To tell my friend looking after her dog has been a nightmare?

[Acunningruse]

We've been dog sitting for my friend for a week. My friend is lovely and needs a much needed holiday so we were happy to do it. We know the dog well as she's had her for about 5 years. Things didn't get off to the best of starts as my friend didn't provide any dog snacks, balls or poo bags so I had to take both kids and dog to the shop on the first night!

The dog is lovely and great with the kids, I feel 1000% certain of that. But omg with other dogs it's an absolute nightmare! She just goes for them constantly, really vicious, bared teeth etc. We are keeping her on a lead but she's fighting and pulling to get to other dogs and it's so stressful. Understandably my neighbors and residents of our village aren't too pleased! I am doing everything I can, keeping calm, giving treats etc but it's always the same and just puts me off having her to stay again otherwise we happily would but it's just so stressful around other dogs.

Should I tell my friend or not?

Of course you have to tell her. Not providing poo bags suggests she normally doesn't pick up? Which is disgusting 🤮. Shame on her.

Honestly, I’d tell her that she hadn’t prepared you adequately for looking after this dog, and let her know to ask someone else to mind it if she is making holiday plans.

your friend is a moron, I don’t know anyone with a reactive dog who lets others dogsit and walk their dogs. Most of us have resigned to never having a holiday while our dogs are alive.

Don't give up hope - I own a reactive dog who is cared for by family when needed. I also work with dogs for a living and have dog-sat multiple reactive dogs before with zero issues. I get to know the dogs first, never let them off their leads and walk in isolated areas. Never had an issue with a dog fight or one of my dogs causing a problem.

I wouldn't leave them with an inexperienced friend but it's perfectly possible to go on holiday when you own a reactive dog, you just need to plan in advance and check out your options :)

I’m sure this will not be news to your friend , she probably hoped it wouldn’t be as bad as it actually is . I’d stick the dog in the car ( if you have one ) and drive it somewhere less busy to walk it or stop walking it and do some brain games with it , scent work etc .

Of course you should tell her! Say she’s owes you £X for the bags and snacks and don’t agree to look after the dog again. If you don’t tell her, she’ll think it’s been fine and will be lining you up as a dog sitter for her next trip.

To be fair, when my dog walker comes I don't give her poo bags because she always has her own. She might have just forgotten this, if she's been used to having someone else look after her dog. Regarding the behaviour, you definitely need to say something.

Yes of course tell her.
I'd take the dog out at unsociable hours if at all possible- we are frequently out at 6/7am and 10pm and rarely see anyone at all (our dog is brilliant with other dogs we just like quiet walks!). I don't think I could do no walks with a highly active dog, it will drive you loopy.
Your friend sounds a bit shit and unorganised. I wouldn't dream of leaving mine without full supplies (I don't actually leave mine with friends anyway as I'd be worried about stuff like this!)

No don’t sugar coat it. Be very clear about what happened and that you can’t do it again.

Dogs don't snacks but more likely she forgot the bag the extra items were on, I've done that dropping ddog at my parents, forgot his lead once! With so many things on your mind it's easily done

Buy a muzzle.. Give friend the receipt..

No, it's not. Not easily.

Tell her her dog is tresses by your location and you won’t be able to look after her again. It’s not fair on you or the dog.

i think i could forget to take poo bags if rushed,
sounds like she was unprepared

My dog doesn't have snacks so I wouldn't provide those or expect someone to buy them (and would rather they didn't as she had a sensitive stomach). I don't provide poo bags either but that's because she only stays with people who have their own dogs and have their own (and we look after their dogs in return and use our own poo bags). I suspect that was probably just an oversight so I wouldn't be that bothered about it. But she should have mentioned her dog was reactive to other dogs.

I agree that you should just mention the dog hasn’t enjoyed being in a busier environment. I’d also mention you had to pay for poo bags and ask for the money ( give her the rest obvs).
There’s nothing your friend can do about your tough week now it’s over and it’s not the dogs fault. You’ve been a good friend and looking after other peoples dogs and children is always stressful as it’s a big responsibility.

Stop walking the dog. She’ll be okay in your garden for however much of the week is left. Tell your friend when she’s back.

If she lives very rurally she might not have appreciated how different it might be in a busier area, and how difficult it might be to avoid other dogs.

Yes I'd tell her because she needs to know. If you look after the dog again (and that's a big iff!!!) could you take it away from the area to somewhere quieter?
I imagine staying at hers with the dog wouldn't be feasible or practical?

I would see if theres a dog field you can hire so pooch can have a good charge around. The problem with reactive dogs is once they have given a reaction they stay in that mode for a good while. So each further encounter with dogs worsens the reaction.

My dog thrives in kennels but then the lady running it trains dobermans so our collie that dislikes men, joggers and cyclists is not a big deal.

I think she's perhaps not realised how unsuitable the environment is. My dog isn't reactive but I wouldn't send her somewhere busy where she was going to get pavement walks on lead for a week as that wouldn't be suitable for her needs. If your friend hasn't had her dog in that environment before or in a long time then she might not have realised.

You took the words right out of my mouth!

I walk my reactive dog late at night when there are very few dogs about. I find early mornings often bring out other dog walkers - there seem to be a lot more early risers than night owls.

The change of environment may be exacerbating the dog's behaviour, but the lack of provision and preparation by your friend was irresponsible. When telling her about the stay, I would be very factual but firm and make it clear that you won't be doing it again.

And yes if it's stressing the dog out and you, stop walking it or do so at quiet times of day if you can instead. Dogs don't need a walk every day if that walk is making them on edge and stressed.

My dog is reactive. A family
member pet sits when we go away. I don’t like her to be walked when I’m away. It’s not fair on my family member if anything happens. We have an enclosed dog walking field near us that is £8 per hour to rent. They take the dog there for as many times as they can and I pay. Do you have anything like this near you?

Of course you must tell her - that dog should be taken to an experienced trainer who can help the dog not react in future! Owner must know how bad it is and should have addressed this serious issue long ago.

Your friend is a dick for not supplying everything her dog needs as well. Who does that???

TBH I have serious doubt about your friend's suitability for dog ownership given the above.

Meanwhile keep the dog home and exercise it in the garden with play.