YES. We need access to dog and owner reviews (similar to Uber/Lyft as others have already suggested). If owners can view ratings and stories on sitter profiles, we should be given the same opportunity to make informed decisions about who we invite into our homes. Usually a meet and greet is enough, but testimonials would even better prepare sitters.
I would specifically like insights to be shared about experiences with owners (good and bad). I have a 5 star rating and have watched over 40 dogs in a six month period. I have had nothing but great interactions with owners, and only a few minor incidents with poorly behaved dogs. On Sunday, I had my first terrible experience that left me reeling.
An owner came to pick up his dog after a stay and recorded a video of me on his cell phone, without my consent and on my property, during the entire duration of the pick up. It was bizarre, inexplicable and left me feeling beyond uncomfortable and stunned.
I called Rover Support to report the incident and get advice on what I, or Rover, could do to educate the owner that this was inappropriate. I was also looking for support from Rover to stand behind me as one of their sitters. The representative was sympathetic and agreed this was "peculiar behavior," but didn't offer me any real support at all. I asked if they would consider contacting the owner directly and ask him to explain his actions. Rover Support refused, stating it would only escalate the situation/problem. They also said if I wanted to discuss my discomfort and question the video, I would need to contact the owner myself.
Rover Support also told me to have better judgment during future meet and greets. I didn't appreciate that "advice," as that is Rover pointing the blame finger at me. I wrote a one star review of the stay, detailing my entire experience with the owner and dog. I sincerely hope Rover finds a way to make my testimonial available to other sitters in our area. I don't want this to happen to me again, or anybody else.
Seriously. I've decided to close my house to new clients (repeats only) because I'm sick of the owners not telling me everything about the dogs and having my place trashed, or humped continuously or just unable to leave my house because of the severe anxiety of a dog.
Hey guys.. I currently have two dogs in my home along with my own from a booking on Rover.. the owners totally disregarded telling me how their dogs really were and we couldn't do a meet and greet because they were from out of state my dog just got attacked by theirs and now they won't answer...?
Thank you for starting this thread. I am taking care of a dog that the owners said had just finished her heat (which is untrue -or they are clueless). I let the dog sleep in the bed with me - she is a Jack Russell & super sweet but I woke up to blood spots all over. Hope the blood comes out. Bummer
Hydrogen peroxide takes out blood. Pour it straight on; let it sit. Pour more until it comes out.
Yup H202 sure will take out blood. And everything else... including the carpet's COLOR. But thanks for the info.
I was wondering -- can we start a thread somewhere (Facebook, or anywhere else), where we can make our own archives of our experiences with other dogs? A way where other sitters can search the name of the dog, or location, and read our reviews of them. How can we do this?
Ooops, I automatically think of my own linens, which are white and the hydrogen peroxide doesn't affect them. Google blood stains on colored fabrics for an alternative.