Dog sitting/insurance

I had a neighbour look after my yorkie in their own house. I provided his food. When we returned I gave neighbour some chocolates and a plant for the garden. This same neighbours son then stayed in our house doggy sitting this summer and I gave him £30 a day which is the going rate for here. Daily boarding at local kennels is £20 per day.

A friend has kindly agreed to look after my small old dog for a couple of weeks, including over Christmas. I will provide all the food, etc., but would like (tactfully!) to make a daily "donation". Can anyone advise on the appropriate amount? I wonder how much a commercial kennels charges.

Just googled pancreatitis in Yorkies and, like Miniature Schnauzers they are prone to it. I know my daughter, on the advice of her breeder, keeps her mini on a low fact diet. My guess is this is why this dog is on chicken and rice.

I buy a chicken for my dog and keep it in the fridge for several days. As long as it smells ok it doesn’t seem to make her ill. She has two meals a day at set times (and the clock in her head knows exactly when that is). To be honest I think a dog owner that insists on a chicken and rice meal twice a day is far better than many of the dog owners I know that give their dogs human food; custard creams etc. I think you’ll have a lovely time with it. I love Yorkies.I’d have one if it wasn’t for the grooming.

Thank you. I was brought up with a dog as a child but I am more used to cats. I could never have had a dog during my working life- I could not have left it on its own for so long whereas cats on the whole are happy.

No walks and that ghastly diet x2 a day, not quite how I would bring it up but he does not belong to me, I will follow instructions and food poisoning will not be on the menu.

You seem to have a much better idea of how to look after a dog than its ‘parents’!

TillyTrotter the parents thought one meeting was enough but I do not want a dog crying here most of the time. I want him to be comfortable with me and also my house.

He was too excited to settle down for a snooze so it would be good for him to see I spend too much time on this machine but he can lie comfortably beside me and enjoy the warmth in December.

Although very spoiled he is delightful and not yappy.

Perhaps have him for a few hours , and then an overnight, before committing to a week Charleygirl.
You may get a lot of companionship from a wee dog ?

Yes, his bedding will remain in my bedroom but on Saturday I had found a few covers and an old quilt to act as bedding because my laminate floors have no rugs as they are trip hazards.

That bedding will move to my kitchen and he will be very happy in front of the radiator and watching me. He apparently likes human contact at all times but I did say I would be going out without him for the odd loaf of bread.

I still have not fully made up my mind- I prefer cats, less bother.

I assume he’ll have his own bedding with him. Maybe something with the scent of his owners on as well would help. I know he’s only allowed chicken but could you give him some as a treat as well? I always carry treats with me and give them to other dogs after getting permission from their owners of course. Even years later those dogs remember that I’m the lady with the treats. My daughters dog has to have a low fat diet as the breed is prone to getting pancreatitis but I always take lean boiled chicken with me when I look after her. It’s the only time she has chicken and if I go to their house she goes berserk when she hears my voice. DD tells her that chicken lady is here.

I do not think this couple really know how to look after an animal because I doubt the dog is getting the correct diet or sufficient exercise for a little dog.

He is gorgeous but pampered. I was asked to move bedding for the dog in whichever room I was so he could be close to me. He prefers humans to cats and dogs. There are two dogs living next door- I love them to bits but I doubt if we will be sunbathing in December so will not see them and he will only want to do his business and run indoors again.

I may suggest I have him here for a couple of hours fairly soon so he can still smell his own scent in the house.

I was thinking more of a tiny dog digging under a fence which is what my daughters Miniature Schnauzer does. Mind you I don’t think Yorkies are diggers. My dog live her Tuggy toy. In fact she’ll be asking to play with it soon…it’s something she always wants to do before bedtime. It uses up a bit of energy. Those sachets of rice are quite handy. They’re quite cheap. If he’s been attacked by other dogs he will be wary. I looked after a dog that had been badly attacked by another dog. We were under strict instructions not to let him off lead and to hold his lead tightly ( he was a strong dog). We took him across the fields at the back of our house and out if the blue a small terrier came running up to us barking. ThankfullyI was holding the lead as instructed or he would have taken off. He was terrified. Pity about not being allowed treats as go find is such a good way of using up energy.

