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?

Yes you need to tell her

Tell her and get a muzzle for the dog. Aggressive dogs should always wear a muzzle in public.

You can't just stick a muzzle on a dog without doing any training - or you'll make them even more stressed and even more likely to react.

A muzzle also won't stop the dog pulling on the lead and trying to get to other dogs - it also won't stop the dog causing injury if, heaven forbid, it does get to another dog.

I'm a huge advocate of muzzles in general but you need to introduce them properly or they can cause even more problems than they solve.

Of course you should tell your friend. I am wondering though if the situation is worse than your friend realised given that she is used to walking him out in the countryside where he rarely comes into contact with other dogs . Also possible you are seeing different behaviour with him being on a lead.

Quite possible she simply forgot the poo bags .

Yes it is. Very easily.

It's more that where you live isn't suitable for the dog as it's reactive to other dogs and you can't avoid them on walks. That's the truth and you should tell your friend.

I would walk the dog rurally for now.

Yes it might inconvenience you to go a bit further but I think it’s worth the hassle as it will save you a lot of stress and possibly an injury.

I’d throw the ball around the garden too so it gets tired out and you don’t have to worry too much if the walk if cut short.

I would tell her when she got home and I’m really surprised she didn’t make it more of a thing about staying away from other dogs when she gave him to you.

You have to tell your friend.
The dog is reactive around other dogs but you're sure she's fine with children.
How can you be so sure that the dog wouldn't just suddenly turn, particularly out on a walk, if a child approached it?
Personally, I think if the dog is so reactive around other dogs if should be muzzled while walked.
And it's owner not providing poo bags?
That tells me she doesn't use them, or pick up after her own dog.

I think people are focusing too much on the lack of poo bags. Who hasn't forgotten something when packing for a holiday?

Of course, you have to be completely honest about this even if it feels uncomfortable doing so.

No way she doesn't know. I have a reactive dog. No one walks her but me. If I go away, either my mum has her and doesn't walk her, or she goes to kennels. She's fantastic with people, but does not like other dogs.

Just don't walk the dog until she returns. That is VERY bad practice of her.

Yes, of course you should tell her. A dog as reactive as that has to be walked in an environment where it won’t encounter lots of other dogs and your friend presumably doesn’t understand that where you live, it isn’t possible to avoid them. Therefore you need to explain to her that you sadly cannot be a suitable dog sitter because your location isn’t safe or appropriate for walking an ultra-reactive dog. As well as being difficult for you, and unpleasant and potentially dangerous for other dog walkers, it’s also really stressful and upsetting for the reactive dog.

I have no doubt your friend is more than aware that the dog is extremely reactive. Did she not warn you? If not, she is badly wrong, that could have ended really nastily. I’m forever hearing about dogs being killed by other dogs. I’d be really cross with her. And she didn’t provide toys/treats/poo bags?!

I would hire a dog field. And obviously pass in the cost to her.

I don’t know if anyone has mentioned this already, but some dogs are reactive on leads but not so much off. That’s quite common. Is this dog used to being walked on a lead? I’m not suggesting you try it, but it may partially explain what’s going on. Any wonder would know to explain this to a sitter though.

and *owner

I agree that she deliberately minimised how reactive her dog is. Mine is large and reactive and walking her can be a nightmare due to the number of unleashed “oodles” in our neighbourhood. The very idea fills me with anxiety.

Of course you tell you friend.....particularly if it affects your likelihood of sitting again sometime. The bags and treats I could overlook. Unless she has previous form for being a CF I'd imagine in the flurry to get organised for her holiday she simply forgot.
If she's had this issue with other sitters I'd be pissed off she didn't warn you but if this is a one off sit it's possible she has no idea as it's new territory.
You know she's coming back. The dog doesn't. He may have been to your home before but he thinks he lives there now. He's probably on red alert when going for a walk as he feels the need to defend both himself and his new pack....you! If you're considering doing this again maybe when she collects him go for a quick joint walk with you taking the lead. That way he'll feel you're all part of the same pack. If your friend defers to you he'll follow her.
But yes, you need to inform her (not necessarily complain though).

Yes, if only to make it clear you won’t be repeating the favour

Similar has happened to us . We volunteerd to look after my friends dog because she is recovering from a hysterectomy so really needed a holiday. The dog chewed one of our doors and the Gate outside - I mean not affecting how it shuts but definitely chewed . We were quite annoyed but she insisted on giving us £60 for having the dog so that will more than cover the paint etc . But we won't be volunteering again !