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| answered a question | How long should a meet-and-greet last? I'm hoping it is kosher to do this. I am new to the forum. I write a rescue blog and did a whole series on pet sitting with a detailed post on the meet and greet. Might have some good tips for you guys. http://www.chicagonow.com/pet-rescue-laura-young/2015/12/boarding-your-dog-with-a-pet-sitter-tips-for-interviews-and-home-visits/ |
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| commented answer | How long should a meet-and-greet last? Remember that this is a foundation for the dog, even more than for the humans who can look over a situation fairly quickly, and email and call. I like to have the person visit for a bit so the dog can feel positive vibes between me and the owner. It helps them categorize me as friend rather than stranger when the big day comes. |
| commented answer | Demon dog from hell? Actually, if it helps as a resource, I have written a series of articles on pet sitting at a rescue blog I do. Laura R is giving excellent tips and info and on the subject of meet and greets, this may prove useful as well: http://www.chicagonow.com/pet-rescue-laura-young/2015/12/boarding-your-dog-with-a-pet-sitter-tips-for-interviews-and-home-visits/%3C/p%3E (http://www.chicagonow.com/pet-rescue-laura-young/2015/12/boarding-your-dog-with-a-pet-sitter-tips-for-interviews-and-home-visits/) |
| commented answer | Demon dog from hell? Lily Chin is a great resource! |
| commented question | Demon dog from hell? I'm as confused at Karen is. Are you a Rover sitter with an ACTIVE account? |
| commented answer | Demon dog from hell? With all due respect, we have far too little information to draw conclusions as to how this dog was raised. We have no information as to how the dog was introduced to the sitter's home, how the dog to dog intro was conducted, what environmental steps were taken to minimize dog stress to the new arrival and the sitter's skill at reading dog body language. We must be VERY careful about heaping blame on a terrified dog whose sitter sounds furious at him (if 'demon dog from hell') is to be any indication of his compassion toward a confused and terrified dog. |
| commented answer | Demon dog from hell? I apologize for assuming. It sounded like you met the dog as it was being dropped off and that it bit you at that time. It was not clear from what you wrote that the dog had met you on a prior occasion and that it went well. How was the dog to dog interaction done at first? Did that also go well? |
| commented answer | Demon dog from hell? I beg you to read Laura R's comment above. Dogs can SEEM unpredictable if you do not know how to read subtle stress signs like lip licking, yawning, looking away, ear placement, etc. The likelihood of a dog biting without ANY prior sign that they are preparing to do so is very unlikely. |
| commented answer | Demon dog from hell? Absolutely excellent advice. I very much hope it is heeded. |
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| answered a question | Demon dog from hell? Um, so you never had a meet and greet? Sorry but it sounds like you really dropped the ball where due diligence goes as a sitter. And maybe it would be good to get some training on how to conduct dog to dog introductions. I'll bet the dog is terrified right now. Even if you are upset, you have to try very hard to keep your cool because dogs don't understand 'pet sitting' and this dog is confused, upset, feeling threatened and thinks it's been abandoned at your house with a stranger. Demon dog from hell is a pretty strong statement to make. This isn't the dog's fault. This was a poorly handled situation on both the part of the owner and sitter. Sorry to sound harsh but it's just the reality. This was preventable. |