How "frank" are you about a dogs behavior while an owner is vacationing?

Honesty is the best policy

I only tell them in the stay conversation if there is an incident or if they destroyed something. Example was housitting and had to leave to the store and when I got back they messed up carpet by digging with their paws by the sliding door (there was something in the back yard they were trying to get at an no doggy door). If anything happens concerning that I let the owner know and sent a picture, I always try and be as transparent as possible.

Other things I tend to bring up in a face to face conversation when I bring their key back. Like this weekend I was watching 2 older dogs and 1 puppy and one of the older two likes to to try to eat the puppy's poop (probably because of the puppy food) :( I let the owner know in case they are not aware that they try to do this as I caught her a few times.

I walked a dog when it’s owners were gone and had only previously done a meet and greet.

I’ve since changed my policy. I do a meet and greet & a walk without the owner before booking, because the dog was very bad on leash, and seriously hurt my shoulder. Very aggressive, super pulling, I’ll behaved and chased squirrels, people, kids. I got the feeling the owner had burnt a few bridges with walkers before & he was very curt at the meet and greet having to leave early. When I told him what happened he never once replied, though when I pushed he did say he read the cards and feedback I sent and that at least he didn’t leave any dogs needing stitches (after telling me he had no triggers). I wish there was a way for us to rate clients through our end on rover to prevent similar situations for our fellow rover sitters/walkers.

I now realize that I have to be stern & honest & play by my rules and policies before booking anything, and things have got much better since. Sure, I’ve turned down a few requests but I’m no longer injured!

How was the dog at the meet and greet? What is the reason the dog is so out of control? Being aggressive to strangers is understandable, he's anxious and scared and wants to attack when feeling threatened. Sometimes it happens if the dog has never been boarded before, or if he's with someone all day and then is boarded and is left alone.

Lying to the owners saying he's so great doesn't exactly make sense. If you expressed that there are some things that worry you, they may actually give you some advice on how to go about the issue with the dog. Or every sitter was scared to say something, so the owners are totally unaware the dog is dealing with problems. Good luck ;)