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Silly me, offering to sit a dog. One year old black Labrador. Nice enough dog, good with the little one, although a little over excitable with my daughter and her friends next door.



He's been here since Tuesday and walks are a nightmare! I swear he is even scared of his own shadow! He is not happy around traffic at all so switched to country lanes and fields. He is petrified of the sheep and when some calves came steaming across a field to a gateway (we were safe on the other side of the gate) I got dragged across a road and into the opposite hedge :wah:. So we get out of 'farmland' and head down a lane skirting a housing estate, phew I thought won't be anything here to worry the scaredy cat! Pffft, cue a huge black ridgeback barking her head off, suddenly appearing out of a gateway. I was actually scared! Eventually the owner turned up and put her on the lead, poor Arthur is by now besides himself hiding behind me and desperately trying to drag me back the we came.

So today, I decide to stay closer to home. Big mistake, get up the lane behind us and encounter four dogs within a space of minutes. That's all ok though, the owners are with them and none are aggressive they just want to play, Arthur is happy to say hello calmly and quietly. Five mins later, two dogs appear, again from nowhere, and run at us barking their heads off, one of them was really quite aggressive and made a beeline snarling at the quivering wreck beside me. I stepped forward and quite bravely I thought yelled NOOOOO, GET BACK at the snarling horrible thing. It backed off too but stood staring us down, it was some time before three people appeared on horseback, assuring me it was Ok, their dogs aren't aggressive. I informed them that actually one was rather aggressive and as the dog I am looking after is extremely timid it's not helpful that the owner was nowhere in sight.

What is it about damn dog owners who all think their pets are perfect, who all think it's ok to let a dog off a lead and let it run on for miles. Why are they not making sure they have the dog under control at all times, lead or no damn lead.

Meanwhile I'm puzzled as to why this dog is so god-damn nervous about everything, I was told he's ok with cars now but not with lorries. Maybe the owners have never walked him in the country so therefore he has no idea about sheep or cows. I think this dog needs to get out more and gain his confidence as at the moment, he will generally heel and walk really well for such a young dog but other than that walks are a nightmare

Oh, and every time I move he follows me, I spend all day trying to use the bathroom alone (without a toddler!) now I have a dog that comes too :wah:

Things have got better with dogs and their owners though.

I am a cyclist, I used often to be chased by random dogs, can't remember that happening recently.

This very morning I passed a man walking two dogs off the lead along an alley way.

I passed the first cautiously as he was lagging behind, as the owner spotted me, he commanded the other dog to stay still and he did.

I was well impressed, and told the man so too.

Bruv;1435585 wrote: Things have got better with dogs and their owners though.

I am a cyclist, I used often to be chased by random dogs, can't remember that happening recently.

This very morning I passed a man walking two dogs off the lead along an alley way.

I passed the first cautiously as he was lagging behind, as the owner spotted me, he commanded the other dog to stay still and he did.

I was well impressed, and told the man so too.


I make Arthur stand to let cyclists pass too, he's petrified of anything moving quicker than him. I've figured it's easier for the cyclist if we just stand still and I grab his collar so both hands have hold of him preventing him suddenly darting in the wrong direction :wah:

Arthur... odd name for a dog.

Betty Boop;1435588 wrote:

Arthur... odd name for a dog.


Maybe that's why he is skittish, he might need a more macho name.

Bruv;1435590 wrote: Maybe that's why he is skittish, he might need a more macho name.


Yes, the kids keep calling him Alfred, at least that can be shortened to Alf, Arf don't cut it :wah:

Bet he can't wait for Tuesday to see his owner again, neither can I lol

I think you handled the situation extremely well.

When there are three or more dogs out together, they tend to go Into pack mode where they become blind and oblivious to the owners commands, listening to and copying only the pack leader dog.

You did the right thing staying calm as dogs pick up on the fears of their owners or handlers.

This Is why socialisation at a very young age In Puppyhood Is vital. Even just holding them at the side of a busy road to get them used to noises of traffic.

Not all dog owners are like that. I am well aware my boy dog Is aggressive to other dogs and as soon as I see another dog on the scene I recall him and slip the muzzle and lead on.

Sounds like he's suffering from separation anxiety too, poor little man.

Sounds like it is a learning adventure for both of you.

A one year old lab is a handful....very playful and full of energy. did the owners bring any toys for Arthur to play with? you may want to give yourself and Arthur a break and spend some time playing ball or tug then take him out later for a walk, towards dust when most are settling down.

It does sound like he needs to be socialized more....

Best of walks for you both!

Lady J

PS he could be called Art as he seems like a real piece of work!

SnoozeAgain;1435609 wrote: Sounds like he's suffering from separation anxiety too, poor little man.,

He gets worse with each day, I think he is really suffering. He really seems to adore my oldest son so he's spending a lot of time fussing over him.

I feel sorry for him but am shattered with the sleepless nights now, both dog and toddler had me up last night, finally slept at gone one, got woken by the dog at three, four, five and six then the toddler woke at seven.

It's like having twins.

