Boarding vs. Pet sitter (how to pick boarding too)

[HerculesMomma]

I have a business trip coming up in two weeks, and I'll ask my cousin who doesn't have a dog if he'll babysit at his house for Hercules. If he can't, I need to have a back-up plan in place.

First, I would prefer to have a pet sitter come by, but some only come 2 or 3 times a day to feed/let the dog out. I don't think I would feel comfortable leaving my dog by himself overnight - it just seems wrong somehow. Am I being silly?

I have thought about putting him in kennel, and I dread doing that, but it may come down to that. How do I go about picking the right facility if I do pursue that avenue? What should be some of my questions about their facilities and if I pay them a visit, what should I look for? Do I have to worry about Hercules getting sick from the kennel? He already has his shot for kennel cough, but the poor dog has been sick since I've gotten him from the shelter 6 weeks ago. First with Giardia, now yeast infections in his ears (and that doesn't include he was heartworm positive when the shelter got him 5 months ago and had to go through treatment for that). I worry if he gets something from the kennel his immune system might not be able to handle it. Am I being overzealous in that respect? Thanks!

[SABELLESMOM]

We have dogs with different solutions:

Cocker Spaniel is a rescue, he does NOT board well. They have to sedate him, and he's a mess for about 1 week after. That's him. We don't like to leave him at all, but we ask my step son to look after him.

The Rottweiler boards at the vet. Why? Because she likes it and they like her, in part. They have a number of staff who also have Rottweilers and they spoil her rotten. There's also the fact that I lost GSD some years ago to bloat. By the time we got her to a vet she was shocky, almost gone.

Since Rotties are also prone to bloat, I feel safer having her where someone is making rounds even thru the night. She is not alone. And a VET is on call. Perhaps, because of our previous loss, we are overly cautious, but that's us. Given Herc's health and history, at the moment, I'd opt for a vet office that boards.

So it's up to you. You know your dog best, and your needs best. I have friends who board theirs at a doggy ranch, which also has a few positive perks, like evening and night rounds. Although there's no on site vet, I'm sure they could call. And You're NOT being overzealous, you are being careful. :)

[excellrott]

Who do the people at your training club use?

[HerculesMomma]

It's a little hard for me to type right now with my 100 pound dog in my lap :D but my ob instructor owns a doggy day care too and now she boards overnight. I think the dogs stay in a crate at night then play with the other dogs during the day. Hercules can't play with other dogs yet because he's somewhat aggressive towards them. Plus they require you're dog to go to daycare 5 times before they will board them overnight. He can't go to daycare because he doesn't get along with dogs :(

So that scratches that option for me now. I was kind of hoping that he would get along with dogs, because this would be great for boarding him overnight, then having him have activities during the day. But right now thats not an option.

[Judi W]

In a true boarding kennel, the dogs have indoor/outdoor runs. Kennels are secure and the entire propery is double fenced and double gated so that a dog cannot bolt out and run away. Most vet boarding does not have very sizeable runs so I would prefer a clean and well-staffed boarding facility.

A pet sitter that is not savvy unfortunately can have a dog push past and take a walk about, especially if it is a dog with issues.

If your cousin is available, why not have his housesit and dogsit at your home?

[excellrott]

You do seem to have a difficult choice. I have a club trainer who works at a kennel, so it is easier for me to trust them. I would think that if you toured a couple of kennels and they let you inspect (the whole thing) at your convienance, you will be able to come up with one that you are comfortable with. Good luck

[KatMc]

This is the first time I've gone with a pet sitter. She will come 2x a day. I'm leaving my 2 Rottweilers and my mix at home. They have a dog door that gives them entrance to the house through to the kitchen. I am a nervous wreck about it to be honest. The pet sitter came over and she did fine with the dogs and they seemed fine with her. She's insured, bonded, dog and cat CPR certified. She says when she gets there she walks around the yard and fence to make sure there are no signs of digging or anything like that.

I have boarded these 3 one time, in a kennel that had big enough kennels for the 3 to be together, he let them out a couple of times a day for play by themselves, but when it came time to put them up, Bella would not go near him and wound up going into another kennel by herself and that is where she stayed. I had boarded Sooner and Delia at a different kennel, they had a cement floor and their door went to an area that only had stone. They were allowed outside for an extra $3.00 a day per dog for like 20 mins. My girlfriend went over everyday and got them out to play with. Delia had a strained tendon and I took comfortable blankets to them, my friend never saw them in the cage with them.

My biggest fear is the dogs getting bored and deciding to try to get out. She said she takes care of a couple of dogs that spend most their day in the house, unless the owner is gone and then they are outside the entire time and she hasn't had a problem.

