Boarding Doodle for 2 weeks! SO SAD! =(

[TrevorDoodle]

I have to board my doodle for 2 weeks and I am so sad and worried. He is supposed to stay in a in-home situation with people who have LOTS of dog experience. I am just so scared something will happen to him because I don't think anyone will take care of him as good as I try to. My dog and I both know these people and I do not have a contract, should I be worried? I wouldn't even know how to ask for a contract without sounding like I'm looking for trouble. I don't want him staying in a typical boarding place because he would go crazy if he had to lay in a kennel all day. So, I don't have many options on where he can stay. What should I send with my doodle to make him more comfortable? What should I do to prepare for his stay? I would appreciate any advice for anyone who have been in this situation before.

[Wendy]

I don't have any experience with this. IF you know these people and are willing to leave you doodle with them... you must trust them. Bring all his stuff to make him feel at home!!

I usually hire a dog sitter or get a friend to stay in my house if I need to leave my dog at home.

Good luck!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Possibly you could post for a doodle sitter her on Doodle Kisses.

If you were close I would watch your doodle for a few weeks. It would be great entertainment for my dog, and your dog would be in a more comfortable environment until you return.

Are you coming to NE Ohio? Bring him over.

[Tamara & Giada]

Just make sure he has his favorite toys, bones, food and bed or crate. I was just like you and hated to leave my dog. we took her to a kennel and had a horrible experience :( But one year I found this woman who took care of them in her home and it was wonderful!! My dog almost didn't care to come home...lol!!! She moved, or I'd have my dogs there again. Hope your experience is as good.

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

Hi Trevor Doodle, there is a web site you can go to www.petsit.com you can do a search at the top of their page, they have pet sitters in your area who are insured and bonded, also some will stay overnight with your pet. They also do contracts so you feel secure, they should also have forms for information about the dog, family and a Vet release form, they will also keep daily records of your pet and report to you on how you pet did daily...please check them out...don't opt for the cheap pet sitter because you can wind up with problems. If these people are not doing contracts and not with PSI or NAPPS, or insured and bonded I would not have them pet sitting. A lot can happen not just with your dog, but your home also. PSI and NAPPS give identification cards also to their sitter members for identity, ask for it. Also ask for references, check them out...You will be amazed how happy your dog will be with a pet sitter, and how stress free your vacation will be.

[Linda,Yankee & Finn]

I also get dog sitters in my home so I'm not sure what to say. It would be me that would miss him so much that I would be sad. These people know dogs so he should be just fine. You will worry more than your doodle. He'll probably be spoiled and have a blast.

[katherine willis]

I, too, had to leave my little one at a kennel for two weeks in May. He had never been away from me at night although I took him to a play group during the day. I was so worried but had no choice. I live in rural Maine so a pet sitter was just not an option.

Bottom line: He had a great time but was equally glad to go home. First, like you, I knew where he would be staying and I arranged for him to have lots of exercise and walks both with other dogs and with the technician caring for him. (You may want to look at kennels in your area that have a more caring approach to the pets staying with them.) I called regularly to see how he was doing. I was particularly concerned about whether he was barking at night. He wasn't and that is a good sign of no stress.

MAKE SURE HE/SHE HAS A CURRENT BORTELLA VACINATION. SHOULD BE WITHIN 6 MONTHS.

Don't feel guilt and don't react to people who suggest you shouldn't leave him/her. The most important question is whether he/she is in a safe environment.

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

At-home pet sitters are becoming so popular mainly because of the enormous downside to leaving your pet in a boarding facility or kennel. Unlike using an in-home pet sitter, boarding may mean your pet will spend hours a day in a cage. He or she may be released from an indoor kennel area for only a short time during the day, or put in an outdoor run that still keeps them in a cage. What's worse, there is no guarantee that your precious pet won't be exposed to ill or very aggressive animals!

There is simply no way a kennel or boarding facility can promise otherwise, even though they would like to.

[Janie]

The advise I would give has already been given by Tamara. I would be stressed out if I had to leave mine this long. I have someone come to my house to keep mine .

[Jersey, Jasmine, Jypsy and Diane]

I have worked at a kennel, veterinary hosp and then owned a petsitting business for 4 years before I was forced by arthritis to give it up. I found the dogs that were boarded at the hosp and in the kennel to be stressed, ignored and mostly unhappy. Cats were kept in airline crates, that had just enough room for a litter box and a small sleep area. The food bowls hung on the cages. They were only let out to stretch when their cages were cleaned. I think the animals felt they were being punished by being put in there. If you wanted your dog to go for a walk, it cost extra. I couldn't take working there.

I decided to go work for another pet sitter before starting my own business to see if this was what I really wanted to do. After 2 months, I knew it was. I offered a free "get to know me visit". At this time, I spent time with the animals I would be watching, answered questions, etc. If they wanted me to take care of their animals, I would take out a contract and take all their pets information, habits, likes and dislikes, medical problems (I also gave shots, gave medication), permission to take their pet for medical treatment if needed while under my care, and other info. In addition to caring for the animals, I brought their mail in, watered plants, turned lights on and off if they didn't have timers on. Notes were left for the owners at every visit, so they knew what their animals did while they were gone. I took pictures of every cat or dog I sat for, still have the pics in albums. I was insured, bonded and a member of NAPPS, also gave references. Every animal I cared for was treated as my own. I loved every minute I got to spend with them, and have remained friends with many of my clients, long after I had to stop caring for their pets. I feel professional pet sitters are the way to go, but check them out real good, since all petsitters are not the same.

I wish you well, hope you all have a wonderful vacation.

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

Another concern and something most people do not realize is come 6:00p.m. or 7:00p.m. thats it, lights out, your dog is in it's run, the only comfort they have for the next 12 hours is themselves, and hopefully a great dog next to them on either side. They can't tell you honestly how your dog was overnight, if it barked or not, they can't tell you if Fluffy turned into Kujo over night. We just finally got a kennel that has cameras set up so you can watch your dog there, but it still is not the same as having them in the comfort of their own homes, and why go on vacation to watch your dog on a camera, I honestly want to know they are taken care of in their home.

[TrevorDoodle]

I could have someone come to my house 3 times a day, but I don't think it would work for 2 weeks. He would get really lonely. I'm not even excited about my trip because I am worrying so much about him. I *wish* he could go with me. I jokingly thought about getting him certified for being some kind of service dog for me, so I could take him!

[Adina P]

What we have done is spread the work around numerous friends. For example:

7am -- Melissa

12pm -- Nate

5pm -- Cassie

10pm -- Lisa

So although not all of those people could spend a long time with our dogs, 1-2 of them MIGHT be able to. Also got any friends with dogs that Trevor is friends with that could come for a short play date to tire him out?
The downside with our plan is that once or twice one person totally forgot to come on schedule. Also since we have three dogs, they keep each other company and aren't going to be lonely. I'd be more hesitant to leave a single dog alone for 2 weeks without someone actually staying at the house with my dog (instead of just stopping by). When we went on a longer vacation a while back we did have one friend STAY there the whole time.