We've used Rover twice and been pleased. Both times the sitter came out to collect the dog and belongings. We had no sense of the living conditions and how dogs are cared for. Is this standard practice?
What happens if the sitter you are reviewing has 5 star reviews ranging over a hundred and 60 repeat clients as claimed by Rover but they make all the excuses possible to not allow you to visit where your furbbaby will be staying with them. Should I just trust them based on their glowing reviews? Has anyone else have the same problem?
i think you have to go with your gut instinct here....i would never say no if a client asked to see myhome where their baby will be staying but for reasons others have listed during holidays or just busy times i will have other pets in my home and it can get chaotic i like controlling the atmosphere
No no no, that is not standard practice. I can't speculate as to the reasons why you would not be invited in but I would be questioning that as well. I do meet and greets in my home. As a Sitter and owner of a not too people friendly dog,( he takes time to warm up to people, thankfully is great with other animals) it is a huge ordeal to have visitors in my home, but I explain him ahead of time and we manage. I would never ask someone to leave their pet without a home visit first, and if they don't ask, I offer. I'd ask..."Booboo has stayed with you x amount of times and I've never even been inside, can I see where he has all this fun without me?" haha. But seriously, I would want to see. If they decline....may be time to look for a new sitter.
Back before I was a sitter, when I asked to go inside a Rover sitter's home he explained to me that when their owner's scent is at a place, the dog is more anxious because they are constantly wondering when you will be back. This guy seemed very knowledgeable and capable and I left my dog with him several times with no issues. When I started sitting, I took his advice and have not invited owners in. The couple of times I was asked, of course I said yes, but I did notice these dogs waiting by the door for the majority of the time they were with me, as opposed to the ones I met outside who accepted my place as their new home for the time. It would be wonderful if more people were aware of this so that owner's didn't feel (understandably) suspicious about not being invited in! I think it helps that I have very clear photos of my home and good reviews, so potential clients have no reason to think I'm hiding anything and can trust that I am doing what is best for the doggies :)
This is EXACTLY what I tell my parents. It makes anxiety worse for those little ones with separation issues. I have watched a bunch of dogs and have never had a separation anxiety issue because of it.
As an owner, this would be a red flag for me, no matter how good the sitter seems to be. As a sitter, I always invite the owners (and even the dogs) into my house. I want to see how the dogs do in my house and if they do end up booking a stay with me, I want them to be familiar with my house when they come back. I also think it's important for the owners to see where the dog will be staying and that they feel more comfortable getting to see their dog(s) run around and play with mine.
If I schedule a M&G while I have guest dogs, I don't have any issue confining guest dogs to my bedroom during the M&G. I do let the potential clients know that I have guest dogs confined in my bedroom and they may bark, but for the safety of all dogs (in case anything went wrong), I keep the guest dogs separate from M&G dogs.
I require meet and greets for all new boarding and daycare dogs even if it is just a one night/day stay. I need to make sure that our dogs can get along. I meet them outside of the apartment building and we take a short walk or head to the on-site dog park. Then we head upstairs and I let the new dog off-leash while we talk and eventually let my dog off-leash to see how the interact in a smaller space. I post very clear/bright photos of my home on rover so I think that helps bring in more new customers when they know going in that it will be just as it's pictured.
As a sitter, I schedule the meet and greet at my home, and I invite the "parents" inside. They can see where their fur babies will be staying, and any other people or animals that will be there. They can see how the interaction goes, and tell right away if their furbaby will be comfortable. I've had a sitter do this to me, not have me come in, that is, and I could hear many other dogs inside when I came to pick my baby up. It made me feel very uncomfortable. It is your right to be able to see where your four legged child will be staying, and feel comfortable in knowing the conditions of the home and surroundings that they will be staying in.
Hello I am a sitter and would never deny an owner the right to come inside my house. I have the Owner over for meet and greets and require that their dog come inside off leash and interact with the other dogs and see how they do. I stay right next to them and take control if aggression starts and have never had an issue. If the dog does well they get to book with me. Now once booked I do not allow the client inside during the drop off and pick up simply because of the chaos and potential fights it can start and I have had clients in the past just open the door when they are ready to go letting all the other dogs out before I can get them leashed up. Some have even opened my door when they arrive because they see me inside leashing the dogs and just assume they can come in. So to avoid runaways and fights I meet the Owner at their car for drop offs and pick ups it is easier for both parties and faster. If the sitter you are using does not require meet and greets and/or does not show you where the dogs will be staying move on to a different sitter. Not requiring a meet and greet can put your dog in potential danger because they may have an aggressive dog arrive after yours and not realize it getting your dog bitten. Not to mention they could end up with a dog with major tick flea and other issues that could be transferred to your dog. I hope this helps.
fleas and ticks? ohhh this is why i vet verry carefully when first contacted i ask alot of questions before even booking a meet and greet one of the first questions is your dog fully vaccinated? is your dog on a flea/tick regimen? if no to any of these they have to be done before i allow a m&g
I always do a Meet & Greet in the house and back yard, so the dogs can investigate while we chat. I try to also have my husband & son home to meet as well, so they know the dogs will get plenty of attention and the dogs meet them before the drop off date.
I always have a meet and greet in my home and yard. For drop off and pick ups I meet them out side. WHY? because I have a house full of dogs, BARKING dogs, excited ready to meet the newbie. Out of respect for my neighbors I try to keep the barking down. I have found the best way is for us to do all our good byes outside and bring the new pup inside with just me. If a customer insist on coming in of course, then they can see why meeting outside is a better idea. I hope that makes sense. Happy sitting!
I invite all my clients to a meet and greet in which their dogs are invited to roam the home and property, I also have them pick up inside the house. You have every right to see where you pet will be sleeping, eating and spending time. I would ask for a tour of the house, and if they decline it may be time to consider another sitter.
No that is not good, you should always know where your dogs are staying. The sitter should either work from your house or let you see the place the dogs will be staying.
NONONONO. Ditto comment above and ... You wouldn't take them to a kennel without checking out the cleanliness and safety of the business? I would report this information to Rover right away.I don't want to schedule this sitter for my pets, so please report it.
I am a sitter ,I am transparent about that sort of thing and think most caring owners would want to see where there pet would be staying.I encourage it.I ask about flea and tick protection and vaccines and get to talk to the owners for a bit.I agree with above.Sorry you have encountered this.