We are dog sitting

We looked after a friend's bulldog Endo in April when both he and Ty were around 6 months. They got on very well and all went smoothly. They had one or two play dates after that with noproblems. I have been asked to have Endo again over the Christmas period.

We have arranged for a re-union meeting on neutral ground before hand but I dont forsee any problems as Ty is well socialised and so far has not shown any agression at the dog park. I would like to be prepared however so any issues can be avoided as they will be together 24/7.

Any advice?

If they have already met it should be okay. I would take them for a walk together before going into the home the first time so they can get used to each other and not have excess energy.

Double trouble

Will most definitely walk them a lot. Just worried that Endo will not be able to keep up with Ty's pace. maybe have to do several little walks a day.

I'd also keep them seperated at night & when they're on their own for any reason - you wouldn't want to come home to carnage!

Caryll you are scaring me. I am not working over this period but will need to go out a bit. They will sleep in my room. I am seriously considering backing out

Can you do a 24-48 hour sleep over to see if they will be ok. I think you will always get a bit of "naughtiness" for want of a better word. I mean kids do it when you put two together.......?
I used to holiday sit my girlfriends Ridge-back when Kita was aged 3 - 6 years and yes there was a bit of destruction (my mats at the back door and my poor plant, that I'd already saved from dying).
So I doggy proofed things a little more than normal, pulled my hair out trying to get Emma to "piddle on cue", but I had to also remember that she was missing her family and needed a few extra cuddles and was not used to life as Kita new it.
They did see each other quite regularly (once or twice a week at my friend's house) - so they got along really well from that point.

Ty wrote:Caryll you are scaring me. I am not working over this period but will need to go out a bit. They will sleep in my room. I am seriously considering backing out

Nothing to be scared of it's simply a precaution. If they are left alone a play fight can turn serious so it's best to keep them apart if you are going to be out. I've always done this while pet sitting and this way you know both dogs are safe so you won't worry.

Ty wrote:Will most definitely walk them a lot. Just worried that Endo will not be able to keep up with Ty's pace. maybe have to do several little walks a day.

Or you can go out, loop back and pick up Endo when Ty is worn down a little. Defo less energy from a bulldog than the staffy. I bet it will go fine. I think keeping them seperate when out is just a good precaution.

I agree with Caryll - keep them separated when you're not around. No reason to risk anything IMO. My whippet was almost killed (and in the end had to be PTS) by his BEST FRIEND while we were out for a little while.

Good luck with it. I also agree with keeping them seperate when you aren't around, no matter how great they get on. A little scrap can so easily turn into something more serious.

Ty wrote:Caryll you are scaring me. I am not working over this period but will need to go out a bit. They will sleep in my room. I am seriously considering backing out

Sorry! Didn't mean to scare you! It's just a precaution, that's all. A little disagreement could escalate to something much nastier if there's nobody there to stop it. A friend had 2 staff bitches that had grown up together & were best friends. She came home from shopping one day & found them both near dead - obviously a small argument had escalated & a full fight had happened.

Sleeping in your room should be fine, cause you're there to stop any problems before they start. I just thought that if they're together (on their own) at night, it might be better for your own peace of mind to seperate them.

I'm just a very cautious person.

I agree with you Caryll. A dog fight is my worst nightmare. I am trying to source crates here. They are not commonly used here. Will also suggest a sleep over before hand.

They don't neccessarily have to be kept in crates just seperated if you are away as a precaution.

Ty wrote:I agree with you Caryll. A dog fight is my worst nightmare. I am trying to source crates here. They are not commonly used here. Will also suggest a sleep over before hand.

jstaff wrote:They don't neccessarily have to be kept in crates just seperated if you are away as a precaution.

No, you don't really need crates, I'd just shut them in seperate rooms.

Thanks for all the advice everyone. Much appreciated