I have a long time regular client. Her dog is here often. She’s been going through a rough time in her personal life, though I don’t know details. What I do know, is a couple months ago she and her long time BF broke up, which was very hard on her. Not two weeks later her adult daughter spends a week in the hospital, and has been back in and out ever since, during the past 6-8 weeks. From what I understand of the situation, her daughter may not make it. The daughter is a young adult, maybe in her 30’s. I met her a handful of times during drop offs and pick ups.

I feel like I should reach out to her, but I don’t know how. We’re not close, but we’re good acquaintances, I guess. We have exchanged gifts over the holidays, but we don’t hang out socially. I’m worried about her. She lives alone. She’s depressed. I don’t know if she has a support system. She recently got out of a relationship, and now she’s probably looking at losing her daughter. I don’t want to overstep, but I can’t just do nothing either. What would you do in my situation to help an aquaintance going through a potentially devastating, life changing time?

Could be different reasons. Some dogs are very family oriented and protective. They simply want to be with you at all times. Other reasons could include things like separation anxiety.

First, do you have reason to suspect she might be? Did you either witness a mating or was she running loose at any time when she was in heat?

Early in pregnancy, there aren't many signs. Sometimes, they will throw up once or twice in the first trimester due to morning sickness, but not all dogs do this, and throwing up could also be a symptom of illness or something else, so that's not definitive. A better way to know more predictability early on, is to have a blood test for pregnancy done by your vet. They will test for pregnancy hormones. Just beware, these tests are not always 100% accurate.

During the second trimester, you may notice slight weight gain, but that's not a sure way. Sometimes, especially with a first litter, or a small litter, she might not "look" pregnant until the last week or two, but every dog is different.

Close to the end of pregnancy, her vulva will swell, she will become restless, she may eat less, and she may have a mucus discharge as well. These are all signs that whelping could be soon (a day to a week).

Just like with people, each pregnancy, and each individual, is different.

As needed. By this, I mean there isn't a set schedule, like once a week or once a month, etc. if you think your dog smells, looks, or feels dirty, then a bath is a good idea. Otherwise, no need to worry. Just make sure to use a mild dog shampoo, and follow up with a soothing/moisturizing conditioner to prevent skin from drying, and to keep the coat soft and prevent mats. The most important things to remember are don't overbathe, completely rinse all shampoo, and only used shampoo for dogs, as the ph levels can differ amoung different species. Human shampoo will be more harsh on a dog's skin. Only use a dryer, if preferred. I usually just towel dry. Again, because it's easier on the skin and coat.

Mounting, or humping, can have different meanings. Since your female was just in heat, they're still just a little hormonal, and it should subside in a week or so, if it's just due to her smelling hot. Besides hormonal, wanting to mate behavior, dogs will sometimes mount and hump each other. Any age, any gender. Sometimes it's excitement/play, and sometimes it's more of a dominance issue. The one mounting could be trying to show dominance over the other. It's easier to tell the cause of the behavior after seeing it in person, and knowing the dogs. Harder to predict when unfamiliar with the exact situation or animals.

I second the other two answers. Keep up the praise, give treats, and just relax, and give it time. Also, don't push the issue. She wants to please you, but is obviously confused. Just chill, don't add any pressure, and allow her to do what makes her comfortable.

As a pet sitter you probably already make recommendations to clients on a regular basis. You have certain products you use and recommend. Did you know you can make extra money just by recommending a superior new flea and tick repellant to your clients, friends, and family? This product works so well, once you use it yourself, you'll want to tell everyone how amazing it is. See for yourself! http://www.petprotector.org/opportuni...

Look into Pet Protector. It's amazing! No chemicals. Pet and kid safe. http://thenot-so-crazydogmom.simplesi...

Anything industructable. I love Kongs and Kong products. I prefer to stay away from stuffed toys or anything easy to chew apart, waste of time and money, and if ingested could cause blockage. If you like these toys, I suggest only using when supervising, not when not home, not paying attention in the other room, or overnight. Also, I do not like Rawhides or similar products. Terrible for the digestive tract and have been know to cause serious complications--again just not worth it. Same goes for those baked bones. They are not safe because they are very dry and tend to crack and splinter. For bones, I go the meat section of my grocery and look for the pack of soup bones. They are raw, with marrow still inside and a little fatty tissue on the outside. They are safe, yummy, cheap, and wil last for years. They generally come in packs of around three. I give one and put the others in the freezer. If you don't like the fact that they are raw, you can boil th first to disinfect, but do not bake as it will dry it out, which is what causes it to crack and not last.

