If you’ve already met the dog you’ll be caring for, still try to spend a little bit of time with the dog before it’s in your care to renew your bond.
Leave the instructions with the bottles of medication in a place where you can see it, but that is out of reach of the dog and/or any children in the house. Having the number for the dog’s veterinarian is important, even if they aren’t on any medications. You’ll want someone to reach out to if anything goes wrong. Their vet will have all the dog’s records, so they can provide the best care in an emergency. They can also advise you on any medications if you lose the instructions, or aren’t sure about anything.
Keep in mind that some dogs might be a little stressed out when their owner goes away, so their eating habits might change a bit until they adjust.
If the dog has serious aggression issues, you might suggest that the owner board them with a professional boarding facility that is better equipped to handle that sort of behavior, or if the dog is shy, you may want to give a space of its own to get comfy. Give it its favorite toys, and give it its time to adjust.
Consider keeping the dog separate from your pets when you are not home. Since they are still new to one another, there might be a chance for one to become territorial over toys or aggressive when you aren’t there to intervene.
If you plan to confine the dog to a certain part of your home, make sure that the dog still has access to water.
Having something from the dog’s own home can be helpful. The item will smell like home, and it might act as a comfort for the dog. So, even if the dog sleeps in a crate, make sure to bring a blanket or pillow from its home to put in the crate with him. If the dog usually sleeps in bed with its owner, but you aren’t comfortable with the dog sleeping in your bed, find some middle ground. For example, you could set up the dog’s own bed right beside yours on the floor.
To deter your own pets from eating the dog’s food, try feeding them in separate rooms, or keeping them separated when you aren’t around if the dog needs food down all the time. Consider putting down a mat or towel under the bowls. This will keep water from sloshing onto the floor, and help keep the dog’s food bowl in place while he eats.
Ask the owner if the dog has any chewing habits. If so, make sure to put shoes away in the closet and shut the door securely.
How often you check in might depend on the dog’s needs and activity level. For example, an older, more mellow dog might only need one or two short walks a day, while a younger, more active dog might require more frequent attention and checking on.
If the dog is usually left alone during certain hours of the day, it might be a good idea to let him be during that time. Since it’s part of his routine, it will be easier for him to get back to normal when his owner returns. If the dog has a certain walk routine—like walks at certain times of the day—try sticking to that schedule. This will help keep the dog in its usual routine, even while its owner is away.
The neighbors might also be able to pop in and let the dog out if you have an emergency, so ask the owner to leave a key with a neighbor they trust, and get that neighbor’s contact information.
You might not have to do this every time you enter. Just do it the first few times until the dog is used to you coming in, instead of its owner. [7] X Expert Source Elisabeth WeissProfessional Dog Trainer Expert Interview. 3 September 2020. When first greeting the dog, consider dropping the treats down onto the floor instead of feeding the dog directly from your hand. This can help give the dog a chance to get used to your presence at a gradual pace. [8] X Expert Source Elisabeth WeissProfessional Dog Trainer Expert Interview. 3 September 2020.
