Dog Sitter Debacle: Sitter Contemplates Doggy Sleeping Arrangements, Seeks Advice from Redditors

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kalila courban
Jun 26, 2023 11:00 AM EDT

Being a dog sitter comes with its fair share of challenges, as one sitter and the original poster of this thought-provoking Reddit thread recently discovered. This sitter and original poster found themself in a tricky situation when the four dogs they were looking after insisted on snuggling up in bed, making it impossible for them to get a decent night's sleep. In search of a solution, they turned to the Reddit community for guidance.

Redditors weighed in with their opinions, presenting different perspectives on the matter. Some suggested finding a compromise by sleeping elsewhere in the house while allowing the dogs to remain in the room. Others warned against locking the dogs out, as it could cause distress and potential damage. The conflicting advice left the sitter in a quandary. As a paid professional, they wanted to respect both the dogs and their owner while also prioritizing their own well-being. If you're curious about the various opinions and the ultimate decision, check out this intriguing listicle that delves into the dog sitter's predicament and the insightful comments from the Reddit community. 

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  • 01
    Font - Edit for FAQ: 1. I am a paid dogsitter 2. If I try to sleep on the couch, they all pile on the couch and it's worse 3. I only slept 3 hours last night and as a result have no energy to give them during the day and feel guilty about it
    via u/Significant_Sign_399
  • 02
    Font - puddleofdogpiss - 2 days ago Shove a pillow in between you both, or better yet a body pillow.
    via puddleofdogpiss
  • 03
    Font - Cursethewind - 2 days ago Champion; Mika NTD/Sebastian NTD I'll be honest, I'd just let the dogs sleep with you. Locking them out will likely cost you sleep as well and add stress to the dog at the same time.
    via Cursethewind
  • 04
    Font - DoglandDog2and Me 2 days ago Champion My friend tried to leave Dog1 outside the bedroom when petsitting for me -- cue a long night of Dog1 crying outside friend's bedroom door.
    via DoglandDog2andMe
  • 05
    Font - _rockalita_ 2 days ago Definitely a huge difference if you're a paid sitter. If you are, your best bet is to see if they are fine on the bed with you elsewhere. Locking them out of the room will not only most likely make them upset all night, but they may scratch the crap out of the door. Which I doubt the client will appreciate.
    via _rockalita_
  • 06
    Font - Mbluish 2 days ago Did they ask you if it's OK if the dogs sleep in bed with you and did you agree? If so, sleep in the bed with the dogs. I have Whippets who have extreme separation anxiety. It is totally in the breed to want to sleep under the covers with their people. I went on vacation awhile back and got a college bound student who stayed at my house and was happy to sleep with the dogs. I did tell her she can put them in the crate as long as they are in the same room with her. She e
    via Mbluish
  • 07
    Font - YSterling22 - 2 days ago Do they have dog beds? Set them or blankets/pillows on the floor around your bed and direct them to a spot before bed. Maybe give them a toy or bone to settle them and see if they will sleep there. You may have to direct them a few times but they should be able to figure it out.
    via YSterling22
  • 08
    Font - Far_Nefariousness773 2 days ago As a dog sitter I make it clear to pet parents I don't sleep with their pets. Reasons. I watched 6 dogs for a couple. Loved to sleep with me and I didn't mind. Except one night they got into a fight with each other in bed with me. It's so dangerous to be surrounded by dogs you don't know. Ended up with stitches. Dogs were fine but I wasn't. I finsihed the sitting because I know they didn't mean it, but nope. Dog owner was sweet, paid me well and my copays.
    via Far_Nefariousness773
  • 09
    Font - dennysbreakfastcombo 2 days ago Seems kind of unfair. My client has 3 dogs that usually sleeps with him in his bed. He told me that if I did not want to sleep with the dogs on the bed I didn't have to. I used the guest bedroom and the dogs went and slept on his bed with no issues. They whined a little bit but got over it. I didn't lock them out though I left the door open but blocked so they knew I was in there. You should be allowed to sleep how you want and it's not your fault for needi
    via dennysbreakfastcombo
  • 10
    Font - blackbirdbluebird17 2 days ago Grab extra pillows and surround yourself with them as a barrier between you and the dogs. It won't be perfect but it'll give you a buffer between the squirming and the kicking and all the general doggyness that keeps you awake.
    via blackbirdbluebird17
  • 11
    Font - CUSTOMBAH - 2 days ago Do they want to sleep with you or do they want to sleep in that bed? If you're at their house and they're trying to sleep in the same bed they sleep in every night, I would just let them sleep in that bed and sleep in another room. If you're at your place and that's not possible, try sleeping on the couch and they'll figure out there isn't room on there for them and they'll figure it out or they'll sleep in your bed while your on the couch
    via CUSTOMBAH

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dogs silly funny sleep Reddit sleeping thread doggos pet sitter dog-sitter
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