I am on my first sit with 3 dogs and 2 cats. Individually, each pet is very sweet. I have been here 10 days, and “Dog A” Has attacked “Dog C” twice! A dog of her own “pack”! One time was in the yard while I was petting Dog C, Dog A came up and attacked her … because Dog A is jealous of Dog C. I didnt even see dog A coming toward us. I ended up getting bit on the hand! (I dont know HOW, because things happened so fast) The 2nd time… 2 days later was on a morning walk. Dog A on my left, Dog C on my right … Dog A just crossed over in front of me on the path … and attacked Dog C, unprovoked!! Dog C was taken to the vet where she was treated for bite wounds to her ear … no stitches needed. It took myself, and a wonderful woman who was driving by to get the dogs apart!! Of course the owners say this has NEVER happened before … and so their “solution” is just to stop walking the dogs period. All 3 dogs are rescues, Dog A was adopted as a small puppy, and is now about 8 years old. The owner was expounding on how they have taken in 8-9 street dogs over the years and they have never trained their dogs … which is obvious, because they dont even know “SIT” I have 2 more weeks here, and each time Dog A even goes near Dog C I get nervous. I am trying my best to keep them apart. Any suggestions?
Hi @CarolB2 
This is well beyond “normal dog squabbling” and I think your instincts are right to take it seriously. Two attacks in a few days - including redirected biting onto you and a vet visit for Dog C - means management now matters more than trying to understand “why.”
A few thoughts from different angles:
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From a safety perspective: once dogs have rehearsed this behaviour, repeat incidents become more likely, not less.
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From a behavioural perspective: jealousy may be part of it, but arousal, resource guarding of human attention, proximity tension on walks, stress, or redirected frustration can all look “unprovoked” to humans.
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From the homeowner perspective: many owners genuinely have never witnessed the behaviour themselves, especially if they normally manage the dogs unconsciously through routine or spacing.
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From a sitter perspective: you did not sign up to behaviourally rehabilitate fighting dogs.
For the remaining two weeks, I’d focus almost entirely on prevention and management:
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No group walks. I would walk separately if safely manageable, or skip walks temporarily and use yard/sniff enrichment instead.
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No situations where Dog A can rush Dog C during affection, feeding, doorways, toys, treats, couches, excitement moments, etc.
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Create physical separation whenever possible - different rooms, baby gates, crates, leashes indoors if needed.
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Keep interactions calm and structured. No high excitement.
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Don’t attempt to “correct” or punish Dog A during tension moments - that can escalate things.
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Carry something safe to interrupt fights if needed again - loud noise, water, blanket barrier, leash separation. Never hands near mouths if possible.
And honestly… I would document everything clearly in THS messaging with the owners now, including:
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dates/incidents,
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your injury,
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vet treatment,
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and the management plan going forward.
Not in an accusatory way - just factual and calm. That protects everyone if another incident occurs.
I’d also strongly consider contacting THS support proactively for guidance. Not necessarily to “report” the owners, but because there has already been:
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sitter injury,
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dog injury requiring vet care,
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and ongoing safety risk.
One other important point: your own nervousness is understandable, but dogs absolutely pick up handler tension. So the more separation and predictability you create, the less you’ll need to constantly monitor every interaction.
That sounds like a very stressful first sit situation, and I think most experienced sitters would treat this as a serious behavioural management scenario, not a minor hiccup.
Sounds being outside is a potential for problems. I would take the dogs individually out for walks. Learned that lesson walking 2 large gentle dogs. It was just best for poo cleanup, etc. Also, for being out in the yard one dog at a time. Although now the owners want you to refrain from walking the dogs. What is best for the safety of the pet(s), your peace of mind, and HO peace of mind is very important.
That is a long sit and with several pets for a first time.
Sounds like to me that @CarolB2 needs to ensure the dogs are separateed anytime she is interacting with dog C. Otherwise, I believe there is a good chance that she will be bitten/attacked again. Not worth taking the chance.
Hard to believe this oblivious HO doesn’t know there’s conflict there. It started suddenly? Doubt it.
So, what about dog B? Everyone like dog B? No problems with cats?
Be cautious.
@CarolB2, this is frankly totally unacceptable and against THS Terms of Service (s5.2.4).
