I didn't say they charged full rate, but like I do, most kennels offer a nominal discount. At least around here, DEFINITELY not half off as her client wants. I have done my market research having been sitting for the last 3.5 years through Rover.

"...and need to check with their property's zoning laws. For instance, laws about how many animals can stay at a residence at the same time, etc. I got approval regarding my home being zoned for a small business and applied for a business license which is awaiting review. "

"As Rover advises, I checked with my state laws regarding working as an independent contractor (which all of us sitters on Rover are classified as) and needing a business license. I found out that in my city (Seattle) independent contractors are indeed required to have a business license and ..."

one last thing: this has been discussed before on another thread and others in Washington have been required to get a license. https://www.rover.com/community/question/1930/applying-for-a-business-license/

"Many cities, counties, and municipalities require local business licenses, even for one-person, home-based operations. Usually, you can get this type of license simply by paying a fee. Some cities don't impose any license requirements at all, or exempt very small businesses."

"The answer depends on where you work and what you do. A few states -- including Alaska and Washington -- require all businesses to get a state business license. "

This was a great resource: http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/question-do-independent-contractors-need-business-28411.html

But that is not correct. You do own your business as an independent contractor/consultant. That is why you must withhold and pay your own taxes rather than Rover treating you as an employee and doing it for you. I had to do the same as a freelance writer and my husband as a consultant.

Never take in a last minute request like that. I have been bitten literally and figuratively several times from doing so. If they bit you at the meet and greet with owner there and in control, they will definitely bite you when frightened when owner leaves. Sooo not worth it!!

Also been sitting 3 years and the only time I have been bitten was at meet and greet was when I didn't heed my own advice. Don't let yourself be stressed into taking a dog you aren't comfortable with if the owner made the poor decision to book last minute.

I'd definitely crate the pup and make sure your pup is safe. Call Rover. Call owner. Ask that they have a friend, family member pick up or arrange for a commercial kennel booking where this unsocialized dog is kept separate from other dogs that you can drop off to...and yes, i have done that before with a dog that got destructive and started chewing floorboards and moldings.

And they say it's to treat the dog like they are family? Uh yeah I don't track my husband's or kid's movements via GPS or poops either!! :)

This report card system is absurd. I watch up to 8 dogs, with 2-3 on any given day are daycare or drop in. No way can I track pee and poo for that many dogs and no way do I feel comfortable having my phone used as a tracking device for how long we walked. I can see demanding Rover clients already saying I want you to walk him 2 miles instead of 20 minutes. Every sitter and dog have their own pace and fitness level.

ROVER REALLY missed the mark on this one.

I have used craigsist , but not sure if I have ever gotten business from it.

I have a license and depending on your state, you may need one. I know in Washington, any home based business, no matter how small, requires a license as well as claiming income for state taxes. It was super easy to set up, cost I recall $75 first year than $20 subsequent years for my city license (also required). I think I paid maybe $200 in state taxes on $50k in rover income.

Always let people know that you are first come, first serve. If I don't hear back in 24 hrs after meet and greet, I archive so I am available for other days. It puts some pressure on them to commit too. I am also strict.

although I wish Rover would fix this and make then enter drop ff and pck up times in booking and do it automatically like a car ental. This is my #1 problem for new clients is explaining this to them. many have tried to drop off at 8 am one day and then picked up next day 6pm with 1 night charge.

I send an info letter on all my policies BEFORE meet and greet. I used to get taken advantage of before with drop offs and pick ups so before I book, they must tell me drop off and pick up time and I adjust the price accordingly. I set my hours 7:30AM to 6pm and am VERY clear a "night" equals 24 hours. I will allow 1-2 hour overlap and then I either charge additional "night" or a "daycare" fee. Another way to get around this is to allow only evening drop off or pick ups. I stopped taking drop off and pick ups after 6pm because I have an early rising husband and kids. I explain it's also out of respect for my neighbors since pups being dropped off are often excited and bark and even continue to bark long after drop off and it takes a while to settle down.

I offer a $2 discount for 2nd dog as a courtesy since I could easily fill that space with a full paying dog. Stick to your guns. If she went to PetSmart or any kennel, she'd be paying for both dogs.

I have recently had a couple of very elderly dogs that needed a fair amount more of my time in either supervision do to arthritis, blindness, incontinence, or anxiety. I LOVE OLD DOGS and I want to be sure they have a place where they are loved and not kenneled. That said, I completely understand where you are coming from. I have one client whose pup comes with a massive pill box and requires medication every 2-3 hrs. However, they also give massive tips because they know how much work it is to take care of old pups and appreciate the break from it too. I have another that pees constantly everywhere he goes and doesn't even realize it. I do require that client to bring an large amount of disposable belly bands.

I am pretty sure when I started sitting three years ago, Rover had $250 deductible and was for if the dog got injured or sick. Now I could have sworn it is now $500 deductible and ONLY for injuries and NOT sickness. Anyone?

1. Behavior: Any habits I should know about? Chewing? Counter surfer? Has your pup ever marked in your house or anyone else's home? Digger? Escape artist? Just want everyone to be safe and happy. Constantly bark? Anxiety? If so, how does behavior exhibit this anxiety?

