Babysitting problems

[notquite12]

I've got a one year old girl and just took in a 5 months old male puppy a few days a go to mind for 2 weeks. It's quite a shock how to cope with this little man. He's never been to any training and we all find it a bit of a culture shock compared to my girl. First of all, he can't have any high value items in the house. Too possesive of them. He gulps his food down in a few seconds and then looks around for it. Mine will take her time savouring it, never in a hurry for it (unless it's cheese!) He's hard to walk, with no manners, pulls and lunges. We never feed them, walk them or play with them together. Tried it (the walking and playing part), just doesn't work. My kids can't even walk past him with any food without him trying to take it off them. I've tried implementing the same things with him as I do with my girl but it's only been a few days. A part of me thinks, what's the point as he's going back home and none of it will be implemented.

I don't have a crate for him so he's in the laundry at night and even there he's very distructive. It's almost like he's starved for attention or never got enough.

Any ideas how to bring this boy into line for the rest of the time I've got him? I don't want him to be miserable here but can't allow his behaviour either. Otherwise he's friendly and affectionate. His jumping on people is out of conrol though. I've only got him for another 9 days. I'm also worried because he nearly knocked my walking stick from out of under me. In the house I also use the walking frame which makes it 'fun' when he's leashed to me.

I'm looking after him because there was a death in the family of his owner.
Thanks in advance ...

[SABELLESMOM]

Oh my. Basically, a what to do and whether it's worth it situation. My vote is to do what you can in the time you have him. I would explain his not crated behavior in your home, and ask if he does so at home as well. You may be able to pursuade them to get a crate for him, and to use it in their own home. I'm sure you will be reluctant to take him again without one.

I would begin by establishing you (and your children) as in charge. Have him do something, like lay down completely, with elbows down, before his food bowl is set down. Make him earn it.

You did not mention your children's ages. Are they old enough to help you teach him to sit, for example? If they can, it should help put them on a higher level than he, and they may more successfully tell him "No! Not for you!" over the food items that are carried. It would not be unkind or abusive to let them give him a knee nudge (push) him away from them as they say it.

As to his owners, tell them how much you enjoyed having him, it would have been infinately more enjoyable with better manners than he now has. Give them an out for his age, perhaps (out of kindness) but indicate the importance of training. Tell them what you have begun. Suggest they enroll in formal classes. I'm sure they do not wish to be dragged down the street any more than you do.

Perhaps they simply don't know what to do during this stage and think he'll just grow out of it. Consequently, the dog might be neglected an lacks the affection he despirately needs because he's obnoxious. It's much easier for people to shove the dog off than to effectively deal with a growing puppy.

Dogs can not be expected to be left to their own to mature, with no thought for training. Responsibly trained citizens do the breed proud! In the future, "expect" any dog to come to you with a crate. It's simply too much to have to care for someone else's dog in you home with your own dog, without one.

Good luck. A bit of training from you, tactful and well thought out suggestions, who knows? Maybe another good citizen is in the making.

[poohbearsmom]

Two things come to mind.

Buy a crate and let his owners pay for it upon their return.

Take him to a boarding kennel and let his owners pay for it upon their return.

The latter is likely to cost more, and along with some explanation from you, may trigger them into responsible dog management. May not.

Minimally, they deserve to get a phone call from you.

Bottom line, I certainly would not give the pup a chance to destroy your property and risk harming himself in your laundry room, so a crate would have been bought yesterday if I were in this position.

If you think about it, because of the lack of boundary teaching with this young buck, these people have put you into quite a position. If the dog hurts himself because he is a wildass indian, will they blame YOU upon their return?

[tla0126]

I have to agree with poohbearsmom. Buying a crate and having them reimburse you sounds like the best idea. Aside from the pup getting hurt, you don't need to be hurt either!!! And I'm sure you would love your laundry room to be intact in 9 days!!!! Good luck! This is a sucky situation, but hopefully, some good will come of it!

[Cdn1050]

I second what Poohbearsmom stated. I would call them first and tell them, then give them the option. If they won't reimburse you for the crate, then off to the boarding kennel he goes and they can pick him up there or come back early from vacation. Just curious if you have the opportunity to see how this puppy behaved in his home prior to taking on that commitment?

[notquite12]

He's never been crated in their home. He's also a BYB puppy. I took him on for these 2 weeks because it fell into school holidays and hubby had a week off as well. Figured we'd be able to manage him even with my disability at the moment. I don't think we'd have the time to crate train him even if I bought a crate now. What do you think?

This morning I had him leashed to me and I was on the phone and he casually started chewing on the lounge. Boy, did we have a sorting out over that one.

As to knowing how he behaved at their home ... we see each other once every couple of weeks and he's always kept out in their laundry during that time. My girl is suffering as well though at the moment ... she's used to being free to hang out with us and is gentle with the kids, ranging from 18 months to nearly 20 years. My bub walks past her with no problem, plays and snuggles with ther when we play with my dog but can not do this whilst he's around. He howls and whines and wants to be let free. I can't do that because he has no manners and no training. So right now my girl gets her free time when hubby takes the boy for walks etc.

If you guys think that a crate for him would work in this short period of time, I'll get it. I just feel really sorry for him the way he is. He doesn't understand what's expected of him and I hate the thought of him going back to his old enviroment.

Thanks for all the replies. Please tell me what you think about getting the crate.

[webangel2b]

"As to knowing how he behaved at their home ... we see each other once every couple of weeks and he's always kept out in their laundry during that time. "

No wonder he's starved for attention. I'd suggest to my friends that they consider either spending the time and training required or let the dog go to a home that has the time, experience, and willing to do the training required!

People that don't need to own dogs drive me crazy!