I have a sit starting at the weekend. It’s a repeat, for a great couple in an idyllic location (in England) and a beautiful house and garden. When they asked me back, I bit their hands off, because I loved it so much the first time. This will be my third sit for them.
But I’m apprehensive. Here’s the thing: Previously, they had a cat. Now, they have a dog. Who’s little more than a puppy. She’s about four months. So far so manageable…
But there are extra factors:
The HOs have never had a dog before. And some of the comments they made when I was last there, about how they planned to train the puppy (or not), worried me a bit. It just seemed they were being very cavalier (“I just laugh when I hear people getting their dogs to do anything more than know their names!”). Since then, they’ve reported that the puppy “Rules the house” - which could be a jokey throw-away, or it could mean she’s already just a wee bit out-of-control.
The puppy has never been left with a sitter before.
I’m far less experienced with dogs than cats. I’ve sat them before - in “normal” situations - several times. But the difference is: However problematic a situation with a cat, I’ll go into it with confidence, knowing I’ve probably dealt with it before, or will be able to figure it out. Dogs… Not so much.
So, if any doggistas out there have any warnings, hints, tips or experiences, I’d be grateful to hear them.
At 4 months, it will love learning things, puppies are actually really easy to train in certain aspects, because they get a real buzz out of knowing it’s done good, they love it. So if you find it’s mischeivious, do a training activity, because it uses it’s brain power then on something good, and the pup will feel amazing.
At that age it only takes a few training sessions per day consistently for 3 or 4 days for them to learn a new thing/trick or whatever. Stick to single words if possible, sit, stay, leave are the easiest things, then once they’ve picked that up, down, roll over, spin are the second easiest. They love learning at that age.
The two main aspects that take longer, are knowing they need to tell you if they need to loo, and walking nicely on a leader. Personally I’d leave that up to the owners, it takes much longer.
If it’s nibbling at skirting boards, which it could definitely be at that age, it’s not mishaving, it’s teething so trying to ease the pain, because it’s really uncomfortable. With some pups, they nibble and chew at things to relive the pain, and then stop naturally down the line, as their gums/teeth develop more.
Sorry but this may not be very helpful as you have already accepted the sit and you sound keen on it but after doing a sit with a new puppy (which was a surprise inclusion) we would NEVER do it again. IMHO it’s cruel for the puppy and cruel for the sitter.
I don’t know what she’s already been taught, but I reckon I’ll find out pretty quickly. I have two weeks with her, but with a four day gap in the middle, just to confuse the issue even more.
I’m hoping she has lots of familiar toys I can use as training aids. And that she’s food-motivated, cos that always helps, doesn’t it? (The power of The Treat!)
Mostly, my fingers are crossed that she won’t howl all night. And that she’s been socialised with other dogs - and people. Luckily, the HOs have a big social circle, so I bet there’ll be plenty of dog people among them, eager to make suggestions.
I’m not saying it’s right, but it’s a repeat sit so the owners would have felt naturally more at ease with @DieFledermaus, they aren’t leaving the pup with a stranger in their eyes.
It’s 4 months so it’s considered acceptable to be left by then. Not that I’d do it, but it is.
Yes, treats are the way to go to train it, but rather than using proper treat-treats, just use one of it’s normal kibble as a treat, and then give it slightly less kibble at it’s meal times. That way it still gets exactly the right amount of food it’s supposed to have for it’s dinky little weight. Also, if you time any training to take place just before meal times, then you’ve it’ll be even more keen to learn.
She may not bark at other dogs when out, because it sometimes takes another dog to teach a pup that, and it wouldn’t have come into contact with many, so it is likely to be either really curious, or perhaps intimidated and looking to you for protection.
PS If they haven’t already trained it what to do in coffee shops, or beer gardens, you can train it that too, because it will love the attention from others that are there too, just limit your time, because they get tired.
Personally I don’t accept puppies under 12 months, and I’m surprised the owners are leaving a puppy so young despite the fact they know you. I had done repeat sits for a couple who told me they were going to get a puppy and would I be ok to sit it (with the other dog I’d sat for twice before). I told them that I wouldn’t and to find another sitter. As a result they said they’d wait until after that holiday. However, they’ve since changed their mind about getting a puppy!
