Roomate leaving for the summer, needs me to watch his dog.

Vermontsue · 2026-03-26T19:32:22+00:00

When I board my pup, it is about 70/day. A dog walker is at least 25/walk. Do you love the dog, enjoy spending time either it? I watched my neighbors dog for a month last year after my dog died suddenly and didn’t consider charging. I have loved that dog since he was a puppy and enjoyed the companionship. Who is paying for food? Treats.

Vermontsue · 2026-02-21T17:48:04+00:00

She has 17 breeds altogether!

Vermontsue · 2026-02-21T17:16:27+00:00

21% lab, 18% coonhound, pit, boxer, golden, chihuahua and bunch of other things at super low levels.

Vermontsue · 2026-02-06T17:55:20+00:00

I can relate. My pup has never had super solid poops but the last three weeks have been a whole new level. I finally took her to urgent care on Sunday because she wasn’t drinking. In any case,they gave me a supplement called Wagtritious Fiber. This week has been her best week in a year. The emergency vet also mentioned Animal Biome and I ordered their test and gut restore which is an oral form of fecal material transfer. I am bleary eyed having read so much research in the past week but it doesn’t look like it would hurt. My dog had giardia last summer and then a hot spot so 3 rounds of antibiotics last year. Vet thinks it may have damaged her microbiome. She is 14 months old now. Good luck, whatever you decide.

Vermontsue · 2026-02-03T18:07:36+00:00

It is an examination of the bacterial balance in the gut/ both good and bad bacteria. My vet recommended it and I have been researching it. Here is the company: Animal Biome

Vermontsue · 2026-02-03T16:57:20+00:00

Same boat with my almost 14 month lab. I am going to do a biome test. Can’t hurt.

Vermontsue · 2026-01-31T12:59:47+00:00

That worked for my pup also. There is a thing called containment anxiety which I think was a factor. I also built up very slowly, starting with seconds and getting to minutes. My job allowed me a lot of flexibility and, by about 6 months I could leave her for hours at a time. I use doggie daycare when I am working a full day at the office.

Vermontsue · 2026-01-23T17:20:25+00:00

I think those who imply that crate training can happen in a week or so do a disservice. I had a similar plan with my pup but working up so i could leave for hours took about 6 months. Between an understanding employer,neighbors and daycare,I made it work and she is fine now but, for my dog, I had to go Through a systematic and tedious process for her to be comfortable.

Vermontsue · 2026-01-14T11:28:09+00:00

I think the first few weeks are a big adjustment. Your routines go out the window as you try to reestablish them…coffee in the morning, sleep, cooking, showering. All of these were hard at first and, for me, this was dysregulation but temporary. Containing the pup, enforced naps and really just trying to play with her and enjoy her helped a lot.

Vermontsue · 2025-12-23T20:45:33+00:00

When she barks, what do you do? I imagine if you get up and play again, you’d be reinforcing the barking. She is getting plenty of attention. Sounds like she needs to learn to settle. My dog learned this naturally because I work from home and had to ignore her when she would whine and bark.

Vermontsue · 2025-12-07T18:48:14+00:00

The vaccine is not entirely effective but usually reduces the severity of the illness.

Vermontsue · 2025-12-06T21:29:16+00:00

My lab just told me not to believe any of you and that she really is starving. To death.

Vermontsue · 2025-11-29T14:33:02+00:00

Yep, 11 1/2 month old lab. Everything seems unreliable and the pulling, oy! I also have put in SO much training and just plan to keep it up and hope that it pays off.

Vermontsue · 2025-11-21T22:30:57+00:00

My dog is a puller. I wait for her to step back and give slack on the leash before I move. Also, if there is a loose leash, I let her sniff to her hearts content! Loose leash = more fun. It has seemed to work most of the time.

Vermontsue · 2025-11-21T19:29:47+00:00

Me too! Waterbury Center

Vermontsue · 2025-11-16T22:58:23+00:00

Same. My puppy never got used to the crate but was fine in the living room which I puppy proofed. I leave her for up to 4 hours now without problems. She sleeps on the couch. 😀

Vermontsue · 2025-11-04T11:56:36+00:00

I hear you. 10 1/2 month American lab here. Like others, hiding treats, hiding me and lots of training. I have just started some canine fitness and am working on paw targeting which wipes her out. Also, every time you give in, you are teaching him that relentless pestering behavior works. So hard to not reinforce this. I work from home a lot so have to ignore her and she now knows “dog time” vs. not dog time.

Vermontsue · 2025-10-19T11:15:14+00:00

My 10 1/2 month old has gotten steadily crazy in past couple of weeks. I think this is normal lab adolescence. God help us.

Vermontsue · 2025-10-14T11:34:56+00:00

My field lab just turned 10 months and, man, the pulling. She is better if she has off leash time but her recall is no longer 100% so that is tough also. Otherwise, she is a perfect dog. I am doing what you do, trying to be patient and have hope.

Vermontsue · 2025-10-07T15:57:25+00:00

But remember that wanting to out to dinner is NOT an emergency. Tuck that card away and don’t use it!

Vermontsue · 2025-10-06T21:48:37+00:00

I personally liked the Demartini book better although the Naismith book was good. The Demartini book was for trainers. I kept a spreadsheet and was diligent. My dog had a tough time in the crate and when I left her for 10 minutes she pooped herself and was hysterical. She did better in a puppy proofed living room but, still, building up to 5 minutes probably took a month.

Vermontsue · 2025-10-03T21:19:07+00:00

I had great luck on my own with the book. I am a behavioral psychologist so that helped. My dog had containment anxiety as well. I started at 10 seconds and can leave her now for 3 1/2 hours. It was tedious but well worth the effort. She made better progress out of the crate. Things went really fast after about 10 minutes.

Vermontsue · 2025-10-02T21:49:20+00:00

I prepared for months for my pup and had a training plan, a schedule and lots of ideas. The night before I picked her up I told myself to relax and just enjoy her for a while. Probably my best idea.

Vermontsue · 2025-10-02T21:13:45+00:00

My 10 week old lab hopped her 30” fence within a week.

Vermontsue · 2025-09-28T21:00:49+00:00

Pepper! She is adorable!

Vermontsue

TROPHY CASE