I’m just looking for some support and a virtual cuddle please. Perhaps some advice from anyone who has been in a similar situation, though I’m not sure there’s anything I can do, other than grin and bear it.
I have been house sitting for 6 years and this weekend, started a sit I was very much looking forward to but has turned out to be…well, awful. I am looking after two medium dogs of a fairly unique breed (which I won’t write here in case it identifies the sit and the owner sees). One is a puppy, less than a year old. He is incredibly boisterous, constantly jumping up at me, chewing everything in sight, knocking over furniture, making a mess of the upholstery. It is pretty much pointless cleaning, as the place will be in tatters again within minutes. It is clear he hasn’t been properly disciplined and pretty much does what he wants. I have to hide my possessions as he’ll chew them to bits.
The other dog is young but not a pup. They fight A LOT. Sometimes it is playful, sometimes the pup antagonises her and she gets aggressive, growling and showing her teeth. They bark constantly, for no apparent reason. When it gets dark, they bark like crazy at their own reflections in the window. When I leave the room, they whine and howl. I work from home and having a conference call without the constant interruption of barking and whining is impossible. They don’t seem to sleep much during the day, despite the long walks we’ve gone on. If anything, that energises them. I am exhausted and feeling pretty low. It seems like a lot of effort for barely any reward. The barking is getting to me. The sit is only two weeks and I know I’ll have to take it a day at a time. In my years of house sitting, I have never encountered such demanding dogs. Any support would be appreciated. Thank you x
I am in England. I don’t know anyone in this particular area, other than a lady I did a house sit for previously (whose dog is just amazing!) She has said we should meet up at some point, which you’ve just reminded me of, so that’s definitely a possibility x
Yes, there are, but they’ll get under them and bark anyway! Fortunately, their bedtime isn’t long after it gets dark and they are so exhausted, they conk out pretty early. I’m counting down the minutes…
Are there any Kong-type toys that you can stuff with peanut butter or cream cheese and freeze and then see if (especially the puppy) will take some time to work the treats out of? Or even their kibble soaked in water shoved in a puzzle toy?
For the puppy I have practiced “tethering” where the puppy is leashed and attached to me around my waist. Puppy goes where I go in the house so I can see what they’re getting up to and I can stop negative behavior quickly.
I raised 5 puppies as service dogs and that was one of the tips for when the crazy labs/retrievers couldn’t stop being little lovable terrors. Tether Training
I would also reach out to the homeowner and ask if the behavior you are seeing is out of the ordinary. I’d want to know what they do about the constant barking and the gone too far playing-into-fighting.
That’s so kind of you! I’m in North Yorkshire, so about 2 hours away. Good to know there are people not too far away though. I’m heading to Chester next Friday for a regular sit that I am soooo looking forward to. I’ll be counting down the days until then. On the plus side, the house here is incredible, as is the surrounding area, I just don’t feel I’ve properly been able to enjoy them!
You are an absolute champion to have raised 5 puppies! Other than a stint with Borrow my Doggy, I have never looked after a puppy before, and my own dogs were older rescues, so this is an eye-opener to say the least.
There are a couple of Kong-toys and biscuit things that go in them, but they seem to get bored of them pretty quickly. Frozen peanut butter may be a better idea though, as it will take longer to get out.
I have considered reaching out to the home owner, but don’t want to come across as incompetent! I did mention yesterday that I’m not sure if their behaviour (specifically, the fighting) is usual or something to be concerned about, but she made a joke about it and I thought best not to push it. I feel really achy, because I am tense and also, they are pretty difficult to deal with physically!
You’re right, it does seem like an eternity. Today alone has felt like the longest day in history!
You won’t be surprised to learn that this is their first experience with THS (and house sitting in general) as they got the dogs this year. As a result, there are no reviews and no mention of boisterous behaviour on their page, but I will definitely be mentioning that in my review!
Please definitely leave an honest review. People need to be aware of the issues, especially the lack of training. I love puppies but I don’t sit for any creatures under 2 years old. It’s just too much chaos.
You can also try tying up food in an old towel and other things like that to get their brains engaged. They sound bored and bored puppies = big trouble.
Good luck, hope the final countdown goes relatively smoothly and your next sit is a relaxing reward.
I agree. My concern would be that an older person or couple would take this sit if I missed out pertinent details, and then (unless they had a lot of experience with puppies) would absolutely not be able to handle it. I fully intend to mention the boisterous behaviour and fighting in my review. I also intend never to look after a puppy again. Chaos is the word.
I’m not sure how they could possibly be bored, as they have a load of toys, as well as each other and they are constantly interacting, albeit not always positively. They have a big garden to run around in and the walks we’ve gone on are probably the longest dog walks I’ve ever done, in a bid to tire them out. It doesn’t work!
Fortunately, my next sit is a regular one and I’m sooo looking forward to it, while also praying the next couple of weeks fly by!
depending on the breed, some really need to use their brains to be engaged. regular play just doesn’t cut it. it’s why using things like snuffle mats, lick pads, etc. can really help. It keeps them mentally engaged which helps wear them out.
ETA: you may try googling “enrichment activities for dogs” and try some things out and see if they help.
We’re dog sitting in North Yorkshire sitting at the moment too. If you’re anywhere near Masham you could go to Brymor Ice Cream, they have a dog play area, it’s not the greatest, but it may give you the breathing space you need just for an hour or so, plus the ice cream is great and it’s dog friendly.
@PNW mentioned some brilliant ideas to exhaust their mind (which in effect is exercise to dogs). If they eat dry food, instead of giving them it in a bowl, play a game that exhausts their mind like scattering their food on grass instead, so they have to use their mind & nose to find it to tire them out. If you don’t have a garden, then just take a handful of their food in your pocket and chuck it down while you are out walking on grass for them to find, it’s brilliant exercise for them, and then feed them less for their normal meal.
Yes, I see that this is likely. However, I would think that this would be the responsibility of the owners. I don’t mind buying the occasional treat, but I’m not going to be spending money on lick pads etc. for them. I’ll check out enrichment activities, thank you.
Yes, don’t worry, it’s a long way away. I’m just grateful for the support on here, and might reach out to the HO nearby. I guess it doesn’t solve the issue though, which is pretty much unsolveable besides avoiding puppies in the future!
