Vacation: Board or hire a pet sitter?

3446 Views 36 Replies 23 Participants Last post by Bonn1997, Aug 28, 2009

Bonn1997

Discussion Starter · Jul 13, 2009

I have an upcoming vacation that will be almost two weeks and have travel plans. What would be a better option: Boarding them at a place where they'd stay in partially enclosed outdoor rooms that are about 10 x 15 or hiring a pet sitter who would come to my house 3 x a day? The boarding place has a few employees who all love animals and has a good reputation. The dogs would get more human interaction there and would get a chance periodically to roam around on their 5 acre property. However, they're both rescue dogs and I'm worried that they're going to think I abandoned them (or they'll at least be confused about where their home is). For a little more money, they could stay in my house and the pet sitting company would come 3 times a day: Once for 30 minutes (which includes a walk) and twice for 15 minutes. This doesn't sound like a lot of human interaction and usually I let them out to go to the bathroom much more than 3 times a day. They've never had accidents in the house though, including overnight or when I'm away for close to 8 hours.

I probably sound neurotic for bringing this up but do you guys feel guilty when you go away? I was invited to go on this cruise a year ago--before I had either dog. I'm really, really excited about the cruise but part of me feels like I'm putting the dogs through a confusing, scary period just so I can have fun.

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LilMissSunshine

· #2 · Jul 13, 2009

I would board if it was me, the place sounds great and the dogs might be confused at first, but they will understand when you pick them up

and then, if you decide to go on vacation again, they will GET IT. that the doggy boarding place is just somewhere temporary and you will pick them up soon

Pet sitters are great to, if its a company with a good reputation and insurance. but careful with hiring just anyone, remember your giving someone the keys to your home, accidents happen (leaving doors open, dogs getting out etc..) so you want to be sure its a company your trust

hulkamaniac

· #3 · Jul 13, 2009

I would board. I think the dogs will be fine.

Bonn1997

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jul 13, 2009

LilMissSunshine said:
I would board if it was me, the place sounds great and the dogs might be confused at first, but they will understand when you pick them up
and then, if you decide to go on vacation again, they will GET IT. that the doggy boarding place is just somewhere temporary and you will pick them up soon

Thanks, Sunshine and Hulk. 13 days seems like such a long time. Do you think if I boarded them for 1 or 2 days as a "practice" before the vacation, then the 13 day vacation would be a lot less stressful for them? Maybe they'd already understand that this is a temporary place? (That may be a neurotic idea that most owners wouldn't even think of but I do care a lot about how happy they are.)

hulkamaniac

· #5 · Jul 13, 2009

Honestly, I don't think dogs think that they've been abandoned. Other people on here will disagree with me, but that's just my cowboy hat. I seriously doubt either one of my dogs spends any time thinking about where they were before I got them.

LilMissSunshine

· #6 · Jul 13, 2009

Bonn1997 said:
Thanks, Sunshine and Hulk. 13 days seems like such a long time. Do you think if I boarded them for 1 or 2 days as a "practice" before the vacation, then the 13 day vacation would be a lot less stressful for them? Maybe they'd already understand that this is a temporary place? (That may be a neurotic idea that most owners wouldn't even think of but I do care a lot about how happy they are.)

If that's a possibility, it sounds like a great idea

drop them off, and pick them up with lots of rewards, treats and fun! it might make the 13 day leave be less stressful, since they have been there before and now know you will eventually pick them up

lol I don't think its neurotic, its totally something I would do. especially since it will be 13 days

Thracian

· #7 · Jul 13, 2009

I board mine, although I haven't taken a vacation since I got the puppy. I did take Cupid to daycare (at the boarding facility) a couple of times before the first trip. Like you, I wanted to get him used to the idea that I would come back every time I dropped him off. I think it did help.

sheltiemom

· #8 · Jul 13, 2009 (Edited)

I would board them....I don't think 3 times a day is enough, especially since it's only adding up to one hour of human interaction time, and you said it's more money...no way. The boarding place sounds nice and I think they'll do fine.

ETA: I think boarding them for a trial run before the vacation is a good idea if you want to spend the money on it. I think it will help that they are familiar with the place and if they do well then you'll feel better about going on vacation.

FourIsCompany

· #9 · Jul 13, 2009

Bonn1997 said:
Do you think if I boarded them for 1 or 2 days as a "practice" before the vacation, then the 13 day vacation would be a lot less stressful for them?

That's EXACTLY what I was going to suggest! Not so much for them, though.

deege39

· #10 · Jul 13, 2009 (Edited)

I would hire a pet sitter...

Why? Well, it can be less stressful your dogs... If dogs can handle your absence in your own home, wouldn't you prefer that? At least they can still smell you, play with their toys, and keep some sort of routine down in their own environment... I know I wouldn't want Donatello stuck in a cage for 2 weeks with other dogs yapping their brains out; He'd come home more stressed out and wired than a Jack-Rabbit.

Pet sitters can be great, I own my pet sitting business, and several of my clients thank me for keeping their mind open to the idea.

One client in-particular had a dog that suffers SA, and would come home sick, tired, and starving from the kennel, but after four days of using me- They came home and praised me up and down and they were so happy that their dog was eating and happy when they came home...

It makes me sad when people aren't at least open to the idea... : (

Edit:: I forgot to mention that I also have two separate clients that keep their dogs crated, and I go over three times a day, (morning, noon, and night) and let them out... They believe if their dog is going to be in a crate for a few weeks they'd rather them be crated in their own home so they're more comfortable and able to get some good sleep...