2. Health/Diet: Does she/he have his/her shots and kennel cough vaccine up to date? On flea prevention? Take any other medication? Any special needs? Any special dietary concerns? We ask all clients to bring their pups food and any treats/chews they enjoy at home. Fixed? I generally do not allow un-fixed dogs unless they are puppies under the age of 18 months and are not exhibiting any hormonal behavior. Microchipped?

3. The most important: Is your pup totally socialized with other dogs and absolutely no aggression or excessive "alpha dog" behavior? Has she/he ever bitten, snapped or nipped at another dog or person. I am not talking rough play, but more grumbly or aggressive behavior? That's my only deal-breaker besides chewing or marking because I want to keep all the pups in my care safe and happy.

4. Pick up and drop off times.

5. I would need to know about any dog or fear aggression. I have no problem with pitt bulls--we lost our 15 year pitt baby a few years back to cancer. If there are issues, I would be willing to travel to your home rather than cause any drama between any pets.

6. Please let me know in advance if your dog is used to being crated or has any chewing, extreme barking or anxiety.

I agree and try to manually adjust when I remember. I have occasionally have had push back from clients who feel it's a bait and switch to contact me at one rate and then I adjust and it's another rate. I always explain. Sometimes they understand, but a few times I have lost a booking. I wish Rover would include all federal holidays in their holiday rate automatically. It would make it much easier on me as a sitter and lead to less misunderstandings.

My golden was diagnosed with Cushings at 13, but the symptoms were there for years. Since he was 90lb retriever /bernese mix, the vet decided to let the disease progress since so often the cure is almost worse than the symptoms. He lasted until SEVENTEEN years old and only died when bone cancer in his front shoulder couples with rear hind weakness made dignity impossible. Still besides thirst, pot belly, panting and restless at night, and rear hind weakness, he lived a happy go lucky life. I will say moving away from commercial foods and feeding him more meat and veggies and zero grains really seemed to help. Good luck and don't count out MANY MANY more years of love for your furry family member!!

Do any of you charge holiday rate for Valentine's Day to President's Day? I wish it was a default Rover "holiday" since it is one of my busiest times of the year and coincides with our local school breaks. I do charge holiday rate, but it has lead to some awkwardness with new clients that contacted me expecting my standard rate, but then got a different rate when it comes time to book. I do try to explain in advance that Rover automatically makes certain high demand holidays book at holiday rate, but it is my discretion to apply holiday rate to other holidays. It does feel a bit like bait and switch which I definitely don't want them to feel. Honestly it surprises me Rover doesn't add all federal holidays as holiday rate. Thoughts?

Also even after 25k, Paypal does not give you a W-2 unless you have also had 200 transactions. Super annoying because I made well over the 20 threshold lat year from Rover and Paypal still wouldn't give me a W-2 because I only had 180ish transactions. You can get Paypal business mode though which will helps gather up and filter your financial transactions.

I hadn't heard of this option, but honestly no, I would never let them take 50%.

If you are looking to build clients, you will have much better luck advertising via Rover on Craigslist or Nextdoor neighbor websites. Another option is you could off a 10% discount to past clients for future stays if they write a review (helps you with Rover algorithm) or if they refer a friend that books a stay. I've been doing this as a side job for 3.5 years and believe me, you'll get to the point you'll turn down people left and right or end up with 10 dogs at the holidays. :) #TrueStory

Good luck!

Do mean mean 85% for regular stays Deb? That's what Rover takes from my fees.

This just happened to me. The pups in question had chewing issues before with household items so they also pup proofed the house. I had watched these pups several times with only a few mystery chewed household items. Unfortunately last time? I put my uggs by the door. I was giving one pup attention and the chewer snuck off and grabbed my uggs and shredded them. :( I did send a picture to the owners and they offered to pay for them. $180 and lesson learned. After that I took my shoes off outside and left them outside. The owner said their pup had chewed their shoes up in past, but hadn't done it for years so hadn't thought to warn me. I think the uggs were too much like rawhide and fluffy dog toys to resist. I only bring cheap shoes with me now.

I definitely think you should mention it to the owner and they should offer to replace/repair. I've also had some expensive headphones replaced by a chewing puppy in my home that was going through a stinker stage. She also grabbed a birthday cake off the island Small items I shrug off, but if it's more than a $35 item, I bring it up and my clients have always immediately offered to make right what their pups has destroyed.

I actually charge the puppy rate until dogs are two because while yes potty problem from 2-6 months, 9-18 months are the most willfull and destructive times. Think teens. Depending on breed, pup's spirit and owner training, it can get expensive. So while I do charge puppy rate, I will waive once past 15 months and I have watched the pup once to know their behavior.

You can always change rate in pull down menu to charge standard rate if pups are over 6 months??

Anyone really wish Rover would do booking like car rental to include drop off time and pick up time so it calculates extra charges automatically? It always adds this level of awkwardness when thrifty owners think they should only be charged 1 night for a 7am drop off with 9pm pick up the next night. That's really technically two days, but all they see is the Rover booking that says those dates are just one night charge. I have tried to do set drop off and pick up windows, but clients wanted more flexibility.

Also I think by requiring them to input times in to the booking, they might actually feel beholden to sticking to them. Cannot tell you how many clients that assume I do not have a life and dropping off 5 hours late or picking up 2 hours early (when I am not there but at the store buying groceries) is okay. UGH! and there should be some sort of late pick up fee?

It would make life so much easier!!