TVCH FORUMS HOME . JOIN . FAN CLUBS . DONATE . CONTACT . CHAT  
                  Quick Links   TOPICS . TREE-VIEW . SEARCH . HELP! . NEWS . PROFILE
Archive through August 12, 2008

Reality TVClubHouse Discussions: General Discussions ARCHIVES: July 2008 - Sept 2008: Career Group: Starting a Brand New Business--Advice... : Archive through August 12, 2008 users admin

Author Message
Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Wednesday, July 23, 2008 - 9:24 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
No. They have an electric fence and those are the devices that set off a zap if they cross their boundaries. But they've had 'em for awhile and are quite used to the whole setup. I have to remember to remove them when I take them on walks. So far, so good!

Off to a Pet Nanny job now--"my" yorkies that I love so much, Sebastian and Stella! Then Shamrock this evening (again, a Pet Nanny job rather than Fetch). Knock on wood we keep getting along. You're right, Juju. I waited for him to come to me, and it makes all the difference.

In fact, last night I did a consult with an owner of 2 Maine Coon cats (are you listening, landi?) and the cats actually liked me. I spoke softly, kept my movements to a minimum--and slow--and they responded to that. You were so right, Juju. I was treating them like dogs. A whole different demeanor is needed! Thanks for all the great advice! I should award you an affiliate kick-back!

Konamouse
Member

07-16-2001

Wednesday, July 23, 2008 - 12:03 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Konamouse a private message Print Post    
Wow! I just started reading this thread and visited your petnanny site. What a great idea! You've done an amazing job with your marketing and it sounds like you are really busy!
Good luck with your company; I suspect this could really take off into something you can expand to other markets.



Mocha
Member

08-12-2001

Wednesday, July 23, 2008 - 12:40 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mocha a private message Print Post    
Lol I was wondering the same thing Zuzu. Wow so those really work? I love to say Schipperke.

Landileigh
Member

07-29-2002

Wednesday, July 23, 2008 - 1:02 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Landileigh a private message Print Post    
maine coon cats are the sweetest most squishy furry lovable things! no sudden movements and let them do the initiating.

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Wednesday, July 23, 2008 - 3:15 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
Hey Mocha, I got a call from someone who saw my website and wants a sitter to do 5 overnights for her in August (15-19th). She lives in BEAR, though, not Dover, where I think your son is.

Is there any chance your son (who I believe is in Dover right now) might want to do that job? The overnights are from 6 pm to 9 am each day. But he could just stay there the entire day, if that helps, transportation-wise.

The owner has an acre with a fence and 2 dogs.

I charge $55 for overnights and my deal is that the sitter gets half of my fee and every cent of the tip. In his case I would give him $40 of the $55--plus his tip, of course. Let me know and I'll train him online, etc, talk to him by phone, and set this up. (I am already booked with overnights that run Aug 12-17 or I would do it.)

I am going to post this in your folder, too, Mocha.


landi, thanks!! Will do.

Konamouse, thank you so much. I am really happy in my heart doing this, and I have confidence it WILL take off. I really do!

Could you let me know either way by my email: swiftdv@comcast.net

Thanks!!

Hukdonreality
Member

09-29-2003

Wednesday, July 23, 2008 - 3:59 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Hukdonreality a private message Print Post    
Hiya Herck! I'm glad to see that your business is going so well! See, you are doing what you love and it is becoming more and more successful! Congratulations!
Woof!Meow!Oink!Whoo!Howl!

Mocha
Member

08-12-2001

Wednesday, July 23, 2008 - 4:11 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mocha a private message Print Post    
Hp I answered in my folder and via email lol.

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Wednesday, July 23, 2008 - 11:38 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Juju2bigdog a private message Print Post    

quote:

and the cats actually liked me. I spoke softly, kept my movements to a minimum--and slow--and they responded to that. You were so right, Juju. I was treating them like dogs. A whole different demeanor is needed! Thanks for all the great advice! I should award you an affiliate kick-back!


LOL, HP. Cats ain't no dogs. They are darlings also, just not as easy. The cat must know that s/he is the superior animal, and then they might tolerate your presence. Dogs just like to be buddies. Different worlds. I wish you were out here. I would take some of the assignments you can't take.

