I had a dog like that in one of my sittings. A very sweet girl but she never wanted to go for walks. She just wanted to play indoors. As long as they are happy.
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What a sweetie 
. They can absolutely be a joy. And you have a very good idea there. Doing a few sits before deciding on owning a dog could really put things in perspecrive and help make the right decision. I like to say that for me, its like a grandparent caring for a grandchild. You love them and will give them all you can but you are also relieved when the parents takes them back 
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I’m so sorry that you’re having to curtail your sits because of the OWNERS’ irresponsibility, lack of communication, lack of understanding their dogs’ behaviour, etc. As ever with animals, the issues tend to be with the owners NOT the animals. Good luck in your future endeavours…with cats ? (Said with understanding and a wee bit of humour , not sarcasm or anything negative)
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Thank you so much Boulette for your posting. You have made me realize how important it is to ask the right kind of questions before taking on a house and pet sit. Often, I move too quickly, and apply and accept a sit, because it all sounds so ideal, on the surface.
In a recent house sit looking after three dogs, two of them were big 2 1/2 year old coonhounds, the third was 18 years old pitbull. On my first walk with the owners, I questioned how one person could walk all three dogs at once. Two dogs were ready to go a hundred miles an hour and chase every squirrel they saw, and the third plodded, if yanked along by the leash. My question was dismissed. But I was right. The dogs needed to be walked separately, at different paces. Common sense prevailed. I always felt guilty because the coonhounds needed at least two hours of vigorous walking every day. Unfortunately, the pitbull went downhill very quickly, but that is another story.
I’m on a house sit now, in the desert, where a Siamese cat shot out the door within five minutes of me being there. Coyotes roam the desert, and I panicked like never before. My adrenaline was sky high, because I imagined the call I would need to make to the owner saying, sorry, your cat was dragged away by a coyote. If I had been warned about the way in which the cat sits at the door, waiting to go outside, would have been super vigilant.
Coming back to your post, you have made me realize that there is much to be vigilant about. And, if house owners are evasive in their answers, it’s a red flag that I need to pay attention to. Thank you enormously for your honest posting.
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Some people just dont “see” their dog. One HO told me their dog had been involved in a situation which meant she didn’t like certain dogs. Turns out she just attacked most other dogs! I only sit for smaller dogs and usually one one. Good for you to know where you stand.
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@Boulette I don’t sit for dogs anymore either unless it’s a repeat sit for a dog I already know. After a couple bad experiences, it’s just not worth the risk to me. I filter out dogs when searching and haven’t had any trouble finding non-dog sits.
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My last dog sit was last September/October, almost a year ago. The dog was the most adorable, lovable 10-month-old poodle puppy. Unfortunately, that puppy was no longer puppy-sized but a huge dog, an obsessive sniffer with the strength of the Hulk, and zero leash training. In addition, he refused to poop in the backyard, preferring the carpets indoors.
I did some leash training during our morning backstreet walks, which btw worked great (he was super easily trainable which only made me irritated his human neglect that), but I had to walk the main street in the evening to avoid foxes roaming the backyards (London). The main street was packed with tons of takeaway places and, subsequently, a smorgasbord of goodies (trash) on the ground, triggering my sniffer to go overboard with pulling, sniffing, and trying to pick anything he could. It was pure madness.
From then on, I will only sit small cockapoos and the like. But I am yet to find one at the right location and dates.
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Of course, we can never fully rely on what dog owners say about their pets, and it’s definitely not advisable to just let dogs roam freely, even if they’re used to doing so with their owners. We always test the dogs’ behavior first, ideally together with the owners or at least on short walks to ensure safety. It’s important to remember that as a sitter, you are initially a stranger to the dogs and there needs to be a period of getting to know each other. I find your post a bit unreflective and off the mark, sorry, just my two cents.
We always do dog sits and we never had a problem ever or think it would be a problem.
Thank you
I will tale almost any pets really. Rodents, lizzards, birds. Im not picky in general.
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Good on you for creating future ‘safe sits’ that you are comfortable with. I decided when I first joined THS that I was never going to be put in a position of walking a dog I can’t fully control (especially in those first days of getting that mutual trust sorted) nor do I want the incredible stress of hours looking for a roaming dog which is sadly what you have experienced. I’m happy to walk dogs for as long and as often as they need but , after I have made it clear I will only walk dogs on-lead, if the owner still insists their dog is to be off-lead then I will decline the sit. Let’s be realistic, a dog getting plenty of exercise is the most important thing, they can still do their checking out every post and bush when they’re on-lead however, something owners also need to be realistic about, is that a sitters ‘peace of mind’ and safety should also be factored in as an important part of the agreement.
