Im not sure if I want to offer sitting in guests home or not. What is expected when that type of stay is booked? Would they expect I stayed at their home for a full 24 hours. Sleeping there?
Usually clients who want in home sitters have dogs that need to keep a routine. It would be important for you to discuss these with your client to make sure you can provide the best service possible. Make sure you know when the dog gets meals, exercise, grooming, etc. as well as if there are small tasks the owner would like you to take care of such as watering plants, collecting mail, or vacuuming areas of the house where the dog has shed. Its important to make sure your comfortable as well, so it is best to do a meet and greet, preferably at the home so you know what your getting in to. Not all clients will ask you to stay in their homes 24/7. Some just require feedings, potty breaks, and daily walks. Talking with your client to discuss these factors will make it easier to find out what your comfort level is and what jobs you should be accepting/what clients you should be turning away. hope this helps!
I am not a travelling sitter, but from what I've read from others in this community is that it depends on your comfort level, schedule, etc. Be very clear in your profile and with owners you meet about what you do and do not offer. You will probably get requests to stay overnight, but if you don't want to, just say that you don't do overnight visits, and let them know what you offer (visits X number of times per day, walks, etc).
I advertise as a traveling sitter as well as hosting dogs in my home. I've only gotten one request to stay overnight in a client's home, and that was from a regular client who had an unusual situation with her dog. My main responsibility is to care for her dog (which is relatively minor), and then I'm free to do as I please. I do stay overnight but I'm free to leave for short periods of time to run errands and take care of other clients.
The rest of my visiting sitter bookings have been for 2-3 visits per day. My visits include walking, feeding, and play time, in general following the dog's usual routine. And I offer to bring in the mail, water plants, and turn lights on and off for no additional charge. If I were asked to stay overnight, I would not have a problem with it as long as it were not for an extended period of time and if I were allowed to leave on occasion (run errands, check my house, etc).
It is mandatory in my opinion that the specifics of any traveling sitter stay should be discussed at the meet and greet. First and foremost, you need to determine the pet's routine and how often and when to visit. If you will be staying overnight, you need to determine where you will sleep, TV and wifi privileges, kitchen access, and what else you might be expected to do in addition to pet duties. I charge my regular in-home boarding rate if I stay overnight, and I have a lower rate for daily visits.