Hi
I've offered to babysit a rottweiler dog on 6 months, Tyson, from this monday and untill the 15. january 2004. One of the problem is he is not used to be with another dog inside. Which means that he wants to play all the time, he keeps "attacking" Luna. That wouldn't matter as much if I lived in a house, but I live on the third floor, and my downstairs nabour ain't to happy as it is.
The other problem is that he doesn't obey me. He has no respect what so ever for me. monday night I had to let him sleep in his own place (an appartment about 50 m away), because he wouldn't calm down, and I had to sleep, because I was going to work tuesday morning. I felt a little sad, just coming and taking him for a walk yesterday morning and then leaving him for the day, while I went to work, so last night I let him stay, he eventually laid down to sleep, but I had to shut my cat out from the bedroom, because Tyson whines and barks at the cat. At 2 o'clock at night I was awaken by the dogs (I'm keeping Luna in my bed, to keep the dogs apart). And the cat sensed we were awake and started miaving and scrathcing at the door, which made Tyson whine again, and I had a lot of trouble making him lay down again.

I'm sorry to say, that I regretted offering to babysit in the first place. Luckily I start a 2 week vacation on friday afternoon.

My primary question, besides help!, is: Will Tyson get "used" to having another dog around him, and not having to play the whole time?

I can't put him in a crate, because: 1. he isn't use to this and 2. I don't have one, and they are not cheap here in Denmark.

I'm strongly considering keeping him at his own home at night at least until my vacation, and in my vacation he could be with us the entire day, and sleep at home at night.

The problem is I'm very stressed, and that ends up with being angry and I can see Luna is affected by this. And I'm concerned if I "ruin" the dog. I don't know the owners THAT well! We have just met, when we were out walking the dogs and at dogtraining (we're not in the same class). I know rotties are a speciel breed, and needs a sturdy hand, but I don't really have this, which is also why I chose a labrador and a bicth instead of a dog

HELP!!!!!

jeanette

you got to think first for your dog, and second of him,if it carries on i would like you say put him back in his own home with vist from you like walks,feed time, or the other thing put him in kennels,and let the owners pay for it when they get back,the problem will only make you stress out and your dog,you do not need it this time of year.

good luck what ever you do.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.
You've just given me peace of mind!

I've thought a lot. I don't really want to write a mail to the owners, they are in Brazil, and I don't want to ruin their vacation. And especially because, I suggested it to them myself!
And for free! They are only paying for his food.
My mother is probably sitting and saying "I told you so!". But I'm such a softie.

Jeanette

I have had Rottweilers for the last 18 years and really hope that you have decided not to put the pup in his own home and only go there to feed and walk him.  Rottweilers have an almost obsessive need to be with their pack or people and it could really disturb him by leaving him alone for long periods.  Not to mention the fact that he could do some serious damage (chewing etc) while alone.  I hate to be harsh but you took on the responsibility of looking after the dog and you should either get on with it or contact the owner and ask what they would like you to do for the best.  After all, he is their puppy and maybe they would be unhappy if they knew he was alone for long periods and would prefer him to be kenneled.  I know that I would be extremely unhappy with this situation and would be very upset if I knew that it was disrupting your life so much and would want him placed somewhere where he would be getting lots of company and attention.

He would have to have managed if his owners had put him in kennels or if he had had to go into quarantine, think you are brave to face the fact that you can't cope and should do as you think best for you, your dog and the Rottie, if that means keeping in his own home with perhaps an hours visit to yours to play then so be it, you can only do your best, and it will do him know favours to be rushing about all day, he will not settle when the family get back. Only other thing I could suggest is to speak to the Rotties breeder and see if they will take him for you.

Hi Jackie

Thanks for the support, but everything seems to be solved now. The sister of the family is taking him for some time. But you can read all that in my answer above!

I'm just trying to do my best, but I'm perhaps a bit naive in thinking the way I do, but if there comes a next time, that they need a babysitter I'm not the one. Only if it is for a single evening - a couple of hours. Because he is a sweet dog, if he would only listen everything would be hunky dorry.

