Holiday Parties and the Doods

[Jessica, Loki and Moose]

Hi all!

I was wondering if you guys take your doods with you to big holiday get togethers or if you leave them at home with a pet sitter. This year our one side of the family is hosting and they live about 4hours away so it's usually a weekend trip. They have said I can bring the boys if I want. I'm curious if you guys think this would be more stressful on them than having a sitter come and stay with them. I know the boys LOVE attention and thrive around people but my family is very loud and typical Italian (lots and lots of noise and tons of people coming and going) so I'm thinking through my options while it's still a long ways away. Personally I think they would be fine at a party but I also think they would be fine with a sitter so I'm just curious as to what you guys do!

Thanks everyone!

Jess, Loki, and Moose

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

That's a tough one. I have a big italian family too and could just picture all the little ones running around, chasing dogs, pulling tails, the barking.....I would think that if they are not used to all the crazy italian attention, and they would be just fine being home, that I would opt to let them stay home. I think you all will relax more and enjoy your time with your family better.

[Gail and Bailey]

I think I would choose to leave them with a sitter. As Sue said, you would probably relax and enjoy your family more.
Another option would be to take them and let them have some "attention time" and then crate them in a quiet room for the rest of the party so you would know they were safe and sound and you could concentrate on the family.

[F, Calla & Luca]

It's hard to enjoy a party while worrying about dogs getting in trouble or getting hurt. It's just too easy fr someone to accidentally step on a dog in a crowd, or let them escape etc. I leave my dogs home.

[Carol and Banjo]

If you feel they'll do fine with a sitter I would say go with that.    As much as I love bringing Banjo everywhere, I've learned that I do enjoy myself more and can be more "engaged" with other guests if he's not with us.    I don't have to worry about him getting into things (food he isn't welcome to that could potentially hurt him), no worries about little ones pushing or pulling, no worries about open doorways he might escape from.....all in all it's just less stressful for all of us.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

I agree with the others.  Since they do well with a sitter and it is only a couple of days - consider it a mini vacation from responsibility! LOL  You will enjoy yourself and your family a lot more if you are not worrying about the doodles. 

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

This would be a whole other problem if you had to choose between boarding them in a strange place or taking them. But since they would be fine home with a sitter, you are very lucky. Not everyone has a sitter or dogs who are ok home alone without their people.  

[Amy and Annabelle]

I have a lot going on this season with birthday parties and the holiday's. I always bring Annabelle, but she stays in her carrier. She can stand up in it and move around and only comes out when I can supervise the situation. The only problem I have encountered was an extended family member who seemed to be allergic to her. The other dog allergy family member wasn't bothered by her, just the one. If I had 2 dogs and a trusted dog sitter, I might feel better about leaving her home. Annabelle doesn't like noise and chaos, so she is very happy to be in her carrier away from it all.

[Julie and Charlie]

It depends... One of the homes I visit has two cats who have never interacted with a dog. Charlie doesn't go to that house! I think the cats would be overwhelmed.

My rule is: if the hosts invite Charlie without me asking, he comes. Otherwise, he stays home.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I think it depends on the dog.  A gathering like this would make my Murphy very nervous.....he doesn't like his routine to be changed and the large, loud crowd would create stress for him.  My mini, Guinness, would be fine and would really enjoy this....he loves a good party.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I agree Jane, my Murphy would be pretty anxious as well. Bella on the other hand would be the life of the party!!!

[Adina P]

Before kids we would take them with us.  After kids, they stay with sitter.

[Jessica, Loki and Moose]

Thank you for the replies everyone! You guys have all brought up different things I will need to think over. I am very lucky that the boys have a very nice girl who they love and she loves them. They have met all of the people who will be at the party separately (like in groups of 4-6 not in a group of 36! lol) and were loved by all. I guess I think they would be the life of the party and really enjoy the attention but at the same time if they don't I'm sort of stuck and I know they will have a relaxing time with their sitter. I guess I feel bad leaving them without me but they might prefer to be left alone. Thanks a lot again guys!