Pet Sitting

westernrvparkowner wrote:

Boxer Lovers wrote:
Hear this c.g.owners?

We had just such a service until a "he wouldn't hurt a flea" dog severely injured one of our workers. The worker was putting the dog's leash on for the third walk of the day when the dog suddenly turned and repeated bit them on the hand and arm. The injuries required several months of rehabilitation and two surgeries. It appears that some dogs regard that the rv as their home and they will defend it against strangers while otherwise being extremely docile in any other setting. Needless to say, we are out of the dog sitting business.

There are several reasons for a dog to bite under these circumstances:

1. Defending their territory;

2. Fear of a relative stranger coming into their home while the owners are gone;

3. Fear of a relative stranger attempting to remove the dog from its familiar territory;

4. Fear due to too much "change" in the daily routine with a relative stranger involved (which is what the above situation sounds like to me - the dog handled two prior visits fine, so it doesn't make sense that it suddenly needed to defend its territory, unless the walker was a different person from the prior visits).

I would NEVER allow a stranger to come into my home/RV and attempt to remove the dogs without my being there. And a person who has only spent an hour or two with my dogs while I was there with them IS a stranger to my dogs.

In addition, I do not trust someone I barely know to handle my dogs appropriately, no matter what other strangers say about them (reviews, etc.). I've seen way too many situations occur because someone who "is really good with animals/dogs" wasn't good enough to get the dog's signals, or simply thought that all dogs react and think the same way.

toedtoes wrote:

westernrvparkowner wrote:

Boxer Lovers wrote:
Hear this c.g.owners?

We had just such a service until a "he wouldn't hurt a flea" dog severely injured one of our workers. The worker was putting the dog's leash on for the third walk of the day when the dog suddenly turned and repeated bit them on the hand and arm. The injuries required several months of rehabilitation and two surgeries. It appears that some dogs regard that the rv as their home and they will defend it against strangers while otherwise being extremely docile in any other setting. Needless to say, we are out of the dog sitting business.

There are several reasons for a dog to bite under these circumstances:

1. Defending their territory;

2. Fear of a relative stranger coming into their home while the owners are gone;

3. Fear of a relative stranger attempting to remove the dog from its familiar territory;

4. Fear due to too much "change" in the daily routine with a relative stranger involved (which is what the above situation sounds like to me - the dog handled two prior visits fine, so it doesn't make sense that it suddenly needed to defend its territory, unless the walker was a different person from the prior visits).

I would NEVER allow a stranger to come into my home/RV and attempt to remove the dogs without my being there. And a person who has only spent an hour or two with my dogs while I was there with them IS a stranger to my dogs.

In addition, I do not trust someone I barely know to handle my dogs appropriately, no matter what other strangers say about them (reviews, etc.). I've seen way too many situations occur because someone who "is really good with animals/dogs" wasn't good enough to get the dog's signals, or simply thought that all dogs react and think the same way.

Ditto.

There ARE very good, professional pet sitters out there who know what they're doing and understand the risks of going into a dog's territory. We have one for our cats, and I wouldn't hesitate to let her care for our dog. I thoroughly checked her out before signing on with her.

Unfortunately, the vast majority of people who advertise their services as pet sitters are totally clueless about canine behavior and don't even realize what they don't know. That's very dangerous.

Would I expect to find a knowledgeable, professional pet sitter employed by a campground? No. And thus there's no way I would consider using one.

gbopp wrote:
So, more and more RV parks are allowing dogs to be left alone in the RV?
I thought they frowned on that because of the barking and disturbing other campers....................

Not all dogs left alone in RVs bark and disturb other campers. And not all campground rules are enforced unless there is a problem.

I've seen RV parks who had access to pet sitter services, but never considered it for my dogs. The Aussie and Cattle Dog were naturally going to defend THEIR property if we weren't there. Period. Eons ago, another Aussie wouldn't let my Dad into our house to drop off a tool - someone he knew and adored - but we weren't home. My Dad, very knowledgeable about dogs, said Casey was VERY serious about taking his arm off if he walked through the door - eeks! So even if dogs have been "introduced" to someone - when "Mom and Dad" aren't home, it's a whole new ball game.

Jimmy and Ben (half aussie/half poodle) are less defensive; and would be more inclined to run away from a stranger. That's not good, either.

While I have no desire for a pet sitter my dog can stay in the RV all day without issues.
I imagine some are reluctant to leave their dogs very long and would find a pet sitter useful.
As mentioned the dog must be docile and comfortable with strangers.
RV parks are full of small spoiled yappy dogs and owners desiring a per sitter.
When all is said and done. There is a business model and money to be made in pet sitting

I learned a great deal on this thread. I'll reconsider my suggestion.