How to say "no" to dog-sitting?

Cuilean

A friend keeps asking me to look after her dog for a couple of nights. She's asked a few times this year already, and the answer is usually that I'm busy, which I usually am.

I feel really bad for saying no, because her dog has quite a serious health condition affecting his brain, which means his behaviour is erratic and a lot of medication is needed. She struggles to find anyone to take him when she wants to go out. However, he bites my family to the point of drawing blood, chews up anything he can get to, and isn't adverse to jumping up and helping himself to whatever's in reach, be it food, magazines or toys. On top of all that, my dog is now scared of him - tail goes between her legs, and she runs to hide when she sees him. Every time my friend collects her dog, my husband says we're never having him to stay again

I am rubbish with putting things tactfully, but I would like to say to her that I'm not really comfortable having her dog to stay any more. Any suggestions? :embarasse

olias

How about just saying,

"No, because your dog has quite a serious health condition affecting his brain, which means his behaviour is erratic and a lot of medication is needed. He also bites my family to the point of drawing blood, chews up anything he can get to, and isn't adverse to jumping up and helping himself to whatever's in reach, be it food, magazines or toys. On top of all that, my dog is now scared of him - tail goes between her legs, and she runs to hide when she sees him."

Simple. If she is any sort of a friend then she will understand. If not, then she's no friend.

Olias

POPPYOSCAR

I agree with the above.

Be honest with her.

Explain that he needs specialist care that you cannot give him and it impacts on your family in such a way that it is not fair on them.

Twisted_Cherry

Her dog, her responsibility. Tell her no.

trolleyrun

I agree with being honest. It's not fair on your family to have this dog stay with you. Put another way: who do you value and respect more; your friend or family? I actually can't believe your friend is so inconsiderate as to ask you. A friend of mine had a dog with several medical issues and stayed at home with the dog instead of going out/away as they wouldn't impose on anyone.

Lieja

Sorry OP I don't have much advice, but I thought I'd post as I'm having a similar issue!

A friend got a rescue dog before Xmas, and has a holiday booked this year. When she was planning on getting the dog she mentioned not having anyone to look after it, so I volunteered as we have a dog and two can't be worse that one right? Well, yes.

It turns out that the rescue dog has dog aggression issues and incontinence problems. I'm also moving house soon (rented) and while I'm not too concerned about the house I'm currently in, the new one has been much better looked after by the landlord and so I don't want any 'mess' or destruction. I also don't want my stupid doggy getting picked on! My current house has enough rooms to be able to separate dogs if need be, but the new one won't.

What to do? Am I being selfish and shouldn't have volunteered in the first place, or am I justified in having second thoughts since it turns out this dog has 'issues'?

As it happens, I think you've been perfectly reasonable by having your friend's dog in the past and if it will cause problems then won't your friend understand?

[Deleted User]

We don't have any pets with health conditions, but when we are unavailable to look after them or are on holiday we put them in kennels - perhaps you could suggest this?

joansgirl

Tell her sorry, but no. By the sounds of it you have legitimate reasons! As a previous poster said, it's her dog and her responsibility.
My last dog had "brain issues" which manifested at age 2yrs 10mths (I'd had him from 12 weeks) and it was my problem, for me to deal with, and I wouldn't have dreamed of asking anybody to look after him.

carebabe

its okay to say no as the dog has issues. suggest that she organises dog going to kennels during her holiday. alternatively she could get back to the rescue centre for advice,

krlyr

Agree with the other posts. There will be kennels that are equipped to deal with this sort of dog, or a more personal touch could be an in-house dog sitter. My nearest dog trainer has a pet sitting service - not done by the trainer herself, but I trust her judgement to vet someone suitable, so I would feel quite confident leaving my dogs in the care of someone like that.

allroadsleadtohome

Cuilean wrote: »

A friend keeps asking me to look after her dog for a couple of nights. She's asked a few times this year already, and the answer is usually that I'm busy, which I usually am.

I feel really bad for saying no, because her dog has quite a serious health condition affecting his brain, which means his behaviour is erratic and a lot of medication is needed. She struggles to find anyone to take him when she wants to go out. However, he bites my family to the point of drawing blood, chews up anything he can get to, and isn't adverse to jumping up and helping himself to whatever's in reach, be it food, magazines or toys. On top of all that, my dog is now scared of him - tail goes between her legs, and she runs to hide when she sees him. Every time my friend collects her dog, my husband says we're never having him to stay again

I am rubbish with putting things tactfully, but I would like to say to her that I'm not really comfortable having her dog to stay any more. Any suggestions? :embarasse

A few times this year already? We're only in January :eek: If you don't want to tell her bluntly, I'd either carry on with being "busy" so that hopefully she might get the message or have a look around for a decent dog sitter and subtly give her a business card when she next mentions it. Say something like "No, I can't I'm afraid. Oh, my friend told me about a good dog sitter though, here.." and she might understand that A) You don't want her dog over and most people would get paid for this extended babysitting of her pooch! There are some very good sitters out there who'll deal with his medication, take him out for walks, etc. It does sound like she's taking advantage a bit and using you for a freebie. Once or twice, fair enough but it sounds like she asks you a bit more than regularly.

If she lives near you, you could always say no but offer to go around to hers a few times in the day when she's going out, take him out for a long walk, feed him, give him his medication and then he'll probably sleep until you go around again later on. Even if she declines this offer, she'll understand that you don't want him around at yours.

Also, maybe bring it up that the dogs aren't getting along. If yours keeps putting their tail down and hiding whenever that one's around, it's obviously not happy. If her's pushed yours too fair and continually pestered her, it'll only take so much before your's says "no more" and a fight could break out (I don't know the dog's in question personally, but my two used to get in a fair few scraps when one or the other wouldn't take the hint). It's not worth the risk - especially if you have children around too?

Either way, hopefully she'll get the message. Good luck!