How do I Prepare to Dog Sit my Friend’s Dog When I have Dogs Too?

This weekend we are babysitting a French Bulldog  named Antoinette from one of Robin’s friends from Cumming.  She is always a push-over when it comes to our friends asking if we can baby sit their dogs while they are away on the weekend.  The problem is that, even though our dogs are normally great, we don’t know what will happen when the other dogs shows up at the front door on Friday evening.  What if you are in the same situation.  What can you do?

The good news is if your dog doesn’t have any prior experience of being unruly with other dogs, there is a good chance that all will be just fine.  On the other hand, you can’t just put them in the same room and hope that all will be great.  It is important that you initially socialize the dogs and then establish boundaries (Hey!  Don’t use my shampoo!). We suggest that you do the following:

• Before your friend’s dog arrives for the weekend, have his dog and your dog get together several times away from both your and your friend’s homes.  Put the dogs on leashes and allow them to sniff and greet each other.  Go on walks and even play catch with them.  This builds up  a social relationship between the two dogs regarding their individual levels of dominance and respect.  You will need this “doggie bond” established before the weekend takes place.
• When your friend brings over his dog to your house, have the dogs meet outside and let them greet each other again (Oh, I remember you).  Now, take your dog inside to the family room.  Make sure he is on a leash.  Have your friend bring in his dog into the family room on a leash.  Let the dogs wander around and sniff each other.  Drop the leashes and have everyone “chill” for about half an hour.  If they show any sign of agitation, correct them and have them be with their masters on the leash for several minutes.  If your dog is over-possessive with any particular toy or object, take the object away for the time the other dog is there.  
• If everything is fine after about half an hour, it is time for your friend to be on his way.  Don’t have your friend make a big thing about leaving.  He should just get up and leave.  
• Here are some rules we suggest while your friend’s dog is visiting:
  • Feed the dogs in separate locations.
  • Do not leave the dogs together, by themselves for the first few days.
  • Never leave the dogs together when no one is home.
  • Let them run and play in the yard and have a good amount of supervised play time every day.
  • Never allow your friend’s dog in your dog’s crate, on your dog’s bed, or in your bedroom.
  • Clean all of your dog’s potty accidents up immediately.  This can be a sign or marking and could agitate your dog.
  • Make sure that both dogs get equal amounts of attention during the stay.