I'm a dog sitter - please help!

[Bethanyannlily]

Hey everyone, I REALLY need help! I'm a dog sitter and at the minute I've got a 1 year old staffy in my care who's not been way from his owner before. I haven't even had him for 24 hours yet and I can't cope!! He's lovely but he is weeing and pooing EVERYWHERE. I've taken him on several hour long walks but he doesn't even mark when he's out with me. He waits until he gets back and does a nice big wee/poo on my carpet/sofa/kitchen floor. He's house trained but for some reason he's doing this. I'm guessing separation anxiety. But it's getting ridiculous. He's doing it pretty much every hour. It's got to the point where I'm having to keep him locked in the kitchen because I can't trust him on my carpet or furniture. And we've just bought and renovated this house so it's especially frustrating!!!

I know it's not his fault but I really need help. I don't know what to do!

 

[excuseme]

Oh yuk, poor you!

I have absolutely no suggestions for you, maybe this is just one of the problems a professional dog sitter has to contend with.

I don't think that I would like to take in other peoples dogs to live in my home for any ammount of money. I bet you won't have him again.

 

[GoldenRetriever]

Hi there,

Sorry to hear that you're having trouble; I had a dog recently come to stay only to develop bloat an hour after his owners had left for 2 weeks - 'tis a dog (sitter's) life!

I'd just try to keep the environment as calm as possible for him; he'll be picking up on your stress which does make things worse, although it's completely understandable, too. Have you tried a Pet Remedy plug-in? They're cheap enough, get them from Wilkinson's, I think, and they can help calm down a stressed pet - and he does sound stressed! Also, by the fact that he's having long walks, coming home and then doing his business, he's getting into the pattern of doing that; maybe it would be worth cutting back on the walks to break that pattern and force his hand, as it were, to not be able to do it on cue when he returns. And loads of those pads down, LOTS! Failing that, buy a copy of The Times this weekend; that's thick enough to absorb quite a bit!

I'd also train him not to go on your furniture - I assume from your post that he's allowed on your sofa? Stop that. That will minimise some of the damage.

I'd also use this as an opportunity to delineate your boundaries in terms which animals you'll take in the future.. I'm at this stage currently, having been bitten all morning by a Cocker Spaniel puppy. He's cute but I've declined the four day booking that we had planned 'cause I'm not going to tolerate that - he's obviously got a few concerns going on and I'd be paid to sit with him and walk him, not delve into his psyche (as he chomps down on my hand). Some dogs, however nice and however nice their owners, are just not worth the hassle.

Hope this helps!

GR

 

[Shewbert]

Youve only had him 24hrs, he does not understand what is going on, he does not know where he is supposed to do his business. pick up some of his faeces and take the dog into the garden\ or place you wish him to go, and deposit his faeces and soaked wee paper in a few places in the garden\chosen place, this is placing his scent in that place.

Keep an eye on him, you do not yet know his signs that he wants out (all dogs do not bark to go toilet) he could start wandering, get fidgety, whines etc. any signs like that take him out, when he goes give him a big fuss tell him he is a good boy and treat him,

He's just a poor confused dog, that's attempting to get attention any way it can.

Very difficult taking other peoples dogs in for short periods.

P.S Is the dog fully clean and housetrained at it's owners house?,,, If not you have got a problem as the dog needs some retraining

Let us know how you get on

Shewy

 

[gypsysmum]

Is he entire? If he is then he may be scent marking indoors to make himself feel comfortable. If not he could be very anxious about his new environment. Try to stay out until he has to empty himself.

If you can confine him to a small area where he would have to live with his wee and poo, if he did it, that might help in the short term. Make the small area as comfy as possible so that he likes being there. If he is crate trained then that would be the answer.

Feel really sorry for you!

When the time comes to clean it all up - use a 10% solution of biological detergent - wash - rinse - dry. Go over with a spirit like white vinegar.