How to say "no" to dog-sitting?

supersuzie50

I looked after a colleague's dog. I thought it would be fine as I have a sociable dalmatian. However the colleague's dog hated my Dalamtian. She had in fact abandoned the dog and left work. I had to take him to a rescue centre as my own dog was suffering. It was a dirty trick to play on anyone.

Pollycat

I think you need to be honest with this friend and tell her why you won't look after her dog.

If you just keep saying you are busy, she'll just keep asking because she won't know how you really feel.

I wouldn't have any dog in my house that drew blood from anyone or chewed up things - and I certainly wouldn't have my own dog cowering from an interloper.

It's her dog.
She either finds someone who is willing to take him or doesn't go out.
If she doesn't understand your position, then she's not that much of a friend.

flossie217

Perhaps the best solution all round would be for your friend to find a dog walker who also offers a pet/house sitting service. This way the dog would get to stay in its own home. They would also be insured so if anything should go wrong then that side of things would be covered. Looking after someone else's pet is a big responsibility when it is healthy but having to manage meds and behaviour issues is asking a lot of you. Your own dog should not be in a position where it is frightened to be in its own territory and your family should not be put into the danger of being bitten. It might be a nip today but the time may come when a more serious injury may occur. Just tell your friend honestly that her dog has problems that you are unable to cope with. If she gets narky about it then that is her problem. Your responsibility is to keeping your family safe. You have tried to help but realise that you are not the right person for the job. As others have said, her dog, her problem. If she needs to leave him so often then perhaps she should be wondering if she can provide the dog with the attention he needs, not you. You have the right to want something different to your friend. That does not make you a bad friend.

Pollycat

Lieja wrote: »

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?

I would tell your friend that although you were initially agreeable to look after her new dog, the fact that the dog is aggressive and has incontinence problems has changed things massively and you are concerned for the safety of your own dog and also worried about the potential mess in your new house so you won't be looking after her dog.

TBH, I can't imagine that anyone would seriously expect you to, given the issues you mention.

I would tell her as soon as you can so she can make alternative arrangements in plenty of time for her holidays.

aileth

There are lots of companies/people who provide services where your dog can go and stay with them for certain periods, and some are actually quite a personalised service where the dog actually lives with their family for however long. There is a company near us where the owner has doggy 'sleep-overs' or holidays, where they live in his house with him.

Be honest with her, and also perhaps do some research into this, so you can pass on the details? They'd be more than capable to handle his medical issues.