This is my lack of experience showing. If I were wiser to dogs in general and puppies in particular, I’d have said Thanks But No Thanks. - Because they did ask. But they asked in general terms - “Do you sit dogs too?” - rather than asking if I’d be OK with a four-month-old Poodle. So I eagerly said Yes, Cool! - It was only much later that they hit me with the wee poodle’s age. Still, I should have backed out at that point.
I feel like I’m going up the Learning Curve with crampons and an ice axe. But I’m taking your words to heart @HappyDeb : We’re gonna have loads of fun!
Poodles are the best! So intelligent and just want to please. For me I would love to sit puppies and kittens. Since this is your third time there and familiar with the area, maybe they want to pay you to take it to puppy training classes they have at the pet shops. Well in the US anyways, don’t know what country this is in. It’s fun for the humans as well. You’re in a group of about 9 others with their puppies. It’s about an hour and a half I think three times a week. Then you can practice with the pup at home. If the pup will be old enough to take to a dog park it would be fun for him and also helps him not to be dog reactive in the future. Good luck, I actually envy you sitting with a poodle puppy.
We have only once completed a housesit for a puppy, and it appeared between sit confirmation and sit start date. Ugh. After disclosure, all parties discussed housesit and if we were ok to continue. With flights booked to attractive destination we took a deep breath and progressed sit. Mercifully puppy was a sweetie and relatively easy. But it could have been otherwise.
In terms of questions - we’d encourage an open conversation about expectations re training. Housesitter responsibilities typically relate to pet maintenance rather than pet training. Pet Parents vary a great deal in their attitude towards intensity, style and even existence of dog training. Discuss. Encourage clear awareness that it’s not your dog!
We sat for a Labrador who had been so well trained you could safely leave food out around him. People who don’t train their dogs are irresponsible in my view. After watching many videos on Instagram of a fantastic breeder in Scotland, I am so impressed with what good training can do. Hopefully by 4 months they should be out of the crying at night stage. it’s lots of fun.
No specific tips, just some reassurance. We did a repeat sit with a very anxious doggie. The family decided to add a puppy, which was abt 5 months when we arrived.
We were a bit apprehensive: how will the anxious dog react? Will the puppy be completely unruly? How will she react to being left with a sitter?
Well, the anxious doggie totally transformed and is a lot less anxious now, the puppy was house-trained and obeyed basic comments and she never even flinched when the owners left.
I think every puppy and situation is different. Fingers crossed yours turns out an ‘easy’ one too!
I’d agree with the advice already given, particularly around finding out as much as possible about the puppy’s routine before committing.
One thing I’d add is to have a really detailed conversation with the owners about what they expect from you. Ask about sleeping arrangements, toilet breaks, how long the puppy can comfortably be left alone, feeding and exercise routines, what happens when she becomes distressed, and what training she is currently used to.
I’d also ask what they consider “normal puppy behaviour” and what they would expect you to do if something goes wrong.
Puppies can be wonderful to sit, but they are a very different proposition from an adult dog. The important thing is that both sides go into the sit with realistic expectations. You’re there to care for their puppy and maintain her routine, not necessarily to become her trainer or solve behavioural issues during the sit.
From experience do not leave shoes on the ground or anything of value. Puppies love shoes and will run off with them, thinking it is a big game. But at only four months it is likely the owners have only had her for about a month or two at the outside. They usually only have very shorty walks, as bones still developing but that is only if they have had all their jabs etc. But you really do need eyes in the back of your head at times. One puppy I was looking after and was over a year at the time, sneaked up and stole one of the extra brushes that was stored at the back of the vacuum cleaner when I was using it. I only realised it had been taken when seeing it chewed up in the garden. They really will chew anything they can get hold of. The owners had sprayed the bottom of all their furniture, the legs etc. with something that did not taste nice for dogs to prevent being chewed.
Most young puppies are kept in a crate at night, to ensure they are not getting up to any mischief. Good luck.
I’d advise asking where the puppy sleeps, can it hold it through the night, does it give signs (and what are they) if needing to go outside or what is the schedule for pee/poop. what are its top few mischievous behaviors to watch out for, how long and how many walks a day does puppy need (or tolerate). A tired dog is a good dog. Can it be off leash? if you’re not comfortable with off leash don’t chance it.
it’s lots of fun.
