I need some advices.
This is my first sitting, 2nd day, dog owners going to their trip today. Yesterday we were talking about a lot of things.
Earlier I asked for them a to do list, but they didn’t give me yet.
Yesterday we took the dog for a walk, border collie. His owner tells me to release him in the park. Toss him the frisbee. Should I really do this? I don’t think he’ll listen to me. I’m going to take him out for a run of course, but I won’t let go of his long leash. approx. 5 meters.
The dog does not have a pronounced daily routine. But they told me to go sightseeing. Isn’t that normal if I leave it at home during the day? I asked him personally twice, they said no problem.
I’m a little scared now about this thing. I’m in panic a litte, what am I doing here? Can I do this?
It is normal to have a Welcome Guide, and you should have gotten in well in advance to prepare and to possibly ask follow up questions. Here it should be described clearly the expecations regarding the sit and the needs of the pets, for instance.
It is normal to state how long a pet can be left alone. Many avoid sits where it is less than 4-5 hours for a dog. Some dogs can be left a working day of 7-8 hours as they are used to that with owner. Partly also local regulation can matter as some countries has legislation that regulate this.
You can amend it somewhat by writing down what they have said, send it to them in writing and say that this is what we talked about during handover, please let me know if it is not correct.
Personally I would never have a pet I was responsible for off leash unless in a fenced area. My choice.
It is important for you to know that responsibilities that are not clearly disclosed in listing is something you are in your right to decline. Just in case they spring something on you.
Border collies are very smart (we have one) and they need a lot of stimulation and exercise. Ask the owners what commands he understands. (Our smart border collie has learned commands in English and French.) You can leave him alone during the day but start slowly. Leave him for an hour. Next day two hours. He’ll see that you do come back. Did the owners say that they’ve had sitters before? If so, he’ll understand why you’re there when they leave. Run with him on the leash at first. Then when you take him to the park, let him go and throw the frisbee. He’s obviously used to that. Ask the owners if he always brings the frisbee back or does he want to make you chase him. If he wants you to chase, play that game for a while. Then sit down and he’ll come back to you. Don’t panic! I’m sure you will be very fond of this dog by the end of the sit.
When you walk him in the street on the leash, he will learn that he belongs to you. You will see how well-trained he is. And in the park, he will come back to you with the frisbee.
The only problem that I had was telling the border collie that I cared for to let go of the frisbee. (Or of someone else’s frisbee. Putting the leash on helped with that. Then he was “off duty”.)
You’ll do fine. It sounds like you didn’t get a lot of written instructions. You should have. Communication is the key and it doesn’t sound like and the homeowner really talked. Let the host know that you have some questions and you need a 10-15 minute phone call. Of course you should write down your questions in advance, and write down or record your answers.
For starters:
HOW long can the dog be left alone? (There are two parts to this. Some dogs will get destructive and anxious if left alone for long. Some can be left alone until the have to pee.)
What does the dog’s normal day look like? (This includes a lot of whens. When does the dog eat breakfast? When is the first walk or pee break? How long are the different walks etc.)
What are the alternatives to off-leash? If you don’t feel safe letting the dog off-leash, what are alternatives? (There might be fenced in dog run or other area you can go. A long walk might be a good alternative.)
Do NOT agree to do anything you don’t feel is safe for you or you don’t feel is safe for the dog.
For a dog like a border collie - a dog will also tire out if you do mental training. Tasks and play where the dog needs to think and figure things out. That could be learning the dog a trick, hiding food for search (of treats. I usually take just a little of the dogs usual kibble if they are on dry food. Best time would be before a meal, as they are more food driven and more eager to get to treats). For my own dog in summer I also sometimes took the dog out in the garden and tossed out some kibble in the grass for the dog to find. But not all dogs would “get” what it is about. My dogs have been highly food driven and started searching immediately and they were busy for quite some time. If you want to try it out, you could start with just a few kibbles. Wouldn’t recommend in communal areas where other dogs might come and be territorial.
It was just my first panic, but I think everything gonna be right. We talking a lot today, before the family gone to their journey.
