How to find a dog sitter ?

zoeysasha37
zoeysasha37 Posts: 7,088 Member
in Chit-Chat
I'm having a hard time finding someone that will come to my house and care for my dogs. I have a Rottweiler that nips ( just little tiny nips that break the skin a little bit. Nothing too crazy ) and a frenchie that also gets a little nippy with strangers. They are both aggressive towards other animals and require a special homemade food. They have a grain allergy and a poultry allergy and also won't eat regular dog food. ( I batch cook their food and warm it up for them ) before anyone suggests that I put my dogs on a keto diet, I just want to say that won't happen. My dogs gag at the smell of coconut oil slick coffee and love carbs :)
So how would I go about finding a dog sitter ? My family is going on vacation and I doubt the airline will allow me to bring a nipping Rottweiler aboard!

Replies

  • TheRoadDog
    TheRoadDog Posts: 11,788 Member
    Go to your Google Search and type in Dog Sitter, plus your location and hit Find.
  • zoeysasha37
    zoeysasha37 Posts: 7,088 Member
    TheRoadDog wrote: »
    Go to your Google Search and type in Dog Sitter, plus your location and hit Find.

    I tried this. Sadly nobody will agree to it because my Rottweiler bites. They said she would have to be crated and muzzled the whole Time. So I think I'm going to just see if they will allow me to fly with her
  • alyssa0061
    alyssa0061 Posts: 652 Member
    I mean this in the kindest way possible, but neither of those dogs sound like an ideal dog for pet sitting or boarding. There's way too much liability there. I highly doubt you'll find anyone other than a close friend to care for them. The nipping (or biting as everyone else will see it) and your use of the word "aggressive" are both huge red flags. That's without even getting into the dietary needs. I'm a huge, huge dog lover (and fellow Rottweiler owner) and there's no way I'd agree to pet sit two dogs like that. I'd be terrified to alone with them if the owner wasn't there.
  • zoeysasha37
    zoeysasha37 Posts: 7,088 Member
    alyssa0061 wrote: »
    I mean this in the kindest way possible, but neither of those dogs sound like an ideal dog for pet sitting or boarding. There's way too much liability there. I highly doubt you'll find anyone other than a close friend to care for them. The nipping (or biting as everyone else will see it) and your use of the word "aggressive" are both huge red flags. That's without even getting into the dietary needs. I'm a huge, huge dog lover (and fellow Rottweiler owner) and there's no way I'd agree to pet sit two dogs like that. I'd be terrified to alone with them if the owner wasn't there.

    Thanks I understand completely. Hopefully someone I know will watch them .
  • nutmegoreo
    nutmegoreo Posts: 15,532 Member
    Perhaps some dietary changes would help them settle down a bit. What about high carb, since you seem to oppose keto?
  • zoeysasha37
    zoeysasha37 Posts: 7,088 Member
    nutmegoreo wrote: »
    Perhaps some dietary changes would help them settle down a bit. What about high carb, since you seem to oppose keto?

    Yes high carb is a wonderful idea , its worked well for me . The thought of a keto diet for myself or my dogs is enough to make me gag.
  • nutmegoreo
    nutmegoreo Posts: 15,532 Member
    thorsmom01 wrote: »
    nutmegoreo wrote: »
    Perhaps some dietary changes would help them settle down a bit. What about high carb, since you seem to oppose keto?

    Yes high carb is a wonderful idea , its worked well for me . The thought of a keto diet for myself or my dogs is enough to make me gag.

    :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
  • Peter_Brady
    Peter_Brady Posts: 3,750 Member
    www.thumbtack.com
  • zoeysasha37
    zoeysasha37 Posts: 7,088 Member
    Peter_Brady wrote: »
    www.thumbtack.com


    I'm a too much of a wuss to click on the link . I'm on my work PC and the it guys already warned me about the sites I've recently visited :)

    And no, they where not pics of low carber coconut coffee . although that's disgusting, these sites where even worse then that.
  • Peter_Brady
    Peter_Brady Posts: 3,750 Member
    thorsmom01 wrote: »
    Peter_Brady wrote: »
    www.thumbtack.com


    I'm a too much of a wuss to click on the link . I'm on my work PC and the it guys already warned me about the sites I've recently visited :)

    And no, they where not pics of low carber coconut coffee . although that's disgusting, these sites where even worse then that.

