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Original poster

Could someone explain house/dog sitting to me?

84 replies

Onlyrainbows · 04/05/2022 07:11

We're going away for a holiday and in a local group somebody offered to pet-sit for us. She seems like a decent middle aged lady who does tons for charity but just 2 weeks before our departure it has come clear that she expects to spend the night in our home. I don't think neither of us are necessarily comfortable with this, but we've never done it before. I'm almost certain she's not insured. DH thinks that maybe we should meet her and see what we think but also beg our groomer and see if he could take our doggie. We're also struggling to come up with an explanation that were uncomfortable with it without offending her.

OP posts:
Original poster
Onlyrainbows · 04/05/2022 08:39

We planned it around her own quirks. She doesn't like other dogs (or at least it's unpredictable), doesn't really go during the day apart from barking at random things, and the fact that she ignores us all day (and I'm here all day) unless food is involved (or when her dad gets home).
She would have had free access to the garden so we genuinely thought she'd be quite content with the arrangement. Maybe begging her groomer is the way forward as he's the only other human she's used to.

OP posts:
namechangedlikeeveryone · 04/05/2022 08:39

You can’t leave your dog alone for that long! Also - if she has access to your garden then surely your house would be unsecured? I’m amazed you’d be comfortable with that but not the (perfectly normal) practice of dog/housesitting?!

Original poster
Onlyrainbows · 04/05/2022 08:41

@namechangedlikeeveryone it's more or a privacy thing.

OP posts:

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Dogs
thesausagebros · 04/05/2022 08:44

Bonkers idea, this cannot be real. No one would genuinely think this was a reasonable plan for a FULL WEEK, antisocial dog or not

Snoken · 04/05/2022 09:04

Oh this is so sad. You cannot leave your dog like that. Arrange proper care for it, the cost for this has to be factored in when you buy it. Research kennels or dog sitters, and for god sakes don't beg your groomer to take your dog. They will presumably be working all day and most likely does not do dog sitting on the side. You need someone who has time for your dog to look after it. This woman seems like she does have the time, but if you don't want her in your home you need to drop your dog off to someone else.

MiddleClassProblem · 04/05/2022 09:30

Onlyrainbows · 04/05/2022 08:41

@namechangedlikeeveryone it's more or a privacy thing.

Privacy is more important than animal welfare on your list?

I know you’ll say know but you were fine with leaving your dog with someone you haven’t met!!! Let alone leaving her to have some one just stop by!?!

StrangeCondition · 04/05/2022 09:38

Why do you have a dog?

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 04/05/2022 09:45

Onlyrainbows · 04/05/2022 08:39

We planned it around her own quirks. She doesn't like other dogs (or at least it's unpredictable), doesn't really go during the day apart from barking at random things, and the fact that she ignores us all day (and I'm here all day) unless food is involved (or when her dad gets home).
She would have had free access to the garden so we genuinely thought she'd be quite content with the arrangement. Maybe begging her groomer is the way forward as he's the only other human she's used to.

You can't just leave her home alone for a week - genuinely, why on earth would you think that's acceptable?

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 04/05/2022 09:46

A DB used to do it after he retired, always living in, mostly in very expensive houses that would attract burglars though.
He and SiL also used live in sitters for their own animals - all carefully vetted though.
I agree with pps that it’s not right to leave a dog mostly alone for so long. I’d never have done it to ours - she always went into kennels.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 04/05/2022 09:48

Onlyrainbows · 04/05/2022 08:39

We planned it around her own quirks. She doesn't like other dogs (or at least it's unpredictable), doesn't really go during the day apart from barking at random things, and the fact that she ignores us all day (and I'm here all day) unless food is involved (or when her dad gets home).
She would have had free access to the garden so we genuinely thought she'd be quite content with the arrangement. Maybe begging her groomer is the way forward as he's the only other human she's used to.

You can't just leave her home alone for a week - genuinely, why on earth would you think that's acceptable?

BalladOfBarryAndFreda · 04/05/2022 09:48

Bloody hell.

Costacoffeeplease · 04/05/2022 09:52

This is quite shocking and sad

Hondelay · 04/05/2022 09:57

Not sure you've really thought this through. You'd be leaving your door open the entire time you're away.

mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork · 04/05/2022 10:01

As many others have said, this is not acceptable and your seemingly laid back dog will be confused, frightened and miserable at being left alone for most of the day and all night. You have left arrangements very late but you need to contact any vets locally and ask receptionists if they know of any locals who do home boarding or an acceptable kennels (though I don't think kennels ideal). Also ask other dogowners you meet out walking for recommendations. Do ask the groomer too, who should know this sort of thing. Some dog home boarders will board dog as single dog but not many. Next holidays, sort this out as soon as you know dates as all get booked up early. You and your dog need doggy contacts as they are very helpful.

