Pet Sitter Confessional Pet Sitter Confessional, LLC

How do you keep things simple in your business? Scott Black, owner of Personal Touch Pet Sitting, discusses the importance of personalized communication, screening clients thoroughly, and managing risks in the industry. He also emphasizes the significance of continuing education and balancing growing a pet sitting business while prioritizing quality and safety. Scott shares his thoughts on liability and risk management, setting boundaries, and managing client relationships.
Main topics:
Networking
Managing your risk
Quality over quantity
Importance of relationships
Main takeaway: Be careful of creating a demand you cannot, or do not want to, supply.
About our guest:
Top dog, jack of all trades and founder/owner of Personal Touch Pet Sitting, Kingwood, TX since 2005. CPPS through PSI. Top 5 finalist  for PSI’s Pet Sitter of the year 2097 and 2009. Honored to have been named the 2010 Pet Sitter of the Year.
I am a co-pet parent to 4 dogs and 3 cats, all rescues. I represent the professional pet care industry by taking part in town events, as well as maintains professional relationships with the veterinarians and other pet businesses in my community.
(The picture is the day I met Chato. He is our blind and deaf dog. We fostered him for almost a year before we adopted him.) This is one of my favorite pictures. Some how the two of us bonded that day. He couldn’t see or hear me. It was love at first smell I guess.)
Links:
Previously on Episode 315: https://www.petsitterconfessional.com/episodes/315
https://www.petsit.com/pet-sitter-kingwood-tx-personal-touch-pet-sitting-inc
https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-black-76ab301b/
281-441-PETS
Email: ptps@comcast.net
Buy PSC Merch
Give us a call! (636) 364-8260 
Follow us on: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter
Email us at: feedback@petsitterconfessional.com
Full show notes and transcript
 
Sponsored by:
❤️ Our AMAZING Patreon Supporters 
Time to Pet
Visit: https://timetopet.com/confessional
Code: 50% off first 3 months
 
Peaceful Pet Music - Calm Music for Pets
🎶💜 From peaceful melodies to soothing nature sounds, this channel is your go-to spot when your pet is anxious and you don’t know where to turn.💜🐾
Subscribe now at https://www.youtube.com/@peacefulpetmusic
 

Can you meet the promises you make to your clients? Our goal should be to truly embody values like professionalism, dependability, and transparency. Whatever you promise your clients, these should not merely be marketing terms but actual practices, supported by robust systems. There can be significant repercussions if we fail to meet the standards we set for ourselves, and we should be prepared to defend our practices when clients hold us accountable. Ultimately, we should strive to align our practices with our core values and maintain consistency in all interactions to build and sustain trust with clients.
Main topics:
Professionalism
Dependability
Integrity
Setting Standards

Main takeaway: The words that we say matter; what we portray to clients on social media, on Google, they matter because maybe one day, they're gonna hold us to it.
Links:
Check out our Starter Packs
Buy PSC Merch
Give us a call! (636) 364-8260 
Follow us on: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter
Email us at: feedback@petsitterconfessional.com
Full show notes and transcript
 
Sponsored by:
❤️ Our AMAZING Patreon Supporters
Pet Sitters Associates
Visit: https://www.petsitllc.com
Code: Confessional

What does it mean to create a client-centered pet care service? Hannah Alsup, from Three Dog Pet, explores how to incorporate a wide range of services to meet the unique needs of each client. From pet sitting and personal assistance to dog training, Hannah explains how personalized communication and flexible services can empower clients to make informed decisions about their pets. She also touches on the importance of setting boundaries for both clients and staff, while offering tips on integrating mental stimulation and training into pet care routines.
Main topics:
Client-centered approach
Personalized services
Communication and boundaries
Mental stimulation
Main takeaway: It's all about how you frame it. If you set small, successful steps, you can make the journey much easier for both the dog and the client.
About our guest:
Hannah went to school for and earned degrees in animal behavior and psychology in 2018, at Carroll University in Waukesha, Wisconsin. She always knew she wanted to work with animals, but didn't know in what way. Early on, she worked at a doggy daycare and boarding facility, did pet sitting, and worked at zoo and marine life facility camps. But, it wasn't until her internship at the local humane society, in college, that she fell in love with dog training.

She received a dog training position in Texas before school was over, so she rushed back home to start work. There she learned the basics of training group classes, and working on puppy and adult dog basic and advanced manners.

She also started getting into some sports training, such as nosework, agility, and rally, while working at the facility. She went on to work at a few other facilities in the area, gaining more knowledge and skills at each one, eventually earning her CPDT-KA in 2020.

