If a HO has a fenced off field associated with their home and doesn’t really walk the dogs out and about (they’re top show dogs) but plays with them/gives them a runaround in the field for an hour a day how is the best way to highlight this in the listing. I’m helping this (new to THS) HO to develop an appealing listing for 3 show dogs in Jersey Channel Islands. I met up with her for a coffee during my last trip on the Island and got her on the right track with various top tips, so it’s more about the wording of the responsibilities section of ‘walking but not walking’ where I’m seeking ideas to share with her. I met one of the show puppies she’s recently bred (not part of the sit).
I’d be just saying “Dogs do not need walking but have their hour or so of exercise in the fenced off field, running and playing.” Is it because they are show dogs @BonnyinBrighton, or, if not, why so that sitters understand?
How about: Supervised exercise and play time in the fenced field, which includes…… The sitter running laps with them :), throwing balls, or do they independently play with each other?
The listing needs to make it clear that the fenced area is on the property and that sitters don’t need to transport the pets to the exercise area .
If there are routine times for this exercise or if these are flexible .
If taking the dogs away from the property is not permitted at all make that clear too . If they can be taken out to cafes etc state that .
I think it’s because they generally have 6 or more dogs so it’s not even possible to walk that many dogs. They take dogs with them and leave 3 at home. I think dogs can be taken for a walk if wanted but not exceeding an hour. I do think it’s to do with showing the dogs or maybe the type of daily training they get usually?
I would think this would be a plus. It would to me. Some dogs are dog reactive, some toddler reactive, at least I have had those on sits. I had a sit on THS with two dogs you just played with in their big yard. I enjoyed it as you don’t have to constantly look around the corner for another dog coming and then crossing the street to avoid. Just say no walking required, dogs are exercised in attached yard. Mention if you just let them out to run around themselves or does she want the sitter to have organized play with them, then state what that is. I would be more concerned where the 6 dogs sleep. I think you said 6.
I would say, Although my dogs do not require to be taken on conventional walks, they do still need exercised, and to play, run free, and this is done, safely and securely, on a private field attached to our property. You can join in, or just supervise them having fun.
@BonnyinBrighton, this seems a situation that benefits from transparent disclosures in listing and from clear language. The objective here is communication, so to avoid surprises, and to get a great fit with house sitter.
We have read quite a few listings with dogs that get exercise through spending time in the external area of property. Situations seem to vary - busy human; ex-stray dog; huge land area; specific dog breed. Sometimes human supervisions required, more often not.
There’s a whole ground floor where the dogs live and the two upper floors where the family live. 6 dogs or more if there are puppies, but for sits there’s only the 3 dogs at home.
Excessive walking / running leads to early joint degeneration, shortening the completive life and breeding potential of show dogs (which are often offered for stud fees). Also leash walking is t the best exercise for developing muscle tone in dogs - that would be off leash running / walking / sniffing which is why they are doing so for an hour in a fenced area.
For most sitters watching a dog for a week or two it isn’t a big deal to walk them for more than that but for many breeds hitting the ideal recommended amount of walking is best. Routinely walking dogs for hours a day (especially larger breeds) will certainly hurt their joints.
Those look like adorable spaniels!
6 but 3 are left behind while they are travelling/ showing the other 3, which is common.
I think others have given great suggestions on wording for the field exercise / play (and clarify what that is - fetch, flirt pole, etc), but make note if they really mean no leash walks at all vs leash walks in manageable chunks (eg a couple may be able to manage a walk for all 3). Also be clear if they can be taken out to a cafe (again with 3 better suited for a couple).
Lastly be upfront that these are show dogs and not ‘regular’ house pets so no dog parks etc.
I say this because different sitters like different things from their time with caring for our pets. I’ve had sitters that don’t want to sleep with our dog (cool, she goes in her crate then), sitters who want to sleep with our dog (ok, close the baby gate at the bottom of the stairs so she doesn’t chase the cats at 3 am), sitters who only want to leash walk/hike with the dog, and sitters who want to take her to a dog beach to swim. All of these are fine with the dog, but I ok them with the sitter based on that sitter. I am clear on what are hard no’s - no dog parks.
