dog sitting - advice needed please

[gingernutlover]

we are going to be having my brother's jack russell to stay for 2 weeks from friday.

She is about 2 years old and apparently has her own bed and eats once a day and thats all he has told me.

I have a cat (he's 9 and excellent at sulking!) and a dd aged nearly 5.

does anyone have any advice about keeping the household reasonably harmonious for the next 2 weeks? We have stair gates still so could shut these so the cat can have upstairs to himself during the day but he is shut downstairs at night because he shouts a lot. Could a Jack Russell jump a stair gate? It is about 4 foot off the floor hieght wise?

How much exercise do these dogs need? (my borhter normally takes her to work so she just runs about on a building site rather than having set walks.

I wouldn't have thought a Jack Russel could jump over the gates so no worries there.

i dont know whether she is used to cats. My cat is def not used to dogs (unless you count the one he stares at from next door) but they can be seperated very easily, when my brother visits, the cat makes a very quick move for upstairs and just stays there (to be honest he spends most of his day asleep on our bed in the sun so can't see days being a problem)

its silly really but I just dont know things like do dogs need to go to the toilet in the night etc etc. And how will I know if she needs to go during the day?

Glad to hear the dog probably wont jump the stair gate though, thanks.

The dog seems pretty chilled and relaxed when it visits us and obeys simple sit, stay commands.

rubyrubyruby, what happened?

I think you will need to find out her usual habits from your brother.
Do you have a garden that she can have access to during the day? She should be fully house trained at 2 years old, its just a case of you knowing her routine and behaviours I guess.

I wonder if after the 2 weeks you will want a dog of your own?!

kid

yes we have a garden that she can go out into during the day, wonder if she may even fit in and out of the catflap LOL. She seems about the same size as our largeish cat.

Yes, part of the reason we offered is because we are always talking about having a dog, but not really sure if we would cope so this seems like a good test drive!

I will grill my brother thoroughly on what her routine is. Crikey, it's goign to be like having a baby again isnt it [weeps]

yes, having a dog is just like having a baby, well I know a puppy is like a baby.
I'm getting my puppy/baby in 19 days

Things I would check in advance are:- Vet details and any medications or allergies that she is on. Also clear what/how much he is willing to spend if an emergency happens and details of his pet insurance.

Ask if he can bring her bed, brush, and toys and a note of what she is fed, what time, and any treats she is allowed.

Any info on grooming, e.g. daily or weekly brush, and teeth care.

Collar, lead and microchip - check her ID on her collar - if he is away for two weeks and she is lost/strays, then a phone call to yr brother's house may go unanswered. If she is chipped, let chip co. know. May be worth getting a temp ID tag made up. Some Councils do their own pet ID scheme - ideal for holidays - check if yours do. Make yourself familiar with local Council procedures on stray dogs.

Find out how she travels - is she used to cars? Do you have good secure travelling arrangements e.g. a crate or a little harness to clip into a seat belt? These cost about £15 from pet store.

Poo bags - get in a good store of them!

Enjoy! I bet she and you will have a wonderful time and you'll think the house is so quiet when she goes back.

wow thats brilliant advice scuttlebutter. Especially the insurance and ID thing - that's something I had not considered, although I know he uses the same vet as us as we live very close.

I am really looking forward to it, dh works with DB and has said he will take dog to work with him some days as that's what she is used to.

A Jack Russell will fit through a cat flap. They should wee at night but make sure you let her out first thing.

As far as excercise goes JRT's need lots. I walk mine twice a day and play ball in the garden with them. Most JRT are obsessed by balls so it's an easy and fun way to excercise them.

I feed mine twice a day after their walks but they don't eat much in the morning.

Have fun!

And my JRt could clear a 3 foot stair gate but a 4ft should be ok. They can jump amazingly high though!