Holiday Pet Sitting: Managing Noise When You're Watching Someone Else's Dog
Published on: December 22, 2025
Key Takeaways
Watching a friend's dog for the holidays? A strange environment often leads to separation anxiety and barking. Here is how to prevent a noise complaint while pet sitting.
Table of Contents
You offered to watch your friend’s dog while they travel for the holidays. It seemed like a fun favor, until the dog started howling the moment you left the apartment. Pet sitting a strange dog in a new environment is a recipe for noise complaints. Here is how to handle a guest dog with separation anxiety.
Why Guest Dogs Bark More
A dog in a new home is already stressed. They don't know the sounds of your building (is that elevator ding a threat?) and they don't know where their owner is. This anxiety often manifests as persistent barking or howling, which can violate noise ordinances just as easily as your own dog would.
Immediate Mitigation Strategies
If you are stuck with a loud dog right now:
- Don't Leave Them Alone: Ideally, bring the dog with you if you leave, or arrange for a friend to stay with them. An anxious guest dog should not be left solo in an apartment.
- Mask the Sound: Turn on the TV or a white noise machine near the door to drown out hallway noises that might trigger a bark.
- Exercise is Key: A tired dog is a quiet dog. Double the length of walks to burn off nervous energy.
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Communicating with Neighbors
If the dog has already been loud, get ahead of the complaint. Leave a note for your neighbors:
"Hi neighbor, I'm watching a friend's dog for the holidays until [Date]. I know he was barking earlier—he's a bit anxious. I'm working on keeping him calm, thanks for your patience!"
Knowing the situation is temporary makes neighbors much more tolerant.
The Takeaway
Pet sitting is a big responsibility, not just for the animal's care but for your standing in your building. Treat a guest dog's noise as a serious issue to avoid a fine or a lease violation during the holidays.
Check Your City's Laws
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