Each is different, as others have said. Be sure to discuss with potential clients and make sure your plans meet their expectations before agreeing to anything. For example, I sometimes do walks and drop ins in addition to hosting and day care. I also have to drop off and pick up my son from school, but my day care client knows that there are times when I will run out briefly and is okay with that. The fact is, I am home with him the majority of the day, and he isn't left alone long when I do go out. And, even though I may run out for a few mins or so, there is usually someone at home, even if I am not.

My day care basically works like this, I am home except when I need to run out, just as anyone else who works at home or stays at home, so it's comparable to if they were at home with their pet as opposed to it being left alone all day during the work day or in a crate for 8+ hours at a time, like some pets are when their parents go to work.

I have always used Bitter Apple or Bitter End sprays, but you can also try hot sauce or hot pepper.

New to rover. Joined this past sept. I assume the holiday season (now) and the summer months to be the busiest time, but just wondering what others experience is, for those who have been doing this for at least one full year. What two months would you say you work the most, and which two months of the year are you slowest? Just wondering what to expect, and when the best time is to plan my own vacation.

Thanks!

I haven't actually asked anything I already knew the answer to, but I did think of a few questions to ask just to enter.

Lol, love this. Call it like it is :)

Are you trying to decide whether or not to use training pads or just not sure which training pad to buy? I've not used this particular brand, but most are pretty similar. If it's a good price, go for it. Personally, unless I have a young litter of puppies, or if you live in an apartment off the first floor and have a young pup you're still potty training, or if you just have a little toy or teacup size dog, I just skip the pads and take them straight outside. Any dog that is paper trained, will have to be retrained not to go in the house later. Pads are a good tool, however, in the situations I mentioned above, if you choose. Best of luck!

Possibly a dryness issue. Try adding a skin/coat supplement to the dog's diet, as well as rub the ears with some coconut oil for moisture.

Absolutely. Treat it as you would the rest, and be careful not to let it become overgrown. :)

Agreed. We've always had to use gates and just keep it out of the dogs access, without limiting the cats. Unfortunately, I now have a dog smaller than my cats, but she doesn't jump as high as they do, so the gate still works.

Rawhides are everywhere and many dogs eat them and seem okay, however, they are not safe. I never recommend them as treats and will not give them to my dogs, despite never personally having had an issue. Better to be safe than sorry. Just google raw hides and you'll find lots of info. To each their own, but not worth the risk to me. Easy enough to just avoid and not have to worry.

A tip, by nature, is not a requirement, however anytime someone provides you a service, if you feel they did a good job, you should tip them. It's common courtesy. I don't expect tips from clients, but it's nice to get them when you do. Not expected, but greatly appreciated.

I have to agree.

Most likely normal. Many dogs do this. If it were for another reason such as not feeling safe or not being warm enough, to the point where you needed to do something t help them, there would be other noticeable indications. Curling up, alone, isn't enough evidence that there's anything wrong.

Sometimes oils can be a great help, as mentioned, just use caution. Some oils are safe to use with pets, and other can make the, very sick. Research before you use. Each oil is different. Some are perfectly safe, some have restrictions to how they are used, and others simply are not safe.

That's tricky. In general, I would recommend either not having two vastly different feeding types at your home at the same time or allow for adjustments to one of their normal feeding routines. Once in this situation, you have to deal with it as is, so I would first see if dogs can be separated to different parts of the home without limiting access or confining one. Maybe one can stay in the kitchen and the other in the living room, if possible. Or rotate if you can. If keeping separated just isn't preferred, either decide to let the inhaler have his fill so he isn't interested in the grazers food, OR simply don't allow the grazer to graze while the inhaler is present. Offer him meals at the same time as the other dog, instead of leaving food down all the time. Unfortunately, it's just a difficult situation in which certain allowances must be made. Sometimes you have to bend the rules to make it work. Best though would be to avoid the situation in the future if possible.

Silly question, but when wondering how you know how the pup is behaving when no one is home, since obviously you're not there? You said he cries. Any idea for how long after you leave? A min, 20 mins, the entire time, more or less, etc. Also, how long at a time is he usually alone/crated, and how often? With regard to the messes in the crate, how often does he eat, how many times a day, etc? Do you leave food and water in the crate when you're not home, or just at mealtime when you are home. Sorry for all the questions, but I feel I can't really help unless I have a little more information first.

I'm the same way :) in addition to the reasons you mentioned, I feel like limiting the number of dogs also allows me to focus on the quality of care rather than quantity. Thanks for your reply. Was just curious what others do and why they do it. No right or wrong way, just personal preference.

Do you have that one breed you feel is by far the best or type of dog, like retrievers, that you prefer? Are there any dogs that you just can't stand, like toy breeds or a specific breed, that you just don't like? Why or why not?

When hosting dogs in your home, how many will you watch at one time? Do you just take one client at a time, or limit yourself to a set number of dogs? How do did you come to this decision?