Babysitting

A mature trained dog can be left for several hours.
A good walk before and after the babysitting session would be needed.
Is anyone seriously suggesting that a young working couple can't leave a 7year old dog at home while they work?
My son and DiL have had no problems but then their dog isn't treated as a child!

No right or wrong here is there? Ditto with how long to leave dog - depends on the dog, usual routine etc.

I wouldn't get too tied up in rights, wrongs, emotions. Simply say 'Happy to baby sit, happy to give lifts, but only happy to leave dog for X hours. How best to work this out?'
I can see all sorts of ways around this, depending on how far away you live, and how far / what direction lifts are being given. Also if the child could go to bed at your house.
During the conversation I'd also check what the issues with the dog are. Sounds as if it's not to do with the child, but with having a dog in their house. The only way to keep a good relationship all round is to problem solve IMHO.

B****y ipad, like human children.

Sorry, I am with your son on this one. I thought dogs were there to guard your property when absent not to be treated li,e hu an children.

Be grateful you have been asked to babysit. Lots of people have no contact at all.

I babysit often but very rarely (can’t rember the last time) at my DS and DDiL’s home. I find it much easier to bring the children here to stay at mine. Would that be an option for you Sheian57 ?

So let them get a ? taxi.

Merlot ???

merlotgran - snap!

When our kids were small we were so desperate to find a decent babysitter we wouldn't have objected if they'd brought along their Vietnamese pot bellied pig!!

Reading the OP, they have also asked for a lift. That won't work if the OP is babysitting and her OH is at home with the dog, unless the child goes with her in a car seat while she drops the parents off.

7 hours is FAR too long for a dog to be left alone. I'd tell your son either you take the dog, or he can find a different babysitter. OR perhaps the child could stay at your house?

OldMeg has the perfect solution. A dog really cannot be left for 7 hours, but that doesn't mean the son has any sort of moral responsibility towards it. It's for the OP to either refuse to babysit or find someone (one of them?) to look after it.

A dog should not be left alone for that length of time. As there are two of you, one can babysit and the other keep the dog company.

If I’d ask to take my dogs, and my son has said no I would have gladly left them at home.
It’s not uncommon for people who don’t have dogs to not want them in their houses.
People work full time and leave their dogs at home, i’m sure your dog will be fine as a one off.
In future, if you’re asked to babysit, ask if you can bring your dog first, if son says no then by all means say you can’t babysit. Just don’t be disappointed if they stop asking you.

7 hours is a long time to leave a dog really. I think that, as they know you have a dog, they should ask someone else to baby sit for long periods.

Personally I wouldn’t take my dog to my ACs house if I’ve been asked not to. If you’ve already agreed to babysit then you have to go.
But next time ask first if you can take the dog, if they say no then you can refuse.
But TBH leaving a dog alone for 7 hours shouldn’t be a problem should it?

It's their home. They have the right to say no. But then you also have the right to decline to baby-sit.