In preparation for dog sitting
for friends I visited them twice to walk and feed the animals. It is
a common misconception that a dog will walk with anyone, even someone they
know fairly well. Similarly, the hand that fills the food bowl does
not necessarily claim the loyalty of the dog. In the case of a group
of dogs, pack dynamics must also be taken into account. If you do not
take charge they will.
When an existing pack heirarchy is not acknowledged by the human, it may
create an opening for one dog to claim superiority out of turn. Those
things done subconsciously by owners in order to maintain the peace may be
missed by the dog sitter.
Obedience during exercising should not be taken for granted either. Dogs
are obedient with their owners, but not necessarily with the world at large.
A dog sitter can not assume that all dogs will come to their call or
even walk with them. These particular dogs had to learn to accept my
authority and I had to observe their own interaction. At first this
was done in tandem with their owners, then I went solo. Thus the owners
knew that the dogs would be safe with me out on exercise as well as at home.
A few years ago I was laid-up for a while and many kind people offered to
walk my dogs. I had to refuse these thoughtful gestures, knowing that
the dogs would not accept any authority except my own. Though they are
devoted to him, even the "Sahib" had difficulties with them to start with.
They planted their feet and refused to leave me. Fortunately,
after a few attempts, they did eventually condescend to go with him.
reprinted with kind permission from Alastair Balmain
Deputy Editor:Shooting Times &
Country Magazine
Blue Fin Building, 110 Southwark Street SE1 0SU
Tel: 020 3148 4750
