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House sitting and the dogs attacked each other?

I cleaned all the blood out of the couch, off the floor and scrubbed his back patio and front walkway/driveway and he can't come home early so I told him I'm okay staying here with the dogs until he can get home. I also offered to bring a crate from my house since he only has one and make sure they stay apart." data-refresh-url="/community/question/24132" data-editor-type="markdown" data-validator="askbot.validators.questionDetailsValidator" >

The dogs aren't supposed to be in the yard together (but are in the house together all the time) I wasn't told why and I was stupid enough to not ask.
This morning I was in the yard picking up poop and one of the dogs opened the sliding back door and they both came running out I heard and turned around and looked and one attacked the other.
The owner is in Thailand and didn't get my messages for five hours even though I blew up his phone. Dogs were taken to vet and are stable but the vet wants them there over night.
When he finally called back he kept saying that's why they can't be in the yard together, he thought the one was over her "dog problem", and "I knew this would happen eventually." over and over. But he's also acting like it's my fault? Just how at fault am I?

I cleaned all the blood out of the couch, off the floor and scrubbed his back patio and front walkway/driveway and he can't come home early so I told him I'm okay staying here with the dogs until he can get home. I also offered to bring a crate from my house since he only has one and make sure they stay apart.

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Walt G.

Book a Stay
Woodbridge, VA

Sorry to hear you had an issue with a clients two dogs. If you haven't already I would call Rover support and report the incident 888-453-7889

Comments

The dogs probably have a history of getting over thier arousal threshold in the yard. Possibly spurred by both bolting out the door amped up to get out. Might have also been over toys, prey objects, or outside stimulus causing fence fighting & a redirect.

Jennifer D.

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Jessica M.

What a nightmare. It's crazy that they're together in the house all the time, but go psycho outside. I wonder what that's all about.

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Lauren R.

Yikes! Did he mention this at all during the meet and greet?

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Fannie L.

The dogs probably have a history of getting over thier arousal threshold in the yard. Possibly spurred by both bolting out the door amped up to get out. Might have also been over toys, prey objects, or outside stimulus causing fence fighting & a redirect. Jennifer D.'s profile imageJennifer D. (May 4 '17)

I agree with this comment, dogs can exhibit different attitudes and behaviors in different environments. I am very sorry this happened but this is why you must trust the owner's words and not your own judgement when it comes to these sort of issues. If the owner says his dogs cannot be together in the yard or they will fight, you must appreciate the seriousness of his recommendation and be extremely vigilant since things can go very bad in seconds. As dog sitters, we have to handle many dogs who have different quirks and such but it is important that we listen to and consider the pet owner's recommendations. With time you will acquire more experience and will already be more vigilant in the future I am sure. It took me years of training, competing and, traveling with dogs and many incidents to develop that constant vigilance I am known for so don't be too hard on yourself.

I do however must stress the fact that as pet sitters, we are dealing with living creatures to whom their humans are quite attached and therefor we must be understanding when they are unhappy if something like this was to happen.

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House sitting and the dogs attacked each other?

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