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'

Author image for Ally Perry
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.

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  • A young woman kneels and smiles with her arms around a small, long-haired dog outside
    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

    I need to vent because I feel a little insane right now, and I want to know if anyone else thinks this whole setup is as weird and frustrating as I do. I (F18) live across the street from my neighbor. Ever since I was 15 or 16, she's asked me to watch her dog whenever she goes out of town. The job
    via AccidentAlive6683
  • consists of feeding the dog twice a day, filling her water twice a day, taking her for a 30-minute walk, and cleaning/filling her hummingbird feeder daily. Sometimes I water her plants if she asks.
    via AccidentAlive6683
  • She goes away for different lengths of time, and the very first time she asked, I was super excited because who doesn't want extra cash? But when I went over, she told me she wanted me to hang out at her house for a few hours a day to keep the dog company, and that she
    via AccidentAlive6683
  • wanted to pay me an hourly wage to do it. She told me to keep track of my hours on a timer so we could add them up when she got back.
    via AccidentAlive6683
  • I thought it was really odd, but I've always been kind of awkward, so I couldn't bring myself to say anything. Fast forward to now: I've done this multiple times, and she always insists on paying this way instead of just giving me a flat daily rate like a normal person.
    via AccidentAlive6683
  • A young woman smiles as she kneels and pets a small, long-haired dog beside her outside
    via Michał Robak

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

  • I wouldn't mind the hourly thing so much if the conditions weren't terrible, but they are. Her house has a really bad roach problem, and she hardly runs the AC (or she just keeps the thermostat set incredibly warm). It hit 108F yesterday, and her trips are always in the de d of summer, so the house turns into an
    via AccidentAlive6683
  • absolute oven. I always turn on a fan for her long-haired dog, but a single fan barely does anything. Because I am terrified of roaches and literally had one crawl over my foot today I cannot bring myself to stay over there for longer than 30 minutes.
    via AccidentAlive6683
  • On top of the heat and the bugs, she gives me ZERO information. I have asked her multiple times for a routine, or how her dog acts on a leash around other dogs/people, but she just ignores the questions and says, "feed her morning and night." Yesterday, I was super busy, completely spaced out, and
    via AccidentAlive6683
  • totally forgot the dog's dinner. I feel absolutely terrible about it, but my brain is just fried. She provides zero structure, yet expects corporate-level timesheet tracking.
    via AccidentAlive6683
  • Because it's so d In hot and gross in there, I've just been doing the bare minimum taking care of the animals, walking her after dark, and getting the h I back to my own AC. But under her system, that means I'm getting penalized financially because my "logged hours" are so low.
    via AccidentAlive6683
  • Is it wrong that I don't want to hang out. in her house? Am I the crazy one here, or is tracking minutes for a neighborly pet-sitting favor just a cheap, neurotic way to avoid paying a proper daily rate?
    via AccidentAlive6683
  • A hummingbird flies towards a hummingbird feeder hanging from a porch at dusk
    via Daniela Seegel

    A hummingbird flies towards a hummingbird feeder hanging from a porch at dusk

  • ancientpsychicpug NOR That sounds miserable and I feel terrible for the animals. In my experience, pet sitting is by the day/night. Tell her no next time.
    via ancientpsychicpug
  • k23_k23 NOR Tell her you won't do that any more, tell her your daily rate, tell ehr to take it or leave it. She is exploiting you.
    via k23_k23
  • IllustriousHabits I do pet sitting for a living. I would never work under those conditions. You're allowed to say no.
    via IllustriousHabits
  • Stevie sub Tell her that you require being paid by the day, and that the house needs to be clean and at a safe temperature for the dogs. If she doesn't like it, then she can find someone else. Those poor dogs.
    via Stevie_sub
  • Secure-Corner-2096 Please, please, please, report the conditions the dog is living in. The poor animal is like an innocent, helpless baby, unable to communicate and vulnerable. Hopefully, they can force this woman to take good care of her pet.
    via Secure-Corner-2096
  • Due_Cup2867 Nor just dont do it anymore. Or is there an outside space you can play with the dog for a few hours. I feel sorry for the dog tbh. Your neighbour doesnt sound like a good dog mum
    via Due_Cup2867

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