Neighbor insists on paying 18-year-old dog sitter hourly, refuses to give her directions on how to care for her pets: 'I cannot bring myself to stay for longer than 30 minutes'

Ally Perry • Writer and Editor

Jun 21, 2026 1:15 PM EDT

Who negotiates pay when somebody is hired to do a service?

It is pretty common for those who need their house, pets, and kids taken care of to think that they can set the rate they are willing to pay whoever steps up to do those things. It is probably not a coincidence that these jobs are often considered more 'casual' and are often done by younger women seeking some extra income or even relying on the service they provide for a full-time salary.

While anybody who charges an extortionate rate for this kind of job is unlikely to get many clients, it is also unfair to expect that this technically self-employed person has no say in what or how they will get paid. These necessary care jobs are often the kind of thing that people want to cheap out on, and they resent having to pay more than they have budgeted in their head. These are roles that are not always so easy or pleasant, so it can be pretty entitled to put a low price tag on them. There are levels to it, and the person providing the service has to gauge and react to those appropriately.

via Michał Robak

_{^{A young woman kneels and smiles with her arms around a small, long-haired dog outside}}
An 18-year-old had been dog-sitting for her neighbor for the past few years, but she was getting tired of the deal. The neighbor insisted on her filling out a timesheet and paying her hourly, instead of a flat rate for the day. At the same time, she gave her few directions on how to care for her dog.
The young woman didn't like to stay in the house for too long, as it was uncomfortable for multiple reasons. She felt like she deserved a daily rate, as well as working conditions that were less unpleasant for her and the dog. She wasn't sure if she was being unfair.
Am I overreacting? My neighbor expects me to log "hourly hours" like a 9-5 job to dog sit

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_{^{A young woman smiles as she kneels and pets a small, long-haired dog beside her outside}}
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