How to negociate with owners when thier dogs damage things in your house ?

Come up with a contract and have them sign when they drop the dog off, that way there's no confusion. I've had a issue with this and the owner didn't care what-so-ever, even when I asked what they wanted to do I received no response. We had tons of damage due to this one dog. Poop smeared on the walls, rugs ripped up, storage bins torn apart, door jambs scratched and bitten, pee on couches, ripped curtains, deep scratches on walls, and even a totally busted door frame( due to him trying to open a door that was locked with a chain lock.) I finally came up with a contract that clearly shows it and they have to sign it or the deal is off. You'd be surprise how many people could care less when things like this happen.

I've said it before this is a cost of doing business in your home. I've had a number of marking male dogs, but it was a senior female dog who caused the most damage because of incontinence. After she ruined an 8 x 10 area rug, I told the owner, who only looked embarrassed and offered some cleaning solution that she thinks is great. No offer to pay for damages and I would not ask or demand. At her next visit, I told her that I threw out the rug and she still looked strangely at me, like "why are you telling me this?"

All you can do is be vigilant with the dogs and do whatever you can to minimize the potential for damages to your home and property. A rug can be replaced, but I recall a sitter here posting about damages to doors and walls in her apartment that were going cost her a great deal to have repaired.

My initial thought is consider yourself fortunate to have done this for 3 years with no unpleasant exchanges until now. I, like other sitters, have also experienced property damage. When I started, I didn't know about belly bands. It doesn't make my day when despite 4 or more walks a day dogs pee or mark indoors, especially because my dog never had. The owners never compensated me nor did I ask because I know Rover's policy and it's easier to never care for a pet again that is not a match than try to negotiate with an owner and get slammed with a bad review that will likely not reflect all the care given. Even when I've walked dogs at their own home, seen their dog pee indoors and told the owner, I've heard the same questioning reaction "are you sure that dog did that?" After I answer and clean it up, I just go on. Then, it's up to each of us if we want to continue caring for that pet. If you search damage on the sitter section, you can see some other situations and sitters reactions.

I'm sorry you had that experience. Unfortunately, while it would be nice for clients to offer to recoup any losses due to their dog's behavior, they are not obligated to reimburse you for anything. Damage to our property is just one of the risks we take as sitters, and is usually covered under homeowner's or renter's insurance. While I've always informed owners of any damage their dog caused (thankfully minor in my case; a sock on one occasion and a book on another), I've never asked for compensation. If someone wanted to offer it, great, but feel it's inappropriate to ask in the same way it would be inappropriate for a restaurant to ask a customer who broke a dish to replace it.

What I would suggest is developing a contract for future use, so that you have a document to fall back on in the event a dog does costly damage again. I've been working on one that I'm about to implement for new clients. I still wouldn't invoke it for small stuff because I feel that has a high chance of seeming petty, but it would be nice to have in place for any structural damage or high value items.

I had a dog who stayed with me on two different occassions both for 4 nights each. The first visit he broke 2 toys. The second visit he broke 10 toys!! Needless to say my dog wasn't very happy about this and neither was I. I informed his owner after the second stay and she offered to pay for them. However, I didn't even know what the cost for all of that would be so I declined. However, if she ever asks to book with me again, which she already has and had the nerve to ask for a discount for an extended stay, I will always be unavailable.