need dog care, exchange of "favours"?

Elenm · Post by **Elenm** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 9:51 pm

hello all,

am trying two things in this post:

1.
this might be the weird part right out, but I was wondering if anybody on the forum [that are fond of dogs and capable of handling them as such] would be willing to take care of our dog at their place for about 3-4 weeks, i.e. if we need to be away - nothing is final yet and depends on if we are able to make arrangements for our girl. sure, there are the "dog hotels" but we really don't care for locking her up in a cage for such a long time period, with long periods of no company, not to mention the costs involved. and yes, our girl is spayed, has pet care insurance, and is exceptionally well trained and behaved, and is lovely with children, even toddlers.

2.
for sure, we would be willing to do the same for your pets as needed. not only just look after your dog for just one time, but here's our idea:

basic aim: i.e. so, the aim, apart from seeking somebody (as per 1) for the moment, the idea that I was thinking and kinda hoping is to create some sort of a long term interest group for dog care, i.e. friendly, reciprocal and non-commercial. i see certain benefits:
1. because it would not have any commercial aspect, only people genuine interested in their welfare would take this on, i.e. the dog would be in a cared environment with company and
2. it does help save some costs

anybody interested? please send me a pm.

thanks all.

**Sponsor:**

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 11:29 pm

Post up a pic of your dog and list some of it's good and bad traits, this might help in the forming of an opinion on the matter.

dave071061 · Post by **dave071061** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 10:46 am

Yep it would be useful to have some idea of the breed we are talking about here

Elenm · Post by **Elenm** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 11:08 am

Hi pete, dave,

Well, you are right, I should 'ave put up an introduction. I've been telling me hubby (yeah, he's there on the forum too!) to work on an exchange idea since March/April and finally it is getting done - by me!!!

An introduction to our girl is here.

We are kinda serious about setting up an exchange network - if it gets off, it would be really nice!

Cheers.

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 11:25 pm

Nice looking dog you have there! I am very fond of Dalmations but unfortunately can't offer any help to you.
Taking care of another dog would mean that my wife would also have to partake in said caring...
She has enough on her plate with our 1 year old son, our 4.5 year old dog (Shiba Inu) as well as the baby growing inside her.

edit: i mean while i am at work, normally we share the load otherwise.
Good luck though, you put forward a great idea!

Elenm · Post by **Elenm** » Tue Sep 08, 2009 10:48 am

Thanks Pete!

Well, at least somebody signs up to the idea...

Cheers.

mikebrads · Post by **mikebrads** » Tue Sep 08, 2009 10:47 pm

i would potentially be willing to help BUT i live in a rented flat (so potentially that could be a problem

)
Also I am putting the offer out there as currently i am unemployed so in theory have the free time to look after a dog (if the 3-4 week thing happens and you have no better offer, we might be able to work something out

)

network_engineer · Post by **network_engineer** » Sat Oct 03, 2009 6:57 pm

Elenm wrote: ...I've been telling me hubby (yeah, he's there on the forum too!) to work on an exchange idea since March/April and finally it is getting done - by me!!!

ROTFL! I was away from Finland Forum for a few months because of some heavy work load, business trips and simultaneous studies, but now with the load a bit easier, decided to check out all the posts since I last read the forum, some interesting ones here! And then I found something seemingly from my own house! I wanted to be sure that it was my wife who sent out the post (my wife told me I could have just checked out the introduction to my own girl staring back at me though!

Yeesh! Before anyone gets the wrong ideas about a lazy couch potato "hubby", the "hubby" did not get around to trying to make arrangements because the so-called planned trip will not be happening till autumn 2010!

But thanks to all who replied - I stand by her idea, that is a good one!

Still - yeesh!!!

Seen Canary · Post by **Seen Canary** » Sat Oct 03, 2009 7:34 pm

network_engineer wrote:
Elenm wrote: ...I've been telling me hubby (yeah, he's there on the forum too!) to work on an exchange idea since March/April and finally it is getting done - by me!!!
ROTFL! I was away from Finland Forum for a few months because of some heavy work load, business trips and simultaneous studies, but now with the load a bit easier, decided to check out all the posts since I last read the forum, some interesting ones here! And then I found something seemingly from my own house! I wanted to be sure that it was my wife who sent out the post (my wife told me I could have just checked out the introduction to my own girl staring back at me though!

