As a sitter, is it a bad idea to take owners dogs to the dog park (with their permission) ?

I would definitely suggest you discuss this during the meet & greet, when you ask about their pup's routine & activities. You can ask if they take their dog to a dog park etc. and about past experiences. If they do and indicate their dog is a good fit there, you can ask at that time how they feel about you doing so when the dog is with you.

I don't know rover's policy because I don't go. My dog and his friends don't enjoy it (or go with their parents) and it increases the the risk of injury and illness (both at the park and in transit). However, I realize some people and pups do, so maybe there will be other input.

I will take a dog to the dog park if the owner encourages it, and usually after the dog and I are well acquainted (so not day 1). For highly social dogs sometimes it's the best form of activity. I watch closely and haven't had any issues.

Personally I don't, even if a client says their dog is fine at the dog park. I do my best to reduce the risk of something happening while in my care, and bringing a client's dog into an area with a bunch of unleashed dogs is not a risk I am willing to take. I would hate to have to tell a client that their dog needs medical attention because it was attacked at the dog park.

That being said, I know many walkers/sitters do bring their clients' dogs to the dog park, and I do bring my own dog to the dog park from time to time.

I live right by two dog parks so I always ask every boarding client if they give me their permission to bring their pup to the dog park. If they seem hesitant at all I do not take them. If they say yes then definitely ask what size dogs their pup is comfortable around and make sure they are up to date on their rabies vaccine and Bordetella. Being a vet tech I always want to know their vaccine history.

If you do take the pup to the dog park and it bites another dog while not being UTD on rabies that could be very, very bad. The bordetella vaccine is suggested for dogs that board, get groomed, or go to dog parks. Basically anywhere they can come in contact with unfamliar dogs that you are unsure of their vaccine history.

Basically just know that taking your Rover dogs to the dog park increases their risk of a dog fight and potential diseases. I would suggest not taking dogs to the dog park unless: 1. The owners are aware of all the risks (dog fight, diseases, etc.) 2. The dog is UTD on at least Rabies vaccine and Bordetella. 3. The owner gives you explicit consent to bring the pup there. 4. The pup is not dog aggressive or toy aggressive.

This probably seems a bit over dramatic but I prefer to take on an overprotective philosophy with my Rover babies!

I did this per the owner's permission after he said his dogs do great in dog parks. So I took them. I had to leave after only being there for 5 minutes. They were out of control. I don't do that anymore because it could be a risk to the dog in my care, as well as the dogs at the park.

I only take dogs when the owner has suggested it,and I have spent enough time with the dog to know it will respond to me. I have experience supervising large groups of dogs so I feel comfortable bringing one dog I am sitting to the park. However, before I had worked in a kennel I would never have taken a client's dog to an off leash park. There are a ton of risks involved and if you are new to petsitting, I wouldn't take the chance! I'm not sure what Rover's official policy is on the dog park; I'm not actually sure they have one or can make one considering we are independent contractors. However, insurance providers may prohibit letting dogs under your care off leash.

You can if the owner tells you that you can. I personally stay away from dog parks.

I stay overcautious! I have only let rover dogs off leash twice. The first situation was with an insistent owner and not at a dog park. I had been with the dog almost a week, there was no one around in the giant park by their home, and the dog had zero desire to do anything but fetch its ball! The second instance was with my dog and two Rover dogs from the same home whose parents kept hinting they really wanted me to take the dogs. It was the second occasion I had boarded them, I brought my husband with me just in case someone ran off, and there weren't actually any other dogs around because it was muddy (we live in rainy Portland). I let the dogs off leash one by one just to be sure but am glad there weren't any other dogs around because their large male dog played rougher than I expected. His sister and my dog don't care, but there is too much potential for fights with strange dogs. I don't know if I would ever actually take someone else's dog to a dog park. Even if you know their dog well, you don't know the other people. I see dog park fights pretty frequently though most of them aren't bad. I always just tell owners that I prefer to be overcautious and highlight all the steps I take and that I've never had any issues because of the extra care I give the dogs. They can't argue with that, and everyone tells me they appreciate it.

You can not control other dogs. Not a good idea

I am a single client boarder, and I often get dogs that don't "play well with others". Maybe that's why I have a 'better safe than sorry' attitude about dog parks. I don't like them anyway, it's like a dog free for all with untrained dogs and owners without a clue. At any rate, I would avoid them even if client said ok, b/c you can never predict what someone else's dog will do in a stressful situation. Depending on size and ability I give them a nice walk/jog in my subdivision. But I specify in my profile that for safety reasons I don't allow client's dogs to come into contact with any other dogs while i am leash walking them.