So, I guess just say these are show dogs and need to be exercised a bit differently than a regular pet dog.
Lastly, your friend should choose carefully - sitters do push boundaries at times so make sure she find sitters who will do the exact exercise protocol she wants.
This is actually a lovely “problem” to have — it just needs clear, reassuring wording so sitters instantly understand what’s expected (and what’s not). The key is to frame it positively, while being very explicit that this is exercise without public walks, so you attract the right sitters and avoid mismatches.
Here’s something you could suggest she include in the Responsibilities section:
Exercise & Routine
Our dogs are exercised daily in our secure private field rather than being walked outside the home. They enjoy around an hour of playtime, free running, and interaction each day, which keeps them happy and well stimulated.
As they are show dogs, we maintain a controlled routine and don’t take them on public walks. Everything they need for exercise and enrichment is right here at home.
This sit would suit someone who…
…is happy spending time at home and enjoys interactive play with dogs, rather than going out for long walks.
This approach removes any ambiguity, reassures sitters the dogs are well exercised, and naturally attracts applicants who’ll enjoy (and suit) the setup. You could also add a line about the dogs’ personalities during play to help people picture the experience.
Clarity + positive framing = the right applicants landing in her inbox
I am curious to know why. Is it because she’s a therapy dog and interaction with other dogs may disturb her behavior?
I guess they don’t want the risks of getting bred or getting into a fight….
Of course. They do not want to risk jeopardizing their dog’s potential high rankings in competition, whether for profit and/or glory. But what do the dogs think? Do they enjoy it?
This is the second time in a short period that I have been looking after a larger dog that is not being walked. (Although I understand that some smaller dogs do not care much for daily long walks and I do appreciate first and last potty break in the backyard), all I can say is: never again.
Dog parks in general are not a great place for any dog, therapy, show, or working. It’s a nice theory, a fenced off space where dogs can run and play. In practice, people bring dogs for the only exercise they get all day - and since they have so much pent up energy that gets suddenly released - it’s a breeding ground for dog fights. Especially since it’s many dogs (many with poor social skills) in a confined space (vs a trail or dog beach, where dogs have the option of flight or to move away from a dog they don’t like). There are also the humans who don’t supervise their dogs, or the ones that bring balls and toys which dogs can fight over. Most of time it’s a matter of when dogs will get into a fight, not if they will. And that one bad interaction may scar a dog for life, making it fearful and reactive. Lastly, dog parks are festering with diseases. My girl is vaccinated but giardia and other bugs are very commonly picked up at dog parks.
Dogs don’t need dog parks and they don’t need (or necessarily want) to play with lots of random dogs. An empty field, a safe trail, or a beach/swimming are perfect places for off leash exercise.
And it’s a myth that ‘socialized’ dogs are friendly to all dogs. Adult dogs are all dog selective to some degree (some more than others). A well socialized dog is actually neutral to dogs in public.
That doesn’t mean my pup doesn’t get to play with dog friends - she has a small group that we get together with once a month or so for play at someone’s house. And we look after her brother (littermate) from time to time and they still play together like they were wee wee pups.
So a nice theory but most people with more than a basic level of knowledge avoid dog parks.
If you Google ‘Are dog parks bad’ you’ll find alot of information, so make your own choices! But for me - hard no.
The risks if getting bred would be minor, as females go into heat twice a year. Once the heat cycle starts there are two weeks or so before they are actually fertile, so easy enough to keep them home during that time.
It’s more the risks of encountering poorly socialized dogs that want to run up to / hump / jump on / chase every dog they see, whether the other dog actually wants to play or not. That is incredibly stressful for an otherwise balanced dog.
No exercise at all is different than avoiding dog parks. All dogs, large or small, should get out in the world to stretch their legs. Dog parks are a poor place to do so.
I personally do not care much for dog parks … unless they are empty, so that I can let ‘my’ dog run off-leash.