Not sure what I should do.

[fishtaco]

Well today a long time, but neither close or good friend emailed my wife and asked if we would watch their 6 year old beagle for 2 months. In the past I agreed to watch the dog for 2 weeks. but it never happened, not two months. Without asking me, my wife agreed to watch the dog for two months without really thinking about how long that is.
My dogs are well-behaved, quiet and follow commands with excellent recall, this dog has lived in a house 24/7 and they don't even have a fenced yard so anytime she is outside she is on a leash or will take off. So basically no training and she is in a crate when they are not home.
I am a dog person, but the thought of having her around for two months honestly just seems like a pain in the butt and if my friend had made any attempt ever to at least teach her to have good recall it would be a different story, but I can't ever imagine this dog being able to spend the day at the creek with the family and not need to be watched every second.
My thought is I should call this person and just level with them that I don't want to be responsible for what might happen to his dog and I also don't feel like spending the summer training a dog that is not mine.
So should I make the call and cancel or should I do what is right for the dog and keep it out of a kennel for 2 months.
Fishtaco

 

[tank a holic]

i've had a similar experience with my sister, I watched her dog for a week and not only does her dog not listen, but my dog quit listening and picked up some of the bad habits... I held up my end of the bargin but told her that next time Im not interested in watching your dog, once her dog left I got mine whiped back into shape
in my opinion there's nothing worse for a dog owner who has a well behaved and trained dog than having to deal with an untrained poor behavior dog
my advice is get out before its too late

 

[meowzer]

LOL....Make your wife call since she said it was okay w/o conferring with you....
I hate to think of a dog in a kennel, BUT...after watching my daughters dogs, and my cats getting REALLY MAD at me....I have to realize this is their home....

 

[reefraff]

And people wonder why there are battered women in the world

I can't someone would commit to something like that without discussing it with the spouse. Damn straight I'd be making here call. I had a couple beagles and know what a hand full they can be even if they are trained.

 

[lovethesea]

beagles are very cute dogs. But the lady accross the street from us has one. Kind of hyper, howls, very busy, jumpy etc. She does not listen at all to anyone, not even owner. This could really upset your household. I think I would call them and express concerns about your ability to care for the dog with your other animals. Maybe show more concern about that dog over your dogs.......not getting along, happy etc. Maybe one of your dogs is showing unhappiness when you show atttention towards other animals etc. (wink) My sister in law has 2 dogs. The older dog gets crazy when my sis in law shows any sort of attention to other dogs when they walk. So it can and does happen.
good luck!!!

 

[fishtaco]

Originally Posted by reefraff
http:///forum/post/3237540
And people wonder why there are battered women in the world

I can't someone would commit to something like that without discussing it with the spouse. Damn straight I'd be making here call. I had a couple beagles and know what a hand full they can be even if they are trained.
Reef my wife already volunteered to make the call, I just thought I would make it so I could make a point that the lack of proper training for their dog is why I don't want to take her and maybe they would get a clue. I actually like the dog despite everything and she gets along fine with my dogs and feel bad that she has owners that would leave her for that long, they are going to go spend 2 months in Bali, I would never even think about leaving my dogs for that long.
That's why I posted here, because I feel guilty for saying no for the dogs sake, but my instinct just tells me it would be a big mistake and wanted some other opinions.

 

[nw2salt08]

Follow your instincts. My brother's dog is completely untrained and my parents have had the dog for 7 months now. She is such a bad influence. My parent's weimaraner used to be so calm and laidback. Those two will fight if put in the same yard. Dinky is now very nippy. NOT at all like her.
My brother just won't get things together to provide a home for her. I wish he'd just find a new home where she can have all the attention and love she needs. He's only in town once a month and hardly ever shows her attention. Poor thing. My parents have taken on the burden of having an extra dog as a result.
I hope that you do what you feel is right for your pets and you.

 

[wfd1008]

I know it's not your responsibility, but maybe you could try and give the dog some training in the two months you care for it, if you do. If you do watch it, I know it easier said then done, but try and make the best of it. If it gets too bad, then maybe the dog "might have run out into the street in front of a car" since it always runs off when let out.....

