Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The doghouse

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

Original poster

Sleep problems with dog-sitting. Please help!

36 replies

Puffalicious · 27/08/2022 20:11

Hi,

I'm looking for advice from you lovely, experienced dog owners. We have my sister's dog here for 4 nights- 16 month old Cavapoo bitch. She's just adorable and we love having her, but the sleeping is driving us bonkers.

We have her regularly for weekends and a week in June, and she loves being here - big, enclosed garden and 3DC to play with her- but things have gone awry recently. Sister and family started well with her sleeping in the kitchen, but this crept to her in their room and now at the foot of her bed. Their choice, but we're not into this ATALL! She whined so much in June we relented and she slept at the foot of our bed- but she started to creep up and after DH got up for work she would try and be on the pillow beside me! There's no way that's acceptable to me, as much as i love her. An overnight in July she became ill and vomited in 2 places all over the bedroom carpet. It was horrendous. One weekend after this my 2 teens turns to sleep on the sofa downstairs with her.

So, here we are now. Teens were not here and i refuse to be out of my bed, so last night we put her in our dining kitchen- she seemed very settled, but as the sunlight came in she whined and scratched so badly DH had to get up and sleep on the sofa there before she would settle.

What on Earth do we do? It looks like one of us need to sleep downstairs with her every time she's here? Teens again not here (weekend away) so it's my turn tonight! DH is shattered from last night and it's only fair, but it's not sustainable when we all have work/ school on Monday/ Tuesday.

Any advice/ solutions much appreciated.

OP posts:
Cococushion · 27/08/2022 22:29

I sympathise, sleep deprivation is horrible!

I have two dogs that sleep in my bed and wake me up most nights when they turn or scratch.

but they are mine and I only have myself to blame!

sometimes when it is too hot they stay downstairs and it is lovely to get a proper deep sleep!

Cococushion · 27/08/2022 22:32

In your situation I would give her a light dinner a few hours before bed (so she doesn’t throw up) and then let her sleep on your bed.

Sleeping on the sofa downstairs must be uncomfortable.

Original poster
Puffalicious · 27/08/2022 22:37

Cococushion · 27/08/2022 22:29

I sympathise, sleep deprivation is horrible!

I have two dogs that sleep in my bed and wake me up most nights when they turn or scratch.

but they are mine and I only have myself to blame!

sometimes when it is too hot they stay downstairs and it is lovely to get a proper deep sleep!

🤣 Ah, but you love them!

OP posts:
Original poster
Puffalicious · 27/08/2022 22:38

Cococushion · 27/08/2022 22:32

In your situation I would give her a light dinner a few hours before bed (so she doesn’t throw up) and then let her sleep on your bed.

Sleeping on the sofa downstairs must be uncomfortable.

She eats about 7 then nothing, so plenty time before bed. The last time, apparently, sister had given her salmon before she arrived and it disagreed with her 😩.

OP posts:
mountainsunsets · 28/08/2022 07:47

How did it go last night @Puffalicious?

Original poster
Puffalicious · 28/08/2022 10:33

mountainsunsets · 28/08/2022 07:47

How did it go last night @Puffalicious?

Morning! I settled down on the sofa with her. Our sofa is really comfy, so it was fine. I only stirred a few times. She woke me just after 7 and I slid the door open for her, and she popped in and out whilst I napped a bit more. Overall grand.

Teens back today so they can take a turn each the next 2 nights.

Now to stop her digging and dragging the dirt through the house (impossible 🤣): at least it's a lovely day and she's not soaking!

Thanks for the support.

OP posts:
forumsempronii · 28/08/2022 10:51

OP I think you are a star for making such adjustments to your own sleeping arrangements for your familys dog. I dont think your were whinging at all just asking for survival tips! which is fair enough.

It would be pretty hard to change things in 4 days but maybe speak to your sister and see if they could build up their dogs independence over time to make it easier for any future dog sits (if you want to put yourself through this again!)

Courtjobby · 28/08/2022 11:06

Our fella has to go to beddy bed in his own room ( next door to ours). He is allowed sneak into our room and go to his little bed beside our bed only when we are asleep XD he will try to sneak in too early every now and again but I always put him back to beddy beds. He's smart and is very time aware ie if I'm 10 minutes late with his lunch he gets moody XD so when I fall asleep he is not here but when I wake up he is. He's not allowed on the bed at all, but I recently allowed him to start going up on the couch. Gonna keep the bed routine strict though for alone time etc

Original poster
Puffalicious · 28/08/2022 11:20

forumsempronii · 28/08/2022 10:51

OP I think you are a star for making such adjustments to your own sleeping arrangements for your familys dog. I dont think your were whinging at all just asking for survival tips! which is fair enough.

It would be pretty hard to change things in 4 days but maybe speak to your sister and see if they could build up their dogs independence over time to make it easier for any future dog sits (if you want to put yourself through this again!)

Thank you so much. I really was just looking for tips. People can get really precious about dogs on MN- as if I was harming her by wanting to solve bed time!

I'll definitely need to speak to her about steps to solve this, or I won't be able to do overnights. She helps me out with childcare, so I really want to help with pooch.

OP posts:
Original poster
Puffalicious · 28/08/2022 11:21

courtjobby sounds like a very clever doggy.

OP posts:
mountainsunsets · 28/08/2022 15:55

I'm so glad you all managed to get some sleep :)

New posts on this thread. Refresh page