Taking care of buddie's dog while he's on holidays
 

One of my friends has asked me for a favor. He has asked me if I would be keen on looking after his dog. My buddy is gonna be gone for 1 week. He wants to save the hassle of booking his dog at a kennel while saving money at the same time. He told me kennel fees are not cheap.

He owns a Boxer. From what I gather they look kinda like bulldogs except much taller, bigger, leaner. I'd be given all the necessary things like food, leash, dog bowl, kennel so its just a matter of making sure the dog gets his food, exercise. The one thing I'm dreading would obviously be picking up the dog messes. Being as though I am not a dog owner, what can I do with the messes? Can I just throw them in with my normal trash?

I've pretty much formally accepted this favor. Is there anything else I should be worried about? A week should be doable.. I hope..

First thing I'd suggest is reading up on their temperment. Boxers are pretty high energy dogs so a good long walk (preferably 2) is required to prevent them from getting bored and chewing on stuff. I would also suggest spending some time with the dog before your friend leaves him so he knows you're not a stranger.

As for the poo thing, yeah, just tie up the bag and into the trash.

I hope for your sake, the dog is over 2 and decently trained.

Yeah, the dog knows me and is really friendly. I probably won't have time to take it for walks 2 times daily. Thats a little much.
The dog is properly trained.
Would it be lame to ask my buddy for like extra money incase of emergency?

See if he has pet insurance and what vet he uses - just in case. Also make sure there's a way to contact him in an emergency.

A couple of years ago, my boss/friend watched my 10 year old Rotty for a month and a half while I was on vacation. He took his dogs to the vet for a reg. checkup and while he was there asked the vet why my dog had wicked bad breath. Turned out she had an abscessed tooth and another that was on it's way out. He (my friend) said screw it and went on the vet's reco to get them removed. $900 later..... but what are you going to do? I mean I paid him back right away and I probably would've done the same but it was a shitty hit right when you come back from an extended vacation.

To make things worse, a few months later I had to get a tooth pulled..... $280. Pets can be expensive.

Technically you aren't supposed to dispose of it in the trash. I have always and unless you have a kennel then the garbage people don't care.

Things to have. Vets info, what food and where you can get it. Then just the basics.

I wouldn't say you'd need to do two walks a day. One good 45 to an hour walk, then just setting aside some time to play with the dog at another time of the day. Also being it's a new enviroment I would have set potty times for the first two days. This way there is no accidents.