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Should I continue this stay or end it early? [closed]

So I need help on what to do.. I’m just looking for honest answers.. so this client booked a stay with me. At first this dog was staying with another sitter previously but it didn’t work out unfortunately. It was being aggressive with the sitters dog. So the client reached out to me and we booked the stay and the previous sitter dropped him off. This dog was doing great until he kept pulling on the leash aggressively every time I took him out to do his business. I now have a bruise on my hand to where I had fallen due to him practically dragging me. I have scratches, I’m sore, and it hurts to move now. I have 5 more days to watch him but I don’t know if I should continue this stay or end it early cause of this. what do you guys think I should do??. PLEASE HELP.

Closed for the following reason the question is answered, right answer was accepted by Natalie M.
close date 2018-06-07 15:36:20.432284

4 Answers

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I'd call Rover support. Many of them are sitters and they can see the dog's previous history. Even though for client privacy, they understandably can't always share the info, I've found them to be helpful talking through tough situations like aggressive dogs.

If I were in your shoes, I'd want to find some other solution for him to eliminate other than risking injury to both the dog & I due to dangerous walks described. If everything else was working out:

  • Is there anyone else who could walk him (if not someone you know, maybe a rover walker)?
  • Is there any other area where he could relieve himself without walks?
  • Can the dog return to his home and just have drop in visits?
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First and foremost you have to make sure that you are safe and that you are able to keep the dog safe. If you honestly think that you are not safe being with this dog, than yes you should contact Rover about ending the stay.

As far as Rover is concerned, they will put your account on hold for at least a month if you cancel a stay. It does not matter what the reason is. If a sitter ends a stay they will automatically place your account on hold while their safety team evaluates your account and the situation that took place. Even if you find another sitter for the client or if you and the client had already previously talked about it prior to the stay. Rover will put you on a hold pending the review. I personally do not Find Rover to be helpful in these situations. (this is what actually made me switch from a Rover Preferred member to a regular member.) There is no Rover support no matter how much you are not at fault, or like I said even if you found the another sitter. yes, Rover support team is nice about it but your account will still be placed on hold for at least 1 month. So something to considered.

Know as for this dog. I don't know what you mean by "pulling the leash aggressively"? Aggressive to me is trying to bite, growling? Do you mean more that he is leash aggressive when another dog is walking by? Sorry, but it is not really clear on what you mean. But I personally feel that you still should of done a meet and greet with the other sitter and the dog to see if you were going to be able to handle him. Try to put yourself in the owners shoes. How worried would you be that your dog already had to switch sitters once than here you want to switch him again.
If you can push through this stay, I personally would. Try doing thing differently. Somethings you can try is what kind of collar are you walking him with? I find "Gentle Leaders" give me the most control. If you are using a chock collar- are you using it properly is it in the shape of a "P" when you walk (if you do not know what I am talking about, than the answer would be No.) You said he is dragging you. Why is he dragging you? Is there something distracting him? Maybe try going when there is nothing out to distract him. Later in the night or earlier in the morning? Try going back to the basics of walking - take a yummy treat with you. slice up a boiled chicken breast into small little pieces to get him to walk nicely (I do not know many dogs that will turn down a piece of chicken breast as a treat.) Take a squeaky toy with you- don't let ... (more)

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Good points, thank you for the advice Erica. :)

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You need to call Rover ASAP and ask them for help. Just out of curiosity, you knew the dog was aggressive and the sitter wanted him gone, but you took him in. Were you confident you can handle it? You can not allow a dog drag you while walking. What kind of a leash/collar do you have for this dog?

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You need to think of your safety and the dogs safety! If you are in any way uncomfortable or feel you/the dog will be injured than find another sitter and let that sitter know exactly what to expect..but from what I'm hearing, I would personally end it early. You can also call Rover Support and explain your situation.