Need some help with pet sitting

Karen L · Member Joined: 14 Feb 2006 Posts: 22 Location: New Jersey

My boyfriend and I are currently pet sitting for a dog that he had with his ex wife ,she is approx. 12yrs old. I have a 7yr old female who is being amazingly tollerant. The problem is that this other dog is very scared and when my boyfriend has to go to work she paces for a while then she just sits on the couch and shakes if I come near her. She actually tried to nip me when I tried to put the leash on her to walk her today. I love all animals and mine are like my children but I have a 4yr old daughter and I am spending all my time trying to keep her away but not wanting to frighten her. Any ideas on how to make her more comfortable here and open up to me. All ideas will be appreciated.

hermann muenster · Member Joined: 19 Jan 2006 Posts: 304

turn on the TV - and leave her alone for a while. She'll warm up when she is ready. Offer her a special treat - for the first few , just put them near her to take them herself. After a while when she is calmer and more trusting of you, offer the treat from your hand. At 12, she has probably been a good dog and is just very nervous being somewhere strange - especially with another dog and a young child.

I mentioned the TV because I am sure she is used to TV sounds - it is something familiar.

Karen L · Member Joined: 14 Feb 2006 Posts: 22 Location: New Jersey

Thanks for the advice. I did try that yesterday she seems a little bit better today. She actually let me pet her a little while I was by myself.

Nik · Member Joined: 22 Mar 2004 Posts: 258 Location: UK

Hi, glad things are a little better.

I'd try some nice fresh chicken too. Just little tiny bits in your hand or dotted around the place and just toss them to her now and again. She might settle when she realises it's a treat producing house and not want to go home!

Also, did she bring her own bedding with her? Maybe try placing that at the place where she like to sit and wait might relax her a bit. Other than that ignoring her, or not putting any preasure on her might be the only thing to do.

Hope she's happy soon.

tuttifrutti · Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 4:01 pm Post subject:

I petsit for a family on my street with a 7 yr old scottish terrier and a 15 year old blue heeler/border collie mix. The terrier has never been a problem, he loves just about anyone and everyone, the mix on the other hand used to be terrified of me! But after I brought her a couple of hamburgers (these people leave like 10$ everytime they leave for their dogs to get little burgers from mcdonalds, lol) she has warmed up. She still doesn't run up to me when I get there or anything, like the terrier, but I can approach her now, and she lets me put her harness on her for walks, etc. It just took a little time and some treats. This was also at her house though, so it could be a little different since she was in a familiar place.

Jamiya · Moderator Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 5593

I agree about the treats and letting her go at her own pace. She'll warm up when she's ready!

Karen L · Member Joined: 14 Feb 2006 Posts: 22 Location: New Jersey

Thanks for all the suggestions, I did find something that broke the ice a little and its called a ball. Something so simple a ball, she loves to play ball and we played in the house a little bit she started to get closer to me wanted me to pet her she got really excited. You would think being a dog owner I would have thought of that sooner but sometimes the most obvious things slip our minds. I'm sure things will progess slowly.