Does anyone know of a way to flag bad dogs that have stayed with you? I would like to warn other sitters..
Even if there was a more streamlined way to communicate, it's possible the dogs may react differently in a different environment.
However, I recently realized something that gives me more insight into the dog's Rover history...
As soon as you get a message about a pet (before booking), if you click on the small box with pet's photo or blank icon, it shows another window with the basic information about the pet and pictures that were taken and sent through Rover by ALL the pet's previous sitters with the Sitter's first name,last initial and Date taken. That alone paints a picture (i.e. repeat versus constantly changing sitters, frequency) and provides enough information that you could then contact sitters where there may be overlap and start a conversation.
I agree, dogs react differently in new situations, but new sitters need information to reach their own decision
I found the pictures of the new booking pet, not yet booked, but NOT found if he had 1 or more sitter or the first nae of the sitter... maybe I don't know how to locate it... but the info if worked is very important...Thank you Deb A.
Karin: not all dogs will have rover sitter photo history. Look for Photo Gallery (below Veterinary Info), If dog has many photos, click on photos - each 1 will show “ stay photo of dog name’s from sitter’s first name - date” (in white text reversed out against pic.’)
If the sitters get reviewed... so should the dogs. It's only fair.
I'm new to Rover as a sitter, but on the website I've been able to leave a review of the dog. Is that a new thing, or just for certain clients/owner's dogs?
It's not a public review. It's only for your own personal future reference regarding that pet.
I really, really wish that there was. Some dogs are simply awful, or dangerous. For example, the dog I and my entire family refer to as "the husky from hell" who peed on every vertical surface on the property, destroyed a wire crate, howled all through the day and night unless he was running loose and peeing everywhere, and bit me several times. That dog needs a review.
Just a thought - did you talk to Rover Trust & Safety team? I'd think/hope that the fact that he bit a sitter several times would be enough to prohibit the husky from hell continuing to be booked through rover (as they & their insurance have a stake in wanting to limit those types of issues).
Does Rover's Trust and Safety team REALLY ban an aggressive or dangerous dog? Do they ban a dog after an insurance claim? Where can we get this information? Where is it posted on the Rover site?
Rover's Trust & Safety team likely evaluates on a case by case basis, are the only people who could answer this question with certainty, and would only discuss if with a sitter if the situation warranted (such as possible booking). Of course, this information wouldn't be posted.
This obviously is not a one dog issue...but a safety concern for all sitters. We should feel secure in the knowledge that this type of security hazard is not one in a sequence foisted on other Rover sitters and walkers
I think Rover needs to make it's policy clear on how it deals with a dog that has bitten another dog or a Rover sitter
I believe that we have a right to know under what set of conditions a dog is "excommunicated" from the Rover system.
Goes fo cats too. Owner told me he "liked to slap your ankles when you leave " He also liked to attack, latch onto my leg +bite,scratch my wrists, corner me +hiss , growl + not let me in. I ended up only switching out food + H20 bowls from outside. Later told did that to last sitter. On antibiotic
I notified the Safety team, was told that I would not know the outcome, but some pets are removed from site after review, Good thing my tetanus was up to date and antibiotics were cheap.
Flag, no. I do keep a personal "banned" list of my own. Dogs who were impossible and I suffered through, pups that have gotten too big, etc. and I check it each time I get a request. Some dogs just are not suitable for your home, even if they are okay with their owners there during a meet and greet.
I have had a dog bark all night and all day during a week long stay despite anything that I tried. That dog cannot stay here but he might not do that elsewhere (although I think he might!). There are many reasons that you have to tweak your itinerary when first starting out. I found that I do not want to keep dogs over 20 lbs but I had to learn that at first.
It is a learning experience for sure!
My concern is for other sitters
I currently have a dog w/me (5 nights) that we had a meet & greet w/along w/my 9yo daughter. The dog was marked as "good w/kids." I am finding that many owners do not know much about dog behavior- this dog is NOT good with kids. Our holiday wknd has sucked because of his severe anxiety & aggression.
I am going to advise the owner change their profile and consider seeing a behaviorist because I think he needs medication and training. If she doesn't and gets another sitter who has kids, that concerns me!
That's why I think so, too. Some dogs are just a certain way, and no change in environment will ever change them.
Thank you! I am new to this and agreed to take an 11 month old standard poodle that had never gone on a walk. Peed all over my house several times. Barked until 4am. I called the lady and asked her to pick up the dog. She did. Gave me a bad review. 😥
I do wish that there was some sort of system. I know that every sitter's word can't be taken as gospel and dogs react differently in different environments, but I have definitely come across owners who are far from honest about their dogs! There isn't a real way to find out until you have spent a longer period of time with the dog. After those types of stays, I just really want to warn other potential sitters...
I agree. I’ve been bit, my dog has been attacked and my house has been damaged by rover dogs. I don’t appreciate having to “lockdown” a screaming dangerous dog for 10 days. Then I have to worry about a bad review if I inform the owner of bad behavior. The damage can be far more than you are earning.
This is just my personal opinion - but using your option to rate the dog that Rover gives you may "flag" the dog unsuitable for a second stay with you...and maybe with other sitters too. I don't really ever use the Rover rating system unless I really don't ever want to be asked for a second stay.
This is what we need, not speculation, but info on the dog
Yes - I wish the rating system, along with the sitter's explanation of the rating was visible to all sitters. I've had dogs tear my house apart, despite the owner saying that they were ok to be left out. Also Ive had a dog bite my hand when I was pouring his food. Important info for future sitters!!
I've also had dog wreck my place after telling owner she'd be left alone for two hours. Immediately following stay I changed my profile to say kennel only
I have a question about the ratings by the sitter and the notes you can add - can they be changed and can they be viewed by the pet owner?
The rating is not visible to the owner but would be GREAT if other sitters could view it before booking. I am currently booked to walk a very aggressive dog that I will unfortunately have to discontinue my services for because it's too stressful. I know the owner will then look for someone else...
Horrible dogs sometimes have horrible parents. Some dog parents knew their dogs were going to cause headaches, so they would leave bad reviews and move on to the next sitter. It is so sad as a good dog sitter to encounter this situation.
To my knowledge, no, there isn't a way for comments on the pets to be available to other sitters through the website. It seems to me such a system could easily be abused.
However, you can join the Rover Facebook page, and if other sitters in your area also joined, you could tell them of your experiences. (Although, I would recommend such conversations be in person, or at least through Messenger.)
Rover should share dog comments! It would be helpful for sitters to be aware there have been problems and to ask the right questions at a meet and greet
Obviously no answer available.
To Answer your question What do you mean by bad dogs? Are they aggressive? Or what do you define as "Bad Dogs"? @Walt G.