The dog won't let me out of its sight!

[swanthingafteranother]

I am babysitting a friend's dog. A lovely and very well trained Springer of about five months. I've looked after him school hours for three days, spread out over last week and half. We have lovely walks, he has excellent recall, and is very obedient to certain commands (lying down in car, waiting to have lead put on, sitting when asked). He is absolutely friendly and loving, and gets on very well with other dogs so no problems with handling in general.

His owners have been getting him used to being left for short periods, up to two hours alone in house, and he happily waits in a crate whilst my friend works upstairs for a long stretch, for example. He doesn't go upstairs in friends' house, and knows not to. And waits at bottom of stairs for her to come down.

However, when he is MY house, the peacefully snoozing in the corner after long walk dog becomes a little shadow; he is determined to be by my side, and apart from being on a bouncy walk wants to curl up next to me on sofa or at my feet. If I even attempt to go out of the room he is after me like a shot, chasing me up the stairs, hates having door shut scratches and howls, won't stay in garden for even 5 mins without me... What he won't do is have a rest, which being a puppy he needs, and of course there are always a few things I need to do which involve moving from floor to floor...

Should I be strict and firm as owners suggest ["stay" etc, "no", "bed" or just go with it, until he is completely secure in my house and my company? This is just an arrangement whereby the dog gets some extra company whilst he is still young, and I get the pleasure of dog walking. (DH does not want a dog!) I am enjoying looking after him, but it is like having a super sonic toddler, and I would like to look after him more often but know when we came back from our walks he would be a bit more chilled out...so I can get a few things done

Disclaimer, I've never owned a dog.

Dog is with me when he's with me, from 9am -3pm only.

P.S. This afternoon we spent two hours cuddled up on the sofa together - he was in heaven.

I would just do what the owners say tbh

He's unsettled and he's acting accordingly.

He is also trying to work out what you want from him and how you expect him to behave don't forget he's only had 12 weeks to learn what his actual owners want from him - and now he's starting again with you. IME dogs don't carry the same set of behaviours with them from person to person - they look to each new person/home for clues on how to behave.

It is quite a big ask I think for a puppy to just settle in more than one home with more than one set of people. You're bound to have read on here that puppies behave differently for 2 adults in the same house so it's really no surprise that this is happening.

Set your boundaries and teach him what you expect. Be consistent and kind. He won't just guess what you want from him. He will also push boundaries, just because he can.

And I bet my bottom dollar he isn't calm and quiet at home all the time either. He's a puppy. It's what they do.

so should I be firm about the leaving? Or extra supportive, since he's in a strange situation...ie: should I sit with him for long periods so that he is confident that I am there for him...? I am happy to do that if it is what is required, no real time pressure, and it is always nice to put one's feet up

Owners reassured me that he is follows them around all the time too, is in constant motion etc, boisterous, lively etc, full of beans. it is really the leaving for short periods which is differently received here and I don't want to make things difficult for them, or overtire him.

I'd stick with the owner's routine and leave him for short periods. It is really important he learns to be left in all sorts of different places and situations, as a dog with separation anxiety is really difficult. The main rule of dog training is consistency. It makes it easy for everyone, dog included.

Dogs are far happier knowing what is expected of them, and get confused easily when one minute you're enjoying the closeness and the next you're apparently trying to get away. You might think it's mean to leave him but in the long run you'll be doing him a favour not letting him get stressed out all the time.

My bf's alsatian follows me everywhere. She doesn't follow HIM at all. I asked why that was, and he said it was because I'm pregnant and she's looking after me. I think that's bollarks, frankly. I believe it's because he often tells her to sit and stay in the house. I try it and if my bf is there she will do as I tell her, but if he's at work she completely ignores me.

I'm having some success with giving a treat if she listens to me and stays in another room when I walk out. I've taught her that if she follows me for the treat she knows I'm going to get, she won't get it. It's a bit hit and miss at the moment but we'll get there.