Jeanette

Hi

Well, I should have learned never to be happy to soon! Today the sister called me, and told me, that they can't keep Tyson with them, because he isn't quite housetrained yet. So he'll beb back home this evening at around 6 o'clock.
Well I'll cope, because I have to!
She promised, that they would take him once in a while, but I don't know if I'll dare believe that.

But no matter what he'll be alone home at night. I'm going over to him at around 7 o'clock tonight with Luna and stay there until I'm going to bed, pick him up tomorrow morning and keep him most of the day, so it is only at night he is alone. I know that it probablely isn't enough, but its the best I can do, without "ruining" my own dog!

Its really strange, Tyson is 6½ months old, and he is still peeing on the floor. Its not like he stops and pee, no he just keeps walking while he is peeing. Its not big pools but it isn't just drops either. Have you heard about this before?

Jeanette

Jeanette

I wonder if he has a bladder infection?

Wendy

Hi Wendy

I've thought about that to.

When I was sitting with him most of the day yesterday, I took the water away from him, he pees mostly while he is drinking, he stopped peeing inside.
He drinks quite a lot of water. Luna, my own dog - labrador pup 8½ months - has her waterbowl standing al day, she does'nt drink as much water as Tyson does.

I'm considering taking him to the vet, but he isn't open until monday. So in the meantime, I'll take the water from him, when I'm there, but let him have water, when he has eaten. And of course I'm letting the bowl stand with water for him, when I'm not there.

It can't be very nice to be walking around in that smell everyday, I do what I can - I wash the floor at least once a day. But its only a little bit of floor there isn't carpeted, so it's difficult.

I'll call the vet first thing monday morning, but I honestly think the owners should have done so a long time ago!

Jeanette

Hi

It's seems everything is workin out fine. I was going home with Tyson for the night yesterday at around 21.30, and there were light on in the appartment! It turned out to be a sister of the girl (of the owners). She suggested that she could take Tyson with her today, sunday, and keep him either the rest of the period or for some time. Her boyfriend has a farm, so there would be plenty of space for Tyson there.

If I had known he would be like this, I would never have offered to babysit him in the first place! But he seemed very welbehaved when we met down on the grass. And how was I to kknow, that Luna wouldn't be fine with Tyson hanging around all the time. She is fine with Bella, who she plays just as much (maybe more) with.
I'm sorry but I have never known any one with a rottweiler  or any male dog, for that matter before, and this is the first time I have a dog my self. So sorry if I seem a bit naive, but how was I to know? Maybe this is whining to you, but I just asked for some advice, because I've gotten help here, with other things!

I made the mistake comparing Bella and Tyson, because they are the same age, 6-6½ months, but I shouldn't have and won't again.

Sometimes you have to learn the hard way, which I think I just did. So maybe I shouldn't be so softhearted again.

Jeanette

that why this site is there to ask,which  you did which was good,so know you and the dog are not so stress out and you can enjoy a better time with your dog,

Hi Briedog

Yes and maybe relax a bit after the stress this week. I'm going to have christmas here in my appartment. My father and brother is coming. I haven't bought any gifts yet, my home isn't decorated yet and I haven't shopped for food, candy and so on yet!

So we all know what I'm going to be doing the next couple of days. Thank god  I have vacation now!

Jeanette

Hi everybody

Now everything is solved.

The sister moved into the appartment yesterday, and she is staying there for the rest of the period. I returned the key yesterday, so now I hope he'll be fine.

Don't get me wrong, I like the little bugger, and things were turning around, as he got used to me.  The vet told me, he couldn't do anything, that Tyson just wasn't completely housebroken yet.

Well, my consius (probably spelled wrong) is doing a lot better,,  now that I know he won't be as much alone as he has been.

I've told the sister to call, if she wants to meet so Tyson and Luna can play. And I told her, that if she was going anywhere an evening or something, then I would take him.

Bye for now

Jeanette