Hello,

I'm currently a Rover sitter and have been over a year now. This past summer I took a family vacation and could not bring our pup. Thus I was on the other side and had to find a sitter. Upon selecting a good match, the sitter emailed me quite and extensive questionnaire to be filled out. Which lead me to wonder if I should be doing this?? This is why meet and greets are important to me. I feel all important questions are addressed then. I have some repeat clients who are very discreet and providing personal information (ie. home address) could be a deal breaker. If you do provide a questionnaire, how have your clients responded and what kind of information are you asking on your questionnaire?

Thanks Rosie

I stand corrected. For some reason I remember seeing it NOT showing as a verified stay. Guess that has been corrected.

It could also be reviews that were migrated over from DogVacay.

Association of Pet Sitting Excellence. Link for them below.

http://www.petsittingexcellence.com/

I actually found an amazing Etsy contact that makes personalized doggie bone toys. I also order (on etsy) home made bones and customized bags to put the bone and treat in. Over all price is about 6 dollars. But I will tell you, the personalized toy goes a long way. Shows you have taken the time out and didn't just create bulk bags. The best is receiving a photo of the doggie home with their bone and name showing. I have provided the links below.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/25019890...view

https://www.etsy.com/listing/21574350...homeactive_67

I think this is a fantastic and creative idea. I see many trick or treaters with dogs and never thought of giving the dogs a treat too! Great idea putting a business card to it. Even if you get one new client this way, it pays off. Also a great way to meet some neighbors you possibly would not have met otherwise. Way to think out of the box.

Regardless if you over or under charged them, you provided a service and they want to reward you. Take it! Pat yourself for a job well done! Not all tip - actually most don't. So the ones that do I am truly grateful.

I've had one and two month stays. The best advice I wish I thought of was make sure they supply enough food or have a back up plan if they run out. Like can you contact owner to either ship you more food or will you be compensated upon their arrival. I would even suggest a trial run. Maybe have the doggie over for a night. This way you can see how the dog behaves without the owner AND at night.

Mine are Charlie, Zoey, Chloe and Sam.

You are paid within 24 hours after the stay is completed. Unfortunately, if the booking is booked from the start to the end and it last 6 months, you will be paid out after the 6 months have past.

are very sorry and will be there within the hour. Now, if they don't, and the hour has past. A simple "Please note, you have past the hour grace period I generously provided and will have to charge you the extended stay rate." If it gets to this, I'd dump them as a client-they have no respect.

Hi Brigitte, I give them an hour buffer.. Then I send them a text saying "Hope all is well.. Just checking in as you confirmed you would be picking pup up at X time. All I ask is a heads up if you will be unable to make your pick up time as I have planned my day to accommodate." Typically they

Be sure to change how you are paid out. If you are currently paid out via PayPal then it's automatically transferred to Paypal after each completed stay.

Been with Rover 4 years now and never ran into any scammers. I don't advertise on any social media outlets. Nonetheless, always go with your gut or call Rover support if something makes you feel uncomfortable.

Seems to be one of the most popular dog sitting issues. What I do the night before is send them a text saying "hi, just planning my day for tomorrow and wanted to know what time we can expect you?". This approach makes them commit to a time. Most if not all the times I do this, they come back with a time or ask when i will be available and I send back the window of time I am available for pick up. Don't let them take advantage of your time. Make them commit to their pick up time and hold them to it. If they miss that window, then let them know you will be forced to charge them the extended stay rate.

Something like a flower vase would be hard to ask for compensation. Might want to rethink where your fragile items are when dog sitting. I treat my dog sitting environment like I would if I had a toddler visiting. Hopefully the dog that broke the vase was not injured.

Love seeing this recycled:) Not only did it work and payment was made immediately, the client was much more eager to leave an amazing review in hopes they didn't screw up my rover mojo..

Had the same thing just happen. I sent my client the following message and payment was made within the hour. :)

I'm sure this was an oversight with all the vacation preparations. However, I was contacted by Rover and based on our conversations they are well aware I am housing your dogs. Since payment was not made they are assuming I am accepting cash - which is against policy. They are now threatening to suspend my rover account. Also should anything happen to the dogs while they stay here you are not covered under the insurance. I really would appreciate it if you can please complete the booking. It would be a shame if my site was shut down. Thanks. Rosie

I did not receive any tax forms at the end of the year. However, now that payment can be sent directly to paypal, at the end of the year you can print an earning statement directly from the site. I've been doing this for the last two years and my account is pleased with this print out.

I have a No Tangle Dog Leash Coupler. These are great when trying to walk multiple dogs by only using one leash. In terms of how you do it logistically, you simply attach it and go.

I love the coupler-especially when i have two dogs who generally dont like each other. A side by side walk brings their walls down and by the time we get home they are best buds:)

Had the same issue. This was a regular client and I felt bad to turn them away, however, my profile was set "away" AND my calendar was blocked over the easter holiday. The booking came through. I sent rover my feedback and received this message from them

"Hi Rosie,

Thanks for reaching out to us. Your clients are still allowed to send messages and requests for dates when you are marked as "away". They are also made aware that you are set to away, and may not respond to their message or may be unavailable. I have attached screenshots of what your clients see when they try to message or book with you for dates when you are set to away.

I'm sorry that this caused a change of plans for you, but feel free in the future to let you clients know if you will be unavailable for a specific request, as I am sure they would understand. Stays cannot be booked without you first accepting the stay. I hope this information helps. If you have any other questions please feel free to respond to this message or give us a call.

All the best,

Tymer Rover Support"

My theory-If you are marked away AND your calendar is marked unavailable the client should not be given the option to send a request.

Thanks

While it may be uncomfortable to decline a dog booking, it will empower you more than you know. You are providing quality care and a safe environment for essentially peoples "kids". I would be appalled if my dog was staying with you and assaulted by your visiting dogs.. Or what if those dogs became aggressive to the non caged doggies. Stick with your business vision. More importantly, that's what meet and greets are for. Go with your gut. Be honest.. Your business will thrive and you will be less stressed.. Those clients will find a good fit for their pups..

Hope this helps

Rosie

This summer has especially been the demand for just doggie daycare. This is how i look at it. I assume you have done your due diligence and checked out your competition. Your rates have been well thought out and competitive. What I have been telling my doggie parents when this topic comes up is this "my rates for the day or overnight is the same. While there are parents that aren't ready for overnight stays just yet, I don't put a required pick up drop off time on my rate, therefore i am able to avoid any other hidden charges in my per day/night rate". I never once get questioned with this response. I have lowered my rates for clients that are consistent daycare goers. Otherwise, you need to look at it like one spot filled. If you lower your rate just for daycare, you are passing up an overnight client that would have paid your normal rate.

Hope this helps,. Just be confident in your response. You are providing quality care, there is no reason to nickle and dime it,

Rosie