Dog sitting advice- HELP

[ski chick]

OK, my neighbors are on a much deserved vacation (you have no idea). Their dog is very old, deaf, incontinent, can barely move. No other family member would take him, the kennel said no because he had never been and is too old. Then neighbors were going to ask a sitter to come twice a day and let him out and feed him. I said "Ridiculous! I can do it!" I've done it before, but not since he's been so sick. Plus, I don't own a dog, and never have. Uh oh.

This morning, my first morning on the job was a disaster. They have him penned in an area the size of a small apartment (tile and blakets over carpeting). I had to leave a trail of treats to the door just go get him to go outside and "go". He finally did but then I couldn't find him in the backyard. I went everywhere (2 acres, woods). Finally found him but he refused to come back in the same door. He went to the front of the house and I coaxed him down the porch (did I say he usually can barely move?), then he went to the back door and refused to move. I used a trail of cut up hot dogs (his fave treat) to no avail. So, I went inside and let him in the back door. He shot past me (again, he can usually barely move) up to the second floor where they don't want him (incontinent...), me chasing him, slipping through my gloved hands, right into the corner of the Master bdrm. He refuses to move. I cordon off all the other doors upstairs in case he does come out. Each time I come near him he shows his teeth and nips at me. He is so mad. Then he started shaking! So I tried the trail of hot dogs again, still won't move. This dog is not for long in this world and the last thing I want to do is give him a heart attack.

So... what do I do and how do I get him to come downstairs??? Help! All of this was at 7 a.m., my kids wound up missing the bus and left without their lunch. And I have 6 more days of this! Please, I need some advice from some dog experts here.

 

[Gloria]

He is probably more scared than mad. Some old dogs get very set in ways and routines, they confused and aggitated when things change. Especially probably a deaf one. I think you are good sequestering everything off the way you did. Leave his food in the area he needs to be in and wait. He'll come eventually. Lay off the hotdogs for awhile now though, older dogs have trouble processing the fat and too many could cause his pancrease to inflame. give him time and he'll realize you're okay. Be sure and love him up when he arrives where you want him. Might try short trips outside on a leash so this doesn't turn into a every time event. Good luck!

 

[Robyn]

He is probably pretty upset that he's been left alone and feels quite punished by being restricted away from a safe place. Personally, I think if you spend some time sitting near him without trying to force him anywhere he might loosen up. If he'll let you near him just pet him until he relaxes. Then gently try to lead him into his proper area. Think horse whisperer style.

I agree, lay off the hotdogs for the health reasons but also because they loose their effectiveness if given too much. And the leashed bathroom trips are a good idea.

 

[ski chick]

OK thanks. I had previosuly called "grandma" to come over and get him down the stairs for me and she did. He came right to her, she thinks, because he thought he was going with her. But I put in a phone call to my neighbors to ask where the collar is and will try that for this evening.

I'll lay off the hot dogs and will definitely go over and sit with him a while. That is great advice. I definitely think he's lonely.

My neighbors really need a vacation and I want to do this for them. The neighbor DH has brain cancer and they have been through a very rough time. Please don't think they're bad dog owners because they went away and left their old doggie behind.

 

[Native Vail Gal]

I think if you sit or lay on the floor near the dog and just talk softly and slowly this will help, too.

Although the incontinence is an issue, if the dog feels safer in the bedroom, I would lay some of those blankets, towels, whatever in that area. Obviously this dog feels comfortable and safe there (if he pees....he pees.....there is a wonderful thing called Spot Shot that will take care of any possible messes).

I also think that the dog may be worried. You mentioned the DH has a brain tumor. I know with my dog (Kadie), she knows I'm going to have a seizure before I have one! This dog obviously knows that DH has needed extra care, so not having him there may be worrying the dog if DH and the dog are close.

I know that sounds weird, but Kadie has taught me SO MUCH about dog emotions! She knocks me to the floor before I have a seizure and then puts her chin on my side and stomach very assertively in order to keep me down. She's a wonderful nurse! :cheer:

Dogs are smart....and they like to know what's going on. He just needs a little quality time with you, I think.

 

[cyn]

All of the previous posts offer good advice.
I guess I would add that you could try and put yourself in the dog's place:
He's old and deaf and probably in pain. Suddenly, he's been abandoned by his "pack" and there's a stranger chasing him around the yard. As NVG said he most likely knows his owner is ill and is anxious about that. He probably hasn't been alone (without the owners) in a very long time - if ever - so that freaks him out.

I don't envy you stepping into this situation, but as the other divas have suggested, if you spend enough time with him so he feels more comfortable with you, you will go a long way toward easing his anxiety.

At least you care enough to get involved and help!

 

[Native Vail Gal]

At least you care enough to get involved and help!

And bless you for that!

 

[ski chick]

Here's an update...

