What should I do when a client omits vital information regarding their dog and then become unresponsive when asking them about it? [closed]

I appreciate your response, however, I do not think you fully understand the depth of my situation. Though, yes, my Rover profile was started in 2014, I have been caring for dogs for 16+ years outside of this website.

The issue is not my "lack of being prepared" nor is it that I am not "more educated on dog behavior." The client was told during the Meet & Greet that the dog must arrive with a collar and proper I.D. tags as well as a harness; they were also asked to bring a crate.

They were also given paperwork to be filled out and returned at drop-off. The information on my paperwork is also asked at the Meet & Greet in advance. One of the first questions I always ask involves how the dog behaves around small animals.

I also always make sure to ask if the dog has ever barked or has tendencies to bark. As I stated, originally, I understand fully that certain behaviors may arise due to anxiety or newness or what-have-you, but this is beyond what I had expected.

The owners told me at the Meet & Greet that their dog was playful aggressive. I asked them if he ever bit anyone or another animal and they said no. I then proceeded to walk the dog to make sure that would be a good fit as well. He definitely pulled, but I was plenty capable of handling him.

He was also perfectly fine with all of the sights around him. I walked him away from his parents, and he was still perfectly fine. Everything about the dog, outside of playful aggressive (and the dog's actual breed) seemed like it would work out.

Unfortunately, I was not able to hold the meeting inside of my home since the meeting was on December 23rd and I had a guest dog and my brother's dog (both puppies) staying with me over the Christmas holiday, therefore the meeting was held in the park across from my home.

Many questions were asked and they answered everything to my liking. Everything seemed to fit. My parents, who I had to move back in with since I have returned to school, were also agreeable with the stay. The dog we received on Thursday was not the dog that I had met; he was far more unruly.

Also, the client was in a complete rush to leave (even though it was the first time he was seeing the inside of my home where his dog would be staying.)

The paperwork that was filled out was left half blank and all the boxes that basically state that their dog has bitten other people and animals (which should have been left unchecked considering their answers during the Meet & Greet) were all checked off.

The dog arrived with ratty, broken toys and was without his collar and I.D. tags. I'm sorry, but it is not the duty of the sitter to have a collar to fit every size of dog on the planet. It's fine to have back-ups of harnesses and things, but it is the owner's responsibility to bring their own.

Also, the only time a client's dog ever goes to a dog park is if the client allows it or requests it and I keep serious supervision on each guest dog I take. If I feel a guest dog is becoming too rowdy with the other dogs, I remove him from the area and take him on a leashed walk around the park.

Also, certain guest dogs are never taken depending upon their personality or size (toy dogs and other smaller breeds would not be a good fit at this park, it is meant for medium to extra large dogs.)

As for claiming I am "unprepared" for his behavioral issues, I assure you this is not the case. I have Nylabones at the ready (he can't play with the other toys because he will destroy them all I cannot afford that large expense to replace them all.)

This dog, however, shows no interest in the Nylabones and he gets bored after about 10 minutes of tug of war. He prefers to chew on everything that he shouldn't. He also barks too frequently for the likings of my neighbors, and my sleeping habits, which is part of the reason why I am up at 5:05am.

He doesn't know any commands, and training him has been a serious struggle due to the fact that this particular breed is naturally a difficult to train breed. Especially if you don't start early enough.

This particular breed needs to start training in the beginning months of their lives. If left untrained for too long, it will become far more difficult to start training. And without proper motivation, it will be difficult for any owner to train this breed. This dog knows he can overpower everyone.

Also, this booking is until the 12th. Which is why I originally asked what my next steps should be because my mother is becoming quite upset due to this dog constantly jumping on her to hump her or attempt to nip at her. We have dealt with pitbulls and pitbull mixes before, but never one like this.

I already know that none of this is the dog's fault. It is very kind of you to think that you are just helping someone who you think doesn't know what they are doing, but you would do well to remember that you do not know me, nor my background with animals and it is quite rude to make assumptions.

Lastly, to quote you, Mr. G.: "Some dogs are just a certain way, and no change in environment will ever change them." Perhaps this is exactly what I am currently dealing with.

Sorry for the novel, but I had a lot on my mind. My parents are quite capable of handling an energetic, strong puppy. This dog is Hercules strong. He didn't act this jump and crazy when I met him on our Meet & Greet.