Lampyshady · 04/05/2022 10:01

Snoken · 04/05/2022 09:04

Oh this is so sad. You cannot leave your dog like that. Arrange proper care for it, the cost for this has to be factored in when you buy it. Research kennels or dog sitters, and for god sakes don't beg your groomer to take your dog. They will presumably be working all day and most likely does not do dog sitting on the side. You need someone who has time for your dog to look after it. This woman seems like she does have the time, but if you don't want her in your home you need to drop your dog off to someone else.

People who are suggesting kennels because they think it’s cruel to leave the dog overnight with 2x a day visits- are you aware that dogs in boarding kennels are left from 5-6pm till morning and are only visited a couple of times a day/probably only get half an hour of attention a day. I’ve worked in several and this has always been the case, even in really good boarding kennels run by qualified behaviourists. At least if the dog was left at home with visits it would be in a familiar environment. It’s not an ideal amount of attention for a dog but won’t do any harm just for a week (although I agree that someone staying over would be better just in case of emergencies/dog would be a bit happier)

mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork · 04/05/2022 10:07

Perhaps in the long term you should consult a properly accredited behaviourist (who uses non severe ways - posters on The Doghouse topic of mumsnet can advise) to help your dog become more sociable with other dogs and new humans as he/she sounds rather isolated.

LolaJ87 · 04/05/2022 10:09

I pay a dog-sitter to move into my house while I'm away. I suppose her being in our space doesn't bother me because she's lovely and a vet-nurse, and is respectful in our home. I know the dog adores her and both she and the house are safe.

My dog is an old rescue girl so I couldn't send her somewhere unfamiliar or with other dogs (she's not usually a fan) so I think this is ideal!

I can't imagine leaving any dog alone like you've described OP - even if they seem very chilled out and independent, they know you are home if needed. Being alone for 22 hours a day is not ok. Either sort proper care for your dog or re-think your trip....

mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork · 04/05/2022 10:14

Last point. You have little choice this time as you have time constraints but next time, your dog and boarder/sitter need to meet to see if they will get along. In the past I have needed dogwalkers in a hurry after moving and having to go back to work and had two terrible ones that made my dog miserable - now no-one walks my dog unless I am absolutely sure they are kind and the dog likes them. BTW your open house/garden policy runs a risk of house being burgled and dog being stolen.

NellesVilla · 04/05/2022 10:25

OP, hopefully you’ve got the message now but of course you can’t leave your poor dog alone overnight. Totally unacceptable and neglectful.

Dogs do need company and you’d be surprised how much your dog will appreciate you just being there- in the same house- where she can sense you. Of course she knows you’re there and would not be happy being left alone. That would be incredibly unfair.

Like another poster, I also sometimes work as a pet sitter and wouldn’t leave a dog for more than 3-4 hours. My own dog, I wouldn’t leave for more than 2-3 hours; when I work, a relative spends time with her.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 04/05/2022 10:30

Onlyrainbows · 04/05/2022 08:39

We planned it around her own quirks. She doesn't like other dogs (or at least it's unpredictable), doesn't really go during the day apart from barking at random things, and the fact that she ignores us all day (and I'm here all day) unless food is involved (or when her dad gets home).
She would have had free access to the garden so we genuinely thought she'd be quite content with the arrangement. Maybe begging her groomer is the way forward as he's the only other human she's used to.

You can't just leave her home alone for a week - genuinely, why on earth would you think that's acceptable?

PinkFizz1 · 04/05/2022 10:32

Jesus Christ. Please do not leave your dog alone overnight. I cannot believe ANY dog owner would even consider this.

Honestly I hardly ever post on threads but this has absolutely floored me. That poor, poor dog.

MrsPnut · 04/05/2022 10:38

Our dog walkers do home boarding and pet sitting so if they are booked at their home then one of them comes to stay at our house.
Just put away any paperwork and make sure they know how to operate the TV. Our dogs love having them around.

spiderlight · 04/05/2022 10:38

You absolutely cannot leave your dog like that, never mind leaving your conservatory door open the whole time you're away!

FiveShelties · 04/05/2022 10:40

Onlyrainbows · 04/05/2022 08:41

@namechangedlikeeveryone it's more or a privacy thing.

That's ok then, as that is obviously more important than your dog.

Figgygal · 04/05/2022 10:45

When we go away we take the dog to a local boarder its £25 a night but he loves it there with her dogs. We know of other local boarders who are £20pn.
Contacted a local sitter in your own home where stay over she wanted £300 for a weekend and she wasnt planning on being present the whole time. Jokers.

You cant just leave your dog as you're proposing