    Suit yourself. You asked how to find a dog sitter and I gave you a suggestion.
  • zoeysasha37
    zoeysasha37 Posts: 7,088 Member
    Peter_Brady wrote: »
    thorsmom01 wrote: »
    Peter_Brady wrote: »
    www.thumbtack.com


    I'm a too much of a wuss to click on the link . I'm on my work PC and the it guys already warned me about the sites I've recently visited :)

    And no, they where not pics of low carber coconut coffee . although that's disgusting, these sites where even worse then that.

    Suit yourself. You asked how to find a dog sitter and I gave you a suggestion.

    Ok I will click on it when I get home ! ( just in case its naughty !lol ) thank you ! ( I really truly do need a dog sitter 100% )
  • GirlOnFire319
    GirlOnFire319 Posts: 20 Member
    Perhaps try www.care.com
  • nutmegoreo
    nutmegoreo Posts: 15,532 Member
    thorsmom01 wrote: »
    Peter_Brady wrote: »
    www.thumbtack.com


    I'm a too much of a wuss to click on the link . I'm on my work PC and the it guys already warned me about the sites I've recently visited :)

    And no, they where not pics of low carber coconut coffee . although that's disgusting, these sites where even worse then that.

    I was hesitant to check the link too. It's SFW. :smile:
  • dkginger
    dkginger Posts: 167 Member
    dogvacay.com or rover.com - Both sites have certified dog sitters. Maybe you will find someone near you who is willing to watch them.
  • Gioeyebrow
    Gioeyebrow Posts: 404 Member
    edited April 2016
    No offence but you should teach your dogs to be less agressive and also les pamperd lol

    By the way i would suggest you leave them 2 big bags of dried food open and and maybe ask your naighbors or friends to check in on them like every other day thats what we used to do its fine the worst thing that can happen to a dog is that itll get bored
  • Alatariel75
    Alatariel75 Posts: 18,223 Member
    fluffygio wrote: »
    No offence but you should teach your dogs to be less agressive and also les pamperd lol

    By the way i would suggest you leave them 2 big bags of dried food open and and maybe ask your naighbors or friends to check in on them like every other day thats what we used to do its fine the worst thing that can happen to a dog is that itll get bored

    Uhhh... where do they crap?
  • Gioeyebrow
    Gioeyebrow Posts: 404 Member
    You dont have them potty trained? Their inside dogs? Oh man lol srry your in a really bad position. than may be you could pay a nease or nephew to do it young people are always looking for moneyq1oew4ppc3w2.gif
  • Shells918
    Shells918 Posts: 1,070 Member
    Check out www.petsitters.org

    They have certified pet sitters there. Maybe you can find one that's comfortable with larger dogs. I used to have a large Rottie too and we had to have a friend stay with him because he didn't like strangers.

    I would also recommend dog training, even if your dog is a bit older. It made a huge difference with that dog and the Rottie we rescued later on. Working dogs respond extremely well to training at any age and it can make them much safer to be around. It was actually extremely fun for me and the dog.
  • TheRoadDog
    TheRoadDog Posts: 11,788 Member
    edited April 2016
    I love dogs, but this is why I don't have one. Our lifestyle is such that we enjoy a lot of travel and vacation time.

    We have a cat. He's a total dlck, but, we can leave for vacation for two weeks and leave him alone. Just fill his feeder and water dispenser. He will eat and drink as he needs it. Totally self-sufficient. Probably could care less that we are gone.

    With a dog, however, if you were to fill a dispenser with two weeks of food and a water dispenser, the dog would eat all the food on the first day. Then throw it up all over the carpet. Plss and shlt all over the house and then die of starvation.

    When we retire, in a couple of years, we have talked about getting a dog, but, until then, we'll keep the cat, Joey. He tolerates us and we tolerate him and we each go our own way.