Thank you for your advice, but I have been doing everything I can already to make this a positive stay for everyone.

Also, I find it absolutely insulting that you felt the need to tell me to never scold a dog. This is my career, dear. I am currently back in school taking medical classes in preparation to begin four year college again for pre-veterinary sciences.

Not to mention I have been caring for animals for 16+ years of my life. It should also have been obvious, considering the demeanor I relayed in my original message, that I have been continuing to act as a gracious host and obviously have no intention of rebooking with this client.

I see nothing wrong with verbally scolding a dog with, "No!" or, "Bad dog!" Even time-out for a few minutes is necessary. The dog you're watching sounds badly bred, or lacking discipline. And it isn't cute, I know. You've been too gracious, actually!

Thanks, Sara. I actually happen to find him quite adorable, though. I don't know why, but I've always found some of the "ugly dogs" to be far more adorable. haha. Also, yes, this dog is severely lacking discipline. Training him has been an extremely slow and headache worthy process.

The most I have been able to accomplish with him is that he has gotten better with "sit" and I've discovered that he listens to "don't jump" with a no-no style finger pointed out at him, but only occasionally. It doesn't work every time. It does work every time going up and down the stairs, though.

There is nothing wrong in telling a dog NO. Dogs are a whole different species, if they are going to live with us in our homes they need to know the rules. Shelters are filled with dogs that are 6 months to 2 years because of bad behavior not overpopulation.

If a dog is not 100% supervised (especially one you don't really know) it should be crated or have it's leash attached to yourself. A toddler would not be allowed unsupervised free range of the house and the same safety measures apply to dogs. Dogs need to learn calm and not be constantly amped up.

No one said not to tell him 'no'. It was stated not to reprimand him for typical dogginess (drooling, for example). This is a forum and advice was asked. Don't ask if you aren't willing to hear suggestions.

I tell my clients the same thing! No flex leashes and they have to wear a harness and all of this is told at the Meet & Greet. I also tell the owners that their dog must have a collar with proper I.D. tags and any veterinary tags they may have. I also do a follow up reminder the day before each stay

Believe me, I am way ahead of you. The first thing I did was change the weight limit for the dogs in can sit in my home. I am also no longer taking puppies under 1 year. I enjoy having a nice home for my clients to come into and their pets to stay in, so I needed to put an age limit down.

I've dealt with many a hyper pup, that's not the issue. The issue is that this dog is excessively hyper 24/7. And he just won't stop barking (my house is a row-home so I have neighbors whose walls connect to mine.) Plus, he refuses to play with his own toys nor the ones I've provided.

This dog prefers to chew on shoes, pillows, utensils (don't worry, he's never gotten one from me, he just goes after them), tablecloths, clothes, etc. Everything but the toys and Nylabones.

I actually have this dog until the 12th. One of the owners will be arriving back home on Monday, which is why I asked them if they could pick him up two days earlier than initially planned, just to reduce the stress that had been placed on my mother. They have yet to give a reply on this matter.

Also, with this dog, I have had to use all three of my pet gates and the crate provided by his owner religiously. This dog, if left unattended will go the bathroom all throughout the house and also chew on a lot of household items (most recent was my phone) so I have had to keep him in a crate...

...at night and occasionally during the day if I have to run an errand or take a shower. I have yet to build an arsenal of my own harnesses, which is why I insist that owners bring their own (honestly I'd insist regardless). This dog would chew through every last one of them if I owned them.

As for checking my paperwork, I tried to do it while the client was still in my home, but he was in such a hurry to leave, I couldn't keep him. Next time, I'll have to insist upon it, because what this client told me at the Meet & Greet and what was on their paperwork didn't match up...

and they are the same questions.

Also, I am not looking for monetary reimbursement for the damage done by this dog. I don't even care about that. What I care about are the pieces of vital information that were kept from me. Clients need to be as honest and candid as possible for them to find the best sitter and vice versa.

Oh yea, and he knocks the gate to my kitchen down every time he hears the water running or his food being prepared. That's how strong this dog is.

And believe me, I will definitely be recommending a behaviorist/trainer, a lead for their leash, a different harness, and that they do a complete update of their dog's Rover profile.

And I'm going to recommend that next time they need a sitter, they send their dog to a home w/o other pets and maybe stairs (he likes to run and jump on you while you're on them.) They don't seem like the type to be ok with someone staying in their home, but I'll throw that suggestion out as well.