Dog Community

taking them to a sitter... any tips?

Posted : 8/8/2008 5:28:41 AM

Alright, so I'm a bad mom.... My girls have never been left anywhere but at home before. This weekend we're testing to see if Astra and Brianna will be okay at a sitters house. They'll need to be there for a weekend later on this month, so we're testing them out for day. Any hints or tips??? I'm usually THE sitter so I really have no clue what they will or won't need at someone else's house.

They know the sitter and we've been watching her dogs for a year. She has Brianna's littermate. Yes, Brianna is my failed foster. I couldn't give her up. Smile Astra is high maintenance which is why I figure she'll be too much for my youngest son to watch when we're gone for the weekend. Brianna and Brandon (her littermate) are Astra's favorite dogs in the whole world.

Hints, tips, comfort, please? They're not being dropped off until tomorrow and already I'm a nervous wreck about it.

Benedict

Posted : 8/8/2008 5:50:22 AM

They really should be fine. They know the other dog, presumably they know the other owner well. In my experience the dog (or dogs) have a blast and tend to wonder why you came home so soon.

Items that they are familiar with might be a good idea. If someone else is watching Ben I tend to make sure he has things like his own food/water bowls, maybe a favoured toy (be sure, before doing this, that the dogs involved won't fight over toys) and if I am going to be gone a while, his own bed. This provides enough consistency for him that he doesn't freak out, really he's just happy to spend the day with another person who will fuss over him.

erica1989

Posted : 8/8/2008 7:00:02 PM

Just think of it as an extend doggy-play date. They should be just fine.

I ask people to just bring the food, a favorite toy or bone, and a blanket that smells like home.

Honestly, most dogs wont even notice that you're gone, they'll be too busy having FUN! =]

3girls

Posted : 8/9/2008 5:03:17 AM

Thank you. This should be a very interesting day.

erica1989

Posted : 8/9/2008 6:37:42 AM

Yep - I've got a former foster puppy here right now, for the weekend. And all is well, no issues, no 'missing home'. I think the humans take it much harder than the dogs =]

3girls

Posted : 8/9/2008 7:50:11 AM

Oh, I know I am taking it harder then they probably will. I've had countless fosters come back for the weekend and there's only ever been one issue of separation anxiety.

3girls

Posted : 8/11/2008 5:42:15 AM

They did great. They stayed overnight it worked out so well.

Thank you all for your replies.