I suppose I should probably sign up as a pinch hitter for one of our dog sitting services here, but we are gone so much, that I don't think we are really reliable. But I betcha the sitters would love to have us, eh? Sensible, stable, old fogies?

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Monday, July 28, 2008 - 10:41 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
Huk, that is so cute--and so sweet. Thanks, Darlin'!!

Mocha, oh well. We had talked at one time about him doing some work for me downstate. Guess I forgot how young he is!! By the way, there's a woman doing sitting under the pet nanny name downstate. Maybe he should look it up and see if she is still in business and work for her to get some experience. Day visits only!

Juju, you should sign up with someone who has a good reputation. Fetch's owner here, Tori, LOVES me! (She even offered me another job with her . . . I haven't shared my business news with her yet. But I have to do that pretty soon. I got 3 new customers from my website already!]

Tori invited me to dinner a few weeks back and told me, based on her experience with me and a couple other oldsters, she thinks she is gonna hire us older folks as much as possible in the future. She said her experience with the college or just post-college kids is that they just don't have the same work ethic or sense of responsibility (cancelling on her all the time, or constantly asking to switch hours with a co-sitter without her knowledge--I know; it happened to me with some young gal--4 times during our shared job with that "fancy" job I had--with the 3 dogs, 3 cats and pond full of koi). [Note: Big jobs sometimes include 2 or even 3 sitters--for people who are away for a long period and need 2 or more visits per day.]

A sitting business will take you on for whatever days/months/hours you can give. This is the busy season, but so are the holidays. If you are willing to have a dog or cat in your home over the holidays--or care for one nearby, you could really make some money! People usually tip really well, too--because they are so thankful to have a responsible, caring sitter. You would be soooo wonderful with them.

Too bad you aren't closer; I would be proud so to add the DAWG as a Pet Nanny!

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Monday, July 28, 2008 - 7:41 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Juju2bigdog a private message Print Post    
We would love to have a dog in the condo in South Padre. We would probably keep it for free, but the landlady has a no pets policy.

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Friday, August 01, 2008 - 9:09 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
Oh! Well, you snowbirds oughta keep still!!!!

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Friday, August 01, 2008 - 9:27 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
More Murphy and Zoey pix:

Side by Side

Side by Side


fave

Lookin' for goodies!
The piglets look underfed, don't they?!! Ha!


3

In position for a raspberry from Dale.


4

Murphy's favorite thing, next to treats!


5

Yogurt and Dry Food--Yummy Time!
Yes, that's their doggie door you're seeing.


Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Friday, August 01, 2008 - 10:51 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Juju2bigdog a private message Print Post    
You take the vey cutest pictures, HP!! They might almost be contest winners.

I hope you are sending those pictures by e-mail to wherever the owners are. When we pet-sit for the folks in California, I send them pictures of the kids, and they are thrilled beyond belief to see that the kids are alive and getting along okay without them.

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Saturday, August 02, 2008 - 3:45 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
Hey, Juju. I ALWAYS share the pix, which I send to them early so they can see them upon their return if not checking their mail while away.

One family actually framed one I took (the one with the 2 Bernese Mountain dogs and the Golden). It showed the three of them standing outside in front of their home--on the wooden walkway--near the bridge over the koi pond. (I am a TERRIBLE photographer. But with my HP Director software , I am able to fix the photos afterward.)

All the families love that I do that because it accomplishes just what you mentioned. It lets them know their lovies were happy, played with, eating, and being cared for by someone who really enjoys them!

Yesterday, while I was playing tug of war with Murphy (Zoey would rather kiss me the entire time I'm there), I was on all fours in the bedroom, where Murphy had run. Zoey had to get in the act, so you know what she did?! She jumped up and stood on my back!! Like a circus dog or something! I thought I'd die laughing!

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Saturday, August 02, 2008 - 2:05 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Juju2bigdog a private message Print Post    
Oh geez, you are going to have to get a tripod and use the remote timer to get a picture of that one! Better not send that one to the owners. They might think you are having too much fun and start charging YOU.

I can see the headline now: Pet Nanny Goes All Circus.

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Saturday, August 09, 2008 - 3:53 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
Hahahaha, Juju.

