Should I be a Yorkie Sitter?

[Sweet Apple]

I'm a sales rep, tired of the rat-race, and wondering if there would be a market for a yorkie daycare? I've got a plan, to make a bedroom that has an outside wall (for a doggy door) that would lead outside to the side of the house...One side would be house, the other side 6' cedar fence, and I would cover that "run" w/a bird proof cover, 'cause of those dang hawks and such ...Anyway, back to the plan...I could do tile in that bedroom, and it has a nice window, facing east, for some sunlight and cheer...Nothing in the room, but puddle pads, toys, yorkie beds, and a t.v. (mounted on the wall, where they couldn't get to it)...(My yorkie loves watching t.v.) I'm quite aware of the manual labor of cleaning throughout the day, but I'm all o.k. w/manual labor lol...I just want some input as to what you yorkie owners think about this, and what a fare fee would be...I think 6 yorkies would be the limit, so I would have time to give them all whatever they needed...I've been a retail manager for over 25 years, and now in sales, and I'm tired of people and ready to take on the "dawgs" lol...I'm really looking for answers and honesty, so let me know what you really think....This post is, after all, a market research letter....Thanks, Maggie and Apple

[marcerella02]

Well I know we lucked out when we found someone willing to take Layla into their house to baby sit. I think as mom's of a small breed we know that normal kennels are not always ideal for our pups.

Would the dogs have free run of your house or just this one room?

I think it would be important for YOUR dog that you do trials with new clients to make sure your pup is not suffering at all from the new dogs coming in and out.

I pay Layla's sitter $15 for a day and $20 for overnight but i know we are getting a STEAL! I'd be willing to be $25 for a day....

Would you be taking the dogs for walks? what about if a dog is shy and can't be in the room with the other dogs?

But i think if you advertise the market is there- yorkies are our babies and we don't want to leave them but when we do we want it to be in someone's HOME and with someone who knows the breed.

[LilMissy]

I like the idea

[Potter]

I am doing small dog sitting right now and I think the market for just Yorkies would be somewhat limited. You can always opt for small breed dogs unless you don't mind having a limited market.

[Britster]

I say go for it! Although you might want to expand your breeds to other small dogs as well.

[Sweet Apple]

Thank you, so much, for the input...I hope to get more posts, tomorrow...As for now, I need to get ready for bed...I have a sales meeting at 7:30, then I will work 'till 6...but, in answer to some of your questions...Apple would be elated w/the idea...I have two friends w/yorkies, and it is the icing on the cake when we visit Callie or Bella, or they come here...As for having the run of the house, well, Apple is trained not to bite electrical cords, and she's trained to puddle pads in the foyer and kitchen (ceramic tile)...I would be worried about other babies running around....The perspective "yorkie room" is a nice size, and the "run" would be plenty of room for 5 or 6 yorkies to play in...I suppose if there was a shy one, I'd have to set up house in the foyer or kitchen...As for walking the york'sters, I'd be too nervous, as my apple can walk out of her harness, so we don't even go walking yet...I have a really big fenced back yard, and we romp around out there, w/my eyes to the sky...I'm totally paranoid about hawks, after coming on this site...Apple and I spend a lot of time playing ball in the house...Thanks for the info regarding the fee...Actually, I had in mind, $20 a day, and haven't really given much thought about sleep-overs...I guess I would see how the daytime goes first...I'm sure it would lead into over-night and vacations...Thanks again to all of you...This is, undoubtedly, the best site I've ever been a part of...I think Yorkies bring out the best in all of us....Night night, for now, and sweet dreams to all your babies (and my sweet apple):aim eeyork

[lemonlauren]

Just FYI, here's a place in my area that I can't wait to take Nikko to (she's on vacation until April). IMO, the prices are at least, if not beyond, fair. We don't really ever leave town or need a pet sitter, but I really want Nikko to be well-socialized, and I'm sure there will be occasion sometimes to leave him overnight.

Her rules are small (under 20lbs only I think?) dogs only, and she said they get special awesome care in her own home - somewhat like you're planning. Her home, but some specially created doggie-only areas. If you can get enough customers, I think it would be an awesome idea, and a true service to small dog owners in your area.

Perhaps you could call her and see if she has any advice for you? I don't want to volunteer her or anything, but she was so nice when I spoke to her, she might be willing to share her experiences with you if you were super polite and asked nicely. I know I was thrilled to find her place, and I personally can't wait to use her service. Just make sure to create a website - I for one would never have found this woman's place if they weren't online, because we're new to the area and not terribly social creatures anyways.

Royal Canine Villa Main Page

Lauren & Nikko

[Sweet Apple]

Wow, what an awesome site! This lady has really put a game-plan together, and executed it!...Thanks Lauren, for sending me this site and giving me some wonderful ideas...The only fly in the ointment, and I had already thought about this, is that dead-gum bordella shot...I wasn't going to give Apple that shot, but I knew I would have to, if I followed through w/this plan...Well, it's going to take me 6 months to a year to get this ball rolling, anyway, so Apple will be that much older, weigh more, etc. etc. etc....Thanks again Lauren....It's amazing how productive networking (through Yorkie Love...lol) can be...Hope you and your baby have a great day ....Love Maggie & Apple