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What if dog absolutely destroys house due to separation anxiety?

New client. First client. Told me dog had separation anxiety and was concerned if she would have potty accident. Okay no problem, I've had some experience with that. Asked if better with open spaces or cozy kennel. Told open is better. So been hanging out for last week with dog. Dog is perfect angel, knows commands, hold potty etc. Since I work from home, pretty much stay home most of time. First day she came here, left for about two hours. Came back and destroyed some window blinds but that was it. Okay told owner. They said they'd cover that (we'll see) Today left for also about two hours. Came back and my door was absolutely shredded. She almost bit her way all the way through. Now what do I do? Obviously a door is way more expensive than some cheap window blinds. I don't even know how to react. She's not scheduled to go home till Tuesday evening.....

Update: The owner was very kind, understanding and apologetic about the whole situation. She sent over her contractor man to assess damage and fix. I *do think its the owners responsibility for the damages a dog does, just like if your child broke TV at babysitter house etc. However, I don't think all owners *would take care of it after the fact. I have emailed Rover Support and they say there is nothing wrong with asking owner for help with damages. I'm still okay with taking dogs with SA because there is such a range. I've updated my profile, though, to note that they must be crate trained. I simply state that I want to be fair to my resident dog who is kenneled when I run errands. Also thanks to all the ones who were supportive and gave good suggestions! I'm always looking to improve myself and my services so I appreciate it when people are helpful.

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Why did you leave her unattended after you knew she was destructive when left alone?

Well 1. I had her in the kitchen so the first time she didn't touch either of the two doors confining her. 2. (Edit) I told them I would leave her alone 2 There was no mention that she needed to be supervised 24/7 and most importantly 4. It already happened so you're ~really~ not helping

The way you mentioned open spaces is "better" (than a crate) it sounded like a crate was an option (instead of being home 24/7). I.e., it sounded like the owner was wrong about open spaces being better. So, it just begged the question to me why you continued to use open spaces.

Nope. I reconfirmed with owner at m&g. She said that they had tried kennels before and they just made her more anxious. After she wrecked my blinds I did try out kenneling next day to see reaction. She immediately started biting at bars when I closed door.

I suppose I could kennel her when I have to leave but honestly I think she'll break her teeth on the bars. I live alone so there's not another person to watch her while I leave. Smh

You're saying open spaces aren't just better, they're the only option. In that case, I would have called a friend to come over (if I needed to shop, etc.). I just wouldn't leave a dog alone who has exhibited destructive behavior when alone. Not without a crate.

Exactly. However the client didn't clarify this. So again, going back to the original question NOW that my door is destroyed because this dog can't be left alone or out of a crate for two hours, even though I told them she would be........how do I breach this topic with the guest.

Oh and FYI Since Tuesday I've been taking her a hour long runs, challenging her mind, going new places and exercising her to the max. We've been working on calming techniques, stay commands and entry/exit. All this, every day.

What I was trying to say is that I would take responsibility for the 2nd occurrence of damage. I wouldn't broach the topic.

Thanks for being so kind to a someone who just started on Rover but has years of experience with dogs. Thanks for being so positive and encouraging. Thanks for being a listening ear. But most of all, thanks for being you. I'm sure you'll sleep well in knowing that nothing bad will ever happen to you

Sorry. That's just how I would judge myself (if I chose not to call a friend or hire another member to sit, after seeing how stressed the dog becomes when alone.). I'm curious what others think. I could be wrong.

It's not my dog. I'm not going to pay someone to watch a dog that's not mine.

I would do whatever it takes to get through it. Even if I lost money, it would be the less expensive (and traumatic to the dog) solution than standing my ground that I was "lied to..." and "shouldn't have to..." Discretion being the better part..., etc. Maybe I'm wrong. But, that's how I'd treat it.

If FL I would say we watched the same dog. It ripped up a bunch of things, tore the insulation out of the wall. I couldn't leave it for even 30 min & I was confined to the house until they came back. If I put it in the crate it would ram it's face into the bars. Owner didn't even reimburse me!

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Suggest to the client that their dog may do better with a sitter who stays at their home.

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I'm sending pics to them this morning, I'll include that suggestion! Thanks!

