Bad owner experience?

You're right to not be okay with this canine bait & switch.

I'm guessing that the Rover profile & booking does not include this other dog that is currently at home with you, so this dog isn't covered the way the first dog was. I'd call the support team at Rover to discuss, especially since it sounds like you never met or discussed the other dog previously. I'd find the health aspects (medications, incontinence, potential other etc., ) to be primary concerns with sleep deprivation due to howling as the lesser of the issues.

I'm in a similar situation. Dog is very sweet, seemed okay during a half-hour meet-and-greet, owner said dog is 'very well trained.' Which apparently includes barking all night if he can't sleep on our bed, giving zero warning when he needs to potty and instead just going off into a corner, door dashing, jumping on people when excited to see them, pulling like crazy on the way out the door (like, nearly pulled me down the front steps when I turned to lock the door) and apparently knowing neither his own name or the word 'No.' The only word I've discovered he recognizes is 'bad dog' which puts him immediately into a down position, eyes closed, head on floor, which kind of breaks my heart. I'm stuck with him for another three nights. Live and learn. I will NEVER again accept a sit of more than two nights without an overnight first to "check whether our home is a good fit for your dog" lol.

Of course, you are justified to be upset with the switch. But I have a couple of questions.

Does the client have both dogs listed in their profile? If they did not, even though you are house sitting, Rover's insurance wouldn't cover the other dog. You should always be aware of that and it would have given you the perfect opportunity to say no.

Are any of the dog's medications for separation anxiety? If not, then, I've found that giving Benedryl to a dog helps a bit, especially at night. Benedryl puts me to sleep and might do so for the dog. However, you would only give it in the proper dosage to the dog with the owner's permission. Also, the owner might want to run it past their own vet because of all the other meds being taken.

Obviously in the future you are going to be more careful about accepting a dog sight unseen, but this is definitely an unusual case. Who could anticipate switching dogs on a sitter? I think I'd be curious as to why the owner made different arrangements for the dogs. Typically, dogs with separation anxiety do better in their own homes, so it really surprises me that the SA dog went elsewhere, unless that sitter was somehow more qualified to take care of it. Really odd IMO.

No, you are correct for being upset! All you can do is tough it out and then never accept another booking from this client. I think I would also stop sending tons of messages to the owner so they don't get a bad impression of you and possibly leave a bad review. Best of luck over the next few days.

Sorry your in this situation. Yes, you had a right to be upset but what is done is done. (Lesson learned, you will now know for next time).

You do need to contact Rover support to make sure everything legally is in place now that you have switched dogs. (Also see what suggestions they may have)

Moving forward, you gotta face the fact that you are stuck with this dog for 4 more dogs. The poor dog has already gone through one sitter. We gotta find a way to make the best out of a bad situation. The dog is terrified, scared, does not know what is going on, and is no fault of his own.

We need to make sure that the dog is safe. When dogs have bad separation anxiety they will chew and scratch things running a risk of broken teeth, cuts and scratch, etc. (not to mention the damage that he could do to the house) They can become aggressive. You are also at a higher risk of the dog blotting out the front door.

I would send the owners a message letting them know that you have medical concerns with their dog having such high anxiety and nothing seems to be calming their dog down. It is unfair to ignore their dog crying for help. It would be best to take him to their family Veterinarian. The veterinarian will be able to prescribe something to help ease the stress.( Benadryl is not going to help a dog in this situation. Yes, it does make most dogs groggie but sadly not for a dog with this bad of separation anxiety. ) Majority of your separation anxiety medication will take some time to kick in and start working, however, the Vet will be able to send him home with a sedative to help calm him down. The sedative is not a long term fix but will at least get him by so he is not in so much distress.

Hopefully this way both you and the dog will be able to get some rest, Best of Luck!