Dog sitting - what can I expect?

[Anonymous]

Background: My MIL really wanted a puppy, but my FIL did not. They are experienced dog owners. A campaign of my MIL convincing my kids that WE should get a puppy ensued, and telling them to convince our parents, and then our kids were begging us for a puppy for almost 2 years. I never grew up with any pets growing up and I don't want to get a dog until all our kids are a little more independent, if at all - I think it's a huge responsibility and I can still barely get my kids to brush their teeth every day and sit down for meals or pick up their toys.

When it became clear to my MIL that we would not budge, she went and got a puppy from a breeder. They have been complaining about how hard and difficult the dog, and also my MIL kept offering the dog to my kids to keep, and of course the kids got super excited and wanted to take the dog. We still did not budge however much they whined and begged and said we were mean and the worst parents ever. The dog still can't be left alone in the house, unless caged, is a runner, tries to eat everything, can't handle car rides, and apparently can't be around other dogs either because it kind of freaks out - not trying to attack, but getting over-excited and out of control. My MIL said she hadn't been sleeping because of the dog, just from the stress of caring for it.

Fast forward to August - my FIL shoulder surgery scheduled, and my MIL continues to have back issues and can't bend over, so my husband offered to take the dog for a month or two until they recover. I am home with the kids and work part time from home so while it's feasible, I had a lot of reservations. I brought up my concerns, this led to a big fight, because my husband was upset I was even questioning helping out his parents, and said it would be much easier for us to take care of the dog than it would be for my parents. Mind you, I have never taken care of a dog, and my husband works 60-65 hour work weeks, we still have kids that can't be left home alone, and we do not have a fenced in yard.

Fast forward to now, we have arranged to take the dog while my FIL recovers from surgery - but now for some reason, our in-laws only want us to take the dog during the week, while they take the dog on the weekends. Which basically puts me on the hook for taking care of the dog almost entirely, while my husband is working. And the thing is, I really want my husband to understand what is involved in taking care of the dog, because he is making it sound so effortless.

My question is:
1) What am I in for here? I am a total pet newbie
2) Should we also take the dog during the weekends so my husband gets the experience too?
3) Why do you think my in-laws only want us to take the dog for the week and not the weekend?

[Anonymous]

Is the dog still not housetrained? Without a fenced yard, this is going to be a real drag I’m sorry to say. Your husband is being ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

This will become your dog. They will not recollect it after.

[Anonymous]

The big things are feeding and walking the dog. I’d start some sort of schedule. Also if you have a meeting, I’d crate the dog. If the dog gets into things, you can always use a leash when you don’t have time to watch the dog.

[Anonymous]

If the dog is lower energy, then walking 4-6x for potty and exercise (some quick, some longer). If the dog is higher energy, then the dog will take over your physical and emotional space. We had loving old dogs that were pretty mellow and just got a newer rescue and the difference is night/day. I hate the new dog's inability to just be calm, instead anxiously up in my business at every moment.

[Anonymous]

Have your husband take off work the first day or two to help transition the dog in and work on a schedule with the dog.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have your husband take off work the first day or two to help transition the dog in and work on a schedule with the dog.

This is a good idea. If he is unwilling to do this, ask him why he's signing you up for it. Is he in the habit of unilaterally assigning you work?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have your husband take off work the first day or two to help transition the dog in and work on a schedule with the dog.

This is a good idea. If he is unwilling to do this, ask him why he's signing you up for it. Is he in the habit of unilaterally assigning you work?

Agree. He gets first and last walks of the day and all house accidents when he’s home (unless kids are old enough to help). You get stuck with work hours.

[Anonymous]

Your DH working 60-65 hour weeks is your biggest problem.

Also, breeder dogs are the worst; your MIL should have adopted.

[Anonymous]

Use the phrase "Sorry we can't because of the dog." as often as you can with your kids during this time.

Let some things get ruined.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is the dog still not housetrained? Without a fenced yard, this is going to be a real drag I’m sorry to say. Your husband is being ridiculous.

The dog is 85% house trained but still has occasional accidents. How often during the day does the dog have to be let out?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This will become your dog. They will not recollect it after.

That's what they want, but I'm not on board with that idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The big things are feeding and walking the dog. I’d start some sort of schedule. Also if you have a meeting, I’d crate the dog. If the dog gets into things, you can always use a leash when you don’t have time to watch the dog.

Could you give me a general sense of what the schedule would be like?

[Anonymous]

Do your in laws have $$? If so (or even if not frankly), I’d pay for a 2x per day dog walker. I’d be sure your husband knows this is a necessary expense and non negotiable. After all, this is a young dog with lots of energy, it’s not housetrained, you have young kids to take care of, and you don’t have a fenced yard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If the dog is lower energy, then walking 4-6x for potty and exercise (some quick, some longer). If the dog is higher energy, then the dog will take over your physical and emotional space. We had loving old dogs that were pretty mellow and just got a newer rescue and the difference is night/day. I hate the new dog's inability to just be calm, instead anxiously up in my business at every moment.

He is only 8 months old, so very high energy, and has a lot of anxiety issues and is fearful. He's on anxiety meds though and apparently they help a lot and make him calmer.