Avoid Dog-Sitter Disaster and Return to a Well-Behaved Dog
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In this episode of Off Leash and Unfiltered, Kati Peppe—owner of Diamond K9 Dog Training in Biddeford, Maine—explains how to prep sitters and boarding plans so you don’t come home to chaos. Expect a little regression, avoid free-for-all boarding, give sitters just a few enforceable rules (front-door threshold, couch policy, place), and make sure your e-collar is charged and on. When you get back, re-install standards immediately—your dog didn’t “forget,” they simply followed different rules while you were gone.
Episode Highlights
- Some regression is normal: Different handler = different rules; it’s not a crisis.
- Avoid chaotic boarding: Don’t toss dogs into random play groups; risk and arousal spike.
- Choose the right sitter: You need willingness to enforce boundaries, not trainer-level skills.
- Keep the e-collar in play: Charge nightly, put it on in the morning; avoid creating a “collar-off free pass.”
- Give only a few rules: Door threshold, couch off-limits, and place are high-leverage and easy to enforce.
- Clarity over comfort: Spell out treats/petting limits; some dogs don’t handle snuggly strangers well.
- On return, reset day one: Enforce standards right away; clear, consistent rules reduce anxiety.
- Safety net: If using a new sitter, have a trusted neighbor pop in to verify basics (food, potty, condition).
Minute-by-Minute Breakdown
- 00:30 – Who we are: Diamond K9; off-leash obedience & behavior modification.
- 01:37 – Summer travel = sitters/boarding; why this matters now.
- 02:28 – Can’t bring the dog? That’s okay—plan, don’t panic.
- 03:19 – Expect some regression; it’s workable.
- 04:17 – Your dog doesn’t think you “abandoned” them.
- 05:04 – Minor issues (jumping/couch) vs. serious behavior cases.
- 06:02 – If you’ve got aggression/reactivity, choose the caretaker carefully.
- 07:00 – Why free-for-all boarding is the “bottom of the barrel.”
- 07:49 – Few sitters will mirror your standards—be realistic.
- 08:57 – Don’t try to teach a sitter every nuance; pick simple, critical rules.
- 09:39 – Match sitter to case severity; “dog snugglers” aren’t right for edgy dogs.
- 10:52 – Higher-risk dogs require boundary-enforcing humans.
- 11:40 – Rover caution: vet the person; play-focused sitters may ignore rules.
- 13:04 – E-collar plan: charge at night, on in the morning; prevent collar-smart behavior.
- 14:40 – Pick the top 1–2 boundaries the sitter must enforce.
- 16:18 – #1 Threshold: no crowding/bolting the door; correct meaningfully.
- 16:59 – “Sheriff not in town”: dogs test rule-enforcement with new people.
- 18:25 – #2 Couch rule: simple, daily, easy for sitters to enforce.
- 19:41 – Use place for sanity; don’t overwhelm the sitter with every command.
- 20:54 – After travel: regression ≠ amnesia; skills are still there.
- 21:56 – “Needs a refresher” usually means the human needs a reset, not the dog.
- 22:50 – Re-establish rules immediately on return; clarity is kind.
- 24:22 – Stable, predictable standards lower anxiety and prevent pushiness.
- 25:12 – Most dogs snap back fast once expectations are enforced.
- 26:20 – Be explicit with sitters: treats/petting boundaries, yes or no to snuggles.
- 26:32 – If they won’t follow basics, find someone else.
- 27:37 – New sitter? Ask a neighbor to spot-check care to avoid horror stories.