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That's a rough experience for your first client. Rover's policy is very clear that sitters are not entitled to anything for property damage. So, it really ends up being up to each of us to reduce possible damages. If a dog isn't crate trained, then that option doesn't work because they could hurt themselves (like you saw trying to get out). For the first day at a minimum, I wouldn't advise leaving, especially if the dog already is known to have separation anxiety. Mostly, for my separation anxiety guests, I stay with them the entire time and plan everything around stays. At times, when I knew that wouldn't be possible, I introduced the dog and dog's parents to another Rover sitter, who lives within short walking distance, who helped watch them for a few hours, and the sitter & I worked out what was fair. I saw that your rate was low, so if you don't think you can raise it at all to afford being able to offer another person anything for a couple hours, maybe you could offer something else in exchange (if it's a pet person, maybe walk or sit their pet for the same amount of time).

With regards to this situation, that's great the client even offered. Most don't - even when dogs are seen exhibiting poor behavior such as marking indoors, often owners do not want to accept their dog did so. Since this client kindly offered to help with the blinds, you could tell them about the door damage on Friday and offer to show them both at pick up. You'd want to share something nice about when you & the dog spent time together too. I've never asked for nor collected anything for damages, so maybe another sitter will share their approach.

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Thank you for the actual useful advice. I've delt with sa cases before, but not this extreme. Since I had come and gone before I thought the mile long runs were helping. I took pictures and I have a feeling they'll be cooperative. Thanks again for being actually nice and helpful, not critical

""" I've never collected anything for damages, """ It appears asking/implying would be in violation of ToS 9.7. It would depend on how it's presented. But, an expectation would violate that Term. If it turned into a squabble/complaint, I could see Rover terminating a new account.

I already asked Rover on the first day what if the dog damages property. They responded that since the insurance doesn't cover property damages that it is just fine to accept cash for that. If you emailed them with the same question, they would tell you the same thing.

I don't think that means they're saying the pet owner is obligated to give you cash, or that you're entitled to require it. I could be wrong. You had the conversation with Rover, not me. But, ToS 9.7 is pretty clear.

Email support@rover.com question: "what if dog damages something and the owner offers to pay, is it okay to accept cash in that situation?" I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

I had a client who did not tell me that his dog has separation anxiety. His dog ruined our door, etc. I don't think he is serious about replacing the damage. Rover has to record clients like this and inform the future dog sitter in advance. Is there a way to report such client for future dog sitter?

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I stopped taking dogs with separation anxiety because they cannot be left alone and it really is not fair to us sitter because we do have to step out once in a while. In the beginning I use to take them so I still have one dog who is actually coming tomorrow that cannot be left alone. In order for me to step out I have to wait until someone comes home (husband or son) so they can watch her while I am gone for no more than an hour. The other dogs with separation anxiety I had, I referred them to a travel sitter that I know and they are now doing fantastic being cared for in their own home. I think you said the owners will compensate you for the damages and that is very nice of them so your question is answered. My recommendation would be not to take dogs with SA, it is really confining for the sitter. The only way you can take a dog with SA is if you absolutely know you are not going to leave the house or you have a back up. Just a side note: I know a travel sitter who tells me that ALL of her clients have SA, in other words they just do better in their own environment. You can always recommend that to them if you don't want to take the dog again. Say something like, "we had a great time together but I noticed he was really stressed out when I had to step out, I think he will do better with a travel sitter next time. Let me know if you need help finding one." Something along those lines. I hope this helped a little. Hang in there, its almost Tuesday :)

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Thanks for the good advice. I updated my profile to say "must be crate trained"....trust me I watching the clock lol. She's such a sweetie it's a shame that she has such horrible meltdowns

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I had a dog that completely destroyed a room a couple of weeks ago, she ate the wall and the door (I was gone for 1 hour). She also tore up my window screen after being put outside for literally no more than 20 seconds so I could let the contractor inside the house! My house is on the market so it was a disaster. Damage was about $700 but the owner's home insurance covered it, thankfully. I then typed up a contract, which states that ANY damage done by a dog MUST be covered by the owner. Nobody has had an issue with signing it, either. I think if someone is hesitant to sign the contract, they must know that their dog will misbehave and you wouldn't want to watch that dog anyways, so it's a win-win.

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This is great advice for new sitters. I have a boarding contract and a house sitting contract releasing me from liability (unless severe negligence is proven) and asking owners to pay for damages. There are great examples online for sitters looking to create their own.

