I had a new client book a last minute stay and we were unable to schedule a meet and greet. When the owner arrived to drop off, his supposedly 30# dog was actually closer to 65#-70#'s. I obviously took the dog, even though my stated max size is 40#'s. Has anyone else had this issue? How did you handle it?
That is awful. I've had customers tell me one thing to later find out they intentionally lied. I agree with other posters, meet and greet are essential. I will not take any dog if I have not had the chance to meet them first. I've had customers come to me the prior day before they leave and I've told them for the best interest of their dog, we have to do a meet and greet. I have to make sure their dog will be comfortable in my house with my own 2 dogs. They understand after you tell them it really is in the best interest of their dog. They don't want to leave them somewhere where the dog hasn't had the chance to meet me and do their doggy communication with my dogs.
I did take the dog as it was one of my first clients. The owner was called on a last minute medical mission trip overseas (hello guilt) hence the no meet and greet. It worked out great actually, my 45# dog LOVED having a big dog to play with and she was really a very good girl. But i cant imagine what I would have done had she not been a good girl. Since then if the owners are not able to do a M&G I am very clear on my size limit and do ask them to triple check the weight. I also since have drawn up a client info sheet with care instructions, feeding, emergency contact, vaccine info and authorization for veterinary treatment that I give the owners at the M&G. I have had vets deny medical treatment for dogs in my care because I did not have owners authorization. (Prior to my Rover days)
The real kicker is after all that the owner opted out of Rover before I get a review...nice huh? Lol
Unfortunately you got stuck. The ONLY way to avoid is to schedule the meet and greet. I worked for a doggy daycare/boarding in the near past, and the owner would supposedly screen all dogs, This did not always happen and we got 'stuck' many times, your word is your word.... Now that I am on my own I will not sit a dog/cat/ others until I have seen the home, met the clients and of course have met the pets. For the sake of safety in everyones' case this in best! Good Luck, Hope it worked out! :) s
The only way to avoid a problem like that is to schedule a meet and greet. When the client shows up with the dog in this case, it would be on you weather to turn them down or not. Personally I would take the pet anyways if you do not want a bad rating or for the customer to never return to the website again.
If you're unable to do a meet and greet for whatever reason, you can always ask them to email you copies of their most recent vet records. This should have their vaccine info as well as their most recent official weight. Like everyone else, I'd still very much recommend a M&G in every instance, since there are some things you just can't assess without observing the dog with you and your dog.