Digs4dogs

Katiehound

Am I missing the point here??

OP is posting about offering services for dog sitting whilst also asking what is needed for a new puppy AND perhaps being allergic to the new puppy.

If you have a new puppy why would you be offering to dog sit?
or why would you let other folk dog sit your own new puppy
Or if you are allergic why would you want more dog hairs?

I'm confused!

unforeseen

sheramber wrote: »

Another thing that would concern me as a pet owner using the service there is no mention of a background check on the hosts. Nor if they have a first aid qualification.

Why would the have or need a first aid qualification?

Do you or other pet owners you know have first aid qualifications? Is there such a thing as an animal first aid qualification?

ceewash

Katiehound wrote: »

Am I missing the point here??

OP is posting about offering services for dog sitting whilst also asking what is needed for a new puppy AND perhaps being allergic to the new puppy.

If you have a new puppy why would you be offering to dog sit?
or why would you let other folk dog sit your own new puppy
Or if you are allergic why would you want more dog hairs?

I'm confused!

Didn't mean to confuse. I was thinking about the dog sitting service , then things changed and we ended up with our own puppy.:rotfl:

sheramber

unforeseen wrote: »

Why would the have or need a first aid qualification?

Do you or other pet owners you know have first aid qualifications? Is there such a thing as an animal first aid qualification?

There are plenty of First Aid courses for dogs. try Google.

If I am paying someone to look after my dog I expect them to be capable of handling any situation or emergency. I want them to know when my dog needs vet treatment or knows how to give CPR to my dog , if necessary.

Just as I would expect their premises to be safe for my dog.

Not every parent does a first aid course but organisations who look after children require their staff to do them.

It may surprise you to know that many dog owners attend first aid courses.

Sovngarde

Hi - newbie here chipping in to make this my first post too :wave:

Digs4Dogs is a franchise and generally speaking seems to have good reviews and contented owners and sitters etc but a word of warning about issues that ended up with me taking back to registration of interest to act as a host / holiday home.

I saw the service - loved the idea and offered to help out and be a host / holiday home. Included info and background on us, where we live, what dogs we have and the type we'd be happy to have stay subject to all the usual meetings and both sides being happy.

Owner / franchisee or whoever got back and said they would like to put me on their books but it is their policy not to disclose personal contact details and all that jazz between host and owners. They did all the assessments, matching and placements with the idea being they collect from owner - take and drop off at the host and at the end of the stay, they pick up and drop home again.

Did not like the idea of an almost perfect stranger decide which dog comes and stays at our home and without me having any chance to see and meet dogs personally.

Likewise I didn't like the idea of someone deciding where to send your dogs and then going off on holiday with no clue where your dog is or the people / other pets it's with.

Was polite but had to withdraw the initial interest and a couple of month's later my husband's college ended up right in the thick of what I'd imagined would happen in that his dog bit the hand and arm of a host as they tried to stop it from running out the back gate in panic. Ongoing dispute still

“Barking Mad” is a similar sitting service / franchise but much more careful, professional and sensible in how they work.

Don't get me wrong Digs4Dogs has taken off and become the more well-known and the earlier issues could all have been ironed and sorted but I still can't pass this without a note to read up and research.

sheramber

No way would my dog go to stay somewhere I had not seen and with someone I had never met. I would not hand my dog over to a stranger to take to God knows where.

There used to be a local kennels who would not let you see the kennels where the dogs were kept. You handed your dog over at the door and collected it there.

His excuse was that people going in disturbed the other dogs.

I use kennels that allow inspection at any time, without an appointment and are happy for you to take your dog into his kennel and collect hime from it.

Our local home sitters visit you when you apply so you meet them and they meet you and your dog. Their sitters are all interviewed by the owner, insured, have first aid certification and have had police checks.