Pet Sitting frustration - YorkieTalk.com Forums

BabyLucy · 03-11-2012, 05:35 PM

So a common friend has been taking care of my other friends dog while she's in a three weeks military exercise, two days ago she called me to ask if I would look after the dog for her so she could attend to a family emergency. I did not hesitate in helping and took the dog in.

It hasn't been the first time we help out with this dog and other dogs, being very vigilant with our female pup for some reason most of our friends here have male dogs and they like to visit with them. But since Lucy was spayed over a month ago and her anal glands were removed as well, I felt more relax to have male dogs in the house.

Here's the issue:

San who's an older male keeps licking and sniffing Lucy, while she just wants to play, he's obsessing over her, he never acted out this way the first time we had him here. I've read that sometimes dogs can mount other dogs not as a sexual thing, but as a dominance thing. This can be their way of trying to get the other dog under control during a play session but is really bothering me. I feel like my little baby is being harassed

Although Lucy is really having a blast, Momma is the one who's not comfortable with the situation.

Don't know if I should call my friend and tell her his behavior so she can make other arrangements for him or I'm just over reacting.

chestermama · 03-11-2012, 07:16 PM

how big is the other dog, it would bother me as well. I would maybe talk to her

BabyLucy · 03-11-2012, 09:27 PM

The dog is like a Cocker Spaniel / Poodle mix he's small but Lucy is definitely smaller. We've been making all kinds of arrangements so they always be on our sight. Thank you for replying maybe to talk to her is the best.

DBlain · 03-12-2012, 08:40 AM

It would bother me as well and I would make sure I said NO and then immediately remove the dog and put him in crate or pen or in a room with a closed door each time it happened. Perhaps this might make him think twice before doing it the next time. Telling your friend while away on a mission would be stressful since there is not much they can do to help at the moment. If it gets to the point that the dog will not stop I would try to find someone else to take the dog until one of your friends return. After they are back and you no longer have the dog, I would tell them what happened and say while your dog was not hurting Lucy I know it was uncomfortable and stressful for her, so as much as I love your little guy and would like to help out, I will not be able to in the future. Good luck I know these type of things can be awkward

BabyLucy · 03-12-2012, 05:51 PM

Thank you DBlain.

I contacted the second lady the one that was meant to take care of him and told her my concerns and she replied: "Say no and lock him in your laundry area", nothing else like she did not care much about how I felt.

Some other friend suggested she tricked me into sitting the dog because she had plans for the weekend and the dog was in the middle. Don't know if it's true or not but just the thought that a "friend" whom I put my trust to take care of Lucy could just make other arrangements without my consent....

Anyway, I have no choice but to wait for his mommy to come and pick him up and keep and eye on their play time because he also eats her food and water. This will teach me a lesson though, I will have to learn to say no and hope to keep the friendship.

navillusc · 03-12-2012, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BabyLucy

Thank you DBlain.

I contacted the second lady the one that was meant to take care of him and told her my concerns and she replied: "Say no and lock him in your laundry area", nothing else like she did not care much about how I felt.

Some other friend suggested she tricked me into sitting the dog because she had plans for the weekend and the dog was in the middle. Don't know if it's true or not but just the thought that a "friend" whom I put my trust to take care of Lucy could just make other arrangements without my consent....

Anyway, I have no choice but to wait for his mommy to come and pick him up and keep and eye on their play time because he also eats her food and water. This will teach me a lesson though, I will have to learn to say no and hope to keep the friendship.

I think I'd definitely be concerned about the friend's attitude and lack of responsibility especially when giving consideration to her ever watching my pup.

yorkietalkjilly · 03-12-2012, 07:28 PM

You didn't mention whether the male has been neutered and if he hasn't, he's probably miserable from the proximity of a female who may still have the scent of female hormones, etc., this soon after her spaying. The need to mate in un-neutered males is a deep compulsion with many of them and they are so miserable around any new dog, male or female, as they try to figure out whether or not they can mate with it. If he is not fixed, your task will be way harder (if not impossible in the short time you have) to stop this behavior as he is so driven by Mother Nature and not his own nature.

If he is fixed, it is probably his attempt to dominate and some dogs are pretty driven to control the other dog by that mounting behavior, especially if the other dog is acting nervous or in some other manner that the dominate dog deems unsuitable. Dominate dogs can try to control another dog's disliked behavior by intimidation first, such as mounting, and later by more aggressive methods.

