HI Everyone,
This is my first time leaving my own dog with a dog I'm sitting. My dog is friendly with other dogs but I still feel nervous because I never left two dogs alone before. Could anyone give me advice? I don't crate my dog because she really dislikes it and is potty trained. The other dog will not be crated either.
You could always try separating them by putting your dog in a room with the door closed, that way they would not have access to eachother while not being monitored. Or, you could leave them out together for a short period of time and then check back in just to test it out before going out for an extended period of time.
I left my dogs along with guest dogs in the beginning if they were getting along, but I no longer do. I don't have any horror stories, but it occurred to me that even if 99 out of 100 times were great, I would still regret the practice if there was ever an incident when I wasn't there to supervise. I also feel like this is appealing for my customers, especially if their dog is an only doggie and they aren't sure how their dog interacts with others. It can be reassuring for them to know that their dog will be be supervised or separated from other dogs at all times. Since my husband and I are home 95% of the time, they still get plenty of doggie time. Plus since our dogs sleep downstairs, it's not like they get to sleep in our bedroom upstairs while the guest dogs have to sleep alone. My concern would not be alleviated if all the dogs got along for 15 minutes while I was outside listening. Even if the dogs can't smell you outside, it's not necessarily likely that they'd instantly start fighting just because you leave. Plus, it's dangerous to assume that they'd be okay longer-term (a few hours) based on only a few minutes. It's possible that, an hour after you leave, something will trigger one of the dogs to get very excited or stressed (mailman, bird flying by, a dog barking outside, or maybe toy possession will come out or they'll find a lost piece of food on the ground) and another dog, realizing that you're not there to control things, will try to control the other dog and the excited or stressed dog may bite. Basically to sum up my thoughts, there are just too many scenarios in which something could go wrong for me to feel comfortable leaving my dogs with guest dogs while my husband and I are both gone. All dogs are separated here at night, though they can see each other through the gates and such.
Good answer. I agree 100%
Great idea I have done that before with my dog and my friends at one time.
It did work out well hope that it does for you as well.
Like everyone else, I'd keep them physically separated, even if that meant being in different rooms. Likewise if you have dogs from more than one household. It's really the safest option, so your mind isn't dwelling on how the dogs are getting along while you're away.
If you have any concerns about how the dogs will behave with each other while you are out, separate them. In most circumstances I leave my dogs alone with other dogs, and while I understand that it's not as safe as separating them, having that companionship all the time is part of why a lot of dog owners choose me. I do take a lot of precautions, though, starting with the M&G. I wouldn't accept a dog if I felt they wouldn't be trustworthy with my own unless I could be home for the entire stay. I also don't leave the dogs alone during the first day of the stay, preferably longer, to give me time to watch them all interact and to give the guest dog time to get settled in. An anxious dog is an unpredictable dog, so I want to make sure my guest is pretty comfortable in my home before leaving. And if after all that I had doubts, I would separate the dogs, whether that's with crates, gates, or doors.
How have they behaved toward each other while you were there? That should give you some indication whether they can be alone together. I typically will not leave a new dog alone--or with my own dog alone--for the first 24 hours or longer, until I feel the dog has adjusted to its new surroundings and seems comfortable. My dog is pretty laid back toward other dogs who have stayed with us, so I wouldn't see him being an instigator. If you are unsure, then err on the side of caution and keep them physically separated.
I never leave guest dogs with my own dogs, Never and I have repeat customers. Dogs are unpredictable and can snap at a moments notice. If I have to step out which is never longer than and hour or 2 at the most, then I put baby gates up to separate them. I have a long time customer who is a dog that is very afraid, she crawls on the floor from fear and her owner said she has never been aggressive towards anyone. Well one day she snapped because another guest dog was sniffing her butt and she had previously met this guest dog before. Good thing I was there watching because something unpleasant could have come of that. Also, I have customers that are not from Rover so I carry my own insurance, one of the stipulations is that all guest dogs must be separated if no one is watching them. If something happens to a dog in my care and I failed to separate them, there goes my insurance. There is a reason insurance companies make you agree to that. Separate the dogs and you will feel better while you are away. Always put safety first.