Looking after a dog

[Shamu]

Evening all, bit of advice really.

Have volunteered to look after my Grandads dog (5 yo Westie) for a week while he goes on holiday, and has been dropped off this evening.

After some advice regarding 'bedtime' to be honest. We have set up his bed downstairs in our kitchen, with his water bowl out, left a treat in his bed as instructed, lights off and left him to it.

Now that wouldn't be a problem apart from every 15-20 minutes he is obviously attempting abit of a great escape type maneuver on the kitchen door. Only scratching it for maybe 2-3 seconds and that's it.

Im assuming best course of action is just to leave him to it and eventually he will fall asleep?

Just feel really bad for leaving him down there by himself, even though that's how he is every night at my grandads!

[Hooli]

He'll get used to it, as you say it's how he sleeps every night. It'll be because it's a strange house etc, but if you keep looking in then he won't settle anyway, so you can't do owt except let him figure it out himself.

[m4tti]

If you react to his reactions he will start training you. You'll be surprised how clever our furry friends are.

[Jasandjules]

This is just a bit distressing for him really. If you leave him he should settle down. Of course, you could spoil him.... What did you granddad say to do?

[Shamu]

Quick update, after a noisy-ish night, went down to see him this morning and he was fine, if a little quiet.

Brother took him out for a walk before work and hes come home and settled into his bed for abit of a nap!

Left him to his own devices as were both at work for a few hours with the back door open plenty of room to explore.

Being my grandads dog he isnt used to huge long walks in any case so dont want to over walk him!

Will try and upload a picture later