Holiday care for DDog

[BiscottiToffee]

My DSis and DM are going on holiday together and DSis wants me to take her 5 years old Boston terrier. Usually he stays with DM.

I don't have the first clue what a dog needs. DDog is very dog reactive, so needs to be the only dog.

We live in a ground floor flat. Urban area. I'm in a wheelchair, so all care would fall to DH, who is of very limited vision.

DDog likes seeing us. But we only see him every few months for a couple hours.

Please help me work out if we can help, or if we should say no. We have Guinea pigs.

Please don't flame me. I don't know the first thing about having a dog. It wasn't in our plans.

Could they stay over for a trial before the holiday ?
Helping you to see what kind of routine and care the dog needs ?

Nope. Terrier and guinea pigs is a bad idea on its own, it will be really stressful for them and you would never forgive yourself if anything happened to them.

They can ask, but they shouldn't expect. The dog will need walking, which may be an undertaking in itself, but if it has issues it will be an undertaking even more so.

I don't think you'd be unreasonable to decline, or, as PP said, at least have a trial night.

Ultimately, having a dog is a responsibility, so your sister will have to accept that she either doesn't go away, or has to pay for professional care for her dog.

I use Trusted Housesitters. There's a registration fee but the actual house/pet sitting is free. Of course someone will be staying in their house - that's the trade off.
In your circumstances I don't see any way you could look after a dog.

Nope. I wouldn’t.

Reactive dogs need careful handling - not someone who doesn’t know the first thing about dogs (no offence).

TBH I’m pretty shocked someone with a reactive dog would ask a novice to take care of it. Quite poor dog ownership from your DSis.

That's what I was thinking.

My boys went bananas when the neighbours cat so much as sat outside our window.

I feel bad because I feel like DDog deserves a loving holiday stay and I worry if we say no, where is he going?

Not my problem, I know.

DSis really doesn't think things through. Last time she had a huge holiday I got dumped with a single guinea pig.

I ended up rehoming him and getting him a brother.

I'm thinking that.

We've always said no to a dog unless my DH needs a guide dog. That would be different, I think.

I would say no personally. My sister has a Boston Terrier and she’s a nightmare. I’m an experienced dog owner and find the dog difficult to deal with. In a flat with your health issues and other pets involved, it’s a recipe for disaster. She will have to use kennels or get a dog sitter the same as everyone else who is in that situation.

I'd definitely say no, I don't think it would be fun for him or you.

We are on housesitters UK. There's no fee for people who want their dogs looked after (but bear in mind people generally only really want to go and stay in nice houses/areas, so where your sister lives will determine if she gets a sitter easily)

Thank you everyone. And thank you for not flaming me.

I was on the fence, but if him being a reactive dog is going to be a problem, it's a no from us.

Especially if my piggies might become a snack,,, 🥴

Definitely say no OP. I love my dog to bits but she is a little reactive with other dogs and it's hard work. I think you are making the right decision

She needs a house sitter or kennels, it’s fairly common for kennels to have spaces designed for dog reactive dogs

You looking after this dog is an absolutely batshit crazy idea - how is she expecting the two of you to manage to walk it?

I’m not for a second meaning you couldn’t look after a dog btw, just this one.

Just say no and don't feel bad. You're not in a position to look after a dog and you have vulnerable pets.

When someone owns a dog they have to be prepared to pay for professional care when they go away. It isn't ok to try to dump them on a relative.

You should absolutely say no, for everyone's sake.

Reactive dogs need to be cared for by someone who knows what they're doing and who is able to walk them safely. That's no judgement on you - they're hard work and even long-term owners struggle with them at times.

Add in the guinea pigs and your combined health issues and it sounds like a recipe for disaster. Your sister will just have to pay for a house-sitter or kennels.

Thank you everyone.

I'm glad I asked for advice. I can confidently say no now and have reasons to rebuff her if she pushes back.

Mumsnet is so helpful. 😊