I believe that we have a right to know under what set of conditions a dog is "excommunicated" from the Rover system.

I think Rover needs to make it's policy clear on how it deals with a dog that has bitten another dog or a Rover sitter

This obviously is not a one dog issue...but a safety concern for all sitters. We should feel secure in the knowledge that this type of security hazard is not one in a sequence foisted on other Rover sitters and walkers

Does Rover's Trust and Safety team REALLY ban an aggressive or dangerous dog? Do they ban a dog after an insurance claim? Where can we get this information? Where is it posted on the Rover site?

IMHO Rover needs to protect their sitters by flagging identified aggressive dogs. Not doing so puts all of us at risk

Isn't it interesting that Rover does not provide an source for sitters to purchase insurance for themselves? I was badly bitten during a meet and greet and there was no coverage...nor even any information on how to protect myself in the future. This is a serious lapse as far as I am concerned.

I keep my loyal clients loyal: Give them holiday, long stay, or overstay discounts and let them know that you appreciate their business. There are many other small tokens which can acknowledge their support and goes a long way to keep good parents and wonderful dogs (and cats) coming back. I do not negotiate with first time clients.

Once a dog has been identified by a Rover sitter as being overly aggressive during a meet and greet or during a stay this dog must be flagged by Rover so that the next sitter will know and have an option to chose or decline based on another's sitter's experience. This will reduce the probability of an insurance claim, damage to person or property, or to other dogs. Not to do so puts everyone at risk.

I think that Rover has a responsibilty to warn future sitters about highly aggressive dogs that have been identified as such during a meet and greet or during a a stay. They can create a system that identifies this risk, reduces the probabilty of insurance claims, and protects sitters.

Agreed....

In NYC dogs love very long walks...a mile or two each day; good for both of us. There are even companies here that take them hiking in the parks for a half a day (another Rover service perhaps?). In my experience, if a dog is physically tired he or she will sleep.

Minicarrots and apples are the going favorites for my guests...if parents do not object.

My philosophy exactly. That is the way my mother treated 5 kids.

It is in Rover's interest to sustain, support, and incentivize a reputable base of quality sitters who stay long term with them.

Respect my time and see the benefit in my skills in caring for their charge. The issue lies with those whose perception is that a sitter has a limited temporal value and are disposable commodities.

I have no difficulty being flexible for what I consider to be my 5 star owners, those who

AND...Rover needs as well to make this very clear on the Rover introduction to new clients.

Thank you. This is useful. I do however continue to feel that sitters should be able to share information on owners who are less than forthright, have dogs who are improperly described (in particular aggressive ones), or those who try to game the Rover system.

Molly, i am not, by any stretch, a pushover. These were all first time clients, had meet and greets with the exception of the last which was an "emergency" booking. We should, as business owners, be able to write shared testimonials on owners between sitters.

You have to declutter and "doggify" your house. Anything that is breakable put in a closed closet. Anything that can be peed or pooped on roll it up and put it away. For this dog what I might suggest is a very, very, very long walk. Feed him well, extra treats. and put on soothing music.

I had such a good laugh with that posting!

The voice of experience!!!

Situation 1: doggie day care: "Why can't I drop him off at 8 am and pick him up at 9pm for the day care rate?" (she uses me once, I refuse the second day, she finds another more amenable Rover sitter) Situation 2: Boarding: Owner boards for two days but cannot pick him up until 10:30pm on day two. "I will pick him up tomorrow at 10am" making it a three night stay. She doesn't understand why I would charge for an additional night and instead of dealing with her cheapness I just accept the extension without payment. Situation 3: Holiday season: A booking through Christmas and New Years of 10 days gets cancelled after 4 because the dog needs to smell the "new baby clothes" at the owners home (meaning he probably found a cheaper sitter).

And more: I would like to know how other sitters deal with owners who take advantage then use another sitter to the same end. Why can't we provide testimonials on owners as well?

Thank you for giving me a laugh

I had an owner who gave me a 4 page single spaced, narrow margin instruction set for care of her two dogs. She called me several times a day, insisted on images etc. etc. She canceled a 10 day engagement after 6 days because I asked her care questions that were not on the sheet. She claimed that I was "making her life too difficult". This is called experience. Grin and bear it.

I have had situations where Rover sides with a bad client over me. I understand they want to make money but I find it offensive. They then claim that we are "independent contractors", that we can make our own rules. I don't feel that this is the case.