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JediRach

· #11 · Jul 13, 2009

We always board our dogs. It allows them more social interaction with both people and other dogs.

BearsMommie

· #12 · Jul 13, 2009

I would board as well. I take mine with me, when we stay in pet friendly hotels and houses, but that is not always an option. I have been taking my pup to doggy day care once a week to two weeks, at a facility that does boarding, as well. It gets them used to the other dogs, people and the environment. He loves going to daycare now and I think he will be fine with boarding there, when the time comes. That may help your pups adjust to the place, first.
I asked to take a tour first and also looked at the cleanliness of the place, before I took him. That is important to check out, especially for the boarding.
Enjoy your cruise!

tigress

· #13 · Jul 13, 2009 (Edited)

I would board them. At least for my dog if she was left alone for 13 days with only having some one come over 3x a day she'd get bored and I'd worried she'd get creative (Even though she is generally a good dog about that kind of thing. But with no one there and only some one showing up every so often I think she'd get really lonely/bored). If the boarding place lets them out to play with each other I think having other dogs to play with woudl really distract her (of course, this is my dog, everyone's dog is different). I've been lucky, the two times I've had to board her I found a place that ran it out of their home and had a ton of greyhounds so it was not even like being in a kennel and then I had a coworker willing to take her in with her dogs. You may even consider seeing if there are any people running boarding out of their house. Of course I'd check out their setup and ask their routine. But sometimes you can find really good places if you don't go to a "company" that does it.

Now, if the pet sitting service (or if you knew some one willing to do it) stayed at your house that would be different.

But, every dog is different and osme dogs may be nervous/anxious enough it is better to just have them stay at home and not get as much interaction (or they may do well at a place that boards out of their house so they feel like they are just living with other people). They may be calmer than my dog (or less easily bored). But for a high energy dog or one that needs a lot of stimulation, I'd really think they'd get bored for 13 days with some one only coming around 3 x a day.

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loganbean

· #14 · Jul 13, 2009

I vote to board too. I would much rather have my dogs under "constant" supervision. I was wondering the same thing a couple of months ago. I thought that they would feel like we were never coming home if we kept them at the house more than a couple of days. One hour a day of human interaction does not seem like enough to me. Then there are always the trust issues with having someone else in your home.
Both my dogs were rescues and they had a great time while being boarded. Have fun!

deege39

· #15 · Jul 13, 2009

I just have to ask...

How often are dogs in Kennels "socialized"?

I asked a friend of mine who works in a boarding facility, and she says the dogs there are taken out three times a day for 30 minutes... That doesn't sound any different then a lot of pet sitters are willing to do.

Mdawn

· #16 · Jul 13, 2009

I would board them. I wouldn't like the idea of them being alone in the house for that length of time. Also, an hour of human interaction a day isn't much at all.

Thracian

· #17 · Jul 13, 2009

I asked a friend of mine who works in a boarding facility, and she says the dogs there are taken out three times a day for 30 minutes... That doesn't sound any different then a lot of pet sitters are willing to do.

The place where I board my dogs is a combination doggy daycare and boarding facility. The dogs are in a large area, separated based on size (small and large). There are lots of doggy couches, beds, chairs, etc. Much of the time is spent inside with frequent trips outside.

The dogs are only in kennels when they eat or sleep. They get a lot of playtime with other dogs if they want it, or they can just relax. I felt very comfortable leaving Cupid there, and I'm sure Clayton will be fine as well. If it were a choice of being kenneled for boarding or having a pet sitter, I'd probably go with a pet sitter if I knew someone who had used the service and recommended it.

deege39

· #18 · Jul 13, 2009

Thracian said:
If it were a choice of being kenneled for boarding or having a pet sitter, I'd probably go with a pet sitter if I knew someone who had used the service and recommended it.

I'm glad to hear that you've got an open-mind about pet-sitters... I just don't think many people realize what some pet-sitting business are willing to do.

I don't do the pet-sitting out of my home because, well- I don't have a house I live in a tiny apartment... If I had a huge house, I'd look into doing it professionally from my home.

As a business though, I have and will work with potential clients... I help ensure them that leaving their pet at home is a better a choice. I help them make sure their pets will be safe and content, and if a pet-sitting business isn't willing to do that for you, then yeah- I'd probably say board them, I've said it before to some clients...

kpollard

· #19 · Jul 13, 2009

I'd board. Even if the dogs get let out the same amount of time as when a pet sitter would be coming, there is a lot to be said for the fact that in most boarding kennels someone is always around. If the dogs happen to knock something on the floor, eat it while a back is turned, or even hurt themselves trying to get out of a crate, the kennel will see it much sooner (most likely) than a pet sitter that is coming three times a day.

For a short time I think a pet sitter would be ok, but for 13 days I would feel better about a kennel.

Our kennel is similar to Thracian and Teddy gets to be out almost all day, plays with other dogs, and has a great time.

ladyshadowhollyjc

· #20 · Jul 13, 2009

I'd board them. Having a trial run for a day or so might help make your decision though.
I really have an issue with hiring a pet sitter. We're leaving on vacation Saturday and we're having some very good friends of ours come and let Shadow out (we're taking the two small dogs) and watch the cats. I just finished writing the care instructions, and it's 4 pages long! I have a hard time believing someone from a pet sitting business would be able to do the things I've asked in the time they would be at my house each day. Two or three fifteen minute visits a day would not be enough for Shadow, let alone Shadow, the cats, the turtle, and fish.
Just in my opinion, the boarding places around here seem to have more to offer than hiring a pet sitter, especially considering costs.

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