Sad dog refuses to go on walks when owner leaves for vacation, worried dog sitter reaches internet for advice on how to cheer him up: 'Just be extra gentle and patient'

An anxious owner = an anxious dog.

This dog sitter is in a bit of a jam. He's on day 2 of a week of dog sitting for his neighbor, but things aren't going according to plan. The neighbor is out of the country on vacation and her dog isn't doing so well. He's sad and laying around, he even refuses to go on walks. The caveat: he's a picky eater, and he's not eating. He has stomach issues, so he can't be enticed with food for the walks, and he also won't go to the bathroom if he isn't on the walk. The dog sitter is increasingly worried for this dog, and he still has most of the days left to dog sit. He goes to the internet for advice. Because of the dog's sensitive stomach, he can't entice him with treats in the same way as other dogs, but he can use ham.

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Dog sitting for neighbor, dog won’t eat or go for walk

via NWphotoguy

Sad dog because owners are gone.
_{Image is representative, not actual subjects.}
"Dog sitting for neighbour, dog won’t eat or go for walk"
I am currently on day 2 of dog sitting for my neighbor for a week for the first time (she is out of the country) and he is incredibly sad and mostly laying near the front door. She has written down his schedule for me, but he also has some stomach troubles which means he has a strict diet — a specific dry food that he borderline hates and no treats at all, and therein lies my predicament.
He won’t go for a walk with me. He lets me get his harness on with no bother, and he walks down the steps outside, does one pee, then stops totally still and won’t be encouraged by light tugging or words of encouragement. I eventually had to carry him back up the steps back into the house lmao. A lot of advice online says to bring treats to encourage them, but obviously that is not an option for me. My neighbor also said he will not go number 2 in the garden, only on walks.
As for the food, he’s sniffing it but not eating it. I am allowed to sprinkle small bits of ham in it and wet it with warm water, but he just picks out the scraps of ham and leaves the actual food.
My neighbor is a really anxious owner and he is also a really anxious dog, so I feel a bit lost about what I can possibly do. I don’t want a looooong week of worrying about the dog not eating or going out for poops. Any advice would be welcome.
-sheofthewraith
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via NWphotoguy

Dog but in Christmas hat.
_{Image is representative, not actual subjects.}
mdubelite
Can you bring the ham on the walk with you? It might entice him to leave the front porch.
The dog is anxious because the owner is anxious, It might take a couple days for the little guy to feel comfy with you. Just be extra gentle and patient.
Good luck Baby Bird!
PuppyDewdrop88

maybe the dog is just stressed. my rescue took a few days to warm up to me when i first got her. hope it gets better!
_abscessedwound
Sounds like the pooch is missing your neighbour as well as being less than enthusiastic about the food.
He’ll eat when he gets hungry enough. If possible, just leave the bowl down, and stop bribing him with other food toppers. He is learning that not eating gets better food from you otherwise.
If he doesn’t eat after a few days, then it’s vet-worthy.
If he’s not eating that much, then there’s less of a need to go number 2. Just keep taking the pooch out at the right times and if he needs to go number 2 he likely will.