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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Hi. My in-laws have asked me to dogsit their puppy for a week or so at our house. My father in law is getting a shoulder surgery so the dog will be too much to handle post surgery.

Having never owned a dog, and listening to their constant complaints about how badly behaved and difficult the dog is, I am a bit anxious and not sure how to prepare. Any advice?

Their dog is a very anxious dog. Gets very car sick. Is not great around other dogs. Will run after squirrels and rabbits. They keep him in a crate for naps. And he stays in a crate overnight. Occasionally still has accidents but has gotten better. He’s 8months old. Has a bit of a nipping problem with people. But has been ok with our kids (10 and under) when we have visited. He has never been left alone in the house except during naps. He’s scared of loud noises, balls, and too much activity.

Appreciate any advice you can provide![/quote]

I would convince them they should find a someone experienced to care for him.  I had typed out advice but, honestly it sounds very stressful.    However if you can't get out of it here are some tips.

Keep it simple. Do not take him in the car and if you have to make sure he is not fed.  Less likely to throw up then.  Feed him when you get to your house.   Do not take dog to a dog park.  Keep him away from other dogs.  If you walk him do NOT greet another dog on leash.  If you have a yard that has a fence it might be better just to play with him out there.  Get lots of chew toys and if he bites give him the chew toy instead.    If he jumps on you do not knee him, yell at him or pet him.  Turn away and pay him no attention.  Once his paws are on the ground than give him attention.  Try to find out his schedule and try to duplicate it as much as possible.

Ac[/quote]

Thank you I appreciate the advice. My husband thinks it will be no big deal, and that the dog is only anxious because his parents are anxious and will be fine at our house. And he also thinks it’s fine to just let him off leash in our back yard which is not fenced in at all.  He also thinks it’s fine to leave the dog unattended at home. I heartily disagree on both- am I just bring over anxious about this? He has grown up with dogs so has more experience but he is gone for most of the day, so it will essentially be just me taking care of the dog.  [/quote]

No, you are not just being anxious and I would be annoyed that your dh is not listening to you.  Having a dog as a kid is way different than having a dog as an adult.   Taking care of dogs has changed so much!  The only thing I can compare is child raising and how in the past parents wouldn't go to games for your kid but, now if you miss any practice you are determined to be  a bad parent.  The alpha dog theory is out and it is more about trying to be companions to dogs not trying to rule over them.    At 8 months old the dog is an adolescent which is a very difficult period.

My dog is 1 1/2 years old  and is anxious not because of me but, because it is his nature. He is on Prozac btw which helps.  Do not let the dog off the leash in your unfenced yard!  Pretty sure the dog has no solid recall?  This means if you call him he ALWAYS comes back even when there are distractions..squirrels, other dogs, kids. Unless you want to tell your in-laws that your dog was hit by a car do not let him out.  Now you could rent a yard with a fence.  The app is called Sniff spot and you pay for the yard.

Honestly, tell your dh/in-laws you can't do it.  Your in-laws could hire a daily walker through Rover or neighborhood listserve and have the dog stay with them.  I'm getting stressed for you and I have experience with animals.[/quote]

It’s not an option to say no. My husband is upset that I’m even hesitant. He wants us to help out his parents and is incredulous I’m not 100 percent on board.

The dog is on trazadone for when he acts up. My husband says it’s not the dog that’s the problem, it’s his parents. And that the dog will do much better with us. Right now at his parents, he is still peeing and pooping in the house occasionally and snapping at his parents and going full crazy mode when he gets over excited and still putting everything in his mouth that he can find. So I will need to train the dog on fixing these behaviors.

Any advice on training for those particular behaviors?[/quote]

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