Treats, blankies, and favorite toys are all great ways to crate train, but high praise is also good.

Yes! And what does it say when the dogs owner doesn't seem to feel their pet is worth the cost as opposed to the alternatives.

I agree with you offering discounts occasionally, especially with repeat clients who have well mannered pets.

That's great advise!

I wouldn't worry about scamming unless you live alone and agree to a meet and greet at your home without someone there with you. If this is your situation, have the meet and greet in public somewhere....like a local dog park.

When someone takes on multiple dogs, do they ask for dog food discounts at the store? Do they ask for "bulk" discounts at pet friendly hotels? I suspect not.

I wonder about clients who are not completely forthcoming with the off putting little details about their pet/pets. The situation they're setting up for the caregiver and the pet/pets is terribly unfair and will most likely not be welcome back. They may end up having to go out of town for care.

You might try asking the potential new client, who's asking for a discount, to call the local commercial kennels and ask for a discount!

I occasionally do a local price check with the commercial kennels. When a potential new client has the nerve to ask for discounts before having experienced my services, I produce the notes on my price checking. This usually puts them in check.

I had a sweet little day care dog for a while. The owner was requesting a lower rate. I did give discounts but she started arriving very early in the am's to chat me up about her financial woes. This made me very uncomfortable. One day she didn't show up, no call, no text, nothing. I miss the dog.

I'm considering a new client with three dogs, one a large dog , which goes against my preferences. I'm considering it in spite of my preferences, but now the prospective client is asking for a deep discount, for three dogs. For four days! With very little research, I've learned they'd be paying almost twice my asking price at well known boarding facilities, which we all know is usually not the best place for our pets. I worry I may be sending a message that I can be taken advantage of. While the dogs' happiness, safety, and well being is my priority here, I can't help but feel I'm being taken advantage of. I've scheduled a meet & greet for this weekend. Wish me luck.

This has been a concern for me as a new host with Rover. I suspect I'll have to insist, while planning the meet & greet, for the owners to bring proof, or send a picture of the documentation. This should be done before the dog/dogs are dropped off. I have no allergies concerning flea bites, but an infestation is always costly and aggravating. Any owner who feels it is alright to allow their pets to live with flea bites may not be someone we should accept into our homes. I just feel for the poor pet who is being flea bitten and can do nothing to help themselves.

I agree with Amber here. Try and stick it out. Close the blinds/curtains so this dog can't see people passing by, or only go for walks early in the am and late pm until the owner gets back.

Wow. I've not thought of this before. Great solution Lindsey I! Now I will better know how to handle this one should it be a request I have to deal with.

Same for me Cassandra. It took a few weeks for my first request. I've had to turn down one as well. A cute little Rat Terrier who, due to circumstances, was number 1 on a ranch for all of his six years, causing him to be unsocial and scared with anyone but the owners, who were super nice and loving. Susan D.

Good advise Cari C.. Get the business cards and hand them out at local dog parks, your vets office or all vets in your area if you can. The cards will highlight a "first time customer discount". You can also set up your own URL, mine is rover.com/sit/mypookiebear89, which takes potential clients straight to your profile. I hope this helps. Susan D.

I started out low balling it until I could get some meet and greets in and once you host a pooch, get a great review, you will benefit by not letting money be the basis for your services. Once you've gotten comfortable and have had some interaction and a review or two......up your prices being mindful you don't go too high and lose jobs to your local competition. Good luck! Susan D.

I did get an email from Rover after my first hosting experience about reviews. My client wrote an great one and Rover asked me to reply to my clients compliments, which I'd already done, giving the clients a rave review for being such great parents to their dog. They made sure to bring a crate, a comfy dog bed for inside it, and a few favorite treats and toys. It made for an amazing first go at it for their little guy, not to mention my wonderful memories. The replies to a clients reviews are as important as the review itself. It is shown on the site and helps owners looking for a host to know what to consider providing for their pet. Susan D.

I agree with Cassandra M.! Horrible feeling you were left with. The meet and greets are essential, but insist on as many pictures as the host/sitter will agree to with you. These real-time pics you are sent may help give you an inside look into what's going on in your home, or the host's home. Try a nanny-cam. Susan d.