After hearing horror stories and “sitters gone wrong” situations, even I would feel wary of the industry as a whole. Anyone can claim anything, so how are you supposed to know who to trust? Honestly, it’s one of the reasons I work as hard as I do to create stress-free experiences for my clients. But why should you trust me? I’m a stranger on the internet making yet another claim. If there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I have high standards. So if this sounds like you: - You want someone easy to work with—who takes initiative and offers clear, consistent communication. - You want to know which sitter will *actually* treat your pets like their own. - You don’t want an “animal lover” or “animal whisperer” only on paper. - You don’t want to come home to dirty dishes and full trash bins. - You don’t want the stranger you hired shuffling through your personal items (obviously). - You want to return to a freshly washed and ‘made’ guest bed. - You want someone dedicating their time to your pets like it’s their full-time job. - You prefer the peace of mind that comes with hiring a sitter who carries excellent pet sitting insurance. Then you’re in luck, because this is exactly what I offer my clients— and more. But more on that in a minute… I was training a shepherd a few months ago, and his foster mom told me the craziest thing I’ve heard from a client. She said she had worked with 12-14 dog trainers over her lifetime, and that I was by far the best one she’s ever had. How do you accept a compliment like that? I’m still in shock, honestly. Most *good* trainers are in their 40’s, 50’s, or older… and I’m 25. (I’m not pitching my training services here— I’m not taking new clients). I only bring that up to show you ‘I know my stuff,’ and I’m not just some kid who calls herself a trainer for kicks and giggles. But, it might be easy to assume I’m unreliable or unserious because of my age. So why on earth am I charging so much? I have easily studied over a dozen books on canine psychology, behavior modification (changing behavior), and behavior case studies. I have also taken courses under Canine Behaviorists and have done countless (possibly hundreds) of hours of independent research. I’m also a bit of an “overachiever”. I accidentally earned two associate degrees (at the same time) before earning my bachelor’s, and I was a candidate for valedictorian at my college. So, my background gives you an advantage. Multiple advantages, really. You’ll be able to fully enjoy your time away without a single nagging worry in the back of your mind. You also get: - Free “insider training” info other people pay me $150 per hour for (feel free to pick my brain on things you’ve been struggling with— cat, dog, or other). - A sitter or walker who knows how to prevent and reduce reactivity on walks— instead of one who panics and dreads the sight of another dog or human for the rest of the walk. - A sitter who can work your pet’s mind, mentally fulfilling them while boosting their confidence and coping skills. - A sitter who can read your pets’ boundaries— I can tell the difference between a “pet me!” belly roll and a “leave me alone!” belly roll. - A sitter who naturally reduces and prevents problem behaviors while growing polite ones— without changing their routine. (I cannot guarantee results— it depends on length of stay, history, etc.). - And the rest of the package (daily exercise, maintaining their normal routine, high-quality photos of your pets throughout the stay, organizing playdates with their best friends (if applicable), and consistent updates). - I also run almost every day, so it’s easy to bring your dog along. I do canicross with my own dog (mushing but you’re both running) so I can bring a pulling harness for them if that’s something you’re interested in. (As long as they’re older than 1 year and they don’t have any joint issues!) For longer stays, this personalized one-on-one time with a trainer easily totals to thousands of dollars (all of which you get for free). Right now, I’m accepting a small number of Rover clients. But I can’t promise you’ll be able to find my profile the next time you search for a sitter, walker, or someone to swing by and check on your pets. And this isn’t some lame marketing gimmick where I play “hard to get” to get you to book me. I’m just a busy person, and it’s easier to dedicate myself to a smaller circle of clients. I can take on three to five more clients, and then ‘curtains are closed’ for a while (maybe indefinitely). So if you’re reading this, odds are I’m still accepting new clients. However, I'm expensive. So if you’re looking for a low-cost sitter, walker, day care, etc, I’m probably not the best fit for you. There are plenty of low-cost options out there. But if you want to work with me while the door is still open, shoot me a message (click “contact this sitter” below), and I’ll get back to you as soon as I’m available. To me, this is not some “low-effort side gig”. And my pricing reflects my commitment to my clients and to their pets. You are literally entrusting me with their lives and well-being. What kind of person would I be if I didn’t give you (and them) my best? So I'll make you a promise: If you aren’t 100% thrilled with your experience, I’ll give you a full refund, an extra $100, and a referral to another top sitter— just for wasting your time. If you’re ready to ease your uncertainty and freely enjoy your time away from home, go ahead and click “contact this sitter” below. Phew. Now that I’m done with my speech (sales letter, lol), I’ll answer some of your questions: Q & A Time! :D - “Will you eat the food in my house??” No— I bring my own food. Unless you tell me: “These {food items} are for you, please eat them.” Then of course I can do that, lol. - “How will you exercise my pet?” Walking, running, playtime— it’s really up to you. But it also depends on their age. For example, I would not recommend long walks or running with a four-month-old puppy (it’s hard on their joints). - “What if I don’t want frequent updates while you’re watching my pet?” Then let me know how often you want updates, and we can do that. - “Will my house look like a dumpster fire when I return?” Quite the opposite, actually. I like to leave houses in better condition than I find them. There’s no worse feeling than returning to a mess. - “Does that mean you’ll go through our personal stuff and reorganize—” No, lol. I don’t touch your personal belongings. I just make sure surfaces and floors are clean, bedding is washed and made, trash is empty, dishes are clean, things are put away, etc. so everything looks neat when you return. (This is for dog/cat sitting— but I can tidy up if/when applicable for drop-ins). - “Do you clean cat litter boxes?” Yep! - “Will you bring your dog to my house if you’re watching my pets?” Valid question! No, I don’t bring my dog with me. - “Why are you going above and beyond for your clients? Is this really genuine…?” To me, it’s simple. My reputation is on the line, and excellent experiences are not only good for business, it’s just the right thing to do. Well, well, well. You’re still here. Are we… bonding right now? See you in the inbox. XD Annelliese