What kind of dog was it? I'm wondering if it's only larger dogs that can do damage. I watch smaller dogs and only had a problem with one that I didn't kennel when I left. It chewed the rug. After that, it actually is one of my favorites and best repeat clients,

It was a 40 lb Husky Shepard mix. However I did have a small Bichon that chewed apart some door trim. Some will bark the entire time, some pee all over, others will break their teeth trying to get out. SA varies so you're really dependant on owner to let you know to what degree the dog has it.

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That's so rough! I'm sorry you had to experience that. Dogs with severe separation anxiety are a fear of mine - I make it clear to my clients that I work away from home and dogs will be left alone for up to 4 hours at a time. I ask how the dog will be most comfortable and safe during periods of alone time. It sounds like this dog's SA was worse than the owners presented or knew; I wonder if it was their first time staying away from home? I think if you present the damages without coming across like the owner 'owes' you for it (due to Rover's policy) an understanding owner would offer to pay to fix everything. If the owner refuses or becomes really stingy about it, you will probably have to just chalk it up to a learning experience and eat the cost :( In the future you can ask clients about their dog's SA and use this stay as the reason why you ask and want to ensure everyone has a happy visit.Good luck!

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I think you're right, that they hadn't gone out of town for a while and didn't know it would be that severe. In speaking with them, they've been very apologetic about the whole issue. Definitely a hard core learning experience smh lol thanks!

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You can keep the receipt for the repairs for itemizing your tax deductions, since it is a business expense. However, you can only do this If you claim the income - which you have to if Rover sends you a 1099.

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Sitters have to claim all income, even without a 1099. Just wanted to clarify that.

I thought you only have to declare it if its over a certain amount for the year? Like for example if you made $30 for the year, the govt wouldn't consider that taxable income.....otherwise every kid that grandma gave $10 for shoveling snow would need to fill out paperwork. Right?

It is up to you. Technically, all income is supposed to be reported to the IRS. Grandma giving little Johnny $10 for shoveling would probably not be necessary, unless he did it for the whole neighborhood and made a lot of money. If you don't make enough to owe taxes overall, no requirement to file.

Lol Little Johny getting paid!

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**9.7 Damages.** As a Pet Owner, you are responsible for any and all actions by > your pet during a pet care service > booked through the Site. However, **a > Pet Care Service Provider may not > invoke this provision, or anything > else in this Agreement, to entitle the > Pet Care Service Provider to > reimbursement for damages to their > property caused by pets in their care.** I think items #1 & 2 are significant. But, #3 basically says the pet owner isn't even responsible for the *first* damage. Regardless of how the pet owner describes her pet, 9.7 *contractually obligates* you to *your responsibility* to verify that the description is true in all circumstances. There's no way for you to claim 9.7 doesn't apply as a result of the owner's perception of her dog wasn't what you experienced. The pet owner's perception doesn't mean the dog will act the same way on your property. The only person who could reasonably know how the pet will behave on your property (when the owner is miles away) is you. It would be very nice if the pet owner was generous and paid $300 to replace doors (on top of the $100 for blinds). But, if she doesn't, that's *entirely* her right. I personally would be embarrassed to ask. I could understand presenting the first damage as a "whoa is me" story (so the owner knows how to describe the dog to future caregivers). But, at that point you knew it was a mismatch. Why didn't you call Rover to place the dog with another sitter? Or, find a friend. Or, pay a sitter our of your own pocket (when you had reason to *expect* damages, not to mention the extreme stress the dog apparently was under.). As far as it not being your dog. Any dog in my care is "my dog." I think that's the mindset 9.7 is intended to establish. An owner miles away can't be the responsible party. I'm sorry if you feel I'm attacking you or not being as supportive/empathetic as you'd like. But, I seriously can't fathom making a dog owner feel like they owe me under those circumstances. I wonder if it could even cause Rover to suspend your account for being in violation of the ToS. (I guess it would depend on how you word it. If it's just a "whoa is me" story to see if she will help out of sympathy, that's probably ok. But, if it turns into "you lied to me, of course you should pay me for the damages, it was *your* fault" I think that that would be in direct conflict with the ToS -- in addition to giving Rover caregivers a bad reputation.). Good luck. I'm sorry you had a bad experience." data-refresh-url="/community/question/12476/?answer=12499#post-id-12499" data-editor-type="markdown" data-validator="askbot.validators.answerValidator" >

""" She's not scheduled to go home till Tuesday evening..... """

Have you contacted Rover? They can place her with another sitter who can provide the 24x7 presence she needs (ex, doesn't live alone).

