At the time of writing this, I’ve completed over 260 boarding stays and hosted more than 160 different dogs, earning 161 five-star reviews on Rover. All of this experience comes from dog sitting at my home and small farm. Most of the time, I only take three or four dogs at a time. The dogs live alongside me like they’re my own. It’s a warm, personal environment, not a kennel.
I started dog sitting for a simple reason. I wanted friends for my bulldog, Teddy. I had known about Rover for years because a friend of mine used the platform to dog sit. When I was looking for a way to give Teddy some buddies without committing to a second dog, Rover made perfect sense.
It began casually but over time I built a smooth system that fits naturally with my lifestyle. Now it’s a consistent, low-stress way to make extra income while living the kind of life I want.
The first step is to create a Rover profile that tells your story clearly. I focused on showing my real life, my farm, and my experience with dogs. Dog owners want to feel like they are leaving their pet with someone trustworthy.
I kept it simple. A few clear photos of my setup, an honest description of what I offer, and a welcoming tone. The goal is to make it easy for people to imagine their dog here.
Pricing will depend on your area and setup. When I started, I set my rate low to get those first few bookings and reviews. Once I had a solid reputation, I raised my rates to match the level of care I provide.
In the beginning, I accepted almost any dog as long as there were no aggression issues. I learned that this was a mistake. Some dogs are too high energy to make the experience worth it. I now reject dogs described as “very high energy.” It’s not personal. It’s about keeping a calm environment for the dogs I do host.
I also avoid overly anxious clients. At meet and greets, I ask direct questions about their comfort levels. If someone seems likely to hover or text constantly, I pass. Peace of mind is valuable. The income isn’t worth the stress of a bad fit.
I do all meet and greets at a local dog park. Some clients want to come to your home or inspect your space. I do not allow that anymore. I only allowed a home visit once, on my very first booking.
That is a personal boundary. If others want to open their homes, that’s their choice. I prefer not to let strangers into my private space for a few hundred dollars.
My personal Instagram account helps with this. It is more than ten years old and gives people a clear picture of my world. That transparency builds trust without the need for in-person inspections. If you are starting out, building a simple Instagram presence can make a big difference.
When clients are on the way, they text me their ETA. I make sure I am ready before they arrive. A smooth drop off sets the tone for the whole stay.
For pick-ups, I do the same. I have the dog leashed, their belongings ready, and I wait outside. This makes the process quick and clean for everyone.
I give every dog at least three updates per day. We walk the trails, I offer different treats and chews, and because I work from home, I can keep a close eye on everyone. When I step away, I use a security camera with pan and tilt to monitor the dogs.
I also supply AirTags for every dog that stays here. It adds peace of mind for both me and the owners.
I keep trash cans out of reach, avoid high-risk foods like chicken bones, and remove socks or anything else a dog might chew. I installed a dog gate at a choke point before the front door. That gate has prevented more than one door-darting escape.
If you dog sit long enough, you will eventually face a physical situation that can lead to injury. I learned to protect my body the same way I protect the dogs.
Watch your arm and shoulder position when untangling a leash. If a dog pulls suddenly, you can get hurt fast.
When owners arrive for pickup, some dogs get excited and pull hard. I clip the leash to a fence post while holding it. This keeps me in control and safe.
Warm up before walking bigger or stronger dogs. Treat it like a workout. A little stretching can prevent tendonitis and worse.
Be cautious with retractable leashes. They are fine for calm dogs in open spaces, but never for powerful or unruly dogs. I learned that lesson the hard way.
When I started, I let clients choose almost any drop-off or pick-up time. That worked in the beginning, but it made my schedule chaotic. Now I try to book morning appointments so the rest of the day stays focused on bigger projects. I cut down on wide scheduling windows and ask clients to pick exact times.
I also limit weekend bookings to protect my downtime. If you let drop offs and pick ups take over, they will.
At one point, I considered scaling the business more aggressively. But when you take on too many bookings, you end up living around meet and greets, arrivals, departures, and messages. If you don’t control it, the business controls you.
Dog sitting can be rewarding, but it is not for everyone. Every stay needs to be nearly perfect. You are responsible for someone’s beloved pet, and mistakes can have serious consequences. In the worst situations, those mistakes can end up in the news and follow your name online.
There is also an emotional side that people don’t talk about. Some of the dogs you bond with will pass away eventually. Sometimes you find out through a text message from the owner. That kind of loss hits hard.
Then there is the opportunity cost. The meet and greets, drop offs, pick ups, and daily care all add up. It’s cute and fun, but the hourly rate may not match the effort compared to other side hustles.
Being a Rover dog sitter has been a meaningful part of my life. I’ve met great dogs and people, built a steady income, and created a setup that fits into my lifestyle without taking it over.
This is not a hands-off side hustle. It takes structure, boundaries, and clear communication. If you are thinking about becoming a Rover dog sitter, start small. Build trust. Protect your time and energy.
The key is to build a system that works for you, not the other way around.
