Dogsitting issues - WWYD?

[Sugardimples]

So we are real suckers when it comes to helping other people out with their pets. We have a friend's dog staying with us for the next five days (and her children for 4 of those days) and when she dropped the dog off last night found out that 1) no, he didn't get fixed like we thought he had, husband didn't want to spend the money, Yes, he is marking his territory like crazy. 2) no, he hasn't been Frontlined (or any other flea treatment) but she doesn't think the has fleas. They do live in a rural area, we do not, But said he has been Frontlined in te past. I explained if he hasn't been treated in the last 30days he hasn't been treated. 3) he does not have a license or rabies vaccination tag.

We never thought to ask these questions when she asked if we could keep him so lesson learned. Next time we will ask.

Would you take it upon yourself to Frontline him? I really don't want to put my pets in any danger of getting fleas.

 

[It'sWDW4me]

So we are real suckers when it comes to helping other people out with their pets. We have a friend's dog staying with us for the next five days (and her children for 4 of those days) and when she dropped the dog off last night found out that 1) no, he didn't get fixed like we thought he had, husband didn't want to spend the money, Yes, he is marking his territory like crazy. 2) no, he hasn't been Frontlined (or any other flea treatment) but she doesn't think the has fleas. They do live in a rural area, we do not, But said he has been Frontlined in te past. I explained if he hasn't been treated in the last 30days he hasn't been treated. 3) he does not have a license or rabies vaccination tag.

We never thought to ask these questions when she asked if we could keep him so lesson learned. Next time we will ask.

Would you take it upon yourself to Frontline him? I really don't want to put my pets in any danger of getting fleas.

Do you Frontline your pets? Unfortunately, the minute your friends' dog walked through the door, your pets have been in danger of getting fleas. There's no real need to Frontline your friend's dog - he'll take any fleas he may have back on home with him in a few days but I would definitely Frontline my own pets in case he "shared" any fleas while visiting with you.

The rabies vaccination, license, and marking issues would really bug me. Keep an eye on Fido so that he doesn't escape your house and/or yard and let your "friend" know that next time, license and proof of vaccination are required. I'd also request some compensation for the cleaning of your marked items! Good luck.

 

[Uncle Remus]

Frontline the visitin' dog if you don't want the fleas visitin' your house too.

 

[tlbwriter]

If your own pets are on Frontline, shouldn't that protect them from getting the visitor's fleas?

 

[shortbun]

No way I would keep a dog that was markiong in my home. Take him back to their home and go visit him there. The rabies/vaccine stuff is unaccceptable too. I think the fleas are the least of your trouble. Their choices, their problem.

 

[npmommie]

So we are real suckers when it comes to helping other people out with their pets. We have a friend's dog staying with us for the next five days (and her children for 4 of those days) and when she dropped the dog off last night found out that 1) no, he didn't get fixed like we thought he had, husband didn't want to spend the money, Yes, he is marking his territory like crazy. 2) no, he hasn't been Frontlined (or any other flea treatment) but she doesn't think the has fleas. They do live in a rural area, we do not, But said he has been Frontlined in te past. I explained if he hasn't been treated in the last 30days he hasn't been treated. 3) he does not have a license or rabies vaccination tag.

We never thought to ask these questions when she asked if we could keep him so lesson learned. Next time we will ask.

Would you take it upon yourself to Frontline him? I really don't want to put my pets in any danger of getting fleas.

Does he have fleas?
If your pets are frontlined that should protect them from getting any visitors.
I wouldn't frontline someone elses pet.
and fwiw, I use frontline one time in the beginning of flea tick season, Now up here, and it keeps my dogs flea and tick free all summer, I don't do it every 30 days like the package says, it works just as well using less.
so her dog may still have coverage depending on when "in the past" she frontlined him

the marking, that would bug me, and I would not be happy about that at all.

 

[agnes!]

I think I would find a new friend. No wonder they didn't board the dog, no kennel would take it...no shots, untreated for fleas, unaltered unlicensed male dog? Your 'friend' has taken advantage of you.

There's no way on God's green Earth that I would keep this dog around my family and my pets, he'd be kept absolutely separate from the rest of the household.

And, to top it all off, he's PEEING everywhere?!? Gack. There'd be no next time for taking care of this family's dog.

agnes!

 

[lpereira]

For the first two issues I'd pen him in the yard. For the last issue I'd refuse to take the dog. In most places you can be held responsible if you knowingly take in an unlicensed, unvaccinated dog who bites someone. And your homeowners policy may refuse to cover you.

 

[Uncle Remus]

If your own pets are on Frontline, shouldn't that protect them from getting the visitor's fleas?

That won't keep the visitin' dog's fleas from gettin' in her carpet, infestin' her house.

Course, if the dog is markin' the inside of the house too, I have a feelin' this is just the beginnin' of this story.

 

[npmommie]

I think I would find a new friend. No wonder they didn't board the dog, no kennel would take it...no shots, untreated for fleas, unaltered unlicensed male dog? Your 'friend' has taken advantage of you.

There's no way on God's green Earth that I would keep this dog around my family and my pets, he'd be kept absolutely separate from the rest of the household.

