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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:
coffeecupsandfairylights · 10/07/2022 10:13

The PP's offer is kind but there is no way on this planet I would hand my dog over to some stranger on MN 😳

That's no disrespect to that poster but professional dog boarders are required to have insurance and a license etc. for good reason.

sleepymum50 · 10/07/2022 10:35

I’ve just joined Trusted Housitters and have my first house/dog sitting job next week. We are both brand new to the site, so there are no reviews for me as the dog sitter or them as the host.

They are close by so I popped over to see them. Everything looks fine, they liked the look of me. I took my passport and utility bill to show them.

I recommend this site as worth joining. But only if you have a good location or as someone else has said, have a nice home and garden.

When I had my own dog I used to use a neighbour who ran a dog sitting business. She had her own dog and there would often be other dogs there as well.

Pinkdelight3 · 10/07/2022 10:35

scoopoftheday · 10/07/2022 09:44

Yes, me too funnily.

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OP says her holidays are booked for winter and early next year though.

Original poster
Justapiercer · 10/07/2022 10:43

scoopoftheday · 10/07/2022 09:44

Yes, me too funnily.

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My apologies for not thanking the poster. Whilst I appreciate the thought & it was a kind offer I doubt many of you would accept the offer.

I'm not here to have my manners scolded like a child.

OP posts:
Mislou · 10/07/2022 10:45

Do you have a particular breed of dog ? Ours has a local breed Facebook group where people have each others dogs come to stay with them while owners go on holiday. You could ask in some of those dog Facebook groups

cooldarkroom · 10/07/2022 10:50

I have used "Trusted Housesitters" very successfully.

Purplecatshopaholic · 10/07/2022 10:52

Ultimately if you can’t find someone, you take doggy with you or don’t go. I sympathise op, as that’s my position too.

spotcheck · 10/07/2022 10:54

Justapiercer · 09/07/2022 23:45

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

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Keep looking?

CadburyCrunchy · 10/07/2022 10:57

"I'm not here to have my manners scolded like a child"

@Justapiercer you sound incredibly rude! Dog people are usually nice people in my experience... I'm not surprised you've had 'bad experiences' trying to find someone with your attitude...

Wombat100 · 10/07/2022 10:57

Justapiercer · 09/07/2022 23:45

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

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Crikey there’s no need to be rude, people are just trying to help.

Mrsjayy · 10/07/2022 10:57

I've always had rescues and used kennels . Last dog wouldn't have coped with home boarding or a sitter, anyway find a good reviewed kennel speak to them they probably have dealt with every dog behaviour.

GiltEdges · 10/07/2022 10:59

You're not coming across at all well on this thread OP. Maybe not your intention, but your responses appear to be quite abrupt, bordering on rude.

coffeecupsandfairylights · 10/07/2022 10:59

OP isn't being rude 🤷🏻‍♀️

People are giving her suggestions that she's already said won't work for her dog.

Veryverycalmnow · 10/07/2022 11:00

Cancel the holiday

Original poster
Justapiercer · 10/07/2022 11:01

Not rude at all thank you, I just don't appreciate people prompting me to be more thankful to strangers on the Internet volunteering to take my dog, again like I said I appreciate the sentiment.

I've not been turned down due to my manners I can assure you.

OP posts:
Mariposista · 10/07/2022 11:01

Try Rover app or Trustedhousesitters

Original poster
Justapiercer · 10/07/2022 11:04

Purplecatshopaholic · 10/07/2022 10:52

Ultimately if you can’t find someone, you take doggy with you or don’t go. I sympathise op, as that’s my position too.

As much as he'd love Jamaica I'm sure it's not that practical 😂 although we are going to look at getting him a doggy passport

OP posts:
Itsvalentino · 10/07/2022 11:05

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.

If you are anywhere near Essington, Wolverhampton, Walsall I can recommend a dog sitter.

Original poster
Justapiercer · 10/07/2022 11:10

GiltEdges · 10/07/2022 10:59

You're not coming across at all well on this thread OP. Maybe not your intention, but your responses appear to be quite abrupt, bordering on rude.

I'm not trying to be rude or abrupt, yet I've had abrupt answers such as "cancel the holiday", "keep looking" or not reading the OP. I'm very appreciative of all the suggests.

OP posts:
Original poster
Justapiercer · 10/07/2022 11:11

Itsvalentino · 10/07/2022 11:05

If you are anywhere near Essington, Wolverhampton, Walsall I can recommend a dog sitter.

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We're in that general location yes. Thank you 😊

OP posts:
LadyLothbrook · 10/07/2022 11:36

What breed is it OP? I nabysit Vizslas for people sometimes to keep my V company

KalvinPhillipsBoots · 10/07/2022 11:42

Justapiercer · 10/07/2022 11:01

Not rude at all thank you, I just don't appreciate people prompting me to be more thankful to strangers on the Internet volunteering to take my dog, again like I said I appreciate the sentiment.

I've not been turned down due to my manners I can assure you.

Stop posting if you are going to be rude. Stay at home instead of booking holidays!

Hoppinggreen · 10/07/2022 11:46

We book the dog sitter before the holiday
No appropriate dog care = no holiday

FAQs · 10/07/2022 11:46

@Justapiercer you could try barking mad? They have strict rules and insurance due to being a franchise.

coffeecupsandfairylights · 10/07/2022 11:47

Hoppinggreen · 10/07/2022 11:46

We book the dog sitter before the holiday
No appropriate dog care = no holiday

OP did the same thing and the sitter has cancelled on her.