 

[bionicarm]

Sounds to me like they don't have any business owning this dog in the first place. People go on vacations all the time and leave their pets in kennels and with friends. But 2 months? You think this dog has behavior problems now, wait until they stick it into a kennel for 2 months. When they get back, the dog may not want to go home with them, depending on the type of care and attention it gets at a kennel. I can also imagine why they want you to take care of the dog for this long period of time. I haven't owned a dog in years, but what do kennels charge these days to board a dog for a week, much less 2 months? But then again, if they can jet off to Bali for 2 months, money apparently isn't an issue.

 

[tank a holic]

the bad thing is, if you agree to watch it and they leave you're stuck
and its not worth taking your time away from your dogs to train it.... once they get back, they wont work with it and the dog will forget everything you taught it anyway.... trust me, been there done that

 

[stdreb27]

Going to a creek with a beagle, especially one that doesn't see you as home, means you'd better not ever let him off a leash. They'll RUN.

 

[flower]

Originally Posted by Fishtaco
http:///forum/post/3237561
Reef my wife already volunteered to make the call, I just thought I would make it so I could make a point that the lack of proper training for their dog is why I don't want to take her and maybe they would get a clue. I actually like the dog despite everything and she gets along fine with my dogs and feel bad that she has owners that would leave her for that long, they are going to go spend 2 months in Bali, I would never even think about leaving my dogs for that long.
That's why I posted here, because I feel guilty for saying no for the dogs sake, but my instinct just tells me it would be a big mistake and wanted some other opinions.

It is allot of responsibility, if you don't want to babysit a dog that long just say so. If the dog gets away and gets hit by a car...you will have to pay for these people to get another one, and so much for any continuing friendship.
For all dog lovers reading this:
TRAIN your dog. Someday you may not be able to care for your animal, temporary or permanent and the chances of your dog surviving an event is if it is well trained...nobody wants to take on an idiot dog that was never taught manners or a simple command to come.

 

[dragonzim]

Can't really say anything that hasn't already been said here... I would not do it....

 

[darthtang aw]

How much r they paying you?

 

[reefraff]

Beagles are like Pigs and kids. They are all smart enough that when bored they can be quite creative in thinking of something to do and it is nearly always something you'd rather they didn't do.

 

[fishtaco]

Originally Posted by Darthtang AW
http:///forum/post/3237713
How much r they paying you?
Not a thing, I think they are too cheap to kennel the dog and are trying to take advantage of my good nature and it almost worked.
So thanks for responding everyone, I am going to make the call this evening and have a chat with this person and I am sure that some feelings will be hurt because I plan on being honest about things. I will leave open the option of having the dog completely trained to the same standard my dogs are by the time they leave and bringing her up for visit a couple times a month to adapt to having me give her commands, if they want me to keep her, knowing full well that they will never be able to reach that goal, but at least they have only themselves to blame.
Fishttaco

 

[smartorl]

Personally, I wouldn't do it for multiple reasons already mentioned above, the one not mentioned is, what happens if in spite of your best attempts, this dog gets loose somehow? Sounds extreme but beagles are smart and can squeeze in and out of the darnedest places and climb almost anything. I watched one once, she got nervous because her owner's were gone, actually climbed over two chain link fences and took off with me in close pursuit, for about 100 yards, then she was gone. We never found her and my friend, sued me. Photos of my yard, the letters showing that I often fostered escape artists because of my high fences and other precautions for the Humane Society, and an eye witness got the case dropped but it was still a pain. To this day, I am still peeved that the same person that dumped Fluffy off and never once during three months called to check on her became the grieving dog owner immediately and wanted compensation not only for the dog but her pain and suffering.

 

[yearofthenick]

Seems like they're taking advantage of you. I have a feeling that two months will mean forever too. They may ask for their dog back but with that length of time, it may not happen.
Cancel it. If they can't take care of a dog for 2 months at a time, they shouldn't have one. They can't pass off a dog to someone else for two months. Imagine what it's like for the dog... just not cool.