people tip their dog sitter at the end of the stay? If they do, what is the average tip?

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8

As a sitter I did not expect a tip at all. I was tried to politely refuse but I was definitely grateful for the tip. I just asked that they leave a positive review if they had the time.

Minimum wage is what? $8.50? We are paying for sitters and if I wanted my dog in a kennel, I'd take him there but I dont. Find the honest ones.

27 Answers

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21

We have a lot of good hearted sitters in here. It looks like most of us agree, tips are a bonus. We shouldn't expect them because if we do , & we don't get tipped we will be bummed. Lol

I ♡ sitting.

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I am new with Rover. I don't expect to be tipped but am very thankful when I do receive tip! I just got a 100.00 tip from a first time client! I was blown away!

Good you deserve it.. I think they should all tip.. especially when we go above and beyond to make sure their fur baby is well taken care of. I would tip my sitter..

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10

In my area, there are home pet sitter competitors. For me the tip is that they picked me and trust me to care for their pet. It's a compliment to me if they come back or even refer me to others. They are charged my holiday rate over the holidays and they have no complaints.

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Some of these folks said it really well. If you do not set your own prices and work for someone else, especially if you pretty much live off of tips, such as a server at a restaurant, then not being tipped is unacceptable; it's your bread and butter and anyone who isn't ignorant knows that and should tip. However, if you basically run a business and set your own prices, then where is the room for EXPECTING a tip? If someone who uses your service wants to go above and beyond in showing appreciation, then they can go ahead and tip (I do) and that's fantastic, but it should not be expected. That's absolutely ridiculous when you chose what they will pay in the first place. I NEVER expect my clients to give me more than I choose to charge them, no matter what service I am providing. I am happy if they pay the price I choose to ask them to pay, happier if they pay it quickly, and very happy if they choose to return for more services at my set prices. I cannot believe someone would set a price for a service they provide, then expect customers to pay more than that price. It shocks me. If you feel you need more compensation, then charge more. It's more fair to you AND the customers who otherwise do not realize they are not paying your full rate and assume you are happy with them, not realizing that in reality you are looking down upon them because you actually expect them to pay more than you told them you expected. As far as rover.com's cut... every business has overhead, and I'll tell you it's generally a lot more than 15%. That percentage is a steal for the marketing and infrastructure that rover provides. Appreciate your tips; don't expect them.

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Thank you! As a hairdresser I was happy to earn 30 percent of my fee

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I have been tipped an average of $25 about 30% of the time, the highest being $100, Lowest $15. I don't ever expect a tip, it's nice to get and I appreciate everyone who does tip.

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Yes, you should tip your sitter! This is no different then any other service based profession such as Hair Stylist, Manicurist, Groomer, Newscarrier, Car Valet, or Waiter/Waitress. A typical tip would be 15-20% for gratitude. A tip shows respect and appreciation for their trustworthy and professional efforts. I too love dogs and currently make this my only source of income so anything additional is ALWAYS appreciated! Thank you to all of my current and future clients!

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Not true. In all those other industries, the money that’s paid for the service is actually going to the business owner and the tip is much of how the service provider makes their money. That’s why you tip.

I agree with tipping.. absolutely Laura

I disagree. There are many hair stylists, groomers, etc. that work for themselves and take the entire service fee. It would be in very poor taste to not tip them for their services just because they're an independent business owner.

That is the rarity. Coming from a former petsitting business owner (sold it due to a move). The overhead on petsitting is little to none so as the sitter you keep the almost all if not all the money. It those other industries (hair stylist you have overhead - rent space, product, equip).

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My experience is about the same - I've had tips up to $60 and nothing. It mostly just depends on the clients and what kind of people they are honestly. I don't go into a stay ever expecting a tip, so if I get one it's an added bonus. And I definitely make a point to do a little extra and keep a good relationship going with those who do tip.. obviously I want to keep working with them and hope they want to keep working with me! :)

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The only times we have been tipped, is for our longer visitors. (10+ days) A few people have given us doggy treats as well which is always nice for my furry babies! I always tip a few bucks when I leave my dogs with someone but only because my one pup can be a pain in the butt. Haha

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I give mine Rover gifts at the end of year THANKS!

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I never expect a tip. Some of my clients tip well ($50) every time they book with me, and some don't tip at all, so it evens out in the end. One time a client went to New Zealand and brought me back some goodies (jellybean chocolate bar!). I was once tipped $100 by a client whose dog was a nightmare (she was old and very sick), which I didn't expect and didn't want to accept but she insisted. I am not put out when I don't get a tip though. Not a big deal!

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I never get tipped by Rover clients and I would appreciate them if they were offered especially since Rover takes 15% which I regard as WAY TOO MUCH of a cut.

Tips would be awesome! Though not expected. We just joined and Rover takes 20% 😕 Honestly we’ve loved it so far so no complaints

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I am a pet sitter and I just got back from vacation where I left my dogs with another sitter. I tip her, especially if she took care of my dogs during the Holidays. Karen R. posted a link on http://dogster.com and it is a great read. I think pet sitting should be a service where you leave a tip and in some states it's just a given, part of etiquette. To be honest I do not expect a tip especially if I set my own rates, but it is always nice when I receive one and it shows your appreciation. Sometimes a tip is not given in the form of money, instead I'll get a gift from wherever they just vacationed from, which is just as nice.

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A good idea is to leave a VISA card loaded when I go away for a trip. That way if they need something, it's not on their bill. Then if you feel that they are worth it, just give it to them as their tip.

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I have one client who has become a regular - 5 times in 5 months - who has tippevery time about 15 %. She is the only one out of 12 clients. oh I forgot >One client did bring me a superb box of chocolates. Do you let clients know that Rover tskes 15%?

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No I'm sorry but If they don't understand then they are clueless about a lot of thing. I owned a hair salon and,everyone assumed what I charged was mine.. I made about 30 percent so 15 percent is an amazing mark off shame on you for even thinking you get screwed by rover

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