Are you a confident pet sitter? Chances are you have had to develop this trait over time in order to attract, and keep, clients. But when you are first starting out what can you do to exude confidence as a pet sitter?
Don’t Let on This is Your First Pet Sitting Job
If you have just set up your pet sitting business and are about to attend your first meet and greet with a potential client, it can be tempting to let them know that this is your first pet sitting job. While there is nothing innately wrong with letting someone know this is your first pet sitting job, it can make some people feel uneasy about hiring a pet sitter who does not have years of professional experience to back them up.
Even if you have been pet owner for years and can draw from your personal experiences, clients will not want to know that this is your first pet sitting job. Of course, everyone must start from somewhere, but would you trust a new heart surgeon straight out of medical school to perform complex surgery on you if you were their very first patient?
Become an Authority in Your Field
As a pet sitter, you will need to know your field well and continue to learn as you go along. Clients often turn to their pet sitter for advice about their pets before consulting their vet. Pet sitters are not health care professionals, but they can often detect the first signs of sickness in pets. This is particularly true for pet sitters who regularly care for certain clients’ pets.
Research the different species of animals you will be caring for, along with their temperament, whether they are good with children and any particular health issues that their breed is prone to. It is also a good idea to learn a little about administering medication to sick animals, what to do in an animal emergency and how to best treat common complaints.
Act Like a Professional
A professional pet sitter will come across as confident and in charge of their business. Have your paperwork in order when you arrive for the initial meet and greet with clients and their pets, learn the names of pets quickly and maintain a professional work ethic that you can be proud of. Clients who can see that their pet sitter is professional, friendly and gets on well with their pets will place their trust in them.
Gaining confidence as a pet sitter does not come easily to some people. Some pet sitters feel unsure of themselves, afraid of putting a foot wrong or of upsetting clients. This feeling of inadequacy can hold them back, thus preventing them from moving forward and gaining more confidence. The key to gaining confidence as a pet sitter is to start off with having faith in your abilities and not allowing doubt to stop you from moving forward.
More from this contributor:
Dog Walking Etiquette in a Built-up Area
How to Ensure You Take Time Off as a Pet Sitter
Pet Sitters: How to Let Clients Know You Care