Hi, well I went over just now with a cooked hamburger (I know you said no to the hotdogs but I knew he liked the burgers). I put it down next to me and waited a while, just spoke softly to him. He ate it and then went outside (I had left the door open). I couldn't find him outside after a while but then saw him under a chair on the back deck. He wanted to come in that door the worst way. I kept calling him from the side door, but nope. He wouldn't come. So... thanks to your advice I moved some of the blankets to the carpeting by the back door, changed the configuration of the doggie fence and let him in. Then he went back out the side door! I just left it open, he came in and out a few times more to see if I was still there. I deliberately started reading the newspaper just so he would relax, humming to myself. It worked. So... whew. One day down, more to go.

Thanks for all of your advice! I can take all I can get. The poor little thing. I will spend even more time with him tomorrow and will go over more often, just so he isn't lonely.

 

[Native Vail Gal]

I just left it open, he came in and out a few times more to see if I was still there. I deliberately started reading the newspaper just so he would relax, humming to myself. It worked. So... whew. One day down, more to go.

Thanks for all of your advice! I can take all I can get. The poor little thing. I will spend even more time with him tomorrow and will go over more often, just so he isn't lonely.

You are a VERY SPECIAL DIVA!!!!!

And a saint!

 

[num]

Oh ski chick, glad you were able to work things out with him. Hopefully by the end of the week the two of you will be chummy

Good on you for taking the time and care with him.

 

[ski chick]

Update

Things went much much better this morning. I went over early to let him out, just left the door open for about a half hour (we live on a quiet street, small neighborhood). Then went back over and brought my newspaper and coffee, sat on the floor next to him (he had come in on his own- yay no looking in the woods!!!!) I also brought him a treat of a half a hamburger and he licked the plate clean, clean! I talked softly to him the whole time. He would come in and out of the room I was in to see if I was still there, stay to listen to what I was saying to him, and then wander around. He seemed much more relaxed and only barked when I came in the door.

Thanks again for all of your advice. I'm so glad I asked for some.

And... the kids recovered from not having their lunch yesterday morning. It forced them to try something from the school menu they hadn't wanted to try before. It was a big hit! Yay for Mom! One less day I have to make lunches! They all felt bad for the dog.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that I'm also taking care of their rabbit, turtles, fish, and hamsters. They are all doing fine.

 

[Native Vail Gal]

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that I'm also taking care of their rabbit, turtles, fish, and hamsters. They are all doing fine.

Your name should be Dr. Doolittle!!!! Wow! I'm glad it's going better! You are a true friend!

 

[cyn]

You seem to be establishing a relationship with this poor old dog, and that makes all the difference.
You are obviously a kind, caring person. The world could use more of those!

 

[atlantiqueen]

So glad it's starting to work out - I stress over leaving my fur-baby every time I go away and have a couple good friends who look after her. Sounds like you'd be a great candidate if we lived in the same area!

Keep doing what you're doing and all will be well.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Another "relief" posted! Thank goodness. Really a worry and responsibility. I am going to keep you all in mind, as I begin cat-sitting for neighbors' 2 starting Sunday. They are indoor/outdoor cats, which will be interesting to manage. Hmmm, guess I know where to look for help if things go awry?

Sounds like this old guy is totally trusting you now. Keep up the good work!

 

[ski chick]

Good luck with the kitties. Make sure you have a can of tuna on hand in case you need to go looking.....!

 

[Jilly]

Usually you just need the electric can opener. Any time we couldn't find my cat, start up the can opener. "Frisky" would come on the run!!

 

[ski chick]

I know with my dog (Kadie), she knows I'm going to have a seizure before I have one! ...
I know that sounds weird, but Kadie has taught me SO MUCH about dog emotions! She knocks me to the floor before I have a seizure and then puts her chin on my side and stomach very assertively in order to keep me down. She's a wonderful nurse! :cheer:

QUOTE]

My daughter just came home with a book for her 5th grade book club called "Shelter Dogs". She was telling me about a dog in the book who did exactly this! The dog knew when her owner was going to have a seizure. AMAZING. I hope this dog is around for a long, long time for you Kelly. Yay Kadie!

 

[Robyn]

I also think that the dog may be worried. You mentioned the DH has a brain tumor. I know with my dog (Kadie), she knows I'm going to have a seizure before I have one! This dog obviously knows that DH has needed extra care, so not having him there may be worrying the dog if DH and the dog are close.

I know that sounds weird, but Kadie has taught me SO MUCH about dog emotions! She knocks me to the floor before I have a seizure and then puts her chin on my side and stomach very assertively in order to keep me down. She's a wonderful nurse! :cheer:

Oh, Kelly, I missed this before. What a sweet thing for your dog to do ! Although, I probably would have freaked out the first couple of times as my dog knocked me over and held me down. Good for her though.

 

[Native Vail Gal]

Oh, Kelly, I missed this before. What a sweet thing for your dog to do ! Although, I probably would have freaked out the first couple of times as my dog knocked me over and held me down. Good for her though.

Yes! It DID freak me out....and I yelled at her, until I understood what was happening! She got extra treats when that "aha" moment happened! Now, I absolutely listen to her!