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The doghouse

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Original poster

House sitter for puppy

23 replies

RoscoPColtrane · 08/04/2018 11:34

Could anyone advise about using a house sitter when we go on holiday? We could potentially take on an 8 week old puppy at the end of May but we are due to go on holiday four weeks later for a fortnight. Would a house sitter be a terrible idea? We have found someone who is happy to do it and has plenty of experience with puppies having bred some of their own. Apart from the holiday the timing is perfect as there can always be someone at home everyday until September when I go back to work part-time (day care sorted for then).

OP posts:

BiteyShark · 08/04/2018 11:58

Things that would worry me would be whether they will follow all the training (toilet, chewing, socialisation etc) in the way I would want them to as the puppy would only be 12 weeks old.

And I don't know whether this would happen or not but the puppy would be starting to bond with you and then suddenly you disappear for two weeks at a very young and influential age so I would be concerned about how that would affect their behaviour.

Original poster

RoscoPColtrane · 08/04/2018 12:06

Thank you, the training aspect is fine, we've had a good chat and they are happy to follow my lead and I would make sure they've met to pup several times before we go away, but the bond is worry for me

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fourpawswhite · 08/04/2018 12:06

Yes I agree with shark. We got a puppy for dh on the farm. She was just a little terrier. She came with me constantly from day one, far to wee for tractor. Within a very short time she became my dog. Leaving a pup for four weeks with someone else, in my opinion, would be very damaging.

To be honest it's a long time for an older, well bonded dog.

Original poster

RoscoPColtrane · 08/04/2018 12:14

Puppy would be left for just under a fortnight, not four weeks - if that makes any difference, we could continue to have visits from the sitter after we return from holiday if that would make a difference?

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BiteyShark · 08/04/2018 12:15

My dog was over 1 years old when we left him for 2 weeks. He was with someone he knows and spends a lot of time in their home so it was familiar surrounding and people he loves. However, even then he was out of sorts for several days when we returned and did get upset when we left him for a few hours after that until he settled down again. In fact we said we would not go away for as long next time.

I suspect that it might push back training when you return but I would be more worried about whether it would create anxiety as 2 weeks is a long time.

Interestingly when I looked at rescues before getting my puppy they asked whether you were likely to be moving home or going on holiday within 3 months of obtaining a dog so clearly they asked for a reason.

fourpawswhite · 08/04/2018 12:18

Ah sorry OP. This is what happens when you type and have dogs on knee.

I think what my breeder friend would recommend in that scenario, is that she keep the pup until you are back. So it would mean collecting at 14 weeks? She would get jags done and continue with basic training. That would mean one change of person, rather than 2.

It is a really important age.

I did it myself once when people were away and they took the pup older. I was only doing this with one so it came in the house and I started and in fact nearly completed house training. My friend would certainly do the same for the right owner.

Guardsman18 · 08/04/2018 12:19

Given that puppy will only be 8 weeks old in May, could he/she stay where he/she is util you get back from holiday?

You won't want to go!

Guardsman18 · 08/04/2018 12:20

Sorry - poster above got there before me!

Original poster

RoscoPColtrane · 08/04/2018 12:23

Thanks again, your opinions are appreciated, we've given more thought to getting a puppy than we did about having children!

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Original poster

RoscoPColtrane · 08/04/2018 12:24

It's not possible for the puppy to stay with the breeder unfortunately.

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Guardsman18 · 09/04/2018 15:06

So, you and puppy will have four solid weeks together before holiday, sitter will continue with training as asked and pup will be in his own home?

I think it would be ok. (Not that I'm an expert, just a dog owner). Especially if sitter and puppy meet regularly before you go. Seems a shame to either not have pup or holiday. I hope it works out for you x

Original poster

RoscoPColtrane · 09/04/2018 16:35

Thanks Guardsman, and yes, everything will stay the same just a different (but not strange) person at home.

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Guardsman18 · 09/04/2018 16:48

I'd say go for it. If sitter is experienced with pups, puppy might be all the better for being with her. I went away for five days and when I came back, my dog was (having been with a sitter) better behaved when we were out than before!

Wolfiefan · 09/04/2018 16:49

I turned down a pup (after waiting for two years) as we would have left it for just over 2 weeks 5 weeks after we would have brought it home.
If the breeder can't keep it I think I would turn it down. It takes weeks to settle a new pup in and establish toilet training and routines etc.

Guardsman18 · 09/04/2018 16:54

Please excuse my ignorance, but is eight weeks young for a puppy to go it's home?

Guardsman18 · 09/04/2018 16:54

*its

BiteyShark · 10/04/2018 07:14

I think if you go ahead maybe see if you can get any further advice (trainer/behaviourist) on additional things to do before and after your holiday to minimise the disruption.

Totallytopsecret · 10/04/2018 07:25

Why won't the breeder keep it a little longer? That would raise alarm bells for me.

Is the dog sitter going to be a regular sitter/dog walker? (Do you travel a lot?)

noitsnotteatimeyet · 10/04/2018 07:46

When we picked up our puppy at 8.5 weeks dh had to go away for work for four weeks three days after we picked him up. I was worried that he wouldn’t recognise dh when he came back but to our astonishment as soon as dh walked through the door, our pup went into full-on wiggle greeting mode that he only uses for very special people. For the first two years of our dog’s life dh was frequently out of the country for weeks at a time and it hasn’t affected their bond at all. I think it helped that everything else was the same but it made me realise that our dog is pretty adaptable

BiteyShark · 10/04/2018 07:52

If one person was leaving I don't think I would be at all concerned as the 'main person' stays but as 'all the family' is going then it's effectively a change in who the puppy looks to.

Saying that I am sure any 'issues' would be temporary but could mean training/bonding might take a hit for a bit when they return.

Original poster

RoscoPColtrane · 10/04/2018 08:27

Thank you for all your replies, there is a good reason it can't go back to the breeder so that has not been a concern but I think we have decided to pass on this puppy. I think if nothing else I would worry too much and blame myself if we did end up with an anxious dog.

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Wolfiefan · 10/04/2018 08:28

I'm so sorry but I do think you have made the right decision. Good luck finding a dog at a time that works for you. I cried buckets over turning down that pup. I now have my dream pup!

BiteyShark · 10/04/2018 08:30

At least you can enjoy your holiday without worrying and look for the right puppy when you return.

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