Hosting multiple dogs during holiday season?

Here is my advice. If you are not experienced do not take dogs from multiple homes. When I started out I only took one dog at a time and once they became repeat customers I knew what other dog I can mix them with. I don't mix new dogs with any other dogs until I am familiar with them. I have a repeat costumer who is a sweetheart with me and my dogs, but she has fear aggression. She doesn't want any other dogs near her. That dog I know cannot be boarded with any other dog so I make sure dates don't overlap. The dog you are staying with for 2 weeks is new. You have no idea how he/she will behave in those 2 weeks. Imagine now mixing him/her with another dog and they don't get along. That is going to be the longest 2 weeks of your life. If you still decide to take in multiple dogs make sure you have crates or baby gates so you can separate the dogs. Amber G. (Rover sitter) has extensive experience in handling dogs from multiple homes. Hopefully she can give you some insight.

I would be very hesitant to host multiple new dogs together for an extended period of time. I'm experienced at reading body language and feel comfortable introducing dogs and managing behavioral issues; however, it's not worth the money if you have to spend days or weeks managing problems and preventing/resolving conflict, even if your house is equipped to handle a quarantine situation. And perhaps even more importantly, even if you feel able to handle a worst case scenario, remember it's not ideal for the dogs. As a sitter, I don't want to watch dogs just because I am capable of doing so. I want to watch dogs who will thrive with me, more than they might with other sitters. I'm happy to work with difficult dogs who might be uncomfortable with any sitting situation, but if there's something in my house that makes them uncomfortable which wouldn't be an issue at another sitter's, I'd rather that dog go where they aren't uncomfortable and can have a good time.

Last year I hosted two dogs over Christmas and New Year from different households, but I was only comfortable making that arrangement because the M&G for the second dog happened to coincide with a stay with the first dog, so they were able to meet well ahead of time. Thankfully, they immediately loved each other and I had no concerns about having such long overlapping stays. For short overnight stays or daycare, I'm fairly comfortable mixing familiar guests with new dogs, though I always consider the personalities of those involved and I've declined new dogs when it didn't sound like their personality would mesh well with the existing group.

I also echo what Frances said: if you aren't very experienced or aren't comfortable handling multiple dogs, or aren't set up to keep dogs separated safely, do not accept overlapping stays, especially not for long periods of time. When you have a few trusted regular clients, begin allowing small overlaps between their stays as you can, until you become more confident with introductions.

What you might consider, since your first client will be booking ahead of time, is asking your first client if they might be willing to meet again later if/when you have overlapping requests so their dog can meet the potential second guest. It may be harder to arrange, but it could potentially allow you to host multiple dogs and alleviate many concerns about compatibility. If you do take multiple clients, still be sure you have the ability to safely separate all dogs in your care should it be necessary during the stay.

Like Frances said... Meet and Greets are very important. You want to make sure you are getting the right kind of dogs. I find customers are not always honest and are desperate during the holidays to find someone to take their pup. Then using baby gates and crates when pups need space or a time out. The most important thing is lots of exercise for all the pups. I get the dogs to the park every day for at least an hour. I have had a few bad apples and again like Frances said it will be the longest and most stressful sit of you life. But you live and learn! I often have 8 to 10+ dogs and that's not even during holidays. I hope this helps. Happy sitting, Amber G

Having a meet & greet is always ideal, but not always an indicator of how the dog will be during a stay. If your dog is a good judge of doggy character, then I'd say a meet&greet should almost always be required as she evaluates potential canine guests to help you determine compatibility.

If you want to accept dogs from multiple households, it's easiest if most or all of the canines are returning guests and if you or another adult are observing the dogs at all times. If that's not possible, I'd suggest you prepare to have options (such as gates) to create separate areas as needed. For dogs who start dates are after Dec. 15, you could let the owners know of the other booking and allow their dog the opportunity to meet the one already booked.

I only host multiple dogs during holidays. Up to 4 max. I have two dogs of my own as well. When I first started I did one at a time. The worst thing is to have multiple dogs and some do not get along. I have only had that issue once but the aggressive dog was a dog I have on a regular basis. She became over protective of my home as if it were her own. When another dog came in she would try and bite because my attention was now being shared with another dog. I have talked with another sitter that had an owner file a complaint against her for negligence. She went to put a load of laundry in and one dog bit another. It was a small bite but then the dog bit her when she tried to pick him up and crate him. Situations like this is very rare but you must be comfortable and prepared. Make sure that when you do a meet and greet with other dogs that you introduce that dog as well.

I do host dogs from different households throughout the year but especially during peak holiday times. However, like Frances, I have to know the dogs and make a judgment whether they would get along. For this upcoming holiday season, I received a very early request for a pair of dogs that I had watched before. I checked with the owner of a dog who typically stays with me over the holidays for their plans and gave the other owner the opportunity to bring her dogs over while my "regular" boarder was here because I wasn't sure about one would react. While I have had short periods of overlap for new dogs, I wouldn't want to have to deal with dogs that didn't get along for a longer stay.