Dog Sitter needed for April / May.
Discussion
Im off to Florida for 2 weeks at the end of April for my mums 50th (she and my dad live there). As such i need a dog sitter to look after my 2 spaniels for the duration of my holiday. Ive tried my usual sitter but she is booked up and ive already been round the houses looking for a suitable replacement. Nobody on the system seems abale to satisfy the exercise and accomodation needs of the dogs.
So, what im after is either a couple or a family who live in or within walking distance of the countryside, have their own dogs or have experience owning dogs and dont have any small pets such as rabbits and guineapigs that might block the throats of my beloved pooches. Archie doesnt mind cats, but Ruby has a distinct hatred for the things so thats off the cards too - more on the dogs in a min. Ideally the dogs would need someone to be home with them during the day so they can be walked and let out for their buisness on a regular basis. My wife and i work full time but i take an hour every day to come home and walk them and give them their lunch, so its not like they are not used to being on their own. They get a good 3 walks a day so they like the time in bed anyway.
About the dogs:
Archie is a 3 1/2 year old Feild Spaniel:
Archie, aka. the Monkey, the Duke of Pork, Chief of Beef, the Hoover, has been with us since he was a pup. He comes from Warwick and is a Pedigree Feild Spaniel. He's quite a big dog for a Spaniel, weighing in at about 28kg and he likes to lay the whole lot on you when he's tired and there's room on the sofa. He has no medical issues, is very well house trained and is very lazy (especially at 6.30am when im trying to get him out for a walk). Archie likes to think he is a person so dont expect any obedience unless there is a bribe. He is very good with animals and doesnt have anything against cats. He is however an absolute dustbin and will eat anything that looks remotely edible. Sticks and stones, seaweed (will make him sick), cow / horse / rabbit / sheep crap, tissues, letters, all human food sources except horse raddish and marmite. So with this in mind it needs to be a house where the only food available to him is his specified meals. Out on walks he'll be a free man so be prepared if his farts smell like you have a Fresian Cow in the house. He's had the chop too so no worries of any pups with the nieghbours b
h. Archie is a great dog and has no aggresion in him what so ever. He is scared of his own shadow and would rather hide behind the sofa than defend anyone under attack.
Ruby is a 5 1/2 year old Working Cocker Spaniel:
Ruby came to us last August after i drove to Rotherham and rescued her from what we have now discovered to be a breeding farm. She is much smaller that Archie, struggling to break the 10kg mark. Prior to her intensive breeding she was a working dog and specialised in catching rabbits. She is also a dab hand at flushing and catching rats and mice. Anything smaller than her and not a dog is fair game. Cats are also on her hit list and she is ninja quick with her reactions so you have to keep an eye out for the little blighters. She is much better at controlling herself than archie and as a result of her 'working dog training' she is incredibly obedient and very loyal. All she wants to do is please you when she is home and on a walk she only wants to work. She will run and run and run, but show her a leash and she will be by your side ready to be clipped on. Archie requires a (walking - lazy) persuit as he retains his desire to be a free man. She doesnt eat everything like Archie does which is also a bonus. She has been spayed also, so no worries about next doors Jack Russel latching on. Again, like Archie she can be lazy when she wants. She likes nothing more than to be sat on the sofa or drinking tea from the bottom of your mug. She is very well house trained and never makes a mess, but still needs to be let out for a wee regularly. She has not yet learnt to tap the back door with a paw like Archie and instead tip toes around the area of the back door looking a bit sheepish. We think she may have been beaten as a youngster and lacks confidence in some areas. Thats said, we have had no problems with messes.
So, thats our two dogs. If you would like to earn £200 think you can help, or know someone reliable then please let me know. All prospective sitters will be vetted and decisions will not be made until we have seen where the dogs will be living. I look forward to the responses.
Eddie
So, what im after is either a couple or a family who live in or within walking distance of the countryside, have their own dogs or have experience owning dogs and dont have any small pets such as rabbits and guineapigs that might block the throats of my beloved pooches. Archie doesnt mind cats, but Ruby has a distinct hatred for the things so thats off the cards too - more on the dogs in a min. Ideally the dogs would need someone to be home with them during the day so they can be walked and let out for their buisness on a regular basis. My wife and i work full time but i take an hour every day to come home and walk them and give them their lunch, so its not like they are not used to being on their own. They get a good 3 walks a day so they like the time in bed anyway.
