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Do you have a contract with dog parents you can share regarding damages to your home?

I have recently started taking puppies in my home and we all know puppies can damage things more than adult dogs. I need a contract to have the parents sign so I am not responsible for paying all of the expense. Thanks:) Email is wrenola@aol.com if you can send me one. Put contract in the subject line please:)

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Hi, Wren! Per Rover's insurance policy, "Damage to the sitter or dog walker's personal property" is not the responsibility of the owner. While you can mention any damage that occurs or is caused by a client's dog, they are not in any way obligated to reimburse you or pay for the damage. In the event that something does occur, you should be able to claim the cost of replacing/repairing it as a business expense on your taxes. Here is more information regarding Rover's insurance policy for review: https://www.rover.com/insurance/?ref=...

Of course things can and will happen, but I believe it is just a part of the service we offer!

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I disagree on one point- just because Rover doesn't insure damages to the sitters home doesn't mean the owners aren't liable for damages caused by their dog - it just means it's on you as the sitter to enforce it, as Rover won't offer help.

Agreed, and to enforce it you might have to take the client to small claims court to be reimbursed.

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I'd reiterate what Hillary had to say. Every time we take a dog, we run the risk of the dog doing damage to our homes. It usually doesn't happen but every once in awhile it does.

We try to minimize the damage in a few ways. We have hardwood floors and don't really put rugs down at all. Much easier for cleaning up accidents. We also keep various cleaners on hand including urine destroyers (although I honestly prefer vinegar better). We cover our furniture with blankets while we have dog guests. We keep a ton of toys of various sizes for chewers. We also walk active dogs a lot. Dogs who are tired are less likely to be destructive. I did have one puppy who ignored toys but would chow down on any shoe he could get a hand on. So shoes went into closets....and pillows. He turned on the pillows as soon as we put away the shoes. ;) Speaking of that, we have 2 sets of pillow and blankets. The kind we put out when we have dog guests. Then we have fancier blankets and throw pillows for company. It's almost like baby proofing except for dogs. :)

Puppies do tend to be a little more destructive than other dogs but that's okay. They're learning. I spend the time they're with me working on alternative behaviors. So "don't chew on that shoe/electrical chord/cat...here's a toy with a treat in it!!"

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I don't have a separate contract exactly. I have a pre-stay survey that I make all my clients fill out before I book them or before I start a stay. In that survey, they have to agree to certain statements like "I understand that it is my responsibility to provide everything my pet(s) needs, and I will pay for any food that the sitter is required to purchase if food runs out. I will be informed in advance and receipts will be provided." Personally, I wouldn't require an owner to agree that they would pay for any damages to my home simply because they have no control over whether their dog damages my home. During the years I did dog boarding (before we moved to a new rental), I always felt it was my responsibility to make sure a dog doesn't damage my home. Plus, I think I would lose potential clients if I forced them to sign that contract, given the fact that I would never sign that kind of contract with a sitter.

To prevent damages, I just made sure I had a crates (or the owners provided one) that the pups could stay in while I wasn't home. Someone was home 24/7 when we were doing dog boarding. I had WAY more problems with adult dogs than puppies, but still no damages to speak of.

If you really want a contract, which might make sense if you're super packed with clients and you're not worried about losing some, you could probably find doggie daycare contract templates or liability waivers online, then introduce it to a couple clients at a time and see how they respond and if they book/rebook you. You could create a survey through a site like SurveyMonkey (the free one I use) with some statements they have to agree to in order to book the stay, and mix in some questions about their dog so it doesn't sound quite as formal. I set up different "collectors" for the same survey so each client is sent a unique link to the survey so I know that person agreed to the statements in the survey. I also ask for their contact info, their vet, emergency contact in case I can't reach them, and lots of dog questions.

I hope this was helpful. Good luck!

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Hello! I was wondering if you wouldn't mind sharing what your survey looks like with me? I am trying to get some ideas and I don't necessarily want to do a contract because that sometimes scares people off. If you don't mind, my email is kenna.mae@live.com. Thank you!

I would love if one of you could please pass this contract on to me! mharris9293@gmail.com

If anyone is still checking this thread is it possible to send one to me too? Would love to cover my bases. mikefab@gmail.com

I would also like to recieve one as well! kaliajoseph01@gmail.com

Would you share your survey? hopeegrigsby@gmail.com

Hello! I would also love if you would share your survey with me! hanaa.edu@gmail.com Thank you in advance :)

Me as well, thank you! ericaluanderson@gmail.com