But in any case, I would try to keep them separate unless you are willing to try and train him to leave her alone which may take a lot of your time and infinite patience from the sound of things. You might put him on a long leash so you can keep him off her if you can't keep them separate.

BabyLucy · 03-12-2012, 08:39 PM

Navillusc I agree after this experience I would never consider her to watch after Lucy...not my baby!

Thank you for the advice yorkietalkjilly.

I don't know if he's been neutered, my friend got him from a rescue home a few months ago since we don't see each other that often is very little what I know about San.

I am separating them during the night, my choices are limited because houses here in Korea are quite cold so I don't have many places to put him where I know he's going to be comfortable.

I also find that Lucy doesn't go to her pad as she picks up on bad habits very quickly when other dogs are around...weeks of training her where to do her business ruined in a couple of days.

Any advice on that will be truly appreciated.

yorkietalkjilly · 03-12-2012, 09:14 PM

Oh, losing potty training when another, un- or less-trained dog is around is to be expected and can readily happen and try to to worry too much about that as once you have really removed all of the other dog's toilet odors permanently, returning your dog to its natural routine will, usually in about 3 weeks, find your baby getting right back to her good ways.

DvlshAngel985 · 03-12-2012, 09:25 PM

I'm sorry. This being your home, it really should be your rules. If you are not comfortable with his behavior don't allow it. It will take training and work on your part to get him to stop. Good luck!

BabyLucy · 03-13-2012, 09:46 PM

Thank you guys. I put San in Lucy's pen he's not liking it at all but I have no other choice now he can't reach and feast on Lucy's food or try to mount her or keep peeing/pooping all over the house even if I take him out 6 times a day. I understand that this dog has previous issues and as DvlshAngel985 says I don't have the time nor the responsibility to train him...hopefully he should be heading home within a couple of days (crossing my fingers).

My husband said: "You can tell Lucy behaves more like a "real baby girl" while San is a dog". Obviously comes from a protective dad who's patience is being tested. But we do feel sorry for San, we have no clue what he's been through...poor guy but it's up to his mother to deal with it.

No more dog sitting for us.

03-11-2012, 05:35 PM	#1
BabyLucy Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Hub stationed in South Korea Posts: 21	Pet Sitting frustration So a common friend has been taking care of my other friends dog while she's in a three weeks military exercise, two days ago she called me to ask if I would look after the dog for her so she could attend to a family emergency. I did not hesitate in helping and took the dog in. It hasn't been the first time we help out with this dog and other dogs, being very vigilant with our female pup for some reason most of our friends here have male dogs and they like to visit with them. But since Lucy was spayed over a month ago and her anal glands were removed as well, I felt more relax to have male dogs in the house. Here's the issue: San who's an older male keeps licking and sniffing Lucy, while she just wants to play, he's obsessing over her, he never acted out this way the first time we had him here. I've read that sometimes dogs can mount other dogs not as a sexual thing, but as a dominance thing. This can be their way of trying to get the other dog under control during a play session but is really bothering me. I feel like my little baby is being harassed Although Lucy is really having a blast, Momma is the one who's not comfortable with the situation. Don't know if I should call my friend and tell her his behavior so she can make other arrangements for him or I'm just over reacting.

03-12-2012, 08:40 AM	#4
DBlain Donating YT Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Oakland County MI Posts: 6,190	It would bother me as well and I would make sure I said NO and then immediately remove the dog and put him in crate or pen or in a room with a closed door each time it happened. Perhaps this might make him think twice before doing it the next time. Telling your friend while away on a mission would be stressful since there is not much they can do to help at the moment. If it gets to the point that the dog will not stop I would try to find someone else to take the dog until one of your friends return. After they are back and you no longer have the dog, I would tell them what happened and say while your dog was not hurting Lucy I know it was uncomfortable and stressful for her, so as much as I love your little guy and would like to help out, I will not be able to in the future. Good luck I know these type of things can be awkward __________________ Lola my amazing little yorkie-pom Donna

