What is the ratio of problem dogs you have had?

I think like children, some parents oversell their pets. I've had a couple of "housetrained" dogs have some accidents. In one case, I had a dog that always managed to pee on itself even using a pee pad or outdoors. We've had a biting incident, too, and then was accused for having an unsocialized dog,. Many owners also don't seem to know how bad their dog's separation anxiety is, even if they've left them at boarding or a sitter before. The biggest problem in NYC is having clients who have dogs that well, don't really belong in the city - either they need way more exercise and space, or they don't do well with people. Wish some people knew their dogs more, and put in the time to describe and fill out the profile.

Potty accidents aren't uncommon, though persisting problems are. I'd say about half of the new dogs I watch (probably more, I don't take many new clients these days) have one or two accidents on their first stay, and rarely on subsequent stays. Usually it's shortly after drop off or on the first night. It's nearly always on the floor, though a couple pups have lifted a leg somewhere, like the corner of the couch or a cabinet (not necessarily marking, but just doing what they were accustomed to doing outside). The most helpful thing I do is take dogs out for a walk within minutes of the owners leaving, before they have a chance to go inside. When they go outside, I give them lots of praise, and for nearly every dog I've watched that's been enough. In the house, the dogs are in a fairly confined area (there are doors/gates to everything off of the living room) and I monitor activity for any suspicious sniffing until I know a new dog's needs and habits. I've only had one pup who had repeated indiscretions throughout his stays with me.

I've done nearly 100 stays and have only had 2 dogs that had significant problems (one bit me, the other bit my dog). However, I think we define "problem dogs" differently. I wouldn't consider a dog that has an accident (especially as a puppy), or whines at night to a problem dog. They're in a very different place, with very different smells, sometimes it just takes awhile for them to get the hang of things.

We also keep a very regular schedule, puppies go out every 2 hours, adult dogs every 4 (except at night of course, when we sleep).

The dogs that I care for have been much better than the many fosters that I have had over the years. Of course, I've had the "they're 100% potty trained" dogs that weren't quite as perfect as described. There may be marking issues or anxiety behaviors, but I deal with them and usually within a day they are a natural part of our household.

That said, there have been a few dogs that I have given suggestions for at pick-up: please neuter, microchip, find some training classes, leash train, socialize, etc. These requests come with an explanation of a problem I had and how I handled it.

8/10 does seem high. I've been boarding for over ten years (although it was more of a hobby until 2014), and I haven't had that too many. I firmly believe in total management to prevent problems, and I know that has contributed to a lot of the success I've had. That and I've just been blessed with really good dogs!
We've had two sets of blinds destroyed, and some housetraining accidents, but that's pretty much it. When boarding was a hobby, I never did Meet and Greets. Now that I've branched out, I absolutely require them. They're shorter than a lot of folks...only about 20 minutes. If I see signs of any behavior problems, I'm prepared when the dog arrives for the stay. At the first sign of housetraining problems during the stay, I immediately tighten supervision and revoke freedoms. I've only had one dog that persisted in marking. You might consider rephrasing some of your Meet and Greet questions? I'm not very good at this tactic, but instead of asking a general question about housetraining, I ask, "how many times a day do you take your dog out to toilet?"

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.

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.

All of a sudden I have become the pee pad expert so let me give you some insight. When owners say their dog is pee pad trained that's fine and dandy at their house, because they are use to the placement of the pee pad. You can put pee pads all over the house but they don't get it because it is most likely not in the same spot the dog is use to. I currently am boarding a pee pad trained dog and he is very trained. The owner told me where to put the pad and to tell him "pee pee, poo poo" and he'll know what to do. I was totally impressed because I have not had success with other pee pad trained dogs. In fact my profile states I do not take dogs that are pee pad trained but I took a chance on this one.

The other thing is that I don't take puppies. They have to be 2 years old and older. Perhaps I can recommend a longer meet and greet to analyze the dog. I had a meet and greet a long time ago and after about 30 minutes (the first 5 minutes I already knew I wasn't taking the dog) of chit chatting about the dog she then mentions, "sometimes the dog will wear diapers" What! No way! that already told me he is not house trained. Just little things they really don't want to mention to you, but with enough prying some information might come out. Ask a lot of questions.

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.

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.