Dog Behaviors to Watch for When Dog Sitting
How to avoid fights and what to do if it happens
If you haven’t already, check out ‘How to Introduce Your Dog to a Visiting Dog.’ Once you’ve helped the dogs along with a proper introduction and learned some warning signs of unhappy dogs, dog sitting should go well!
Most dogs get along well with others. But just like humans, not all dog pairs are meant to be. Dog disagreements over play style, sleeping spots, or food can range from irritating to dangerous.
What to watch for
- Pushy play. Some dogs are obnoxious with their play, repeatedly pawing at, tackling, or barking at other dogs. If you see one dog constantly pestering the other to play, give them a break from each other.
- Rude behaviors. Some dogs are a bit socially awkward, just like humans. These dogs might stare, stand over their playmate, or paw at their companion’s face until their companion snaps at them. Interrupt rude behavior by calling the dogs apart.
- Tension around food, toys, attention. Do you want to share your sandwich with strangers? Probably not! It’s always smart to feed dogs separately. If you notice that one dog doesn’t like sharing with the other, remove the contentious object. Read more about resource guarding here.
- Fear. Keep an eye out to ensure that one dog isn’t avoiding the other, rolling onto her back when he comes nearby, or clinging to your side. Help the scaredy-dog out by giving the dogs breaks.
What to do if a fight breaks out
A proper introduction and watching for warning signs above will go a long way towards avoiding a fight. But it’s smart to learn how to manage a dog fight should one occur while dog sitting.
It’s often challenging to tell the difference between rough-and-tumble play and a fight. Regardless, it’s ok to call the dogs apart for a “breather.”
If things go south, you’ve got several options to safely and quickly stop the fight:
- Make a loud sound. Many dogs will “snap out of it” when you drop a pan or make another loud, sudden sound.
- Throw a blanket over the dogs. The sudden darkness is disorienting enough that most dogs will stop fighting.
- Spray the dogs with water. Spray the dogs with a hose or dump water on them if you’re outside.
Never, ever put your hands in the middle of a dog fight.
If the dogs aren’t getting along, communicate honestly with the other dog’s owner. Keep the dogs separate if you’re concerned about their interactions, especially when they are unsupervised.
Questions or comments? Share them below — we’d love to hear from you!
Written by Kayla Fratt, Associate Certified Dog Behavior Consultant.
