What is the ratio of problem dogs you have had?

I think you're misunderstanding the reliability of dog training, especially where housebreaking is concerned. A puppy that is being house trained (and even adult dogs in some cases) are still learning where and when it's okay to potty. Your house is new. It is not at all within the boundaries that dog has learned the yes/no's of. Accidents are always to be expected in new environments. Even every decent rescue or shelter will warn new adopters of this.

The same will often go for crate training. He's crate trained in HIS house. If the training hasn't been practiced in other environments, it won't always come natural in a new one. This is the reason a dog will reliably sit and lie down in his own backyard but ignore every instruction in the dog park.

I had a total of 3 dogs out of the 40 I've had so far, that gave me big trouble:

• One was super aggressive with me, and even bit me causing me to lose a nail and bleed from my hand. The dog didn't stop crying and scratching doors the 4 days and nights he stayed with me. There was nothing I could do to calm him down: no treats, no walks, no petting. When the owner came to get the dog, I explained her the issues I had and her answer was "Oh yes, he's spoiled, I can't even walk him, only my daughter".

• Another one was mostly the owner's fault for not being honest with me during the M&G: she told me caring for her dog was easy, but when she came to drop her with me, she listed a ton of things the dog needed: diapers changed 5x a day because she never potty trained the dog (during the M&G the dog didn't have a diaper, and the dog doesn't have a medical problem, it was lack of training), special food I had to mix and cook for the dog and make sure it was at the correct temperature for her to eat, letting her sleep with me in my bed. She also called me every. single. night. She wanted me to report to her what I did with her dogs and what was new compared to the previous day. Seriously? I do this as a side job while I work from home full time. It's a dog! She sleeps, eats, plays, poop. What else do you expect? If you want me to take care of so many things that demand a lot of time, you should pay me at least 3 times what I charge.

  • Another dog was aggressive with my dog. During the M&G he was friendly and played with him. But when the dog stayed with me, he attacked my dog 4 times for no reason. My dog was napping in the carpet. There was no food or toys involved. I had to keep them separated for the whole week he was here.

Maybe it is the area. I'm in Long Beach (technically, LA too) and have been experiencing the same! I have nightmare stories for days, lol.

The owners definitely lie about their dog's behaviors (going from "he is so chill!" to "oh yeah he does that, but his bites don't really hurt"). Then lying even more by leaving me a bad review and blaming me for their dog's behavior.

I've had 3 dogs who were extremely aggressive to the point of biting. I've reported it to Rover every time and didn't really get any support, and when I couldn't continue the stay my profile got suspended. Because of this I increased my rates, became a lot more selective on who I accept, and recently posted detailed rules on my profile.

Majority of the dogs I've met on Rover have mild to moderate behavior issues (barking, marking, separation anxiety, etc.) and I've figured out little techniques to help curb these. Usually the issues don't subside until the dog has booked with you several times. I've also stopped taking large dogs in my home since I have a small Yorkie Poodle, who's becoming more traumatized the more time we spend on Rover.

As I go along, I'm learning to pay more attention to an owner's red flags during the meet-and-greet too, because in problem cases they are more stressful to me than the dog. I've read about sitters in this forum requiring forms and buying extra stuff (dog whistle, doggy diapers, etc.) so that's an option too.

I have had very good luck with dogs - only one nightmare pair (peed all over despite constant potty breaks, then attacked me when I tried to take them outside). I have 6 dogs staying in my home right now + my 3 and everyone is getting along and playing. It takes some good introductions on neutral territory but as long as no one is able to display dominant behavior or marking I have good luck. It sounds like I'm an exception though!

I require every dog be kenneled at night and when I am not home, no exceptions. I have had my door scratched, carpet pulled up, etc and it is NOT WORTH IT.

I do have some dogs that can't go to normal kennels - for example one hurt himself so badly when he was kenneled he had to go to the hospital, long before I had him. He was found tied to a tree and has some emotional issues. His owner knows I have to have a completely open schedule with no outside Rover walks and he is a special case.

I've been dog sitting for about a year. All of my clients have actually been great so far - knock on wood - only a handful of dogs that weren't trained very well on leash.

The worst client I've ever had was actually a former co-worker (before I got on Rover). Her German Shepherd was extremely aggressive and possessive and she didn't tell me. So when her Shih Tzu jumped on the bed, the German Shepherd lunged at it and had it by the throat - I had to jump on the dog to try to intervene and got bitten in the process. The poor guy needed tubes and stitches, but I really think the German Shepherd would have killed it had I not intervened.

Needless to say - that was the worst client I've ever had. With Rover I am much more careful about the breeds I accept and I ask a ton of questions about aggression, etc. My experience with Rover has been extremely positive!

9/42 are what I would consider problem dogs.

I think Rover gets alot of dogs that CANT go to professional kennels. My ratio for problem dogs has been very, very high. Even fostering dogs it was more like 1 in 10. Rover seems to get 8 in 10.

I'm finding owners overestimating their dogs abilities. For example they say you can leave her for two hours, she okay. But then if i leave for 10 minutes, dog has meltdown. Says She's good about being kenneled. Kenneled dog barks for hours non stop. Knows commands. Can't even get dog to sit. Etc.

I find when I do my m&g it doesn't tell me the full story even then. I'm a pretty good reader of dog behavior and body language. That being said, theres some issues that aren't visually apparent. So my problems are when the owners don't tell you full story or eles overestimate what dog can do.

I don't have too much a problem with potty trained. I'll keep in kitchen until can determine level of bathroom ability. Also adjusted profile to say must be crate trained. However last few ones, the owners said dog fine in kennel and dog barked for hours.

I've had to cut my days way back. Simply because if owner isn't upfront about issues, you'll be the one responsible. So I went from offering overnight 7days a week to 1 day and the other services from 7 days to 2.

I joke with new clients that a dog gets "one free pass." Anxiety is high in a new place - a pup gets one accident. Some of my regular clients, without fail, will relieve themselves in my house within the first hour - but that's it.

My solutions have been to take the new dog outside shortly after their parent drops them off. It doesn't matter if they peed on my front steps before they walked in, this eliminates a lot of anxiety accidents. Additionally, I find myself doing longer meet & greets to really make sure a dog fits. I'll even sell it as a free day care or go have a lunch with the girls. This gives me time with the pup in my home, with my dog and me, without the parent around. I know some services in my area charge for this, but I don't just because I consider it part of an extended meet & greet. It's really the best for both me and the dog. It's especially important for extended stays.

I have struggled with one client who always sneaks off in the middle of the night to poop and pee in my kitchen. This is after going outside immediately before bed. I put a baby gate up. I am not kidding when I tell you she JUMPED OVER THE GATE to poop in my kitchen. I now have an inpenetrable block to the kitchen at night when she stays with me. At home she has pee pads she uses over night. Unfortunately, it has become trial and error to find her spots to potty in the middle of the night. If her parents weren't so awesome and generous, she wouldn't be welcome back. She's a sweetheart otherwise.

Puppies are another category altogether - they're still learning, so there are bound to be accidents, even when you're diligent. I've found that putting pee pads by the door will at least help your clean up easier.

For me it's been 2 out of every 10 have issues. Have noticed that fearful rescue dogs have the problems. Just watched a terrier rescue who was supposedly house trained. Shed had it for 10 years. Peed and poo in the house for 6 days. Also wouldnt eat its kibble,but was obviously hungry so I had to supplement with ground turkey.