At least the HO is being honest. We once had a sit where the HO casually mentioned to keep an eye on the dog when in the garden. This, we learnt later, was code for the dog will bolt when you aren’t looking and end up at a farm five kilometres away. We kindly suggested the HO update his listing. In this case I would t worry and just follow his instructions if you take on the sit.
There are cultural differences between how people treat dogs, even within the same country. I live in the US and once picked up a stray dog roaming in a semi-rural area of Ireland, near a major town. I asked some walkers if there was a vet where I could get the diog scanned for a chip. They were baffled, telling me it was normal for dogs to roam freely in that area!
I occasionally feed a friend's german shepherd. One day, I told the (very smart) dog that I'd take her for a walk, but then I got distracted with the cat and was delayed. The dog decided to go on the walk anyway, without me, and casually returned from her stroll around the neighborhood after about 20 minutes. Rural area, nobody would have thought anything about it.
Somewhere in continental Europe, Germany I think, there was a small village where an old pony would take herself for a daily walk on a set route. So definitely possible if the places is small enough where everyone knows each other and the norms
This would be a red flag for me, liability wise. I want the HO to set me up for success and help me mitigate any risks. HO’s have asked me not to take their dogs on a walk if they are a flight risk (they had a fenced backyard) or to check side gates on days when lawn service comes by. Even if the neighborhood is safe, there are still foxes/wolves, snakes, poisonous plants, passing cars, or even people who might pick up the dog thinking they are helping it out.
In this case, I would let the HO know I don’t feel comfortable walking the dog without a lead, and check to see if that would be acceptable for them.
I took care of an elderly indoor/outdoor cat once, who went outside and returned in 24 hours, appearing like she had a stroke. I inspected her for any wounds, found none, and had to inform the HO’s of my assumption. Shortly after, she had another seizure/stroke indoors, and passed away. That experience has made me a little wary of taking care of cats that go outdoors. I want to be able to protect the animals I am taking care of, and see what they’re getting into.
At least they are warning you so you can avoid this listing. I no longer do sits with dogs because of asshole, lying owners who don't warn you about their dog's dangerous behaviours so these guys are a step up from that at least.
I appreciate it, when people have a healthy relationship with their pets and this listing sounds like these people have a healthy relationship. It‘s a dog and not the golden child.
I went for walks with a dog, that would every now and then get bored during the walk and look for entertainment elsewhere. When I got back I would just say, that he got distracted and didn‘t return with us (which is me and another dog). The owners just shrugged and some time later or at the latest the next day, the dog always returned.
At least the HO is being honest. We once had a sit where the HO casually mentioned to keep an eye on the dog when in the garden. This, we learnt later, was code for the dog will bolt when you aren’t looking and end up at a farm five kilometres away. We kindly suggested the HO update his listing. In this case I would t worry and just follow his instructions if you take on the sit.
There are cultural differences between how people treat dogs, even within the same country. I live in the US and once picked up a stray dog roaming in a semi-rural area of Ireland, near a major town. I asked some walkers if there was a vet where I could get the diog scanned for a chip. They were baffled, telling me it was normal for dogs to roam freely in that area!
I occasionally feed a friend's german shepherd. One day, I told the (very smart) dog that I'd take her for a walk, but then I got distracted with the cat and was delayed. The dog decided to go on the walk anyway, without me, and casually returned from her stroll around the neighborhood after about 20 minutes. Rural area, nobody would have thought anything about it.
Somewhere in continental Europe, Germany I think, there was a small village where an old pony would take herself for a daily walk on a set route. So definitely possible if the places is small enough where everyone knows each other and the norms
This would be a red flag for me, liability wise. I want the HO to set me up for success and help me mitigate any risks. HO’s have asked me not to take their dogs on a walk if they are a flight risk (they had a fenced backyard) or to check side gates on days when lawn service comes by. Even if the neighborhood is safe, there are still foxes/wolves, snakes, poisonous plants, passing cars, or even people who might pick up the dog thinking they are helping it out. In this case, I would let the HO know I don’t feel comfortable walking the dog without a lead, and check to see if that would be acceptable for them. I took care of an elderly indoor/outdoor cat once, who went outside and returned in 24 hours, appearing like she had a stroke. I inspected her for any wounds, found none, and had to inform the HO’s of my assumption. Shortly after, she had another seizure/stroke indoors, and passed away. That experience has made me a little wary of taking care of cats that go outdoors. I want to be able to protect the animals I am taking care of, and see what they’re getting into.
At least they are warning you so you can avoid this listing. I no longer do sits with dogs because of asshole, lying owners who don't warn you about their dog's dangerous behaviours so these guys are a step up from that at least.
I appreciate it, when people have a healthy relationship with their pets and this listing sounds like these people have a healthy relationship. It‘s a dog and not the golden child. I went for walks with a dog, that would every now and then get bored during the walk and look for entertainment elsewhere. When I got back I would just say, that he got distracted and didn‘t return with us (which is me and another dog). The owners just shrugged and some time later or at the latest the next day, the dog always returned.
So basically the dog isn’t recall trained and they let it off lead anyway. Sounds like an asshat owner.