What if a Pet's Owner leaves a VERY MISLEADING review? Which could be bad for your 'business'.
I took care of a dog last summer, and for the most part, it went very smoothly, for a 1 night stay, and the owner left me and amazing review directly afterwards. The owner had me keep him overnight to test out the waters for a future-week-long stay. During his stay though, the guest-dog would randomly have lash-outs (vicious growl and lunge) when one of my big dogs would walk by him, and again when one of my big dog's walked past him while he was eating to get to the doggie door. Well, this dog was very sweet when he wasn't doing those things, but I also have an 11 pound Miniature Pinscher who could be easily killed if he were to be attacked by him, and did not want to take the risk of keeping the dog for a whole week, without 24 hour supervision. So I explained this to the owner politely, and told her I would definitely take care of him on a short-term basis, but could no longer commit to the entire week. It's been 1 year since that conversation. I have taken care of another dog since then and got another great review! Which was wonderful! However, I checked my account today, and a year later, the owner of the dog I didn't feel comfortable watching for an entire week wrote this new review (did I mention it's been a year!):
"Really nice yard and housemates. I think she was still gaining experience with guest dogs when ours stayed with her Summer 2014. Initial squabbling among dogs over toys and territory is not uncommon, and food protection is also a frequent issue when mixing dogs together at first. With some coaching, she could be fantastic."
This upsets me SO much, no where in that random review does she state it was her dog who was the problem, and it eludes that my dogs might be territorial or mean, which is farthest from the truth. This one review could be terrible for my pet-sitting future, and I don't know what to do. There's no way to delete it, and I feel very strongly that it should be deleted based off the vague statements she wrote.
I am not new at mixing dogs, I have three, and have many doggie friends visit often. The aggressive approach of her dog was unlike the normal 'miscommunications' that dogs have at the initial meeting. I appreciate the coaching tip but I have been working with dogs and taking care of them my whole life and the safety of my own animals is my #1 priority, and I don't think I should have a review posted on my profile that reflects badly on me for simply doing what I thought was right.
Misleading reviews are the worst and is one of the things that bugs me the most! People try to manipulate the review system and tweak their words in their favor or just to bring us down and it's not right. We stick with our trusted dog walker http://mdpetcare.com/ and it's helped avoid any issues.
I just had this happen to me I went to a meet and greet with this blonde girl didn't seem nice at all traveled 5.3 miles I said ho how's your day nice yo meet u as I walked in she's said yeah no I don't like you sorry I'm gonna go with another sitter her dog liked me tho
And I'm like is their a reason we haven't even discuss anything yet and she's like if u don't get out of my house I'll leave u a bad review and I'm not one to continue arguing so I was like okay I'm leaving bye have a nice day slammed the door in my face to me as a emotional person made me sad
To be treated this way first time being treated this way and feels horrible
I had a personal emergency at my home. and couldnt complete my visit with her dog. I felt horrible. I hoped the owner would understand but no! I requested that Rover refund her money and they did. She wrote that I was the worst rover dog sitter ever. So that fine.. This owner is very strange..