Exhaustive Pet Sitting and Household Management Guide

Waste Management and Kitchen Logistics

Garbage and Recycling Cans: These are located on the driveway side, specifically on the opposite side of the garage.
Trash Schedule: Trash day is on Wednesday. The homeowner mentioned that they would handle taking it out before leaving, so the sitter is not required to perform this task.
Trash Bag Locations: * Large garbage bags are stored in a specific location for the main kitchen bin. * Small garbage bags are provided for secondary trash cans located in bathrooms or other rooms.
Dishwasher Usage: All dirty dishes should be placed in the dishwasher; the homeowner intends to have it empty before their departure.
Cleaning Supplies: General cleaning supplies are stored under the sink. Specific dog-related cleaners are provided for potential accidents.

Laundry Room and Household Rules

Towels and Rags: The laundry room contains a collection of rags and towels available for any purpose, including cleaning up spills or general use.
Used Laundry Protocol: Used rags or towels should be placed in the designated laundry basket in the laundry room.
Laundry Room Accessibility: The homeowner keeps the laundry room door closed because the dog tends to enter the room and take small pieces of laundry.
Bathroom Facilities: The sitter has access to a full bathroom provided with necessary towels.

Dog History and Stress Responses

Past Trauma (January Mexico Trip): During a previous trip to Mexico in January, a pet sitter with less experience stayed at the house. This resulted in a "horrific situation" where the dog became severely stressed.
Stress Behaviors: During that period, the dog engaged in destructive chewing for the first and only time, damaging the moldings and window sills in the laundry/kennel room. The dog also experienced numerous indoor accidents during that time.
Kennel Confinement: The dog had been kept in his kennel in that specific room with the previous sitter, which contributed to his stress level.

Sleeping Arrangements and Nightly Routine

Bed Configuration: * The homeowner will move a dog bed from the office into the sitter's room to ensure the dog is comfortable. * The dog's bed from the owner's bedroom will also be available so he recognizes the scent and feels secure.
Bed Access: While the dog occasionally gets on the owners' bed with permission, he is not allowed on the guest/sitter bed without being invited, and he typically sleeps in his own bed within the same bedroom.
Nightly Schedule: The dog is usually taken out for a final bathroom break between $10$ PM and $11$ PM. He can generally sleep through the night without needing to go outside until the morning.

Daytime Routine and Activity Control

Office Restrictions: When the sitter is not in the home or is not hanging out in a specific area, they should close the door to the office and the laundry room to prevent the dog from getting into things or being alone with beds he might chew.
Energy Levels: During the day, the dog is described as being "pretty chill" and spends the majority of his time sleeping.
Morning Routine: On weekends, the dog may go out around $7$ : $30$ AM or $8$ : $00$ AM but will often return to the couch or bedroom to continue sleeping. He does not demand food immediately upon waking.

Feeding and Dietary Instructions

Scheduled Guidelines: Feeding times are approximately $8$ AM and $5$ PM, though these are guidelines rather than strict rules.
Walking Precautions: There should be a minimum of a $30$ -minute wait period between eating breakfast and going for a walk.
Food Composition: * The dog receives dry food, measured using a red cup. The measurement is specifically " $1$ cup," which corresponds to the lower portion of the cup. * He also receives canned (wet) food. The sitter should add $2$ to $3$ tablespoons of wet food on top of the dry food.
Digestive Health: The dog has recently experienced diarrhea. The homeowner attributes this to receiving too much wet food or switching flavors too quickly rather than an actual illness.

Mental Stimulation and Interactive Toys

Chew Toys and Treats: Various chew toys and "Zuke's" treats are provided.
Lick Mat: A lick mat is available. The homeowner recommends putting bone broth on it and freezing it to create a long-lasting activity.
Treat Dispenser Ball: A rolling toy that dispenses "Zuke's" treats as the dog moves it. This toy should not be left with the dog unattended because he may attempt to chew on the plastic.
Sniff Mat (Snuffle Mat): Treats can be crumbled into this mat to encourage the dog to forage. It should be taken away once he is finished.
Puzzle Games: Several puzzle toys are available where the dog must move sliders or pull out sections to reveal treats.
Tire Toy: A small tire-shaped chew toy is provided for him to gnaw on.

Safety and Cleaning Procedures

Indoor Accidents: If an accident occurs, the sitter is instructed to sop it up and use "Simple Green," which is described as a food-safe and pet-safe all-over cleaner.
Sitter's Health Note: The sitter mentioned they currently lack a sense of smell, so they intend to be extra precise with cleaning to ensure no odors remain.
Kennel Usage: The dog should be placed in his kennel when the sitter leaves the house. He can stay in the kennel for $3$ , $4$ , or $5$ hours at a time.
Poop Cleanup: It is not necessary to pick up waste in the yard after every instance, but it should be done approximately every $2$ days.

Vegetation and Yard Care

Backyard Environment: The neighbor's trees were recently cut back, exposing the entire backyard to direct sunlight.
Watering Requirements: Specifically, the jasmine plants need watering as they are under an overhang and do not receive natural rain. Multi-colored succulents and other plants in the back should also be watered.
Hose Instructions: * There are two hoses in the yard. * The water is usually left on, so the hoses are pressurized and ready to spray. * One hose has a pressure sprayer attachment that is adjusted by turning the nozzle.

Dog Socialization and Environment

Neighborhood Dogs: The neighbors have multiple dogs (previously four, currently several) that are described as being "insane" and barking loudly throughout the day. The dog, Bill, is largely used to them and generally ignores the barking.
Wildlife: The dog frequently encounters deer during walks. He tends to pull on the leash to get toward them but does not bark.
Temperament: Professional trainers estimate the dog is very timid and anxious. He expresses excitement or anxiety by jumping up and down.
Formal Training: The dog is scheduled to begin an intensive training program in South Austin regarding exposure and behavior. It starts the week of Memorial Day and lasts for $4$ weeks, Monday through Friday.

Sitter Schedule and Logistics

Work and School: The sitter works at Target in $4$ -hour shifts and has a $10$ -minute commute. Their school classes end this current week.
Departure/Arrival Times: * Homeowners leave Thursday around $12$ : $00$ PM or $12$ : $15$ PM. * Homeowners return Tuesday around $6$ : $00$ PM. * The sitter is free to leave around $2$ : $00$ PM on Tuesday.
Communication: The homeowners will be reachable via text throughout the weekend.

Questions & Discussion

Sitter's Job Change: The sitter mentioned starting a new job on the $19$ th, immediately following the homeowners' return.
The Office Incident: The homeowner explained they were working from home because someone drove a car into the front of their office building in Northwest Austin (near Mopac and $2222$ ). The car went into the waiting room, but no one was injured.
Fostering: The sitter asked if the owners plan to foster puppies again. The owner responded that they do a lot of fostering but will wait until Bill completes his training program before bringing more puppies into the home.