About the dogs:
Archie is a 3 1/2 year old Feild Spaniel:
Archie, aka. the Monkey, the Duke of Pork, Chief of Beef, the Hoover, has been with us since he was a pup. He comes from Warwick and is a Pedigree Feild Spaniel. He's quite a big dog for a Spaniel, weighing in at about 28kg and he likes to lay the whole lot on you when he's tired and there's room on the sofa. He has no medical issues, is very well house trained and is very lazy (especially at 6.30am when im trying to get him out for a walk). Archie likes to think he is a person so dont expect any obedience unless there is a bribe. He is very good with animals and doesnt have anything against cats. He is however an absolute dustbin and will eat anything that looks remotely edible. Sticks and stones, seaweed (will make him sick), cow / horse / rabbit / sheep crap, tissues, letters, all human food sources except horse raddish and marmite. So with this in mind it needs to be a house where the only food available to him is his specified meals. Out on walks he'll be a free man so be prepared if his farts smell like you have a Fresian Cow in the house. He's had the chop too so no worries of any pups with the nieghbours b
h. Archie is a great dog and has no aggresion in him what so ever. He is scared of his own shadow and would rather hide behind the sofa than defend anyone under attack.Ruby is a 5 1/2 year old Working Cocker Spaniel:
Ruby came to us last August after i drove to Rotherham and rescued her from what we have now discovered to be a breeding farm. She is much smaller that Archie, struggling to break the 10kg mark. Prior to her intensive breeding she was a working dog and specialised in catching rabbits. She is also a dab hand at flushing and catching rats and mice. Anything smaller than her and not a dog is fair game. Cats are also on her hit list and she is ninja quick with her reactions so you have to keep an eye out for the little blighters. She is much better at controlling herself than archie and as a result of her 'working dog training' she is incredibly obedient and very loyal. All she wants to do is please you when she is home and on a walk she only wants to work. She will run and run and run, but show her a leash and she will be by your side ready to be clipped on. Archie requires a (walking - lazy) persuit as he retains his desire to be a free man. She doesnt eat everything like Archie does which is also a bonus. She has been spayed also, so no worries about next doors Jack Russel latching on. Again, like Archie she can be lazy when she wants. She likes nothing more than to be sat on the sofa or drinking tea from the bottom of your mug. She is very well house trained and never makes a mess, but still needs to be let out for a wee regularly. She has not yet learnt to tap the back door with a paw like Archie and instead tip toes around the area of the back door looking a bit sheepish. We think she may have been beaten as a youngster and lacks confidence in some areas. Thats said, we have had no problems with messes.
So, thats our two dogs. If you would like to earn £200 think you can help, or know someone reliable then please let me know. All prospective sitters will be vetted and decisions will not be made until we have seen where the dogs will be living. I look forward to the responses.
Eddie
Good luck with your search . We have 2 dogs , a Springer and a Lab. Their lifestyle is pretty much as you want for your 2 , 6 walks / 15 miles per day , someone home at all times and they have the run of the house including their own double bed and a choice of 6 sofas . Sadly I am too far away to offer to accommodate them , plus we have 2 cats.
What struck me as a little odd is that usual Dog Walkers / pet sitters would charge much more than £200 for 2 dogs for 2 weeks so you're more likely to get an offer from someone who'd just enjoy the company of the dogs for 2 weeks rather than the money , I don't think this type of good Samaritan would be keen on being 'vetted' if they were doing you a favour , just my opinion
I hope you find a suitable candidate , may need just such a person in the summer as we've not been abroad since we got our Springer 4 years ago.
What struck me as a little odd is that usual Dog Walkers / pet sitters would charge much more than £200 for 2 dogs for 2 weeks so you're more likely to get an offer from someone who'd just enjoy the company of the dogs for 2 weeks rather than the money , I don't think this type of good Samaritan would be keen on being 'vetted' if they were doing you a favour , just my opinion
I hope you find a suitable candidate , may need just such a person in the summer as we've not been abroad since we got our Springer 4 years ago.
Theres a fantastic kennels in Morden, called Sunstar, I've used them a few times years ago when I had my springer
Number is 01929 459364
http://www.sunstarkennels.co.uk/
I would of had them, but they might eat my Chihuahua and I've got 2 cats!
Number is 01929 459364
http://www.sunstarkennels.co.uk/
I would of had them, but they might eat my Chihuahua and I've got 2 cats!
Yeah i can see your point, professional dog sitters do charge quite a bit more but this is to cover insurance, advertising, the privelage etc. Im offering £200 as a gesture of appreciation, not because i think its the going rate. If somebody just wants the company of the dogs for 2 weeks then great, but i'd still leave them with the cash as a thankyou.
Loopyleesa said:
Theres a fantastic kennels in Morden, called Sunstar, I've used them a few times years ago when I had my springer
Number is 01929 459364
http://www.sunstarkennels.co.uk/
I would of had them, but they might eat my Chihuahua and I've got 2 cats!
Archie wont do Kennels as he likes his home comforts too much. But thanks Lees.Number is 01929 459364
http://www.sunstarkennels.co.uk/
I would of had them, but they might eat my Chihuahua and I've got 2 cats!
R60EST said:
We have 2 dogs , a Springer and a Lab. Their lifestyle is pretty much as you want for your 2 , 6 walks / 15 miles per day
If we assume you get up at 08.00hours and go to bed at 22.00hours thats 14hours. Excluded hours of darkness, meals and some down time and and your probably down to about 8 or so hours available to walk your dogs. Are you saying you walk your dogs 2miles ish for every for every waking hour of the day spread over 6 walks? You must have a lot of time on your hands to keep a routine up like this?! First walk before work at 6.am around the local woods, any weather . Darkness is no problem I cover familiar ground , duration 60 mins approx 3.5 miles.
