In our home, pets are not just guests—they become part of our extended family. We strive to create a welcoming and comfortable environment while also maintaining clear boundaries for safety and structure. Our fully fenced-in backyard provides space for play and potty breaks. Although it is enclosed, we ask that owners inform us if their dog is an escape artist, as we have many dogs in our neighborhood and cannot risk a dog getting out. To maintain a safe and clean space, we have dog gates restricting access to the kitchen and bedroom areas. Our kitchen leads to the basement, and we have noticed that unsupervised dogs may wander downstairs and have accidents where we cannot see them. However, if we are in the basement, dogs are more than welcome to join us under our supervision. We strongly encourage meet-and-greets, especially for dogs who have never been boarded, have not stayed in another home, or may be fearful in a new environment. We want every pet to feel comfortable here, but just as importantly, we want our home to remain a safe space for our own animals and for us. Unfortunately, we have encountered situations where owners were hesitant to fully disclose their dog’s behavior, resulting in aggressive incidents toward us or our pets—something we take very seriously. If your dog has previously bitten another dog or shown any signs of aggression, our home is not the right fit. We are not willing to be test dummies. Our dogs—and even we—have been attacked or bitten during meet-and-greets and past stays, leaving both them and us traumatized. Because of these experiences, we are extremely selective about the dogs we allow into our home. Safety is our top priority, and we ask that owners be upfront and honest about their dog’s behavior. We understand that dogs may behave differently when their owners are not present, sometimes displaying signs of insecurity or anxiety. While we have experience with anxious dogs, we recognize that anxiety manifests in different ways and at varying levels. If a dog exhibits anxious or insecure behavior that includes nipping at other animals or us, we will reach out to the owner to discuss the behavior. If the owner is unresponsive or the dog escalates to aggression to the point where we cannot safely interact with them, we will have to contact Rover’s Trust & Safety team, which may involve further action, including police intervention. Please understand that this policy is in place for the well-being of all animals in our care, the safety of the people in our home, and the overall experience of each pet’s stay. While these situations are rare, we ask that owners respect our decisions if we determine that a dog is not a good fit for our environment. Open and honest communication about your pet’s behavior helps us create a safe, enjoyable space where they can thrive, play, and relax as if they were in the comfort of their own home.