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Thank you and very true! Just like a parent for their children, dog owners can sometimes get their feelings in the way of what is rational.and reasonable to expect from their pets (or the sitter). So it’s very important to agree on the rules and expectations from the start.
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I have 3 wonderful pups and would never put my sitter at risk if there was a problem with walking them or taking them to the dog park. I can walk them by myself but picking up the poop is a problem. I have found that walking the 2 greyhounds together is so nice because they are placid and enjoy each other. My mix who is the “queen” gets walked much longer because she loves to walk. Taking them to the dog park is great because they can roam and I can control the poop pickups and they socialize. I guess what I’m trying to say is that I appreciate the sitters and want them to have the very best experience so I don’t hold back on what my pups can do. I also don’t have to walk them every day especially if the weather is bad. I’m sorry that some sitters don’t like to sit for dogs anymore because they add so much to my home. I’m hoping that many sitters will still open themselves to my home and we can continue to enjoy meeting and then exploring my city and come to enjoy having my pups to come home to.
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You sound like a great pet parent. I have come to this point after a couple of very bad experiences, one of them particularly upsetting. I won’t go into details by respect for the owner’s privacy and because I appreciate the anonymity of this forum. But I have no doubt that there are many great dogs and dog parents out there. I just don’t want to chance it anymore personally. But I have no doubt that there will be no shortage of sitters to take up the task and appreciate all the great and responsible pet parents out there.
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I came to the same conclusion this year, but no more big dogs. I sat for the most adorable Bernese 10 month old still puppy. Not leash trained at all, and when a runner came up behind me on a walk with his Vizla, my dog took off towards the Vizla because she is so friendly. Unfortunately, she pulled me with her and I ended up face down on the street, unable to hold her. But I’m responsible, as I should have known better to take on such a big dog at my age (+70).
Only pugs, frenchies, and cavaliers for me from now on.
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Oh no, I hope you’re ok. But rest assured that you are not alone. I had a similar experience with a large dog. It made me realize how so many people underestimate the risks related to keeping them under control… I have an aunt who lost her small.dog that way. She was walking it when another larger dog attacked it out of the blue and unfortunately, it didn’t make it. There is a lot of whlishful thinking going around. But the reality is that if a 120 lb dog suddently decides its going after another dog there isnt much you’re going to be able to do at any age.
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Not a sit: A friend’s wife stopped to chat with someone while walking their large dog. It must’ve seen a squirrel or such, so took off. The wife was caught unawares and fell onto her face, bashing all her front teeth out.
Large dogs tend to be powerful. I’d personally never sit or have one, because I’d always worry about their strength.
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I avoided dogs since I sat for one that was undisclosed aggressive to other dogs. He was only as high as my knee but pure muscle and nearly yanked me off my feet lunging when another dog was too near - about 20’ away (I did my best to avoid dogs during walks but that’s not always possible).
However, I broke my rule and recently sat for a very sweet and easy spaniel and I’m going to sit for a Labrador I’m confident will be fine. I’ve adjusted my ‘no dog’ rule to no young dogs, no dogs that are someone’s baby substitute, no designer trendy mixes or flat-faced breeds, and to stick to rural-based old-fashioned working breeds as I think they are more likely to be healthy, sensible and well-trained.
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I was just saying today to my husband that there is a great sit opportunity in Taiwan currently, (in a fabulous location) but it’s for 3 dogs and one cat. The dogs and cat must remain separated and the thought of walking 3 dogs individually or together sounds too much like hard work. I’d rather skip the amazing location than sit 3 dogs. I realised I’ve just found my limit! 
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I feel the same way. It’s not worth it if you risk having your vacation spoiled. Especially if you’re flying for 12 or 14 hours to get there.
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I’m sorry you had this experience. Unfortunately many owners never take the time to train their dogs.
I have a 65 lb golden retriever. She has been in weekly group training classes since 9 weeks old. She is now almost 2 and is in advanced obedience classes to certify as a therapy dog. She walks wonderfully in a leash and sitters/walkers have always reported that is she is well-behaved.
If I were a sitter, one question I would ask an owner is how much training the dog has had. If it’s none or very little that would make me think twice about accepting such a sit, especially if I didn’t feel I could handle a puller (and I can’t which is why we trained her).
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