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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Can't find anyone to look after my dog

60 replies

Justapiercer · 09/07/2022 23:19

Our dog usually boards with his dog walker but due to unforseen circumstances he cannot offer boarding for a while now.

We have 2 holidays booked (first World problems I know) & I can't find any suitable care for my dog.

House sitters I've contacted either have; no reviews, can't walk dogs, only sit the evening, are out the house from 7 to 4pm doing dog walks, etc.

Most home boarders have their own dogs.

Or everyone is just booked until 2024.

I won't put him in kennels. He was a rescue with lots of issues which we've worked on but I'm not risking a regression.

We only found out our walker couldn't have him recently but we aren't going until winter then early next year so I didn't think it would be this hard.

I love my dog but times like this I get frustrated. No advice needed just wanted to vent.

OP posts:
LaurieFairyCake · 09/07/2022 23:22

Is he reactive? He won't cope with home boarding if there's other dogs ?

WinterMusings · 09/07/2022 23:22

Do you have any friends/cow workers who have adult children living with them? They're usually keen to pet sit in return for a place to themselves!

Lyn29 · 09/07/2022 23:25

Where do you live? I work in a school so I have nearly 6 weeks off and I'm looking after someone's dog at the start of the holidays and a different dog the end of the holidays so I'd be happy to help depending on the days. Smile

Original poster
Justapiercer · 09/07/2022 23:36

LaurieFairyCake · 09/07/2022 23:22

Is he reactive? He won't cope with home boarding if there's other dogs ?

Yes & no. He comfortably has boarded with other dogs & walks with them but he can't just be put with any dog, it takes time.

I did mention most home boarders have their own dogs in my original post.

OP posts:
Original poster
Justapiercer · 09/07/2022 23:37

Unfortunately no one we can think of or no one that wouldn't be out all day with their own work.

OP posts:
Original poster
Justapiercer · 09/07/2022 23:38

We're in the Midlands, our holidays aren't in the school holidays anyway & he definitely needs someone experienced in dog behaviour.

OP posts:
MarshaMelrose · 09/07/2022 23:39

My sister does home pet sitting. So she lives in your house while you're away. I think she gets work through cat in a flat. Would it be worth looking on their website?

Goawayangryman · 09/07/2022 23:42

rover.com

Not had a bad experience yet. I've even used unreviewed people and it's always been fine

Good ones will provide references and will meet up beforehand.

StrawberryPot · 09/07/2022 23:43

You could get a house sitter who would be willing to look after a dog as well.

Original poster
Justapiercer · 09/07/2022 23:45

StrawberryPot · 09/07/2022 23:43

You could get a house sitter who would be willing to look after a dog as well.

I've explained all the reasons in my original post why I can't find a sitter.

OP posts:
Original poster
Justapiercer · 09/07/2022 23:46

Goawayangryman · 09/07/2022 23:42

rover.com

Not had a bad experience yet. I've even used unreviewed people and it's always been fine

Good ones will provide references and will meet up beforehand.

We've had a couple of bad experiences with dog walkers before our current one (who is amazing) so I'm very cautious about using someone without reviews but I may have to be more open.

OP posts:
ErrolTheDragon · 09/07/2022 23:50

Have you tried Holidays4Dogs? I've found them very good at finding suitable carers (though sometimes quite a few miles away).

Goawayangryman · 09/07/2022 23:50

Everyone has to start somewhere so no reviews isn't necessarily an issue. You would just need to vet them thorouhjly beforehand. Would the rescue you used be able to suggest anyone?. Maybe someone who fosters for them?

Trusted Housesitters charge an annual fee but if you have a nice house in a desirable area that might work.

Fenella123 · 09/07/2022 23:51

We used to use Animal Aunts when we had elderly or delicate dogs.

Clymene · 10/07/2022 00:00

Goawayangryman · 09/07/2022 23:42

rover.com

Not had a bad experience yet. I've even used unreviewed people and it's always been fine

Good ones will provide references and will meet up beforehand.

In my dog group there's a woman whose dog was killed by someone on rover because he got heatstroke.

Wouldn't trust anyone.

OP - you've got loads of time. There are house sitting agencies that will do dog care.

StrawberryPot · 10/07/2022 00:01

I've explained all the reasons in my original post why I can't find a sitter.

You've tried them all? Trusted Housesitters alone have over 9k on their website....

balzamico · 10/07/2022 00:03

Try facebook, especially if you have a specific breed or also your local vet, ours has cards on a notice board.
I do think this is a result of lockdown, so many more people have dogs but want holidays too (not criticising, that's me but we've had our dog longer and are finding care harder to get without planning way in advance)

Original poster
Justapiercer · 10/07/2022 07:02

The rescue weren't great if I'm honest.

We've just signed up so fingers crossed, although our house isn't necessarily in an area people would have on their wish list 😂

OP posts:
Original poster
Justapiercer · 10/07/2022 07:05

StrawberryPot · 10/07/2022 00:01

I've explained all the reasons in my original post why I can't find a sitter.

You've tried them all? Trusted Housesitters alone have over 9k on their website....

I don't think I said I've tried them all. Just because there's an abundant of "sitters" doesn't mean they're suitable.

OP posts:
vellaibella · 10/07/2022 07:37

House sitters I've contacted either have; no reviews, can't walk dogs,

Could you take one of the ones that can't walk dogs and then employ your own dog sitter to do the walks? An expensive faff but might work.

Original poster
Justapiercer · 10/07/2022 08:14

vellaibella · 10/07/2022 07:37

House sitters I've contacted either have; no reviews, can't walk dogs,

Could you take one of the ones that can't walk dogs and then employ your own dog sitter to do the walks? An expensive faff but might work.

We had considered that, like you say expensive faff but it's definitely on our list of possibilities if we can't find anything else

OP posts:
WeAreGoingOnASummerHoliday · 10/07/2022 08:17

Lyn29 · 09/07/2022 23:25

Where do you live? I work in a school so I have nearly 6 weeks off and I'm looking after someone's dog at the start of the holidays and a different dog the end of the holidays so I'd be happy to help depending on the days. Smile

What a kind offer. I was expecting massive thanks from OP for that.

Beamur · 10/07/2022 08:20

I've put off booking a holiday because I don't really know what to do with the dog! She's really elderly and very wobbly. Has been given a vet check and nothing found of concern but I don't think she's well enough for kennels.
It's tricky!

Iheartmysmart · 10/07/2022 08:30

I’ve used a company called Wagging Tails before who have been excellent. I think they have franchises throughout the country. Ddog needs to be boarded on his own as he has major issues around resource guarding and is also a bit challenging in other ways. The people he’s been matched to have been perfect for him. I’d get daily updates and photos showing what he’d been up to. Such a relief knowing he was safe and cared for. Kennels absolutely would not have worked for him.

scoopoftheday · 10/07/2022 09:44

WeAreGoingOnASummerHoliday · 10/07/2022 08:17

What a kind offer. I was expecting massive thanks from OP for that.

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Yes, me too funnily.

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