What Can You Add?

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Nettle
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Joined: Sun Apr 13, 2008 1:40 pm

What Can You Add?

Post by Nettle »

Friend is stepping in to look after a dog for a week in its own home, owner having been let down by dog-sitter. Friend (let's call her A) has previously owned one dog, a lurcher, which was a rehome already trained by me, and who died about 10 years ago. Dog to be looked after is a lurcher too, which helps, but I don't yet know what breed mix, and this does matter in behaviour terms. A is very sensible, dog is old but healthy (we hope) and A is going to meet with and walk with dog and owner a few times beforehand. Otherwise we know nothing about the dog, her training if any, and her general home set-up.

I have discussed walking etiquette (dog will be walked round streets and kept on lead), how to behave around food (don't know if dog is free fed or has mealtimes) how to manage if dog wears harness, insurances and vet practice plus written advice so she can take dog to vet if necessary (A doesn't drive so will have to check out pet ambulance service) and to find out what words are used as commands.

Anything else we can think of?
A dog is never bad or naughty - it is simply being a dog

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JudyN
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Re: What Can You Add?

Post by JudyN »

Manage her environment - so all food put away, bins in cupboards or with lids nailed down, shoes out of reach if she's that sort of dog, management round the front door in case she tries to do a runner.

Favourite toys, games, activities, likes/dislikes (e.g. belly rubs). Intersactions with strangers on walks - is the dog OK with random people? Are cats an issue? Any other triggers?

Daily routine & sleeping arrangements. 'Rules' around whether she's allowed on sofas or beds, also whether she's at all protective of her space.
Jasper, lurcher, born December 2009
Ari_RR
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Re: What Can You Add?

Post by Ari_RR »

If the dog wears a tag with owner’s cell phone number in case she gets lost and someone finds her - add one with A’s contact number.

If the dog has a microchip - owner can add A to the list of people listed as contacts for the microchip.

If there are neighbors close by - they should be made aware of A.

Is there enough dog food to last? In case A runs out of food - where would additional supply come from, given that A doesn’t drive?

Is there enough poop bags?
Ari, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Sept 2010 - Dec 2018.
Miles, Rhodesian Ridgeback, b. Nov 2018
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Nettle
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Joined: Sun Apr 13, 2008 1:40 pm

Re: What Can You Add?

Post by Nettle »

Thanks for the input - some very good additions there. A is pretty sensible with things like food and poo bags, and it's in a town so shops within walking distance.
A dog is never bad or naughty - it is simply being a dog

SET YOURSELF UP FOR SUCCESS
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