Pet care is a business built entirely on trust. One lost dog, one missed visit or one misplaced key can undo months of good work. The good news is that most of the serious problems new pet sitters run into are preventable with a few habits. Here are the five mistakes we see most often.
1. Skipping or rushing the meet-and-greet
When a new client needs someone this weekend, it is tempting to skip the meeting and just pick up a key. Then you discover on day one that the dog is reactive to other dogs, the cat hides in the box spring, or the back gate does not latch.
Do this instead: make a meet-and-greet required for every new client, even last-minute ones. Walk through the home, test the keys and any codes, meet every animal, practice putting on the leash or harness, and fill in a detailed pet profile. If you cannot meet before the booking, it is usually wiser to decline.
2. Careless key and access handling
Keys on a ring labeled with clients’ names and addresses, door codes saved in a regular notes app, keys left in the car. Any of these can turn into a serious problem if your bag or phone goes missing.
Do this instead:
- Label keys with a code, not names or addresses, and keep the code list separately
- Store codes in a password manager or secure app
- Test every key at the meet-and-greet
- Ask for a backup way in, like a lockbox or a neighbor with a spare
- Have a written policy on how keys are kept and returned
3. No plan for emergencies
Sooner or later, a pet will get sick, a dog will slip a collar, or you will get sick yourself on a booked weekend. Without a plan, you will be making stressful decisions on the spot and possibly without permission.
Do this instead: for every client, have the vet and nearest emergency vet on file, a signed vet authorization, an emergency contact who can make decisions, and clear written instructions for what you are allowed to do. Take a pet first aid course. Carry a basic first aid kit. And set up a backup sitter you trust, with the client’s permission, for when you cannot make a visit.
For escape risk, use well-fitted harnesses or martingale collars as appropriate for each dog, double-check doors and gates, and never let a dog off leash outside a secure fenced area unless the client and local rules clearly allow it.
4. Overbooking holidays
Holidays are when everyone wants a sitter at once. New sitters often say yes to everyone, then find themselves trying to do too many visits across town with no time for each animal and no slack if something goes wrong.
Do this instead: decide in advance how many visits and overnights you can realistically handle in a day, including drive time and a buffer. Give regular clients first choice, open holiday bookings early, and ask for payment or a deposit up front for those dates. When you are full, say so. Referring a client to a trusted fellow sitter keeps the relationship intact.
5. Charging too little for what you do
Many new sitters price like a teenager doing a favor for a neighbor. But a professional pet care business carries insurance, background checks, first aid training, travel time and the responsibility for someone’s family member. Underpricing makes it hard to cover those costs, and it can actually make careful clients wonder what corners you are cutting.
Do this instead: check what established local sitters and walkers charge, add sensible surcharges for holidays, extra pets and last-minute bookings, and set a minimum visit length. Our guide on how much to charge for dog walking and pet sitting walks through it.
A few more worth avoiding
- No written agreement. A simple service agreement covering vet authorization, cancellations, payment and keys prevents most disputes.
- No insurance. Many clients ask, and one incident can be costly. See our guide on pet sitting insurance and bonding.
- Walking too many dogs at once. Some cities cap the number of dogs per walker, and large groups raise the risk of fights and escapes.
- Silent visits. A quick photo and note after each visit is what clients value and remember.
The pattern behind all five
Each of these mistakes comes from treating pet care as casual help rather than a professional service. Clients are trusting you with their home and their animal. Processes like a required meet-and-greet, secure keys, an emergency plan and clear pricing are exactly what earn that trust and the referrals that come with it.
Start with the processes already built
Our pet sitting and dog walking starter kit includes booking with pet profiles, a meet-and-greet request, visit report templates and a service agreement template. We build it once 25 people vote for it, and voters get 20% off at launch. Vote for the pet sitting kit, or read how to start a pet sitting business.
This is general information, not legal, insurance or veterinary advice. Rules vary by state and city, so check locally.
Leave a Reply