She now spends her time doing pet sitting & dog training with 3dogpet. Gaining more knowledge through fellow trainers, continued education, and earning new certifications. She especially loves helping fearful dogs become more confident and working on reactivity, and has focused much of her continuing education on these subjects.
Links:
Website: 3dogpet.com
instagram: 3dogpet
tiktok: Notyouraveragepetz
https://trello.com
Buy PSC Merch
Give us a call! (636) 364-8260 
Follow us on: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter
Email us at: feedback@petsitterconfessional.com
Full show notes and transcript
 
Sponsored by:
❤️ Our AMAZING Patreon Supporters
Time to Pet
Visit: https://timetopet.com/confessional
Code: 50% off first 3 months
Pet Perennials
Visit: https://petperennials.com/pages/register-for-a-business-account
Code: 'PSC' when registering for a $2 off coupon on any purchases in the 1st 90 days

Ever faced a business roadblock that made you question everything? Here's a deep dive into how we handled an unexpected hurdle and the strategies we used to keep afloat. From employee turnover to shifting business goals, we share the ups and downs you could potentially encounter, and the mindset you need to overcome. Balancing personal life and company demands is a constant challenge, requiring flexibility and a clear vision. That balance is critical to navigate obstacles while keeping your business and personal values intact.
Main topics:
Hitting roadblocks
Self sacrifice for a time
Moving on
Finding your business identity

Main takeaway: Find your business identity and persona to help build and maintain boundaries between your personal and business life.
Links:
Check out our Starter Packs
Buy PSC Merch
Give us a call! (636) 364-8260 
Follow us on: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter
Email us at: feedback@petsitterconfessional.com
Full show notes and transcript
 
Sponsored by:
❤️ Our AMAZING Patreon Supporters
Pet Sitters Associates
Visit: https://www.petsitllc.com
Code: Confessional

How can you make your business more than pet care? Sarah Schloerb, owner of Sit Stay NJ, discusses the importance of professionalism and how she leverages her experience in the veterinary field to offer specialized services. She emphasizes the significance of building a robust network with local pet care professionals to enhance service offerings and prepare for possible industry legislative changes. Sarah's also shares her efforts in community education through pet first aid and CPR classes, and her role in founding a league of pet care professionals aimed at advocacy and education. Sarah's passion for providing tailored and compassionate care to pets shines in all she does, making it clear that her work is both a personal calling and a professional endeavor.
Main topics:
Building out a network
Learning from vets and groomers
Dealing with rejection
Honesty and teamwork
Main takeaway: Don’t force your services on clients, instead ask, “What are you looking for in a pet care provider? And how can I be that for you?”
About our guest
Sarah Schloerb, the heart and soul behind Sit Stay NJ, has carved a niche in the pet care industry with her exceptional dedication to pet wellness and owner peace of mind. As a lifelong animal lover, Sarah's journey into professional pet care began as a part-time endeavor that blossomed into a full-fledged passion after she transitioned from her job at a veterinary clinic. Today, she leads a team of compassionate pet care professionals in Northern Bergen County, New Jersey, specializing in services for reactive, anxious, and fearful pets—a testament to her expertise and certification in Fear Free practices.
At Sit Stay NJ, Sarah and her team offer a comprehensive range of personalized pet care services, including daily dog walks, in-home overnight sitting, pet taxi, and even wedding attendance services for your furry companions. What sets Sarah apart is her commitment to not just meeting, but exceeding the standards of pet care. She actively contributes to the community by providing pet first aid and CPR classes, and plays a pivotal role in a local pet care professionals league that focuses on advocacy, education, and collaboration within the industry.
With a mission to ensure every pet feels safe and loved, Sarah's approach is deeply rooted in understanding individual pet needs and fostering trust with both the animals and their owners. Whether it's navigating the challenges of pet behavior or offering a reassuring hand to pet owners, Sarah's leadership at Sit Stay NJ embodies professionalism, empathy, and a relentless pursuit of excellence in pet care.
Links:
Website: https://sitstaynj.com/
https://www.instagram.com/sitstaynj
https://www.facebook.com/SitStayNJ/
hello@sitstaynj.com
sarah@sitstaynj.com
liquid smoke: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquid_smoke
10% off the Fear Free Pet Sitter Certification Program with promo code PSC10
Fear Free: https://fearfreepets.com
Fear Free Happy Homes: https://www.fearfreehappyhomes.com
Links:
Buy PSC Merch
Give us a call! (636) 364-8260 
Follow us on: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter
Email us at: feedback@petsitterconfessional.com
Full show notes and transcript
 
Sponsored by:
❤️ Our AMAZING Patreon Supporters
Time to Pet
Visit: https://timetopet.com/confessional
Code: 50% off first 3 months
National Association of Professional Pet Sitters
www.petsitters.org

How do you manage when a client's home is more than just messy? We dive into the challenging world of hoarding and its impact on our business as pet sitters and dog walkers. We explore what hoarding really entails and how it creates unsafe and unhealthy working conditions. From navigating privacy issues to ensuring the safety of the pets and maintaining professional boundaries, we cover the essential strategies for approaching these sensitive situations with gentleness and genuine concern. Join us as we provide practical advice to help you handle even the most difficult environments effectively.
Main topics
What is hoarding?
When do you say something?
What are your moral and ethical obligations?
When do you report?
Main takeaway: Out of love and concern for the client and their pet, speak up and let them know you’re not ok with the conditions of the home.
Links:
Check out our Starter Packs
Buy PSC Merch
Give us a call! (636) 364-8260 
Follow us on: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter
Email us at: feedback@petsitterconfessional.com
Full show notes and transcript
 
Sponsored by:
❤️ Our AMAZING Patreon Supporters
Pet Sitters Associates
Visit: https://www.petsitllc.com
Code: Confessional