Giving a dog a bad rating?

I agree, I don't understand why other sitters can't see reviews of dogs. This is the second time I have had a terrible dog that was not represented well by the owner.

How does Rover handle these reviews? And who see's them?

I am so happy that people have brought the issue of dog behavior up. I had commented (not in this section) that owners tend to lie about their dogs behavior. What I received was a backlash of answers for example: a dogs behavior is par for the course; this is part of the job. Sorry , but I don't think a person's dog should destroy my house either, especially since there is no Rover insurance. I do ask lots of questions (and owners need to complete a lot more information) before taking on a dog to board with me. However, as you say, there is no way of knowing if the dog boarded with someone else and demonstrated destructive behavior in their home as well. I show dogs and I know people will not necessarily tell the truth particularly with an aggressive or destructive dog which they own. But, I will also tell people I will not take on their dog again if I don't care for their dog's behavior. If enough people ask that Rover set up a dog rating for sitters to use; maybe it will happen. We also don't know if the dog was ever with another sitter and is simply being passed from sitter to sitter b/c of it's behavior. Maybe we need to contact the founders of this company.

The rating you assign when you go the Review link is only reviewed by Rover reps. I don't think they'd be removed from the site for this, but it may help if Rover was trying to help find a good match in the future. A future takeaway is during the m&g, ask to see where the dogs and you would stay. If you're going to be in any of the other rooms, that's a reasonable request.

First you should know that when you "rate" a dog it's basically for yourself to remember how the dog was/important things. Only you (and Rover) can see the rating. Ive given multiple dogs bad ratings because the whole stay was basically a nightmare, similar things that happened to you. So when I get a request from that client I can see past ratings and decide if I want to watch them again. A little tip, when you're meeting clients for the first time ask a lot of questions even if they seem over the top. Some owners leave out things about their dog because they just don't think to mention it because they're use to it. Also when house-sitting always ask for a tour. See every room in the house & figure out if it's a place you would want to stay! But I agree, I wish we could see ratings from other sitters. It would give an even more in depth description of the dog & wht you're getting into.

Cranky meant that every night (sometimes more than once) he would wake me up by growling in my face

This sounds like Sleep Aggression. I would not be in the same bed with that dog.

It's unfortunate that owner/client ratings can't be shared among sitters, but it's not in Rover's best interest to turn away a paying client with a bad dog. This is why thorough meet & greets and/or home visits should be a requirement you enforce.

Treat this bad interaction as a learning experience and change the way you do business to minimize (but not remove) the chances of it happening again. Create a checklist of things you could have done differently, or could have noticed as a red flag while the stay is fresh in your mind, and use it going forwards.

I know some people that do boarding through here have additional forms they require potential clients to fill out that ask "harder" questions about behavior, vet records, etc.. Form packets can also include additional legal disclaimers too.