Was excited to see this thread as it's something I wrestle with. I've been sitting for 10+ years, but only recently began to broaden my client base. With it came more requests for overlapping bookings. I have done several double bookings recently but each time I do it, I'm reminded why I don't particularly care for it.
Most of the dogs I board are very people oriented, and they tend to get very attached to me. Even if the dogs get along with each other, there are times I need to separate them, and then our house is filled with complaints (i.e. barking, whining, howling) from the other. This is the greatest negative for me.
I haven't found food aggression to be a problem, but I don't really give it room to happen. The food goes down at mealtimes and they eat until it's gone OR until time is up. After that, the food goes away. I'm more concerned that the dogs eat their own food and not each other's, than I am about food aggression. Toys and bones a bit more difficult to manage, so while I hate for them to loose the stimulation, I generally put those items away when the dogs are together.
Walks are also hugely impacted by double booking. Walks are extremely important to me, but it can be a pain walking multiple dogs. Several weeks ago, I had a 65+lb Black Mouth Cur, a 80lb Golden Retriever, and a 100+lb Anatolian. While their leash manners were generally good enough that I could have walked them all together, I wasn't comfortable walking 250lbs of dog past squirrels and other dogs, so I had to take two separate walks each day. Even dogs that are generally good on leash can get jumpy when you add a dog.
The long and short? Double booking is a bit like musical chairs and generally pretty chaotic. Those who do it more often probably find it easier, though. Unfortunately, double booking is the only thing that will really drive your revenue up...
No owner should ever say that!! Because they do not know the other dog(s). With my dog its a dog by dog basis, every meeting takes place on neutral territory preferrably outdoors where there won't be any personal space for either to protect. They like and dislike one another, same as humans
I have a dog myself so I usually only watch one dog at a time. The only time I will take multiple dogs is when I have sat the dogs before and am confident they'll get along. Like Susan, I have the dogs meet outside and take a walk together. This works extremely well and simulates a pack mentality
When I boarded, I would only board dogs I had walked or sat multiple times. Boarding unknown dogs into the house can have it’s effects, especially if you do not have a private space for them.