One horror story could be that while dog sitting, a strange noise in the attic made all the dogs go crazy barking at midnight. I was so scared as I didn't know what was up there. I tried to calm the dogs but they just wouldn't stop. Eventually, it turned out to be a raccoon that had found its way in.
I was dog sitting and took the dogs for a walk in the park. All of a sudden, a big aggressive dog that was off - leash came running towards us. My three dog - sitting charges were terrified. I had to pick up the smallest one and fend off the other dog while trying to keep the other two dogs calm. It was a really scary situation.
The most common element is probably carelessness. Sitters might not properly secure the dog's living area. For instance, leaving a window open that the dog can jump out of. Another is inexperience. A sitter who has never dealt with a certain breed's specific needs can get into trouble. Also, distractions play a role. If the sitter is too focused on their own things like chatting with friends instead of watching the dog, bad things can happen.
One common element could be unexpected events like the dogs getting sick suddenly. When you're dog sitting, you might not be fully aware of their medical history, and a sudden illness can be very scary.
Well, I heard of a dog sitter who forgot to feed the dog for a whole day. The poor dog was starving and started chewing on furniture out of desperation. When the owner came back, the house was a mess and the dog was in a really bad state. The sitter clearly wasn't responsible enough.
One time when dog sitting, the dog suddenly started growling at an empty corner in the middle of the night. It was really spooky. I tried to calm it down but it just kept staring and growling. I was so scared that I could hardly move.
Dog sitters need to be aware of the dog's body language. If the dog is showing signs of stress or anxiety, like cowering or growling softly, it's important to back off and not force any interactions. In addition, having a first - aid kit handy for any minor injuries that might occur during the dog sitting period is a smart move. And always have the contact information of the local vet in case of an emergency. By taking these precautions, dog sitters can significantly reduce the chances of getting into a horror - like situation.
One horror story could be when a dog sitter found the dog had chewed through electrical wires while they were gone for just a short time. It was a terrifying discovery as it could have led to a fire or electrocution of the dog.
When faced with a scary situation while dog sitting, you need to understand the dog's body language. If it's scared, don't force it to do anything. Maybe it's sensing something you're not aware of. Try to create a safe and comfortable environment for the dog. Close the curtains if it seems scared of something outside. Provide it with its favorite toys and treats. You can also turn on some soft music to soothe the dog and yourself. If the situation gets really bad, contact the dog's owner immediately and ask for advice.
I heard of a story where a dog sitter went to a new client's house. The dog seemed friendly at first. But when the sitter tried to put the dog to bed, it became very aggressive. It turned out the dog had separation anxiety from its owner and was used to a very specific bedtime routine that the sitter wasn't aware of. The sitter had a really tough time calming the dog down that night.
There was a case where a pet sitter was supposed to feed a dog regularly. But instead, they got distracted by their own affairs. The poor dog ended up starving and was in a really bad state when the owner returned. It took a while for the dog to recover fully. This shows how irresponsible some pet sitters can be.
The feeling of being in someone else's space and not fully understanding the history of the place can be terrifying. There might have been a tragic event in the house in the past that you don't know about. And suddenly, you start experiencing things like cold spots or objects moving on their own. It gives you a sense that there's something not right with the place, and it can be very unsettling.