I know you don't feel my prior comments to your question were helpful. I'm just trying to prepare you for the reality that the pet owner is not obligated in any way to reimburse you (even for the first damage).

Let's look at it this way:

You have damages which you are presenting to the dog owner. If she doesn't pay your only recourse would be to seek restitution in small claims court. However, a judge would quickly note:

You bear the legal burden to "mitigate your damages." After the first episode of severe anxiety (and the resulting damage), you absolutely should not have left the dog alone again. Paying someone $30 to sit with her would have been a reasonable mitigation of damages. It would have been something the pet owner may have felt better about absorbing.
You could have made the decision that the dog doesn't fit (because she requires 24x7 presence, can't be crated; two things you didn't understand, or were misrepresented to you). At that point, you would call Rover to assist finding a sitter who could provide what the dog requires. (If you didn't make the call prior to the second damage, that would be another strike toward your responsibility for the second damage.).
Rover's ToS (9.1) specifically says sitters are not entitled to recover property damage:

9.7 Damages. As a Pet Owner, you are responsible for any and all actions by your pet during a pet care service booked through the Site. However, a Pet Care Service Provider may not invoke this provision, or anything else in this Agreement, to entitle the Pet Care Service Provider to reimbursement for damages to their property caused by pets in their care.

I think items #1 & 2 are significant. But, #3 basically says the pet owner isn't even responsible for the first damage. Regardless of how the pet owner describes her pet, 9.7 contractually obligates you to your responsibility to verify that the description is true in all circumstances. There's no way for you to claim 9.7 doesn't apply as a result of the owner's perception of her dog wasn't what you experienced. The pet owner's perception doesn't mean the dog will act the same way on your property. The only person who could reasonably know how the pet will behave on your property (when the owner is miles away) is you.

It would be very nice if the pet owner was generous and paid $300 to replace doors (on top of the $100 for blinds). But, if she doesn't, that's entirely her right.

I personally would be embarrassed to ask. I could understand presenting the first damage as a ... (more)

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Dude. Chill. I already spoke with the owners who were immediately apologetic and said they'll have their contractor man fix it. All I did was send them pictures with no comments. Most people who have dogs with sa know how crazy their dog can get or not get and will take moral responsibility.

As far as from a legal standpoint, I already cleared it with Rover as to who is responsible for damage. Also legally I can't take someone else's pet and place it elsewhere without their permission. I already checked the area and all sitters had on their profile they would be gone for min two hours

I know you're trying to be clever but you're coming across as a troll. Just because we're online is no reason to deliberately antagonize someone. Either be helpful or be quiet. If I wanted a list of things "I should have done" I'll go on reddit.

I'm glad it's working out. Keep in mind this Q/A will be found by others in the future. I stand by my opinion that it's ultimately the sitter's responsibility to verify a dog's ability to be alone uncrated, to not take dogs that can't be crated, and to work with Rover to place such a dog elsewhere.

I agree with you 100% Mark. Once you know about a dog's habits it is up to us as professional sitters to handle that. We are not caring for these dogs as a favor. We are being paid. Can you imagine Pooch Hotel asking the owner to pay for something their dog chewed on???

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I'm so sorry that happened to you! I am not sure exactly how I would handle it.I would possibly bring it up to the client in a passive way. Maybe just make it a statement. See what they say. Maybe they can at least meet you half-way with the cost. From now on: this dog goes in a kennel! :-/

I don't board in my home anymore. But, when I did, I stated in my profile that my ONLY requirement was that pets be kenneled when I leave my home. I do the same with my own pet.

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This literally just happened to me today. Left for half an hour to walk down the street to grab a prescription, and when I came back my blinds were in shreds. I had baby gates up to sequester him to one area of the house and he didn't seem able to get over them when I set him in there initially, but he sure managed once I left.

I was checking here to see what should be done about it.

Hope everything worked out! Sometimes puppy care is a struggle.

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Wow I have never known/dealt with Separation Anxiety in a dog. This thread has been tremendously helpful. I will be sure to ask about SA at all future M&Gs

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It's good to know if dogs have SA. However, if someone is home with them during their entire stay, many dogs w/ SA are simply delightful and a great match for that type of home environment (which not everyone can offer). Most are very affectionate fur-kids!

I agree. There's different degrees. Some are okay for couple hours, some panic if you leave room. All the ones I've had with SA have been ideal with pretty much everything else. (no aggressive, gd w kids/dogs etc)

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