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How do I tell the owners of two senior dogs that I've been sitting for a year that I no longer want to sit for them ?

I've been dog sitting these two senior dogs for a year. One dog is very relaxed and easy going the other has countless issues due to his age (14). Both dogs require medication every day. The 14 yr old dog takes about 8 pills every day and has been constantly peeing all over my house and keeps waking up at night and whining like a howling deep breathing whine .In fact he whines about 80 % of the time. The whole weekend I wasn't able to sleep because he kept waking up and whining. I feel like he is use to getting up at 5:30am and eating because even if I let him out he would continue to whine. The other senior dog, is a little bit younger but has developed pickiness toward her food lately which she wasn't been before and would not eat her pills even with the use of pill pockets (which I had to go out and purchase). I've also tried the sticking it down the throat approach but they always manage to spit them out.

I felt like taking care of them a year ago was much easier than it is today and that I should breakup with their owners and request they find a new sitter because we aren't a good match anymore. Ive been asked to watch them again in two months and feel like I cant go through a week of constantly cleaning pee and loosing sleep and spending thirty minutes trying to get them to eat their pills when I have to work 40 hours during the week. Also on top of all of that I dog-sit both dogs for only $25 a night. This is the rate they requested in the beginning and it had been set when I first started out, so I was willing to do it at this rate but now I realize these dogs are too much work and too high maintenance for me to continue putting in so much work. What would be a nice way to break up with the dog owners? They are so nice but Idk how to tell them I just can't sit for them anymore.

Also should I tell them in person or over text that I cant dog sit for them anymore?

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Hi sorry to hear you are having so many issues with them. I do understand your frustrations, senior dogs at times can be a bit of a handful. For starters I would definitely do it in person. You have been working with them for so many years, I think it is much more personable if you do tell them face to face. As far as what to tell them, well I would be honest with them. You did a great job explaining it to us, I am sure the owner will understand. When I worked at the animal hospital one trick that I used when talking to clients was making sure for every negative thing I had to say, throw in a positive thing as well. (No one likes to hear nothing but negatives about their pets) So for example starting off with how much you love both the dogs and something else positive ("they are so well behaved, they listen well or even how you enjoy how bonded they are to each other", ect.) just something positive, than rolling into "but gosh this was so hard on me this time. We had several issues. And although I know its not their fault it just really took a toll on me this time" and continue with the problems you had. Towards the end you want to mention something to the effect how much "it hurts you", or "you hate to have to tell them no but you are not going to be able to continue watching them". You would be happy to help them find another sitter. and end with something positive. "They are such good kids, I wish we didn't get old and have problems." or something to that effect.
Hope this make sense and helps but over all I think if you are honest with them, they will understand. Good Luck!

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Thank you Erica! That was very helpful! I took your advice and they were very understanding and wish me lucked. Ugh feel like I just went thru a breakup but I know its best for all of us in the end. Thank you again!