I have had day dogs on and off for a few years. When Ella was there, was not possible – she only worked together with a very few dogs, and it was friends of mine who had those dogs. So it wasn't until Ella was gone that I was able to start helping others by taking care of their dogs.
To bring in one day dog is to change his everyday life. There are quite a few things that change, as soon as something new enters one's life. It doesn't really matter if it's a new one, own dog (or cat, or any other animal), the partner, new job – or a new day dog. There will be new energies and new approaches for everyone involved – a changeover, quite simply.
For that reason I have recently started to think a little differently about bringing in new day dogs. I've had a few over the past few years (since Ella left me). Some have worked amazingly well here, others a little less good. I have thought a bit about what I think is important and how I want it. Namely, I have a tendency to be far too kind and take on dogs that don't automatically work very well at home.
I have landed in that there are some things that are very important to me.
The human being
I have met dog owners who have full insight into the possible problems their dog has, and also been more than willing to start doing something about the problems. I have also met dog owners who were aware that there were problems, but not having the ability to articulate these problems in a meaningful way, nor committed to fixing them.
No dog is perfect. However, some dogs have behaviors that are far from okay. Ella certainly wasn't perfect, and Boyo isn't perfect either. And if a dog has something you perceive as a problem, it can usually be worked on. But that requires that you can formulate your ideas around the problems and are willing to put in the work on it. Then there are some dogs that require significantly more work than others – You shouldn't brag about that.
As a dog owner I feel that you need to be able to formulate your dog's characteristics and needs, and be honest about what is actually needed (if it is anything out of the ordinary).
The dog
My dog, Boyo, is just over two years old. He is thus still relatively young, and as such – still quite impressionable. I am careful not to bring in dogs that over time have a negative effect on him, because I don't want him to adopt boring behaviors.
It is one of the reasons why I prefer not to accept young dogs. They are still young and rough and don't have enough sense in their heads to know how to behave in all situations. It doesn't necessarily have to be bad – but it could be. Plus, of course, that they are just young and rough. Depending on the dog, it can be more work than it's worth.
The dog needs also be able to handle Boyo who takes on a lot and can be experienced as the right burdus, especially of dogs that are of the soft kind, wake the battle. Not that Boyo is necessarily a monster, but because the difference is so great. Then it shouldn't switch over to the other side either, so that the dog is too energetic, dominant or otherwise harsh and unavailable.
The relationship
I prefer, for obvious reasons, relationships with both dog and human where everyone gets along and has the same goal. I also prefer that as best I can, take care of both dog and dog owner, because it is a trust I have – to take care of their dog.
I also prefer long-term relationships rather than being a dog watcher for shorter periods. I believe that it is better for both dogs and people to stick to the same over time. It has to do with security and everyday life. Constantly switching does no one any good – least of all the dogs involved.
Working hours
I have a problem with my sleep. Sometimes when I go to bed it can take several hours before I actually fall asleep (menopause). The fact that I'm also a night person makes it neither easier nor more fun. Therefore, I have decided not to accept dogs that need to come so unreasonably early in the morning. It's incredibly stressful for me, affects my sleep and makes me very irritable and irritable after a few days. In the long term, it is not something that favors a pleasant climate here at home, and becomes very difficult for everyone.
Then I am of course adaptable to some extent – it's something you have to accept as a daycare. But I simply don't have the ability to adjust my times to any extent.
Routines
I have like said was a problem with my sleep, and also my circadian rhythm. I have a day dog that is here one day a week, and not always regularly. It is a super cozy dog, and the relationship with both dog and people works fantastically well. But I would like to have a day dog that is here regularly, and preferably five days a week. It gives me the opportunity to create sensible routines, and hopefully my sleep works a little better.
Myself
All dogs are various. All dogs need different things from both their own people, as well as those who take care of them when the master/mother is working or doing something else. Therefore, it is, I think, as a potential day mat, extremely important to think about what I can contribute, and if I am willing to put in the time and energy required if it concerns a dog that needs something more than the usual (for lack of better way to express myself).
I can handle rough and troublesome dogs quite well – but I can handle it on a daily basis? My energy level can vary quite a lot, especially the days I didn't sleep much. Some dogs require so much that it becomes incredibly difficult in the long run. For me, it's very much about taking care of myself by saying no, when I already feel that I won't be able to cope with a certain dog.
Conclusion
What I am interested in is making everyday work. At my house, I want the dogs to work together, but also with my cat Molly. I want to be able to do what I usually do without having to hang like a hawk over the dogs to make sure they behave. Having several dogs at home is, of course, different from having just your own and requires more than that not keep them at home – but it also shouldn't have to be the case that I have to put everything else aside to make sure my home isn't torn to shreds, that there is not too much energy and thus far too much mischief and mischief, that there will be no fighting and so on.
To take care of someone else's dog is a big deal – for everyone involved. I want to be able to do as good a job as possible, and then it is important that as much as possible works for everyone. I've made mistakes and brought in dogs that didn't work out at all – because I am far too kind and tend to want to help both dogs and people as much as I can and preferably more.
But only this year I have come to the realization that I do not only can take care of others – I also have to take care of myself. And I don't do that by bringing in dogs where it will be far too much work, and where it just affects my whole life, not to mention how it affects my own dog.
This is some of my thoughts about choosing which day dog you bring into your life. There are certainly those who think differently, but for me these are things that are very important. I also think I should write a post about how I myself think about that get dog sitter/daycare provider (if I had the need).