Well this is most definitely a first for our family! We are puppy sitting a super cute 12 week old Jack Russell puppy for two weeks. Oscar has been an only child for his entire 11 years of being with us. He only knows the house with himself getting all the love, affection and attention so this is a very new experience for him to deal with. I was unsure at how he would cope with sharing his most prized possessions – his toys, his bed, his couch, his space and most importantly his family. I was unsure at how meal times would go too. All I can say is that I am immensely proud at how well Oscar adjusted to having the temporary presence of Cali. He has played with her for hours, he even allows her to sneak onto the edge of his bed for a cuddle, he allows her to share his water bowl and steal a kibble or two at meal times. Of course he gives her a stern word when he has had enough of play time and needs a power nap to regain his strength to carry on with another marathon play session. However, despite all the cuteness and fun Oscar and Cali have had together, it has not been quite so easy for the humans of the house. Opening your house to a puppy when you have not had one for quite some time, can be challenging! She has had accidents in the house, wakes us up three times a night to go outside and constantly steals whatever she can find lying around.
So before you agree to puppy sit, here are a few tips on how to make the experience enjoyable for everyone involved.
Make sure you know exactly what you are getting yourself into. Suggest a sleep over a few weeks before.
Make sure your own dog and the visiting pup have their own space where they can escape each other and have a little time out.
You may want to get a baby gate to keep the puppy in a secluded area to play, or even use a play pen. This way your house remains in one piece and you have peace of mind knowing the puppy is safe and not getting up to mischief!
Make sure the puppy is fully vaccinated as well as tick and flea free. You don’t want her infecting your house or your pets.
If like us you have not had a puppy in your home for a while, you may want to puppy proof your home prior to her arrival.
Keep all cupboards closed and locked if possible. You can use rubber bands over the handles to secure them too.
Keep the pantry door closed at all times too. There are loads of potential hazardous items for a puppy- Yes Cali loves visiting ours and sniffing things out!
Keep your toilet seats down. A puppy can easily drown if she jumps up and falls in.
Don’t leave any cables, chargers, plugs or tv remotes lying around. I’m sure you won’t feel like rushing out to buy a new cell phone charger!
Don’t leave shoes, socks or clothes lying around the floor. They will either get ripped apart or become a comfy spot to take a nap.
Make sure all cleaning products, garden poisons and tools are locked away. You definitely don’t want to rush a puppy that is not yours to the vet!
Most importantly enjoy having the puppy in your home. Oscar has loved having someone to play with, but he will be very happy when he doesn’t have to share his home or his family with anyone 🙂
Have you ever puppy sat for an extended period? How was the experience for you? Please share your stories by writing in the comments box below.
Thank you for reading.
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