I gone with the dog for a walk, and it was good. We played a lot, and he is sleeping now…
Maybe I will try the frizbi play maybe tomorrow or after 2 days…because this park is not bordered around and sometimes a lot of people, kids and other dogs there I saw it today, I don’t know…
yeah he is very smart, he understand what I say…
But he don’t have strict daily routine…eats when he hungry…go out to litte garden when he want but needs help for open the door…
That’s my first experience so…I’m excited, but thank you everybody!
So lovely to hear! Keep a few kibbles or treats in your pocket when your out, call him and give him a treat. It could be helpful if he learns you will give him a treat when you call.
It’s good to know that you are feeling more relaxed.
You are lucky your first dog sit is with a border collie they are supposed to be the most intelligent breed. They are able to learn lots of words and even short phrases.
Some breeds of dog tend to be more interested in their human or having a ball thrown for them to retrieve than they are in other dogs. Working breeds like border collies and some spaniels are often looking to their human for instruction or to throw something for them to retrieve. They often completely ignore other dogs. Hopefully the border collie you are sitting is like this, and once he knows you are his temporary human he won’t take his eyes off you and that frisbee! If he loves a game of fetch he’ll return to you so you will throw it again!
Thank you! You are so nice everybody.
The dog is cute and smart, we have fun, it’s OK…
But I had known this system and community works that I save money for owners (they told me that one time take dog from England to Portugal 3000 £)
And I save money, I can stay here for free, I take care for dog, food, play, company, were walking twice a day…but…I can go out to sightseeing.
Owners told me, go out, yes, go out…but…the dog can’t be alone 4 hours, told me the wife…
6 hours told me the husband…
Tell the truth, from here to city centre 1 hour at least. 1 hour back. Honestly…2 hours in London? Nothing! A lot of people everywhere, long lines, waiting, and traffic jam…
How can I do this?
I think I play and walk with the dog a lot half a day in the mornings …from 6 to 11, and go to the city 6 hours include traffic… Arrive early evening and I can, and have to play with the dog 3 hours till 8 or 9…
What do you think. Is this correct, or not?
I love animals, but travel and explore is also important, and this is the way
I think its, correct And that’s how this trip is worth it for me.
I understand your frustration. The first sit is always a learning experience. It sounds like you don’t have a lot of experience with dogs and now you know that border collies are hard work unless you’re in the countryside where they can run around. And now you know how long it takes to get into the centre of London from outer zones. Some sitters only do sits with cats because they know they want to be out of the house for more than 4 hours. Other sitters do sits as a couple so they can take turns going site-seeing. You will be more discerning the next time you look for a sit.
Also, you don’t actually have to play with the dog every minute you’re with him. If you give him your full attention all the time, he’ll come to expect it and won’t leave you alone. If the owners have told you to do this, well that’s unfair because there are two of them to share the dog. He will adapt!
I hate it when they give contradictory instructions.
As one of the owners told you you could leave the dog for 6 hours. I think your plan is perfectly OK.
I would start perhaps leaving him for a shorter period, and extend it gradually if everything is OK. Take him out for pee and exercise right before you go out and again when you get back. I guess you have instructions as to where the dog should be left.
As @KChev said, you don’t have to be playing with the dog all the time.
How long has he been left so far during your sit? How does he behave? Can he destroy things or bark a lot and bother the neighbors?
Actually welcome guide is not including that the dog how much time can be alone.
Before confirmed sitting we had a video calling the husband sad that they work during the day, and not problem that dog is alone. Yes we didn’t talk exactly 4 or 6 hours, or 8 maybe.
At first advertisment they write I can go to the city centre 30 mins…
Yes border collie has very lot energy…so I think play with him, to calm when I go out.
Owners told me, go out, go out! Yes! Of course! They offered places to me in the city centre. And I told them I’m going to visit my relatives on Boxing day.
Thank you for your many advecies, yes it is a hard study to me but I have faith everything will be fine.
So conclusion: I’m going to have attention that go out maximum 6 hours. Before and after play and with the dog. I will take out his frizbi today but we will play with the lond leash (it’s not a completly bordered park).
but I have faith everything will be fine.