And, to top it all off, he's PEEING everywhere?!? Gack. There'd be no next time for taking care of this family's dog.

agnes!

just because the dog does not have a license tag or or a vax tag on, doesn't mean anything.
they could still be licensed and fully vaccinated.
my dogs don't wear the tags, and they are licensed and vaxed completely.
my dog sitter is the dog officer in town, he doesn't say anything about the fact that they don't wear the tags, its easy enough to check it out if something were to come up.
I don't let them run loose either, they are always under control.

 

[agnes!]

just because the dog does not have a license tag or or a vax tag on, doesn't mean anything.
they could still be licensed and fully vaccinated.
my dogs don't wear the tags, and they are licensed and vaxed completely.
my dog sitter is the dog officer in town, he doesn't say anything about the fact that they don't wear the tags, its easy enough to check it out if something were to come up.
I don't let them run loose either, they are always under control.

The homeowner who is now responsible for this dog for the next few daysdoesn't have any of the paperwork, doesn't know if the dog has been vaccinated, doesn't know if the dog is licensed, doesn't know if the dog has even seen a vet within the past several years at all. It's one thing if my pet gets out and something happens...I know where the papers are, I know the name of the vet...the dog that this 'friend' dropped off was supposed to be neutered before the dog arrived, and now she shows up with the animal with no tags at all *and* no paperwork! If this dog bites someone or damages someone else's property, the homeowner can't just run in and say "oh, the tags are right here and here's the name of our vet". My main point was...the OP doesn't know.

I still stand by what I posted earlier...this person would never again leave this dog with me. NEVER. This 'friend' has taken advantage of the OP's kindness.

I might casually ask the kids "so who's Fido's vet? Do you like him?" and see what comes up. My money's on the theory that this dog hasn't seen a vet in recent memory.

agnes!

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

This:

I think I would find a new friend. No wonder they didn't board the dog, no kennel would take it...no shots, untreated for fleas, unaltered unlicensed male dog? Your 'friend' has taken advantage of you.

There's no way on God's green Earth that I would keep this dog around my family and my pets, he'd be kept absolutely separate from the rest of the household.

And, to top it all off, he's PEEING everywhere?!? Gack. There'd be no next time for taking care of this family's dog.

agnes!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Shoot, I lost a whole post.

What friends!

Fleas are already in your house if the dog has been there and has fleas. Eggs can get in the carpets and furniture, etc. Vacum repeatedly and throw the bags away. Hopefully damage will be minimal since it's only been a day. Keep on top of your own pets' condition over the next several weeks to months. (Use a flea comb to check for fleas, they usually appear first around the area at the top of the tail, but the dog will be scratching head and paws as well.)

My vet last year stopped using Frontline when many clients, including us, had breakthrough fleas and ticks. Major headache. Others have reported problems in various areas of the country. FYI. You may say it hasn't been a problem for you thus far, but now that fleas are actually around your house, it could be (with Frontline).

It's sad they seemingly aren't getting minimal veterinary care for the dog.

WWID? I would take the dog for a bath and get rid of the fleas on him, first, at least. I would call and ask my friend for permission to treat the dog with preventative. (I'm sure she'll act surprised the dog has fleas, or even deny it. ) I'd confine him to the kitchen just in case there are any fleas left, and of course clean the kitchen floor thoroughly daily.

However, if he was marking my house, even in the kitchen, I'd have no choice but to put him outside. (I'm sure DH would make a nice space for him in the woodshed or something. It's not the dog's fault his owners are flakes.)

I would have a hard time being friends with these people seeing how much work they've put us through over this, honestly. They must be oblivious. If someone's nice enough to watch your dog (and kids), you owe it to them to have all your ducks in a row.

 

[It'sWDW4me]

That won't keep the visitin' dog's fleas from gettin' in her carpet, infestin' her house.

Course, if the dog is markin' the inside of the house too, I have a feelin' this is just the beginnin' of this story.

Bolded is precisely why I wouldn't bother Frontlineing the visiting dog. By the time it starts to work (1-2 days), the fleas will already have jumped ship and infested the family pets, carpet, furniture. I would want to make sure that any potential fleas left behind after Fido goes home are killed and the only way to do that is to Frontline my pets.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Wow. There are no words.

How far away does she live? I would take the dog back home and then care for it from afar.

An unvaccinated dog is not staying on my property.

The fleas and peeing is just icing on the cake.

 

[Uncle Remus]

Bolded is precisely why I wouldn't bother Frontlineing the visiting dog. By the time it starts to work (1-2 days), the fleas will already have jumped ship and infested the family pets, carpet, furniture. I would want to make sure that any potential fleas left behind after Fido goes home are killed and the only way to do that is to Frontline my pets.

I'm startin' to itch, how 'bout you?

 

[It'sWDW4me]

I'm startin' to itch, how 'bout you?

BTDT! Nasty, disgusting, ugly little buggers!

 

[Sugardimples]

I don't "think" he has fleas but will check him more clsely when I get home. He has been groomed recently (based on his appearance) so maybe there's nothing to worry about.

 

[aaarcher86]

I would honestly be furious. We have an unfixed male, and he went through a marking phase when we moved into a new home.

The smell is unbelievable and it isn't easy to get out either. Hopefully you don't have carpet! We had to replace ours because of it.

 

[cm8]

Since you are also watching the children, I assume that you are all really great friends. It should have been made known to you that the dog was not fixed, marks territories, and no flea protection. I would not keep the dog again. I would be so upset with him making more work for me.

I would frontline the little devil if that would make you feel better


There is no excuse for her not telling you this upfront