I am dog sitting...?

Question

I am going to be dog sitting a friends dog but I am not THAT experienced with dogs. I had 2, but that was 2 years ago! I am taking care of it for 10 days, and its the exact same breed as the one I had, but I duunno how to walk dogs very well and are there any tips?

THe bottom line is before ppl come and say 'bla you need more experience bla', is that I know how take care of them.. the basics. I just need a few tips, make the dog feel welcome etc. cuz he is staying at MY house.

Answer 1

I don't have any tips, but I think it's really admirable that you want to be a good dog sitter. :)

Answer 2

Well when you're walking the dog you need a regular 5 foot leash and a normal flat collar, in most cases. Don't allow the dog to walk ahead of you or tug on the leash.....hold your arm straight down your body with a firm grip on the leash and when the dog walks ahead or pulls, give him a "pop" upwards using the leash. When he starts to get it, if he doens't listen then the pops need to be harder. Praise for good behavior-you can never praise too much. Walk with confidence so the dog will be more likely to see you as alpha and want to follow. Anticipate situations where the dog might lunge (at other dogs, etc.) and as soon as his ears perk or he shows attention then give him a pop until his attention is back on the walk and you. Make sure the collar is fitted right......it should fight up around the dogs ears, not the bottom of the neck. The top part of the neck is mor sensitive, the bottom part is tougher and the dog won't respond as well with the collar there. If you take him for long walks and don't correct him for things he doesn't know are wrong everything should be fine.

Answer 3

It's very nice for you to dog sit, it's much nicer for the dog than a kennel. How about a new toy from you? Also try to follow the routine he/she already has. Is she in a crate a lot? Some dogs really love their crate. Take her for walks, talk to her a lot, dogs seem to know when people really like them.

You didn't say what kind or how big the dog is. Or how old it is. That has a lot to do with the way you will be interacting with the dog. Some dogs just want to sleep a lot.

My dogs are always very happy when they've had a long walk and plenty of good food and lots of attention from me or my husband.

Good luck and have fun with your charge.

Answer 4

Try to keep the same routine as the owner does. If the dog gets walked once a day for 1/2 hour do the same. If the dog sleeps in bed with it's owner do the same. If the dog is fed once a day do the same. Get the owner to write down all important info and especially the vets # and a plan for emegencies. Do they want you to contact them if a medical emergency happens?, get treatment at the vets up to what cost? etc...
Good luck.

Answer 5

You may want to go over any personality tics or behavior stuff with the owners before those 10 days start. Does he pull on leash? Eat cigarette butts and rotten bagels from the gutter? Chase cars? Scream at other dogs If so, what have his owners done about it - do they use a Gentle Leader, or just let him do his thing?
What about at home - is he good in the house? Will he need to be crated while you are out? Will he chew furniture, eat soap, and vomit? I don't think you have to go over all of the most awful scenarios that you can imagine with your friend, but you deserve to know if there's anything going on with this dog that will affect his safety, or yours!

Answer 6

Ask the owners to let you bring the dogs favorite things with it. i.e. bed, bowls, toys... etc. Also ask them to give you a piece of each of their clothing, that has been worn (has their smell). even bed sheets or pillow cases work. when the dog gets to your house. show it around the house and the yard. the big thing is to give it lots of attention. if you work....try to get the dog when you have at least one full day with it at home with you. two would be better... that way you can help it figure out the rules... if you need to correct the dog. do it firmly but kindly... remember it may have been allowed to do those things at home. It will be confused. you need to be prepared to overlook minor infractions. Watch its eating and drinking. it may not eat which is o.k. for a couple of days. but make sure that it drinks plenty of water. if it doesn,t try adding unsalted broth to its food. and most of all give it lots and lots of attention. Just like us away from home they get homesick. try to make it's routine as close as possible to when it was at home.
You are awesome for helping. I have pets and finding a consientious pet sitter is verrry difficult. I thank you for being there for those of us with pets.
You will do great. make sure you have the dogs vets name and number aAND. have the owner call the vet and give you permission to treat their dog. this helps if you should need to contact the vet.
have fun

Answer 7

Keep him away from anything important because he might chew on your stuff. Just be friendly, and let the dog get used to you, and feel confident in yourself, because the dog can tell, and he might take advanrage of that. Good luck!

Answer 8

Um okay here well if you like being with horses than act like it is a horse when walking him or her you take lead and dont let him pull you. Play with the dog, pet,and feed him take for walks and find out about the dogs habbites from the owner! hope that helps!

Answer 9

Just love and play with him.
He will feel out of place too and be confused so make it easier on him too.
Give him a place to lay,,,,on his blanket or even with you.
Call him by name as much as possible and dont forget the ear rubs....
Just trust your instinct , it wont steer you wrong.

Answer 10

just treat him like he knows hes loved