Dog sitting

[Summeriscomin]

If you have a dog, particularly a puppy who is not toilet trained and and very playful, do you leave it alone? If you go out for an evening would you ask a family member to watch it over night?

I have been dog sitting for my sister. I looked after her puppy, plus my nephew and my two young kids and I’m struggling.

He’s poo’d in 3 different places, weed everywhere and chewed my children’s toys to the point of being ruined. He keeps biting me and the kids.

I feel like it’s too much to ask someone to look after it whilst it’s so young and wild. Am I being unreasonable?

I’m clueless about dogs. The kids will be playing, dancing and the dog will suddenly start barking, jumping on them and biting their clothes, chasing their feet, and refusing to let go. I’m scared of it.

Sounds like the puppy is getting overexcited by your kids playing and that's why is biting, jumping etc. It's just typical puppy behaviour and wants to join in the fun. We have a 15 month old dog and even though he is over the puppy stage if we play the chasing game he sometimes gets overexcited and starts barking and growling BUT we can tell now his 'play with me' growl from 'i hear someone walking outside our home, i will scare him off' growl.
Having said that, i think you need to say to your sister that it's too much for you. You shouldn't have to look after a puppy if you don't want to. They can be a handful and chew everything! I lost three pair of shoes during that phase! He also ruined two pyjama bottoms from biting and not letting go.
We never left our dog with friends or family. We paid for a dog sitter that knew what was happening and was more than happy to look after him.

Sister should do the same or find someone who doesn't mind the puppy phase.

Sounds like normal puppy behaviour especially when excited.

Yes I left my puppy but with paid dog carers.

Just say it's too much for you and they need to find a professional dog sitter.

Totally normal Puppy behaviour, exacerbated by normal children's behaviour. Sometimes the two don't mix well.

I wouldn't leave a Puppy for an extended period. I've generally made sure that I don't need to do this when I have had a puppy- and when I've had to I've used a sitter or family (in my home, without DC).

It sounds like too much for you to handle OP, and TBF it's hard for anyone even a Dog expert to manage an unruly puppy and young DC as you need to have a eagle eye and your full attention on both.

He sounds over stimulated.

When he gets like this, is there somewhere you can put him for a timeout where he can still see you but can’t get to you? (Like a kitchen with a stair gate across.)

How long are you puppy sitting for?