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Client that bad mouth prior dog walker? No pics or updates?!?

I just met with a "business" type of a client. He is obviously successful but very busy.

Anyhow, it was our meet & greet and he tells me that his current dog walker is horrible and she doesn't show up and that his dog pees everywhere because she doesn't come in. I was very confused as to why a dog sitter won't show up but shows up on some days. Then, his son came in and he said "I am trying to get rid of the old dog walker."

I asked him if he wants texts & pic updates and he says no. So, unless he has cameras, how would he know I am there?

I told him the dog peeing might be due to marking instead of not being taken outside. I also let him know that I am not going to be responsible for the dog peeing inside because I will be here when I am scheduled.

Also, after I told him that he can't blame me for the peeing, he said I could lock his big dog in his crate. I was told he likes his crate but I feel bad about locking the dog into a crate when he isn't used to that. Also, the client seems very cool about everything - come in whenever but come in - do whatever - walk whatever....

Anyhow, what do you guys think? I am fairly new on Rover and only had very nice & polite clients who all love my updates & pics!

2 Answers

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I agree with Deb's answer. I think I would book a few weeks with this client and see how it goes. If you are on schedule and the dog doesn't pee in the house, it was a bad walker. If you are successful this could be a long term client and M-F walks can be very profitable

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Thanks for the reply!

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I would try to focus on what the client and dog needs and determine if you think it's a match, without getting too concerned about the current person they want to replace. There could be more details that the owner is not aware of resulting in the peeing.

If you decide that you want to offer walking services, you could let him know that he doesn't need to respond to your texts & pictures, but that you always send them. You can even say that you need to do so as part of your responsibilities to Rover and receive payment. (You can ask if there's a preferred number to send, such as the Rover assigned number. That provides documentation that you were there, regardless if he looks at it.)

If the dog is fine with a crate (or anything else such as a playpen or gated area), I'd advocate that it's really not a sitter's/walker's position to judge.

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Thanks for the reply!