Lady J;1435612 wrote: Sounds like it is a learning adventure for both of you.

A one year old lab is a handful....very playful and full of energy. did the owners bring any toys for Arthur to play with? you may want to give yourself and Arthur a break and spend some time playing ball or tug then take him out later for a walk, towards dust when most are settling down.

It does sound like he needs to be socialized more....

Best of walks for you both!

Lady J

PS he could be called Art as he seems like a real piece of work!


No toys came no, bones yes but he's been off his food and had the runs so I've kept the bones away.

It was really odd last night as well, I could hear him chewing something so I asked him what he had and to drop it thinking it was one of the toddlers toys. He had nothing so I kept watching and realised he was chewing on a dewclaw on a back leg.

Betty Boop;1435666 wrote: No toys came no, bones yes but he's been off his food and had the runs so I've kept the bones away.

It was really odd last night as well, I could hear him chewing something so I asked him what he had and to drop it thinking it was one of the toddlers toys. He had nothing so I kept watching and realised he was chewing on a dewclaw on a back leg.


Dew claws are troublesome and need to be regually clipped down. The problem Is they curl under If too long and dig Into the dogs heel causing Irritation. That's probably why he's chewing It.

It's also very difficult with young dogs when you have children getting the dog to distinguish what's his toys and what are not. Any chance you can get to a Charity shop to get him some toys?

oscar;1435668 wrote: Dew claws are troublesome and need to be regually clipped down. The problem Is they curl under If too long and dig Into the dogs heel causing Irritation. That's probably why he's chewing It.a It's also very difficult with young dogs when you have children getting the dog to distinguish what's his toys and what are not. Any chance you can get to a Charity shop to get him some toys?


He goes on tuesday, and seeing as kids are now back at school and the dog can't be left on his own, no :wah: Didn't realise he also can't cope being alone.

The bugger is asleep at the moment snoring his head off! Off for a walk though, my little one is awake so I'd better head up to cuddle and settle him. Here goes another sleepless night.

aarrrggghhh, it's peeing down!

He sound incredibly neurotic, more like a poodle or other small dog.

SnoozeAgain;1435674 wrote: He sound incredibly neurotic, more like a poodle or other small dog.


He is scarily neurotic, the owners want to go away again later in the year, I won't be offering, it's like having a baby in the house and I haven't the time for him with a demanding toddler here too. I really don't think he'd cope with kennels either. Hopefully they can find someone to dog sit him in his own home.

That's a good idea. Being away from his parents AND his home is probably what's made him a nervous wreck.

SnoozeAgain;1435677 wrote: That's a good idea. Being away from his parents AND his home is probably what's made him a nervous wreck.


I sympathize with him, that combination gets me every time too.

A good scratch behind the ears would help.

SnoozeAgain;1435677 wrote: That's a good idea. Beineg away from his parents AND his home is probably what's made him a nervous wreck.


It's making me a wreck too lol lack of sleep and then worrying about him being so worried by everything :wah: I have to leave him home alone in the morning, about 2 and half hours, he needs to be somewhere where he can't chew too much, so the living room is out. Reckoning on leaving him on the upstairs landing with his bed and an old cuddly toy, wondering if I will come back to no bannisters.

Dog walking time again, raining again, wish I had wellington boots!

He chewed nothing when left, did well really, bless him. He went home two nights ago and we're back to our normal routines realising that no, I don't want to have a dog at the moment. Too much routine is dictated to you with dogs.

Did they pay you for this?

SnoozeAgain;1436055 wrote: Did they pay you for this?


Sorry, missed this! Yes they did Snooze and bought me a present back from Barcelona :-6

I'm dog sitting as we speak. One of our puppies, Snowfire aka Brian has come to stay for two weeks while his new owners marry and honeymoon. My house has been bedlam tonight, He's humping the furnature, the manic new kitten can climb the blinds and cling to ceiling coving while the other two argue argue amongst themselves all night. It's been going on for hours and I am getting the hump now.

I've always said Snowfire looked a little dodgy.

I'll be dog sitting in a couple of weeks for 8 days. It will be a challenge. She is a tiny dog with a queen attitude, demanding constant attention from both me and my big guy. My dog will gently explain to her that biting his ears for attention is impolite and pawing his head during nap time is unacceptable. I will explain to her that she cannot tear up his dog bed (as she has done before) and that I am allowed to pet my dog without her approval. I have a couple of cheap toys for her to eviscerate and may get some more.

It will be a long 8 days.

Wandrin;1436556 wrote: I'll be dog sitting in a couple of weeks for 8 days. It will be a challenge. She is a tiny dog with a queen attitude, demanding constant attention from both me and my big guy. My dog will gently explain to her that biting his ears for attention is impolite and pawing his head during nap time is unacceptable. I will explain to her that she cannot tear up his dog bed (as she has done before) and that I am allowed to pet my dog without her approval. I have a couple of cheap toys for her to eviscerate and may get some more.

It will be a long 8 days.


Eviscerate... I shall make that my word of the week. I like that.

I too think the next two weeks are going to be very, very long.