Signs a sitter isn't as reliable as they seem

You've just returned from a weekend away to find your dog hasn't eaten properly, the house smells stale, and your sitter's messages during your absence were vague. Now you're wondering what actually happened while you were gone. Spotting a sitter's reliability issues early—before you hand over your keys—means watching for patterns and red flags that reveal themselves in the small details.

The communication fade-out

A sitter who starts with detailed updates and then goes silent is showing you something. Reliable sitters check in consistently because they want you to know your pet is safe. If messages taper off or become generic ("all good") without the specifics you asked for—photos, feeding times, mood notes—it suggests they're cutting corners or managing too many clients at once. Early on, ask for check-ins at specific times and with specific details. "Send me a photo after the morning walk" or "let me know what time you gave the afternoon feed." A sitter who bristles at this or forgets repeatedly isn't organised enough for your peace of mind. Trust the pattern, not the apology. If they miss your requested updates twice, they will again.

Inconsistency between words and actions

Sitters say they arrive at 8am, but your pet's water bowl is bone-dry and the bed they supposedly made hasn't been sat on. They claim to have done a full walk but your dog is wired with pent-up energy. They text that everything went smoothly, but your cat's medication—which you left detailed instructions for—wasn't given at the right time. These aren't harmless slip-ups; they show a sitter isn't actually doing what they promise. Start with a test run: a single visit while you're nearby or a short trip where you can ask neighbours or check pet cameras. Watch whether they do what they say they will. Ask your pet sitter directly about the water bowl or the walk, and listen to how they respond. A reliable sitter owns the mistake; an unreliable one makes excuses or deflects blame to the pet.

The boundary-creeper

Some sitters are fine at the start but gradually test your limits. They arrive 15 minutes early to "save time". They take your pet somewhere you didn't approve—a friend's house, a different park. They help themselves to your kitchen or ask to use your Wi-Fi password for other jobs. They invite a friend along on visits. They start asking for extra favours or cash payments off-the-books. These aren't personality quirks; they're signs that the sitter doesn't respect your home or rules. This matters because someone who ignores small boundaries will ignore bigger ones too. From the first meeting, be clear about access: which rooms they can use, what time they must arrive and leave, what your pet can and cannot do. If they push back or "forget" these limits, that's your answer. Reliability includes respecting what you've set out, every single time.

How to act on what you notice

If you spot one of these patterns early, address it directly in writing (email or WhatsApp) so there's a record. "I notice you've sent updates less often lately—I need them at the times we agreed." Give them a chance to improve, but set a short deadline. If the problem persists over two or three visits, find someone else. Don't wait for a crisis—a sitter who isn't reliable now will let you down when you need them most. When you're ready to find a replacement, look for someone with a clear track record, verifiable references, and a willingness to follow your exact instructions without pushing back. Strove lets you compare sitters' experience and read reviews from people who've already spotted the difference between someone who talks the talk and someone who shows up.

Reliability isn't charisma or quick replies alone. It's consistency between what a sitter promises and what they actually deliver, week after week.