Newbie to dog boarding- any advice?

I have been only boarding in my home for three years on Rover.

I would invest in extra food and water bowls. When I have multiple stays at a time, especially during holidays, I do not have to remember which bowls belong to which family. (I guess this depends on how many dogs you board at a time).

After my first year, I bought a couple of crates. It’s just easier for me and the clients who crate their dogs.

I have a dog toy box with clearance toys from Petsmart. Dogs who like toys gravitate toward it during meet and greets and I don’t have to keep track of clients toys if they bring them (they usually stay in the clients bag).

I accept puppies but do not use puppy pads. Puppies should be crated when they are not closely supervised. I keep belly bands and diapers on hand for puppies and recent rescues just in case and take them outside every two hours. I have not had any puppies under a year who were not in the process of being crate trained. Ask how potty training is going. If you are open with the client about in home accidents and do not act like they are the worst thing that could possibly happen, you are likely to get honesty from the owner about their dogs potty training progress.

I message the client a day or two before to arrange drop off, see if they have any questions.

I host multiple dogs at a time and most of my Rover clients are repeats so I’m not sure if my two cents is applicable in your situation but hopefully you will find something useful in my two cents. :-)

At our house each dog has their own cubby for their belongings with a nametag.

Hi Emily,

Great questions and a great approach. You should go through Sitter Resources for lots of helpful hints, including questions to ask owners during the Meet & Greet:

https://www.rover.com/blog/sitter-res...

1. Yes, I remind owners the night before dropoff of all the things they should bring, which includes food, medications, leash and any other items they would like. But the first three are required; the others are optional. Also, if a dog is a known marker, then the client has to supply disposable belly bands. I don't provide them or puppy pads and won't accept any dog that has been trained to use a puppy pad. They need to be completely house-broken. That is in my profile.

2. I always have treats on hand, plus I feed (with the owner's permission) certain human food, like fruit, vegetables or cheese, as treats. There are three beds and lots of toys. However, if a dog is a known destroyer, I will put away all the good ones. I do have a backup leash and harness, just in case. I also have on hand extra bowls, so it isn't necessary for the owner to bring them along.

3. I don't provide crates either. If someone wants to bring one over, that's fine, but I make it clear in my Profile that I do not have crates. Put it in your Profile and discuss at the Meet & Greet.

4. I don't accept puppies.

5. There is a great deal to discuss with clients and I suggest you make yourself a Dog Info Sheet for them to fill out and go over at the Meet & Greet. If there are "deal breakers," by all means cover those in your messaging. But it is not a good idea to rely on messaging as your sole form of communication. You are obviously being conscientious about starting to board dogs and that should include having the M&Gs and then booking if all looks good.

Hi! I wanted to throw in some advice that you havent stated. I require my rover dogs to be UTD on shots and have flea and tick preventative as the last thing you want is a flea infestation. I have my own crate but I implore the owners to bring their own.
Always ask for a drop off and pick up time, its so much easier knowing when to have all their stuff gathered. I usually dont use the owners leashes because most of them are retractable and they just arent safe.

1. I have a checklist I give new clients at M&G that list things on Rover they need to complete plus a list of things to bring. Food, meds, treats, leash/harness, toys.

I use my own bowls for food and water. I also have a leash and harness. Most of my clients are older dogs so don't need many toys, plus I only take one dog/family at a time so I don't need a lot.

I bought a medium sized crate because I require that the dog be crated while I'm gone. some clients still like to bring their own, along with a blanket or pillow for the dog. I always tell them in my initial response that I do require the crate training because I do leave on occasion and don't want to leave the dog out until I know it can be trusted. It's also in my profile that they must be crate trained and completely house broken.

I don't board puppies.

The M&G will be the deciding factor in whether to accept a dog and to give the owner information. Always, always do a M&G prior to accepting a dog, especially if you board multiples. Like Karen said, develop your own checklist for your M&G - cover things like feeding schedule, walk schedule, behaviors, meds, have they been left alone and/or with a sitter. And always get a LOCAL emergency contact in case something should happen to you or the dog.