03-12-2012, 07:28 PM	#7
yorkietalkjilly ♥ Love My Tibbe! ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: D/FW, Texas Posts: 22,140	You didn't mention whether the male has been neutered and if he hasn't, he's probably miserable from the proximity of a female who may still have the scent of female hormones, etc., this soon after her spaying. The need to mate in un-neutered males is a deep compulsion with many of them and they are so miserable around any new dog, male or female, as they try to figure out whether or not they can mate with it. If he is not fixed, your task will be way harder (if not impossible in the short time you have) to stop this behavior as he is so driven by Mother Nature and not his own nature. If he is fixed, it is probably his attempt to dominate and some dogs are pretty driven to control the other dog by that mounting behavior, especially if the other dog is acting nervous or in some other manner that the dominate dog deems unsuitable. Dominate dogs can try to control another dog's disliked behavior by intimidation first, such as mounting, and later by more aggressive methods. But in any case, I would try to keep them separate unless you are willing to try and train him to leave her alone which may take a lot of your time and infinite patience from the sound of things. You might put him on a long leash so you can keep him off her if you can't keep them separate. __________________ Jeanie and Tibbe One must do the best one can. You may get some marks for a very imperfect answer: you will certainly get none for leaving the question alone. C. S. Lewis

03-12-2012, 09:14 PM	#9
yorkietalkjilly ♥ Love My Tibbe! ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: D/FW, Texas Posts: 22,140	Oh, losing potty training when another, un- or less-trained dog is around is to be expected and can readily happen and try to to worry too much about that as once you have really removed all of the other dog's toilet odors permanently, returning your dog to its natural routine will, usually in about 3 weeks, find your baby getting right back to her good ways. __________________ Jeanie and Tibbe One must do the best one can. You may get some marks for a very imperfect answer: you will certainly get none for leaving the question alone. C. S. Lewis

03-12-2012, 09:25 PM	#10
DvlshAngel985 Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Los Angeles, California, USA Posts: 12,693	I'm sorry. This being your home, it really should be your rules. If you are not comfortable with his behavior don't allow it. It will take training and work on your part to get him to stop. Good luck! __________________ Littlest JakJak We miss you Kaji

03-11-2012, 07:16 PM	#2
chestermama YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: washington Posts: 3,383 Blog Entries: 1	how big is the other dog, it would bother me as well. I would maybe talk to her

03-11-2012, 09:27 PM	#3
BabyLucy Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Hub stationed in South Korea Posts: 21	The dog is like a Cocker Spaniel / Poodle mix he's small but Lucy is definitely smaller. We've been making all kinds of arrangements so they always be on our sight. Thank you for replying maybe to talk to her is the best.

03-12-2012, 05:51 PM	#5
BabyLucy Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Hub stationed in South Korea Posts: 21	Thank you DBlain. I contacted the second lady the one that was meant to take care of him and told her my concerns and she replied: "Say no and lock him in your laundry area", nothing else like she did not care much about how I felt. Some other friend suggested she tricked me into sitting the dog because she had plans for the weekend and the dog was in the middle. Don't know if it's true or not but just the thought that a "friend" whom I put my trust to take care of Lucy could just make other arrangements without my consent.... Anyway, I have no choice but to wait for his mommy to come and pick him up and keep and eye on their play time because he also eats her food and water. This will teach me a lesson though, I will have to learn to say no and hope to keep the friendship.

03-12-2012, 08:39 PM	#8
BabyLucy Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Hub stationed in South Korea Posts: 21	Navillusc I agree after this experience I would never consider her to watch after Lucy...not my baby! Thank you for the advice yorkietalkjilly. I don't know if he's been neutered, my friend got him from a rescue home a few months ago since we don't see each other that often is very little what I know about San. I am separating them during the night, my choices are limited because houses here in Korea are quite cold so I don't have many places to put him where I know he's going to be comfortable. I also find that Lucy doesn't go to her pad as she picks up on bad habits very quickly when other dogs are around...weeks of training her where to do her business ruined in a couple of days. Any advice on that will be truly appreciated.

03-13-2012, 09:46 PM	#11
BabyLucy Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Hub stationed in South Korea Posts: 21	Thank you guys. I put San in Lucy's pen he's not liking it at all but I have no other choice now he can't reach and feast on Lucy's food or try to mount her or keep peeing/pooping all over the house even if I take him out 6 times a day. I understand that this dog has previous issues and as DvlshAngel985 says I don't have the time nor the responsibility to train him...hopefully he should be heading home within a couple of days (crossing my fingers). My husband said: "You can tell Lucy behaves more like a "real baby girl" while San is a dog". Obviously comes from a protective dad who's patience is being tested. But we do feel sorry for San, we have no clue what he's been through...poor guy but it's up to his mother to deal with it. No more dog sitting for us.