As a lot of you will probably know, I've been trying to get my dad to agree to let me have a dog. But, I haven't really got anywhere with that so I was trying to find ways to help out with dogs. This morning I found a leaflet advertising a kennel-type service called: HOLIDAYS 4 DOGS. It's where they get volunteers (well, they do get paid 10-22 pounds a day!) Who love dogs to loook after other people's dogs while they're away. I was thinking I could have a go at that. Here are a few questions it asked in the booklet:
can you give a dog plenty of TLC and attention during the day?
Do you have direct walking access to parks/countryside?
Are you fit and active?
Are you an experienced dog lover?
Is your garden secure and dog-friendly?
Are you at home during the day and have no pre-school children?
If that was me during the school hols, it'd be yes for all of theem apart from the bold part. I haven't owned a dog mysetlf, but my dad used to have a rodesian ridgeback but does that count? We'd only be able to in the hols though because when I'm not home everybody would be either too lazy or too bussy! What do you think?

i think the people who do this have to be a certain age plus if your family dont want a dog in the house they may not want someone elses.

also you need quite a bit of experience as you may get tricky dogs and as you have never had one it may be a bit of a shock to suddenly have someone elses big dog.

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It's a lovely idea...but I don't think they'd be able to accept someone under 18 however good they were. If people are paying to have their dog cared for by someone, it must be covered by insurance etc and I don't think that they would accept someone under 18 as a primary carer for a dog in a place where people are paying to leave them...in the same as you wouldn't be allowed to run a kennel etc. Sorry that this isn't a very positive response.

Maybe you could ask around your parents friends to see if anyone would like your family to care for their dog whilst they go on holiday - I can imagine people who knew you and your family might be happy to leave their pet with someone as keen on dogs as you during the holidays. I have let my next door neighbours, who at the time were 10 and 8 look after my cats when I went away - their parents were fine with it, and I knew that they'd help out if there was a problem and my cats were very happy to stay at home with someone they knew.
Naomi x

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My dad said he would be absolutely fine looking after a dog short-term so he would probably be the one who was putting his name down

what i think is important to think about is that it will be you looking after these peoples dogs and not your dad as you said you wanted to do for hands on experience so its best to be honest as if i was leaving my dog with someone id want to know exactly who was doing what with my dog and not pretending to ie. your dad putting his name down but you are the one walking it etc.

i probably think this idea is not the best fit for you and your family as it requires people who know ALOT about dogs and animals, i hired a woman to care for my elderly dog for a day in his home and she knew everything about dogs even all the local vets names.

maybe look to helping others who do this or volunteer locally as this kind of work is quite difficult and requires alot of trust from the other people.

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I have to say that if I left my dog with someone through one of the dog sitting companies and later found out that they'd let their child with no experience take him for walks etc I'd be furious.
People use pet sitters because they wan't their dog looked after SAFELY by EXPERIENCED owners. If you're not old enough to be insured and have never looked after a dog of your own then you're not suitable to look after other people's dogs - simple as that.

You could try asking local dog walkers if they'd let you come with them as an unpaid volunteer, but that would again depend on their insurance.

Unfortunately I must admit that I don't think it is a good idea either. Like others I would need to know who would be looking after and walking my dog if I used this sort of service. I would be furious if I found out that a child had been walking him when I believed that I was paying for an experienced adult to, as I would have concerns about any issues that might arise whilst on a walk (no matter how mature for their age a chid was) and also because, presumably, it would invalidate any insurance that your Dad had taken out as it would cover him for any mishaps rather than a minor.

I think it's wrong to con folk by your Dad 'putting his name down' but you taking responsibility and it could land you both in a load of hot water even though your intentions are good.

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Ok, so I guess it's abad idea.

I'd definitely say it is, unfortunately. You do seem extremely mature and determined and I do hope you find some way of being around dogs, but this is just not it I don't think.

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id say so too, maybe walk with a friend who has a dog to get some experience, i just dont think you have enough to take on this as this is the job for very experienced people and not ones trying for hands on experience.

i cant imagine how you must want to interact with dogs as i have had one all my life, maybe volunteer, i think the guide dogs let minors come in to play with the puppies as they need handling, you dont get to train them but you get puppy cuddles! have a look into that maybe.

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