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Do you charge the holiday rate for boarding the second dog?

I have gotten a boarding request during the Christmas holiday for a repeating client who has 2 dogs. My holiday rate is $50 and night and my normal additional dog rate is $20 a night. Their dogs are pretty good but their second dog is 15 years old and has to get let out twice in the middle of the night or else he will go in my house.

I already booked the same client for Thanksgiving and didn't adjust the second dog rate. So I was just wondering if anyone raises their second dog rate during the holidays? & would it be reasonable to do it for the Christmas one even though I didn't for the Thanksgiving request?

3 Answers

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Yes, it is reasonable to adjust for X-Mas even though you didn't for T-giving. You can inform them that the system doesn't automatically adjust the second dog rate over the holidays, explain that your usual second dog holiday rate is XX, which you overlooked it for the November reservation and will honor the T-giving service at the amount booked. During peak holiday time, a $5-$15 discount (as opposed to $30) for the second dog sounds more reasonable.

I've booked without cost adjustments that should have been entered before. At some point, I communicated to the pet parent that I didn't enter the cost adjustment before booking and accepted responsibility for that and agreed to honor that amount (Even if they offered, I wouldn't alter the booking because that didn't seem right. Some clients will show appreciation with repeat loyalty, referrals, reviews, gifts, and tips.)

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I totally also charge the holiday surcharge on the second dog, this is an extremely busy time of the year and the second will be taking a spot that you could fill at the full holiday rate. Clients might not think about it but you are in a way sacrificing your holiday to care for their dog while they are enjoying their holiday and that should be compensated.

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I personally do not deal with the numbers because my husband does it since he is great at that. Plus with me, when my potential clients are wanting to book with me I make sure to let them know that they get 2 sitters for the price of one. Plus if it's a returning client (I have a few) I always give them a $15 discount on their pups during the holidays. I never charge them but I do darn them that I have to increase my prices on everything because I am getting backed up and never like to turn anybody down. But I lock my returning clients in a set price ($35 for their 2 dogs "combined" for daycare a day) & ($50 for both combined for boarding). If they stay 3 or 4 days straight; it's $60. So in the long run it's a $10 discount. I also do meet & greet at my house so they can get use to the smell of the yard (front and back and inside the house). If the dog is 105+lb my husband takes care of them when it comes to talking them. I started March 17th this year and in a month's time I've made more than working at Wal-Mart as a cashier ($10 an hour). Plus I just love taking care of dogs.