My latest crew:

kaya
Kaya, a 90-lb, 5 year-old Sweetheart of a German Shepherd. She is so patient and soooo sweet!

Keelie
Her sister, Keelie. The coloring is called Blue Merle and she is a German Shepherd - Australian Shepherd Mix. She is 16 pounds and is 4 months old. She chews everything in sight--a very comical dog. She often takes these flying leaps at Kaya, and Kaya just looks down at her amusedly.

The owner also has 2 cats, but I haven't had to do anything for them yet. The amazing thing is they all get along. For now, the dogs are gated into half the house, and I have to be with them for a half-hour--mostly playing. So there is no time for wandering. Occasionally, one cat will come downstairs to say hello.

They are MY customers. Not Fetch's!

Another new Fetch customer has this adorable 4-month old kitten, whose name is Chevy (as in Chevy Chase):

ch1wild man
I call him the WILD MAN!


Yet another new customer has these 2 Himalayan cats:

BlueEllie
Blue and Ellie. brother and sister--both 1 year and 3 months old.

I have MORE NEW (Yay!!) customers--their pets' pics will come later!

Mocha
Member

08-12-2001

Saturday, August 09, 2008 - 5:14 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mocha a private message Print Post    
Wow Hp looks like business is booming lol.

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Saturday, August 09, 2008 - 7:42 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
Yes, it is, Mocha!!! I am thrilled!

I meant to say that Chevy's owner is MY client, not Fetch's. People are finding me thru Google, but I don't know how. (I am learning the ways of Google, though, Little Cricket. Baby steps.) I think what is allowing people to find me is that I joined several online pet sitting sites and also some that allow care givers (including pet sitters) and people seeking care (including pet owners) to post their information. So far, I've been getting about 2 new inquiries a day. They don't all result in jobs, but MOST do. When customers look for a pet sitter, it's generally because they have plans and need someone right away. So beating out my competition for those jobs in my area that is my focus. And every day I think my online presence has been helping me widen my reach.

I will close off my relationship with Fetch at the end of September, I think--which is the last date I have accepted with them (The owner with the Jack Russel Terriers).

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Saturday, August 09, 2008 - 9:13 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Juju2bigdog a private message Print Post    
Love your pics, HP. It just warms the cockles of my heart to see you succeeding at this business. Thanks for not forgetting about us figments out here wondering how it is going.

Biscottiii
Member

05-29-2004

Sunday, August 10, 2008 - 10:53 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Biscottiii a private message Print Post    
Sounds like all that HARD work you put out in the planning stages is coming back to really pay dividends!

Congrats Herk, so excited for you! Plus, all the closer clients you can get reduces the gas mileage. So enjoying the client pics.

Colordeagua
Member

10-25-2003

Monday, August 11, 2008 - 6:27 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Colordeagua a private message Print Post    
Hey, Herck, does Angie's List cover your area? If so, have a client get you on that. Nothing like having an A rating (that'd be you) on Angie's List for referrals.

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Monday, August 11, 2008 - 9:02 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Juju2bigdog a private message Print Post    
Oh, excellent idea, Colordeagua!!

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Tuesday, August 12, 2008 - 11:12 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
Thanks, Juju, Biscottiii and Color!

Color, I'll have to check that out. Thank you!!

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Tuesday, August 12, 2008 - 11:48 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
Have you ever heard of YELP? I guess it's like Angie's List.

Read this review of a pet sitter service called Woofs and Whiskers, left by his owner, a male. It's a riot.

"I left my son, Pumpernickel the dashing Abyssinian Guinea Pig, for a week with these people.( you can see him in my pics) I provided his meals, hay and cage. And for a very reasonable boarding fee they saw he didn't eat it all at once. When I got back from my trip, his cage was well cleaned, he seemed happy, content and they appeared to be reluctant to give him back having grown attached to his Snoopy sleep on top of his house behavior. I would recommend Woofs 'n Whiskers to other GP owners."

Vacanick
Member

07-12-2004

Tuesday, August 12, 2008 - 11:51 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Vacanick a private message Print Post    
I love that you post pictures of your 'clients' HP ... they are all so adorable!! 1