Navigating Dog Sitting for Aggressive Dogs

So you have an aggressive dog and can’t take them to a conventional boarding place and also can’t really use the dog sitters you’ve found on the dog sitting apps. And for clarification, I’m not talking about dogs that take a second to warm up to people or that might be a little bit nippy: I am talking about dogs that will attack other dogs and people if they are in proximity. This article is to help you think through options for finding a sitter so that you can still take that vacation you’ve worked so hard for.

Understanding Aggressive Behavior in Dogs: Before delving into dog sitting arrangements, it’s crucial to understand the underlying causes and manifestations of aggression in dogs. Aggressive behavior can manifest in various forms, including growling, barking, lunging, snarling, or even biting. It’s essential to recognize triggers that may provoke aggression, such as unfamiliar people, animals, or situations, and to seek professional guidance from a certified dog behaviorist or trainer to address underlying issues. Many dogs have some sort of behavioral issues in certain contexts but this article is not about them. It is about the dogs that cannot safely be handled by a stranger without a muzzle.

Important Considerations for Dog Sitting an Aggressive Dog:
Safety First: Safety is paramount when caring for an aggressive dog. Ensure that the dog sitter has experience handling aggressive behavior and is knowledgeable about canine body language and warning signs of potential aggression. Ask them what the fallback is if things go wrong and what they would do if a dog is going to kill or badly injure a person or another dog. I’m a big advocate for pepper spray or bear spray if the situation calls for it. It is not worth a human life or a dog life to try to figure out a nicer option so don’t be shocked if their final fallback is pepper spray or similar.

Behavioral Assessment: Conduct a thorough behavioral assessment of the aggressive dog to identify triggers, thresholds, and appropriate management techniques. Share this information with the dog sitter to facilitate understanding and preparation. This assessment should include information about bite history and the situations that have historically led to bites occurring.

Establish Clear Expectations: Clearly communicate your expectations and concerns with the dog sitter, including any specific instructions, routines, or protocols for managing the dog’s behavior. Emphasize the importance of consistency and patience in handling the dog.

Supervision and Management: Provide guidance on how to safely manage and supervise the dog, particularly in situations where aggression may be triggered. Implement strategies such as controlled introductions, use of positive reinforcement techniques, and avoidance of potential triggers.

Emergency Preparedness: Discuss emergency protocols with the dog sitter, including procedures for handling aggressive outbursts, escape routes, and contact information for emergency veterinary care or animal control if necessary.

Trial Period: Consider conducting a trial period with the dog sitter to assess compatibility and observe how they interact with the aggressive dog. Monitor their handling techniques, communication skills, and ability to maintain a calm and assertive demeanor.

Open Communication: Maintain open communication with the dog sitter throughout the sitting arrangement. Encourage regular updates on the dog’s behavior, progress, and any concerns that may arise. Address any issues promptly to ensure the dog’s well-being and safety.

Finding the Right Dog Sitter for an Aggressive Dog: Finding a dog sitter equipped to handle an aggressive dog requires careful consideration and vetting. Here are some tips for finding the right dog sitter:

Experience and Expertise: Look for dog sitters with experience working with aggressive dogs or dogs with behavioral challenges. Inquire about their background, training, and approach to handling aggression. You likely will want to find someone that has experience training highly aggressive dogs and if they have the ability to board in a no touch arrangement where the dog can safely be boarded without anyone needing to be in the same room/kennel at the same time.

Certifications and Credentials: Seek out dog sitters who have completed relevant certifications or training programs in canine behavior and aggression management. These credentials demonstrate a commitment to professional development and expertise in the field. More importantly, the certification in this area may assist you in the case that an accident does occur with the sitter wherein you can establish that you did your due diligence in picking the sitter and to all appearance they had all relevant credentials to understand the risks of sitting your dog.

References and Reviews: Read reviews from previous clients and ask for references from the dog sitter’s past experiences with aggressive dogs. Speak to other pet owners or professionals in the community for recommendations.

Meet-and-Greet: Schedule a meet-and-greet session with potential dog sitters to assess their compatibility with the aggressive dog. Observe their interaction, communication style, and ability to establish trust and rapport with the dog. Again, if you dog is so highly aggressive that they attack all people or other animals on site, don’t expect magic – you just wanted to observe if they are calm when they see how your dog is and if they are still willing to sit them. You can’t expect them to build rapport in a few minutes with your dog.

Trust Your Instincts: Trust your instincts when selecting a dog sitter for an aggressive dog. Choose someone who instills confidence, reassurance, and a genuine commitment to the dog’s well-being.
Finding a sitter for highly aggressive dogs comes down to two things really: 1) the sitter being experienced with highly aggressive dogs and understanding the risks and 2) the physical arrangement your dog would be in (i.e. this would ideally be a no touch situation where you can drop of your dog in the kennel they would be staying and the sitter never has to actually handle your dog). If you have those two things and the sitter is willing, that is best situation you can hope for.