10 am, and 2pm approx If I'm working my wife or daughter will walk them for about 30 mins on open land directly outside our back gate. If I'm not working I will take them
When I return from work at 4-5 I take them on a set route of bridal paths / footpaths and canal embankments This route involves crossing 2 minor roads . I ride a bicycle and the dogs run free alongside , distance approx 8 miles / 1 hour.
8pm Another walk on the open land or occasionally down to the pub in summer . 15mins to 2 hrs depending where we go
Anytime around midnight , final walk across the field and back on the pavement to the front gate, 10 mins
This is a typical day , the times and locations may change on my days off or weekends.
10 am, and 2pm approx If I'm working my wife or daughter will walk them for about 30 mins on open land directly outside our back gate. If I'm not working I will take them
When I return from work at 4-5 I take them on a set route of bridal paths / footpaths and canal embankments This route involves crossing 2 minor roads . I ride a bicycle and the dogs run free alongside , distance approx 8 miles / 1 hour.
8pm Another walk on the open land or occasionally down to the pub in summer . 15mins to 2 hrs depending where we go
Anytime around midnight , final walk across the field and back on the pavement to the front gate, 10 mins
This is a typical day , the times and locations may change on my days off or weekends.
Edited by R60EST on Thursday 13th January 19:09
Thejimreaper said:
Ditto, my two miniature Dachshunds do about 1 - 2 miles a day and thats enough for their stumpy little legs. Thats is some exercise regime. I bet they eat a lot burning that amount of calories. Have you considered joining the army as a PTI!
The routine just seemed to evolve. I was never a morning person before getting Alfie ( the spaniel ) 4 yrs ago. He was a very quick learner on the house training front , so much so he wouldn't go in the garden and wanted to be taken out to do what he had to do . He was also quick to learn as soon has he'd 'been' I would take him back home , so he left it longer and longer before doing anything , hence the 1 hr morning walks began. The enjoyment he got from the free running in the woods , chasing pheasant , partridge etc made him really eager to get back out as soon as I returned from work , I started cycling to extend his range and also it is good exercise for me ,I don't do running or jogging. The shorter walks in between are again due to the fact he won't mess in the garden , rarely even cocks his leg let alone anything else.In the summer we can spend the whole afternoon on the canal tow path , cycling to the pub(s) often racking up 25+ miles. He still wants to go back out 3 hrs later.
I've only had the lab about 4 months , I took him on at 3 years old , he wasn't used to the demanding routine at first but now he's quicker / more active than Alfie.
Edited by R60EST on Thursday 13th January 20:48
R60EST said:
First walk before work at 6.am around the local woods, any weather . Darkness is no problem I cover familiar ground , duration 60 mins approx 3.5 miles.
10 am, and 2pm approx If I'm working my wife or daughter will walk them for about 30 mins on open land directly outside our back gate. If I'm not working I will take them
When I return from work at 4-5 I take them on a set route of bridal paths / footpaths and canal embankments This route involves crossing 2 minor roads . I ride a bicycle and the dogs run free alongside , distance approx 8 miles / 1 hour.
8pm Another walk on the open land or occasionally down to the pub in summer . 15mins to 2 hrs depending where we go
Anytime around midnight , final walk across the field and back on the pavement to the front gate, 10 mins
This is a typical day , the times and locations may change on my days off or weekends.
Thats not a walk, thats a linford christie style sprint!10 am, and 2pm approx If I'm working my wife or daughter will walk them for about 30 mins on open land directly outside our back gate. If I'm not working I will take them
When I return from work at 4-5 I take them on a set route of bridal paths / footpaths and canal embankments This route involves crossing 2 minor roads . I ride a bicycle and the dogs run free alongside , distance approx 8 miles / 1 hour.
8pm Another walk on the open land or occasionally down to the pub in summer . 15mins to 2 hrs depending where we go
Anytime around midnight , final walk across the field and back on the pavement to the front gate, 10 mins
This is a typical day , the times and locations may change on my days off or weekends.
Edited by R60EST on Thursday 13th January 19:09
I walk our dog for a couple of hours a day across fields, never do that kind of mileage.
Hope you have good pet insurance, your dog is gonna suffer very badly from arthritis in later life if you really do this kind of mileage daily!
Edited by Peter101 on Thursday 13th January 20:55
Try your local franchisee for http://www.barkingmad.uk.com/
I used to use them in Lincolnshire. They are very good - twice the price of boarding kennels but the dogs go to a host family, usually retired folk.
The ultimate vote of confidence from my Patterdale terrier was when the lady who owned the Spalding franchise pulled up. The loyal little b*gger would sit by her car waiting to go, tail wagging furiously!
I used to use them in Lincolnshire. They are very good - twice the price of boarding kennels but the dogs go to a host family, usually retired folk.
The ultimate vote of confidence from my Patterdale terrier was when the lady who owned the Spalding franchise pulled up. The loyal little b*gger would sit by her car waiting to go, tail wagging furiously!
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