This gives you choices. First, take photographic evidence. We encourage that you determine desired outcome (stay, leave, other) and then contact THS Member Services (phone, non-AI chat or email support@trustedhousesitters.com).
After sit is completed, encourage that you consider raising a Member Dispute. This is a formal protocol that collates evidence from both parties; assess situation; and determines appropriate actions.
We’ve had one incident of dog biting. It was a low point in our housesitting experience. After THS Member Dispute reviewed combined facts, pet parent was permanently barred from THS platform. We make no comment on your situation but we believe that pet harming human is fundamentally beyond the role of a volunteer housesitter. Pet Parents with potentially aggressive pets should hire a professional.
“5.2. The following applies only to Pet Parents. You will: …
5.2.4. ensure that no pets to be left under the care of a Sitter have ever caused a person or animal any physical harm (no matter how minor the injury);”
I would contact THS and leave in 24 hours if a dog bit me and attacked another one. Why are you staying? No way was the owner unaware of this behaviour. And don’t feel guilty about leaving early or getting a poor review - this dog is dangerous.
Hi Carol,
Did the bite on your hand break the skin, or just a slight nip? If the skin was broken you need to get it seen to. You can very easily get an infection from a dog bite and you need to be taking antibiotics. I know due to a more severe dog attack last year. And this had been from a dog that had shown no signs of being asggressive at all but suddenly turned without warning. Again a rescue. At A+E they continually poured a saline solution over the worst bite, which was extremely deep on my hand, to prevent infection. I ended up in theatre the next day for an hour being stitched up etc. I still needed an extra course of antibiotics later, due to bite on my leg becoming infected. At least you have had a kind of warning, so know not to walk together. But do at least wear thick gloves and if possible leg protection such as long boots. Do be very careful though, as could easily be more than one bite next time. At A+ E, I was also given an extra tetenus injection, even though up to date with that. Never ignore a dog bite, especially if skin is broken.
This is a potentially dangerous situation. If it was me I would now plan to leave. Please let the HO know or give them time to make other arrangements eg put Dog A into kennels or pay a dog walker to walk it alone. This is the responsibility of the HO. Your safety is paramount here….
suddenly, without warning? you already told us that you came between the dog and it’s food, even though owner had specifically told you not to.
I think Carol’s case is quite different.
Now hang on, NO sitter should ever be deliberately bitten by a dog - or any animal - under ANY circumstances.. A dog who bites simply because you come between the dog and its food is dangerous and should not have sitters.
It amazes me that on the rare occasions a sitter is harmed by an animal in their care, so many responses are along the lines of “Hmmm… Try this… Try that…” To my mind, the situation is an End Of Sit scenario. We’ll consider walking out because a house is dirty or the HOs are rude or too demanding or inefficient or because things in the house don’t work.. But we’ll stoically endure being bitten by dogs. That seems skewed to me. I would be giving the HOs 24 hours’ notice - and bailing.
Thank you for your valuable information, and I have implemented many of the things you mentioned. I also am not making direct eye contact with the aggressor, and pet her as I walk by. I do the same with the other 2.
I also know MY nervousness is not good … so Im really working on that. I have plenty of sitting experience, used to foster, and also volunteered at several shelters around the country when I was still working.
Thank you again for your input.
Thank you. I am allowing 2 dogs in the back yard to do their “business” and the other in the fenced front yard. NO WALKS, even one at a time per HO instructions
It was not his food, and I was not between him and the other dogs food. I was at his side at the time and just said 'no. It then turned immediately, baring its teeth and agressively attacking. No signs of any aggresion whatsoever prior to that. I was never told there was any likelyhood of him stealing her food and prior to that he had always walked away after finishing his and never gone eanywhere near her food. I was also told that he had never been known to steal her food before, so this was a first. The owners were far more understanding, sympathetic and concerned than you are. They certainly did not blame me in any way and could not stop apologising for what had happened to me. They stated that they would never have left their dog with anyone, if they had known there could have been this reaction. They also believe he may have developed some kind of tumour. This was sudden aggresion in a split second and could in no way have been predicted. By your reckoning, nobody should say ‘no’ if he had run over to somebodies picnic or BBQ or somebody eating a sandwich etc. as would all be considerd his food. and it would be their fault or mine, if they or I had said ‘no’ and he then attacked me or them? Yes, do go ahead and blame me. You clearly enjoy upsetting people, who could never have predicted such a savage and vicious attack. that happened in a split second, with no warning whatsoever. It was an extremely traumatic experience. Yes, it was definitely without warning, as I had no chance to escape the very vicious attack.
