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New Puppy - Too young for an in home sitter?

Hi There!

We recently just got an adorable dapple dashchund puppy. She is 8 weeks old and the sweetest thing, though quite the handful! We are looking for an in house sitter that we can use ongoing, as I travel a lot for work. Is it too much to ask that someone look after a pup this young? She is still being potty trained etc, so I guess has 'special needs'

Many Thanks!

6 Answers

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I wouldn't board a puppy that young because of the risk of parvo and kennel cough, until she is old enough and has all of her vaccines. I would have a sitter stay in your home if possible. You never know what the dogs who have passed through have been in contact with and parvovirus can live on surfaces. The puppy will need supervision and cleaned up after and fed through out the day, maybe hiring 2 sitters to check in and play with your puppy or having one stay at the house while you are away would help. Good Luck! <3

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Anyone with a young puppy should definitely consult with a vet regarding what they consider to be safe or unsafe activities until the pup is fully vaccinated, but I think a responsible boarder who is only taking fully vaccinated dogs would still be a reasonably safe option. Definitely worth asking lots of questions of a potential sitter about what vaccines they require and how diligent they are at following up.

Ally N. hit the nail on the head. Other dogs that are fully vaccinated can still carry and bring parvo and kennel cough in to your home and spread it to the puppy. Its not safe to board until the pup has had all it shots.

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Check around your area for travel sitters who accept puppies and contact any and all who interest you. I'm sure there will be at least a couple people who would be happy to work with you. Young puppies require a lot of care, so you'll want to ask lots of questions about their experience and their training philosophies to find someone who will be a good match for your family and pup. You also want to be mindful of your puppy's socialization during this time. At this age, good socialization is critical. Your pup should be going to new places, riding in cars, visiting dog-friendly establishments, and meeting new people and animals of all kinds as much as possible (be sure to follow your vet's recommendations regarding vaccination and socialization - you want to make sure she's not exposed to diseases until she is fully protected) so you'll want a sitter who will give her those opportunities while you're away and make sure her experiences are good ones.

Good luck and enjoy that puppy!

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Here's the recommendation that the rescue group I've volunteered for gives: Until your puppy has had all 3 sets of puppy shots, it really is not safe to take him or her out and about anywhere. You have no idea where other feet (human or animal) have stepped or what they've come in contact with. They could easily have tracked feces that contains parasite eggs which would be harmful or even viruses like parvo which can kill. If you must take your puppy out, do not allow their feet to touch the floor or ground. If they need to use the restroom, put down a clean sheet or news paper so they do not come in contact with the ground.

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Once your puppy has all three sets of shots, socialize like crazy and get your pup used to all kinds of things!!!

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A lot of good points already made. As a doggie hostess, I wanted to chime in. Personally, I am looking for ways to host MORE puppies, as I am working to socialize my own puppy and there are very few puppy groups and classes I can attend in the area. I would reach out to multiple hosts/sitters and assess their philosophies and abilities. Give lots of information about your training approach and priorities and make sure they can accommodate you. Many sitters list in their profile whether they provide care to puppies or not. You don't have to worry about inconveniencing a sitter in taking care of your puppy - if they offer puppy care, they SHOULD know what they're in for. Make sure to provide lots of information about your puppy and what you're currently working on with them - be VERY honest about chewing/teething habits, crate stress, potty training, etc. A really good puppy sitter will also realize that a puppy may regress in its training when changing environments, so a puppy that was pee pad trained may go potty on the carpet, etc. Make sure the sitter can provide constant supervision or short crate times when they're not available. Don't worry - many sitters charge higher for puppies due to the 'special needs,' so don't feel bad. :) Sorry - just realized how late I was to this thread, but maybe this is still helpful, so I'll leave it. :)

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A pup that young will need a lot of supervision. If you don't absolutely need someone to stay in your home, I'd recommend a boarder for your dog, instead of a sitter. Hiring someone who's got some good experience is a plus; they'll be more prepared to deal with a young puppy.

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At that age, you probably want someone to stay in your house until the puppy is better acquainted with your home and her routine. Moving her to a boarder or to another sitter's home could disturb the work and training you're doing with her until she's older.