We are currently on a 11 day sit looking after a dog & 4 cats. The dog is an 18 month collie cross rescue dog.Due to a serious illness to the owners wife they have been forced to move bedrooms and their former bedroom is now the guest bedroom where the dog used to sleep with the owners.The house is open planned so the “now” guest bedroom has no door to it and the dog has free roam of the house. I believe we are the first guests in that room.Night 1 just gone and the dog is literally refusing to allow us to occupy that bed - or any other bed in the house.Constantly barking in an agitated state for 8 hours none stop ,becoming more aggressive when we try to lie down.We are used to dealing with emergencies & stressful situations but at one stage the dog had my wife backed into the en suite and fearing for her safety.We literally have had no sleep throughout the night.The owners are on a cruise so cannot readily return and they have no other family members living in the Country
And advice would be greatly appreciated please
@SlimTimCann sorry to hear of your experience. I feel empathy for you and sorry for the dog too !
Take videos when it is happening to show the hosts and also to give to THS as evidence of the behaviour. keep a written log of what’s happening and when.
Ask the hosts to arrange alternative care for their pet and inform them that you are giving them 24 notice that you are leaving due to their pets behaviour . Do this in writing via the THS platform and by e-mail / text / WhatsApp or whichever way you are communicating with them .
Call the THS Urgent Support Phone Line it’s a 24 hour phone line / to keep them informed of the situation.
You can also phone the Urgent Support Line while it is happening so that they can hear it !!
The hosts maybe didn’t know that this is how the dog would behave with sitters , but they should have a back up plan in place for emergencies - that’s for them to arrange not you .
@SlimTimCann, contact THS Member Services. Phone number on website or app. Or email via support@trustedhousesitters.com.
Your personal safety is important and non-negotiable.
Your ability to a reasonable night sleep seems wholly reasonable. While subjective and personal choice, this is why we now decline housesits where pet sleeps in housesitter human bed.
Seek THS MS advice. Housesitting is not a job. Rather a fair exchange. Suggest assess situation; experiment as appropriate (e.g. lots exercise); and determine best pathway forwards.
Take care of yourself.
Poor you, that sounds absolutely terrible.
Remember, the home owners probably have no idea that their pup became such a monster with guests being present without the owners. Is it possible to make a video and send to them?
Does the barking bother neighbours, or are the house far from neighbours? If the latter, could you put the dog (and its bed) outside at night and try having the dog sleep outside?
This is the most important thing.
But nonstop barking isn’t livable, either.
Have the hosts just left, did you have a handover with some time together? Seems you’ve stayed one night?
Don’t risk your safety in any way, that is no. 1.
Is the rescue centre nearby that the dog came from? The owners might be able to gey help from them.
It is in the owners interest to solve it, to help the dog as it seems under stress. So you will help the dog and the owners reaching out. Use this perspective as helping the dog not to cause harm and be in a stressful situation.
If you want to and comfortable enough:
If you feel safe doing so, if the dog has kibble or similar for food, I’d use some of todays meals to give as treats from both of you. Drop it on the floor first and if it seems comfortable later more directly. Could also try to have the pet sit for food (most dogs have learned «sit») to interact.
Tire the dog, by walks or play. If the dog has activity toys (like a ball you can put kibble in or similar). Or just spread kibble on the floor or the lawn to sniff and find. Don’t use toys with pulling by teeth and such, if they have some resource defence it could lead to snapping.
Have a long walk if you feel comfortable doing so.
Do not risk your safety in any way, it is not worth it.
Hi there,
I can help you. I am going to private message you now.
Stay strong.
Best wishes
Vanessa
Hi thanks
Yes we tried outside with a bed but the barking just continued
@SlimTimCann, we’d agree with this advice from @Garfield.
If you feel comfortable then consider taking dog on longer than typical walk to drain any excess energy. We have arrived to multiple housesits to find dogs that have excess energy - perhaps as pet parent preoccupied before departure or perhaps otherwise. In some cases, a proactive above-average exercise routine for 1-3 days can materially moderate dog behaviour. That said, this is just one potential tactic and is not foolproof - such as in the case of aggressive dog where credible potential for personal harm.
"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);”
Hi @SlimTimCann
Sorry to hear about this.
I can see a ticket with the team, so I’ve sent them the details you shared in your post, and asked if someone can please get in touch with you.
Hopefully you’ll hear from someone soon.
Jenny
@SlimTimCann have you found a solution?
Hi- Hopefully - the owner responded with some advice and an action plan.It would appear there are issues with the dog that we were not made aware of and perhaps the owner was hoping wouldn’t surface again and had gone away.Thanks for your follow up and initial advice- much appreciated.