I don’t want to micromanage by the hour- not worth my time. Sometimes we come out “ahead” if the stay is under 24 hours, sometimes “behind” if it is more. Since I rarely have dogs leave/arrive the same day, they can pick up as late as they want. Our reward is awesome reviews, return clients and tips

Personally, I am very flexible on drop off and pick up times. We often leave a day open between visits to catch up on cleaning, shampoo carpets, etc, so it doesn’t matter much. Plus, it is just to hectic to have dogs dropped off & picked up on the same day (we only do one family at a time)

Over the past 2 years, we have stocked up on certain supplies for “surprises” that the owners don’t tell us about, like diapers for dogs with incontinence or who mark, etc. Maybe some citronella collars would be a good item to have on hand? Use with owners consent, of course.

We also do dog walking, along with boarding, but we only board one family at a time.

My fiance and I will sometimes take turns doing the walks, but all of our boarding clients, which are 90% repeat customers, know that we do this. That we are in and out between 10am- 3pm, not 5 hours at a time, but that, just like if we owned a dog and had a job to go to, it would be home alone for periods of time, but we really limit it and tag team most of our walks.

We also usually close the door to the rest of the small house and let the dogs have the living room/kitchen area. Sometimes the entire house. Depends on the dogs. For example, one set of dogs we watch - I think we have had them maybe...90 nights now over the last 2 years? Its almost like we share custody, so they can go wherever they want.

For a first time boarder, for sure one of us would stay home and one of us would do the walks.

Some of the dogs we walk (only one family at a time as well) have very friendly dogs, and as long as both owners agree, sometimes we will take the boarders with us on some of our walks.

But I think just being honest and upfront is the best thing.

Our clients know that since we only take one family at a time, we can’t make a living on boarding alone, and they would rather have their dog be the only dog while we go out and make some money with a few walks, rather than have their dog be in a house that is boarding several dogs with a person there 24/7.

I guess I would say that house sitting includes 2 daily walks and potty breaks as needed, or idk. Ive been asked to drop by 2x/day, but never 3x, but I guess it make sense to have your house siting rate be a bit more than 3x the walking rate so that they’d just book the 3 walks.

Patrick- I see your point. If someone wants 3 walks per day.... you are right, depending on your rate for walks vs house sitting, why not just book you for housesitting then give you "nights off?" If walks are $30 each, and house sitting is $75/night... I see your point

I get email updates when I have a Rover Reel available to watch, and a link that brings me to it.

But where on my profile do new potential clients go to in order to view previous Rover Reels?

Thanks!