    Dogs require a lot of commitment. It's not fair of us to have one until we can make a commitment.
  • nutmegoreo
    nutmegoreo Posts: 15,532 Member
    fluffygio wrote: »
    No offence but you should teach your dogs to be less agressive and also les pamperd lol

    By the way i would suggest you leave them 2 big bags of dried food open and and maybe ask your naighbors or friends to check in on them like every other day thats what we used to do its fine the worst thing that can happen to a dog is that itll get bored

    This might work for some dogs. Mine are rescues, both with food issues. My one managed to get into the cat food while I was at work one night and ate 3.5lbs of it. The resultant mess that I came home to the following day would have been a challenge after 2 weeks.

    I suspect that @thorsmom01 is probably wanting some assurance that someone will be there to comfort them and ensure their base needs are being met. I couldn't ever imagine leaving mine alone for an extended period of time. My cats would get eaten along with half the house.
  • xbowhunter
    xbowhunter Posts: 1,237 Member
    This is a good case for basic obedience. There is no way I would allow my dog to nip @ me or anyone else. This is unacceptable behavior & will only get worse if it's not dealt with. Those dogs need prong collars & stern correction when they nip & bite before they injure you or someone else...
  • Owlie45
    Owlie45 Posts: 806 Member
    Don't travel until these behaviors are under control.
    When they are it's pretty easy to find a pet sitter.
    When I was younger and the family needed to go out of town. My mom would call my friend and have him watch our pets. Both my cat and dog loved him. WiFi password, a way to hook up his Xbox, $50, a fridge full of food. Him on one side of the couch playing his game with the cat in his lap and a rottweiler at the other end of the couch.
    But my mom is a pet sitter for one our clients and she gets $60 a night.
  • rachellech
    rachellech Posts: 40 Member
    I have a rottweiler and he is the biggest baby...he grew up with a Yorkie and a Chihuahua...the Chihuahua is the bully (he is always putting the rotty in a headlock...rotty just lets him do it..lol)..and my rotty thinks he is the small dog even though he is 100lbs...still always want me to pick him up, hence why I lift weights to be strong enough...haha. My rotty nor my other doggie kids ever nipped. They get nervous with strangers, which most dogs do, but never aggressive and after an introduction they are all about the kisses...haha. I'm not sure how your dogs picked up the nipping behavior, but definitely for their safety and others, you might want to try some training courses. In the meantime it appears the best thing to do is find a family member or friend to help. Plus, some veterinary offices provide daycare/boarding and they are more equipped to handle problem behaviors with pets and special diets.

    Also, airplanes are stressful for you and them...trust me, I know. Granted I only had to deal with the Yorkie at the time because it was before I got the other two dogs, and I was able to take her with me. I had her doggie stroller and gave her 1/2 a benadryl but man I was that nervous mom trying to distract my child so they don't bark and embarrass me...lol. I don't believe they allow big dogs onboard and I could never put my rotty with luggage...just couldn't. Until I get a private plane where all is allowed to go with me, it is road trips only.

    My pets are my world so I understand why you are concerned and just want the best for them in your absence. I hope you find it. Good luck.
  • emdeesea
    emdeesea Posts: 1,823 Member
    You might try your vet's office for a recommendation, esp with problem animals.
  • shadowfax_c11
    shadowfax_c11 Posts: 1,942 Member
    If your dogs bite people you need to get that under control. It isn't okay, even if they never break skin. It isn't responsible to have a dog that does not have good manners around other people.

    That said your best bet is probably a boarding kennel.

    My own dog sitter is a girl I have had taking care of my pets since she was 13 years old. 10 years later she does this professionally and still loves to come and spend the weekend with my dogs. I pay her well and make it easy. But my dogs don't bite people.
  • Sinistrous
    Sinistrous Posts: 5,589 Member
    Awww, don't take them with you, if you decide to go. My poor kitty was terrified when we flew from LA to Vegas, and every second that went by, I wish he could have understood that everything would be fine. If one of your babies had to go into the cargo area due to size, they'd probably be mortified the whole ride. Even though my kitty was in a carry-on directly in the seat in front of me, I will never subject my poor little angel to that, ever again. He was absolutely mortified the whole way here.

    If you have friends or family members that you know can handle your dogs or friends, maybe even co-workers that have experience both in large and small breeds, try to introduce them to your dogs and see if they can form some sort of bond. Animals have a great sense of smell, so, small steps may be ideal so you can figure out if it's a match. Otherwise, this may be very expensive on you :/
    Best of luck.

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