Yeesh! Before anyone gets the wrong ideas about a lazy couch potato "hubby", the "hubby" did not get around to trying to make arrangements because the so-called planned trip will not be happening till autumn 2010!

But thanks to all who replied - I stand by her idea, that is a good one!

Still - yeesh!!!

I think it's a great idea as well. Just one question. Is it one of those really mental Finnish dogs? We brought our dog (mongrel, cross, heinz beanzer

) over from Blighty. He is the most couthy, gentlest, non-aggressive dog you could ever hope to meet. Well. It has to be said that the majority (yes, majority) of Finnish dogs I have encountered while walking my own have been snarling, snapping at the leash, rabid maniacs. What's that all about? Credit though, it does seem to be other dogs they go for and not humans. Hope you find someone for your girl. I'm not a huge fan of dog hotels, kennels either.

network_engineer · Post by **network_engineer** » Sat Oct 03, 2009 7:43 pm

Tell me about it!

Nah, not at all, she is one of the gentlest ones that you can find... an amazing temperament for a Dalmatian, very social, but plays rough, but doesn't bit, more like runs straight into the fence kinds. But then again, I have worked extensively with her.

The reason that dogs snarl at each other, especially while on leash is a lot of times about lack of social interaction and lack of training. Dogs that are used to other dogs and still snarl usually are more subtle if they are off leash when being introduced.

aniorek · Post by **aniorek** » Sat Oct 03, 2009 8:01 pm

Currently I live in a rented flat so it doesn't go, but next year I am going to buy a small house and I will also get a dog. So I'm signing-up for the long-term collaboration.

anas465 · Post by **anas465** » Sat Oct 03, 2009 9:22 pm

Moi kaikki,

Great idea, Im up for this kind of groups in Hki region!
Lets do it seriously and introduce all our dogs once!

Cheers!

network_engineer · Post by **network_engineer** » Sun Oct 04, 2009 11:02 pm

Hi!

Let me see what I can cook up, perhaps just a section right here on FF, people can announce both their need and availability. What I am keen to ensure though is

1.
reciprocity, and,

2.
that there is NO commercial aspect to this, because in my opinion that would be perhaps the only way to ensure that the people that sign up are truly those that love dogs/cats/whatever pet the take on and are capable of handling such pets and not just to supplement monetary requirements one may have. Of course, the idea is that owners would provide the food, bedding etc. as needed. Thing with commercial aspect in this case, is that there is no way to guarantee any interest in the well-being of the pet, which is the founding reason for this intent.

As I see it, it would also ensure a friendly growing social circle.

To answer Cory: Yep, our girl has been away in the past (not recently though) but is guaranteed not a worry in that sense, because she is extremely well-conditioned for that. Not only that she is extremely well trained

And that is despite the fact that I haven't had much [regular] workout with her in the past year.

Oh yes, I have kept my friends pets as well as long as my availability is good.

Yeah, I too have heard of some good kennels, the problem often is the night, i.e. they are in the cages for about 8-10 hours during that time, not that it would be a problem though, except I care too much about my girl to imagine her being lonely at night! Dunno why, she is the first medium sized dog I've had (always had big, muscular dogs before), but I have a very soft spot for her. And then there is the cost (next time I probably need a world bank loan),

the only really good place we know is 24 EUR or so (and we always give the food), so that would work out to be about 528 EUR!!! There are the cheaper ones, e.g. one that I checked out in Porvoo, a few years ago, was in 2002-3(?), we reached on a Sunday morning, and the caretaker reeked of strong alcohol. The kennel itself was something, let's put it this way, the shed that I use to store my firewood is far cleaner and smelt worse than the compost!!! That time, the breeder came to the rescue and offered to keep my girl, and I was more than happy!

I like anas465's idea too, we should meet up once we have a few more interested, it would always bring in newer friends and the dogs get to play as well. As regards our need, we wouldn't be travelling till at least sometime October 2010!

But I'll keep you posted.

Cheers!

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