Babysitting Question

[Rottnlove]

Since getting Xena I haven't left the kids home with a babysitter.

I was wondering, when we go out and leave the kids home with the babysitter, what do you do with your dogs? I thought about crating, but if she sees and hears everyone having fun, and can hear the kids, she may start crying and barking to get out and play with them. I'm afraid the babysitter wouldn't know how to handle that situation.

I don't leave her outside. There are too many dangers out there and she loves to eat just about everything.

Those of you with young kids, what do you do with your Rotties when you get a babysitter?

Thanks.

[Jamie & Odin]

I've been thinking about this too. Typically, I only have family members/close friends who my dog already knows babysit and they all know Odin's quirks. But the need seems to be arising to hire someone else.

My personal plan is to strictly have the dog crated, he's pretty iffy with people he doesn't know well, and I don't trust many people with him. We'll see how it goes.

[RottiMomCT]

Originally posted by Rottnlove
Those of you with young kids, what do you do with your Rotties when you get a babysitter?

Hire a babysitter who is comfortable with rotties or other large breeds. Tough, I know, but the dog and the kids will be better off in the long run!

If you hire a sitter that is not comfortable with the dogs, what do you do if there is an emergency involving the dog?

Try to find someone who if comfortable with the dog. Arrange to do a 'trial run' and have the sitter watch the kids & dog while you run a short errand like grocery shopping...nothing more than an hour or two.

Do your neighbors like your family and the dog? If so, let them know you are looking for a sitter and ask if they could possibly 'keep an eye/ear open' once you DO find someone.

[Rottnlove]

Excellent suggestions.

I'll definitely be doing this. I'm such a paranoid mommy. I worry about the dog being left alone with the babysitter more than the kids being left with the babysitter, LOL. :D

I'm not sure how comfortable my neighbors are with Xena. I think most of them are a bit shy with dogs. But they see how well Xena behaves, I hope that will help.

I'll try my hardest to find someone who is comfortable with Rotties. :)

[frontierrots]

After the experiences a couple people I know had I would never leave a dog loose with a sitter present.

Iwould put Xena's crate in your bedroom and shut the door.

No liability that way and no chance your dog will escape the house

[alexav]

Originally posted by frontierrots
After the experiences a couple people I know had I would never leave a dog loose with a sitter present.

Iwould put Xena's crate in your bedroom and shut the door.

No liability that way and no chance your dog will escape the house

I agree totally! Don't chance it!

[Rottnlove]

I agree, putting her in the room with the bedroom door shut in the crate is the safest thing to do.

Knowing Xena, if she hears any of us playing while in her crate, she'll start barking and crying and wanting to get out and be a part of the fun. She's fine if she can see me or I'm close by. Although she loves her crate, she loves to be with the family, too. Will letting her stay in her crate without me near, make her dislike it? I just want it to be a happy place, where she wants to be.

Thanks. :)

[frontierrots]

No she won't learn to hate her crate as long as you continue to make going in the crate a positive. Always give her a small piece of food when she goes in and have safe chewies like big Nylabones, beef bones minus the marrow etc. So she'll have chew time to keep her mind occupied

[Jamie & Odin]

There are numerous times I've had guests over and Odin has been crated. Lots of fun happening and yes he wanted to join in, but couldn't.

He is expected to be quite while crated. Sometimes that's harder for him than others, and he does whine a bit, especially if the other dog is out and he's not. But, rules are rules...

And he still likes his crate ;)

[Terrie]

I know this is a question to parents but I thought I would give input as a babysitter. When I was 17 I started babysitting for a couple who had 2 rotties. Though I was very comfortable with the dogs, they lived 2 houses down, they were never allowed to roam free while I was there watching the kids. They had their own room with their crates in it. Only once was I asked to put them out, I was there for a long period of time. Once they came back in they had to go back to their room. Before that happened I was asked to come over ahead of time while they were home so that I knew what to do and not to do.

At first they cried but after a little bit they settled. After the first couple of times they would see me walk in they would say hello to me then go straight to the room. Smart little buggers;)

RottiMomCT is absolutly right find a sitter who is comfortable with them. Another girl down the street babysat for the couple I worked for and she flipped when they barked It got the dogs upset and the kids too. She never came back:(

[ILoveRotts]

I agree - find a sitter who's comfortable with the dogs.

We're lucky. We have a 13 year old girl down the street who has been visiting my dogs for 4 years now. They now her & love her and she is great with them. Very responsible for her age.

We haven't used her as a babysitter yet. Only because the baby is only 7 months old & I work full time. Since I don't get much time with her as it is, I don't give up any more.;)

Some day though I am sure that I will have to attend a grownup function or hubby will get tired of sharing me and I'll have to do it. Atleast I don't have to worry.

Plus we have 2 sets of great neighbors that could help in an emergency & her parents live just a few houses down.

[codglvr]

Hi, since my boy isn't trustworthy, when I have company over I put him and Saga up in our room with their beds. They are given a treat and checked on regularly. Try having a BBQ or something with people and kids over, and put the dog in the crate in the other room and start working on it now. When our dogs come down for a break, they are treated and get to greet our guests, then back into the room after a quick potty break. The first time they fussed a bit, but now they know it is their own quiet place to hang out. :)

[Rottnlove]

I really appreciate all this wonderful advice. I think it's a good idea to start working on this while she's a puppy.

I'm glad I posted this question. Thanks everyone! :)

[KRISSIE]

hI, I have two Rotties , a 3 year old child and another baby on the way. When I go out I usually leave my son with my mother who babysits for us. Even though my dogs are good with my mother I keep them crated while I am out, It's just easier for her that way. I have some nylabones I throw in their crate with them to keep them busy, they do fine with it. Usually my dogs will just go to sleep when I am out anyway!
;)