Anyway, part of this is a financial decision also, she's almost $20 cheaper per day. I have left them alone over night before, but I'm usually home after 24 hours max.

It's a tough decision.

Kathy

[Luvs]

If it were me I would have to have a pet sitter come to my house. Since the horses have to be fed 2x a day, it is much easier just to have someone come stay at the house and take care of everyone. I have boarded my dogs in the past and I definately prefer having someone come to my house ;)

[Judy Chrusch]

It's a tough decision no matter what you choose and as many of you know I have my own petsitting business and have taken only as many as I feel comfortable with so each one can have the individual attention they sooo deserve. There can be horror stories with both sitters and kennels, one must search high and low and do your homework on finding an HONEST petsitter and in our cases someone who is able to care for the personality of a rottweiler. Unfortunately we can't have our cake and eat it too as far as the means you chose. In all the interviews I've ever gone on I only had one person say I was too expensive and that's o.k bc usually for many reasons I don't need their business anyway ;). Petsitting can be pricey but it's what people want and the choice they make. I know many sitters who charge more then me and they have tons of business so it all depends.

I was amazed at how many people really don't go away bc they don't want to kennel their dogs and they couldn't find a petsitter they felt comfortable with. All my business lately has been through word of mouth and just seeing me at some one's home so I've had NO problem getting the jobs.

I personally have never had luck with kennels with my dogs and I have tried several different ones BUT sometimes we just don't have a choice and I hate to hear when people don't go on vacation bc of their pets :( . Don't get me wrong, my pets have always been like my kids but us as humans need to just get away sometimes and then there's always taking them with you but when you have multi dogs that doesn't always work either.

Heck, just ship your dogs to me, lol :D ! I hope you find a solution that suits you and your beloved pets and I know exactly how you feel and how torn you are sometimes with decisions we must make.

Judy

[KatMc]

Heck, just ship your dogs to me, lol !

I have UPS picking them up today, what address do I need to ship to? You've got my vote....

Kathy

[LynnS]

I either have some stay at the house the dog knows and is comfortable with or leave Bella with one of a few friends that have a rottweiler and the room (people I have met training and showing). I am not opposed to a good boarding facility either if that were my only option.

[Jaegergirl]

i personally wouldn't trust someone coming into my house that i don't know (unless, of course, it was judy c. ;) or someone else i "knew" from this board). plus, i would be wary of someone taking maverick for a walk if they weren't knowledgeable about rottweilers. AND, i wouldn't want maverick to be in my house alone when we're out of town. luckily, my sister takes him when we go away and if she couldn't, i could get my niece to stay at our house or my parents would take him. but, if none of the above were available, i'd take him to a kennel... after i checked them out thoroughly, of course.

good luck in whatever you decided.

[lblax]

i would always opt. for a reputable kennels for the following reasons....
i really dont want others to have the resposibility of keeping my home locked up while im away..

people know if your having someone coming and going to take care of your animals that you are gon for an extended time

and what happens if your dog suddenly decides he is not going to let this person in or out of your home.. just because they do well with your dog while your there doesnt mean your dog wont change there idea about them once your gone

[JD102175]

We are going to be boarding Brodie for 4 or 5 days in May. Luckily our trainer boards at his house and the cost is only $12/day. Whenever we had to board Misha, she was always boarded at our vet. She was taken out for walks in a big fenced field 2x a day and at some point during the day she was put into a very large kennel for 30min to an hour. The large kennel faced the big field and on nice days the outside door(not the kennel door) was left open to allow fresh air into the entire kennel area and a view for the dog in the big kennel.

Jaime

[Judy Chrusch]

Some good points are made and people just have to do what's best for them. Larry I agree about the whole thing when you have someone come in your home, that's why when I go to homes, I vary the time and change as much as I can, go in different vehicles and so on and believe me I am very cautious with how I do things at night. In my job I have ALOT of responsibility and my mind is always thinking of the what ifs! To be honest, I wouldn't allow anyone in my home or to walk my dog otherthan my sisters but they don't walk him when I'm away bc I don't allow it for alot of reasons and they aren't familar with rotties pursay.

Thankyou Jaegergirl, that's so sweet and Oh I wish alot of you lived close to me so I could help you out :) . You know, I know the kind of person I am and I know I'm honest but boy as I said I wouldn't want it for me unless a friend recommended someone. With me, I go way above my normal job, I am ALWAYS at the homes longer, no cost to them, just bc I think it's important if I have the time.

Whatever decisions people make, you have to be comfortable when you're away bc there's nothing worse then worrying when you're not home, heck, I call my sisters everyday when we're away :D , not to mention the 4 page letter I leave them, lol :D .

Judy