I'm going to be dogsitting for a friend in a few days. She brought Jersey over to play with Achilles and they did much better together than I was expecting... but I thought I'd ask if anyone had any suggestions for what to expect. Jersey is a cocker spaniel, almost the exact same age as Achilles... he is also neutered. One big thing I'm worried about is that Jersey is free fed and Achilles isn't... I'm not sure how I'll keep Achilles out of his food while still allowing Jersey access to it at all times. I'm also expecting that Achilles might become a bit jealous because of another dog being around getting attention all the time, because Achilles is an only dog.
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While we don't free feed Darwin, we generally leave his food down for at least an hour to an hour and a half. Darwin is a really slow eater- he will walk away from the food and come back several times. When Darwin stays with our friends, this sort of feeding isn't possible as our friends have a lab that would steal all his food (really not good for the lab either!). Our friends' solution was to give Darwin small amounts of food 4 times a day instead of feeding him 2 times a day. To let Darwin eat in peace, they crate their lab for 20 minutes while they feed Darwin. Could some sort of schedule like this work for the dog you are watching? This works for our friends because he comes home for lunch every day and she gets home from work between 2 and 3. I know that it would be more difficult for someone with a more conventional 9-5....
As far as jealousy- our friends are very firm believers of NILF, so their dogs never have a problem with Darwin. -
Dog Sitting
I am a dog sitter. I have sat several in the past 2 months. 2 of those have been puppies and Jack loves having the company. I try to make it as fun as possible for everyone. Everyone goes on walks, everyone goes in the car, and everyone has a fun romp at the park. Even though the puppies need extra looking after I still have activities that everyone can enjoy. Jack is not free fed and most of the dogs that I baby sit are free fed. I think scheduled feedings are so much better. When I get the dogs that I baby sit I DO NOT free feed. The owners do not mind because they understand that I have 3 other dogs living in the home that will help themselves to whatever is left in the bowl. It also saves me the worry of there ever being a scuffle over food....not that there would be...but it still would worry me.sigpicEMILYComment
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When we watch our neighbors' little dog, who is free fed at home, her food gets put down at the same time as our crew (a Rottie and 2 cats). Hailey doesn't seem to mind it in the least, most of the time she eats when the others do. Although, if she doesn't eat when ours do, I will offer her food to her a couple of times throughout the day. I just make sure Brodie (the Rottie) and Baxter (the always hungry, food thief cat) are put away so she doesn't have to deal with them stalking her food dish.Comment
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I tell my clients that if they have the time before they leave, they should set up a schedule for their dog. Often those dogs will hold out longer when offered scheduled meals at my house than if they start it first at home.
I do offer them food every chance I get, but it's still stressful on them.Comment
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Thanks... everyone's experiences make me not feel so bad about perhaps putting Jersey on a schedule with his food. I don't work, so I'll be home with them both pretty much most of the time, so I should be able to handle offering him food a few times throughout the day. I can easily have Achilles in another room while Jersey is given the opportunity to eat.
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