Hanging out with a bunch of dogs all day sounds like a pretty sweet gig, right?
We spoke with Mike to learn a little more about his work withDogVacayas a sitter and trainer.
Tell us about your current position, and how long youve been at it.
Are you working full time with dogs or is it more of a side gig?
I used to be a programmer at Goldman Sachs.
I was tired of corporate life, so I decided to tryDogVacay.
Now I have been working with dogs full time for over 3 years.
What drove you to choose your career path?
How did you end up working with dogs?
I just hated the investment banking world, so I left to pursue a more technology-focused company.
I signed up for DogVacay for fun since I had free time.
It was a win-win-win all around.
How did you go about getting your job?
What kind of education and experience did you need?
I have two masters degrees in computer science and applied math.
But I know this question is asking about the dogs!
Did you need any licenses or certifications?
However, I didnt need that to get started.
What kinds of things do you do beyond what most people see?
What do you actually spend the majority of your time doing?
Theres also cleaningdogs arent quite as cleanly as we are!
I like to confirm I get the shot just right.
As a dog owner, I know we all love and cherish a good photo of our pet.
What misconceptions do people often have about your job?
Dealing with the owners is actually tougher.
Im the same way with [my dog] Toby, so I totally get it.
What are your average work hours?
It can be almost a 24/7 throw in job.
I spend 1-2 hours about four times a day on meals and walks.
Then I work on admin-related tasks, like scheduling and responding to potential clients.
What personal tips and shortcuts have made your job easier?
Having a pack you’re free to control makes all the difference when taking care of multiple dogs.
For the administrative tasks, spreadsheets and templates are critical.
What do you do differently from your coworkers or peers in the same profession?
What do they do instead?
First, the spreadsheet I give has over a hundred rows of input.
Second, training the dogs.
Not every sitter has training knowledge.
Some just play with and spoil the dogs.
That works out okay with the happy-go-lucky dogs that anyone could watch.
Whats the worst part of the job and how do you deal with it?
People assume its dog poop, but Im actually not that bothered by it!
The toughest part is having a client who checks in and asks for updates all the time.
Its the same as having a micromanager at work.
I usually attempt to set expectations that updates will be sent daily.
Whats the most enjoyable part of the job?
Its amazing how many people just get used to being frustrated with behavioral issues with their dogs.
When you show them theres a different way, the lives of the dog and the human improve.
Thats when I truly feel Ive made a difference.
I never felt that way as a cog in a corporate machine.
Do you have any advice for people who need to enlist your services?
Be honest about your dog.
The dogs listen to me simply because I know how to communicate clearly with them.
Its up to the owners to learn how to communicate as well.
Do you see yourself moving up?
In this world, building the business is completely built on repeat business, reviews and word of mouth.
Client satisfaction and trust is everything.
People label DogVacay as the Uber of dog sitting, but theres a difference.
What do people under or over value about what you do?
Id imagine most people think youre just a guy who likes dogs.
From a boarding aspect, people dont realize that it can be a 24/7 job.
Then I need to respond to clients when I hear from them throughout the day.
I also have to accommodate people coming and going at all times and my own pickups and drop offs.
Then I need to find time to take pictures and videos, edit and find the good ones.
That said, my quality of life and happiness level is way higher than before.
What advice would you give to those aspiring to join your profession?
Dont be just a person that likes dogs.
You wont excel, and realistically, youll end up disliking what you do.
It takes a passion and drive to be good at this just like any other job.
Even professional video gamers have to practice their craft 8+ hours a day.
Being responsible, reliable and trustworthy is more important than anything else.
check that to make the humans happy, too.