Is this host (and aggressive dog) still on THS?
Hi Maggie,
Neither now on the site.
The owner was really upset and we both gave each other comforting hugs as we were both very upset at the situation. But in no way did the owners consider the other dogs food his food. He had never taken it from her bowl before. If it had been thought of as an issue, they would have asked that they be fed in separate rooms etc.. He had always been extremely protective of his own food, so you would likely get threatening growls if you went near whilst eating, or attempted to take food he had found on the ground etc. I had not encountered that as did not go near his food when he was eating and there had certainly never been any signs of an attack.
Some people on here seem to think they can act as judge, jury and executioner and think they know better than anybody else and don’t care how hurtful and upsetting they are to others. and assume they always know better.
This dog had been a rescued dog and was almost put down when he came to the centre, as they felt too difficult to rehome but he was only a year old, so they made an effort. Had been badly treated ad used for baiting etc, The owners almost gave up on him and gave back as extremely difficult but persevered and kept him in the end. He had been perfectly fine for the week I had been looking after him and showed no signs of aggession whatsoever. That was why it was so unexpected, when in a split second he turned into a savage attacking monster. It was the scariest thing I have ever encountered, as both hands, my right leg below knee and my right foot, before I managed to escape and slam a door shut behind me.. He was ten years old now but the owner did not hesitate to have him put down, as could not risk him attacking anybody else. He really could have killed somebody. And I hate to think if I had tripped and he had gone for my throat etc. Owners do think he my have had some kind of tumour though, as prior to my arrival they had thought something not quite right as did not seem to be able to see a ball thrown into the sea. And when arriving back from holiday he refused to walk and stayed rooted to the spot, which had never happened before. They had people staring as if ill treating. It could well have been some flash back to his ill treatment days, when he attacked me without any warning. Saying ‘no’ to a dog stealling another dogs food, is just something most people would do automatically. They do not expect a sudden, unexpected, viscious onslaught. I am still in contact with the owners, who do check up that I am ok at times and give me updates on their other elderly dog.
Such a terrible experience for you all. Poor dog.
Animals can be unpredictable, especially if mistreated before, unfortunately.
We had our rescue for years and treated him well. He trusted us, despite having been highly skittish and reactive, having been adopted and returned before we got him. One day, my husband was sweeping our pool deck with a wide push broom and our dog ran and cowered under a table, made a yelping sound. We’d never seen anything like that before from him. Must have unknowingly triggered him.
He’s worked with trainers before, but still can be unpredictable, so we never have anyone but professionals sit him.
Thanks Maggie, Yes dogs can definitely be unpredictable. I looked after another rescue dog a few years back that showed signs of aggression all the time and I could never turn my back on it. Yet this one had not shown any in that first week, and I had just thought of him as a lovely easy dog.. I had only seen its good side up until that ;point.. Defintely a real shock element to this, as went from quiet and placid, to a snarling attacking monster, in the flick of a switch. Just seemed unbelievable at the time.
On my last sit I had Dog A, a young dog get aggressive in the evenings and Guard the bed. He would lunge at us if we tried to get close to the bed. When we removed him from the bedroom, he would attack Dog B multiple times and I also got bit on the hand. I made sure to let THS know about the issue, just to keep it on file so if it happened to other sitters in the future it would be easy to see a trail of incidents.
What worked for us was that we would remove the dog from the bedroom entirely, remove the other dog during the night, play white noise on repeat all night.
The dog would have a full nights sleep and for the rest of the time, he was sweet and cuddly, very affectionate and playful like a pup.
I honestly think that some dogs need sleep otherwise they are grumpy and this was the perfect example of that. No resource guarding, no fighting with the other dog, just a cute well rested dog.
Don’t know if this will be the same for you, but it could be interesting to try playing some white noise at night. we found a 963hz 10 hour looping sound. The dogs in the evening were super relaxed and just slept.
The sentence “The Dog/Cat never did that with me before” is one I hear almost every house sit.
Yes, contact THS and state these circumstances, then give the HO 24 hours notice and leave the sit. This sit contravenes THS T&Cs on many levels (as has already been mentioned).