I agree and no wonder he does not always fancy eating it.

I was also asked to heat his food for 20 seconds in the microwave- not with my professional background- the chicken (and rice) must be fully warmed. I am amazed he is so fit and healthy if that is what happens to him. Probably most of the time he is fed immediately after the food has been cooked and cooled but that is not possible each time.

Poor thing, what a very boring diet.

Maybee my garden of course is secure. It is surrounded by fencing so unless he can jump 4-6 feet he will be fine.

I have made arrangements that he spends a few times here so he can get used to me and my house.

He does not have tummy problems- I do not think this couple have looked after animals before and he has been fed with chicken and rice for his entire 6 years.

He looks fit and healthy with heaps of energy.

If he’s a tiny dog is your garden secure? I’ve heard of people taking on a new rescue dog that has escaped through a hedge. If he’s not going for walks you could play lots of go find games in the house. It’s what I did with my daughters dog when they went away for two weeks and the dog came into season. Make sure the owner tells their insurance company. Have details of their vet. Get the owners to inform the vet that you will be in charge that week. Find out his identichip number in case he does escape (of course he won’t but belt and braces). If he’s a really tiny Yorkie don’t walk on him ( my big dread with little dogs). Get a dap diffuser plug in. Get them to write a list of his daily routine and stick to it.

Charley if you’ve got concerns why not ask that he spend some time alone with you pre boarding. Start with an hour and work up. If he settles on his own all should be well.

Food-wise frozen portions would work, no need for you to cook for him unless you really want to.

Just out of interest has he been left before? If so did he cope? I imagine he’d not like a kennel environment if he’s become scared of other dogs. Poor little chap, he’s missing a lot.

I wouldn’t worry too much about taking him out. He may not want to go anyway. Also a week isn’t really long. By the sound of it he must have tummy issues. My dogs don’t get any treats due to tummy issues. If there is a major issue the vet would contact the owners for verbal permission. My vet did this when we were abroad and our old cat had a stroke - they wanted verbal permission from me. Obviously fingers crossed nothing like that happens.

Does his routine at home include on lead walks? If so he may become bored without the opportunity to walk and sniff. Bored dogs can find their own entertainment ?‍?.
Another one who says don’t change his diet. He may have health issues that mean this bland diet is essential. Any change in diet should best be done gradually over a week or so
You could buy a licki mat to squash his food in. He will have to work to get it - enriching and more tiring
Does he play find games? Hiding one of his toys and sending him to find it - those kind of games are fun and help prevent boredom

Make sure they contact the vets, so if any problems you have authority to authorise the treatment if not won't do it ... also remember to have vets name & contact number ... all the best when you dog sit

Oh dear. So he never even has a little walk down the road? Poor little chap.

GMS I did. He is small and has had a few bad experiences with larger dogs who have chased him in the park and the owners have done little. He refuses to even enter a park now.

He is terrified of all dogs and wants to have human company 24/7 which he would have here. I did explain I would need to go out to buy the odd loaf of bread and he would not be coming in the car with me. He really is pampered but a sweet little chap.

I agree, freshly cooked is much better and slightly warm nicer I would think than straight from the fridge. I didn’t mention it in case you didn’t want to cook, also because of energy costs.
It’s strange that they don’t want you to walk him on a lead. He’s a very small dog, not a large and powerful dog which could be problematic. Are his vaccinations up to date? If they are, and he’s chipped and wearing an identity tag I don’t understand why walking is banned. I think you need to clarify why that is.

GSM I would not consider changing his diet- I would prefer to cook his food myself as and when he needs it, that is if he ever comes here. He is not allowed treats so again, I would follow instructions.

As I am not allowed to take him for a walk I think boredom may be a large factor.

He was a happy little chap running around my house but his "parents" were here.

I presume that the dog must have some sort of health issues if on bland diet like that! Personally I wouldn’t change his diet I’d be following instructions from the owners ask if they could freeze the portions to help you, it’s sad that they don’t want him walked though,