Personally, I would never hire a pet sitter just because I am paranoid about people being in my house when I'm not around. I won't let anyone in my home if I can't monitor them. If it's someone I know really, really well (i.e. a relative) then I may make an exception. Otherwise, there's no chance. I won't let a very close friend come over if I'm not there. I'm very weird that way I know. That's the main reason why I would board.
Vacation: Board or hire a pet sitter?
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.
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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Thanks everyone. I'm going to board them and I'm going to try to do a 1 day trial run too.
lol, then obviously there's not many pet-sitting businesses like mine around your area!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.
For instance; I offer several options for my clients, I can come over anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour, or even over-night care. Each visit costs differently, but I charge the initial fee once a day, and that covers the first two dogs... If I have to come back more than once a day I only charge $3-$6 dollars for the second or third time...
I have made up special packet that includes pages which notes can be written on... I keep those as my files to make sure should I have those same clients again I don't forget the routine...
I have had some very picky clients, lol, four pages is nothing for me! lol!
And I negotiate my prices...
I can understand not wanting strangers in your home, but at the same time, I provide all the necessary documents should "something" happen and someone wishes to file a complaint...
Obviously, there are companies lacking the courtesy procedures I take... : )
To each his own though...
Another option I'm not sure if anybody's thrown out is a house sitter. Whenever my parents are gone for more than a few days they'll hire someone's college kid that they trust completely to stay at our house with our dog. My little sister (who just graduated college) did this for a friend's parents. She stayed in the home and took care of 3 bichons, I think for a week and a half they paid her $250. Not sure if you have someone you trust enough to do this but it's something to think about. This way you have someone in your home with your dogs more than 3x a day and someone in your home to get your mail/paper, water plants, etc. I know college kids can get a bad rep but my parents have done this at least 8-10 times in my dog's 8 years of life and have never once had a bad experience.
If this isn't an option, I'd say board. My dog actually loves going to "camp" and we sing songs about it all the way there and he gets so excited.
Good luck with your decision!
If this isn't an option, I'd say board. My dog actually loves going to "camp" and we sing songs about it all the way there and he gets so excited.
Good luck with your decision!
Unfortunately, I haven't found any that seemed that up to par.lol, then obviously there's not many pet-sitting businesses like mine around your area!
The pet sitting businesses I've found, are usually college students who need extra cash, and don't get me wrong there's nothing wrong with that, and some could possibly be reliable, but I guess I'm looking for something a tad more professional when it comes to letting someone I don't know into my home.
One pet sitting "business" I found, on Craigslist (yeah, probably not the best source to find someone great lol), had a nice website set up... but it turned out to be a 12 year old. Her mom set up all the ads and websites. Kind of weird.
I guess I'm too cautious. I'm also very wary of some of the boarding facilities around here. If I were to board the dogs, it'd be at my vet (mostly for medical reasons). They know the vets, the vets have their entire medical histories on shelves behind them (including ever side note ever written), medical attention is right there if necessary, and they can come home with a bath free of charge lol.
Choosing a pet sitting business, or just a friend, or boarding your animals is kind of difficult to choose. Some many personal circumstances have to be considered.
I have been reading all your posts with hope that I will find a solution to my 'dilemma' I have an 8wk old puppy and we are booked to go away for 2 wks in september, so she'll be around 3.1/2 months old then. I have arranged for my mother (who ls fairly elderly) to have her, she's willing, but I'm wondering if it will be too much for her.
My puppy is really good, does all her pees and poops outside when I take her, but has accidents obviously occasionally. I am so worried what to do. I have a friend who lives a fair distance away who has just started up her own dog minding business, not sure whether to keep her in mind in case..... or cancel our holiday.....
ps. puppy still sleeps in our bedroom too. I have tried crating at night but she makes so much noise crying I'm afraid of waking the neighbours. I am a real worry-wort.
I keep telling myself, she's a dog! she'll be fine. dogs survive a whole lot worse! but it doesn't make me feel any less guilty.....
My puppy is really good, does all her pees and poops outside when I take her, but has accidents obviously occasionally. I am so worried what to do. I have a friend who lives a fair distance away who has just started up her own dog minding business, not sure whether to keep her in mind in case..... or cancel our holiday.....
ps. puppy still sleeps in our bedroom too. I have tried crating at night but she makes so much noise crying I'm afraid of waking the neighbours. I am a real worry-wort.
I keep telling myself, she's a dog! she'll be fine. dogs survive a whole lot worse! but it doesn't make me feel any less guilty.....
Hmmm. I don't know a lot about puppies since I got my two dogs as adults. However, what you're describing does sound like a lot of work for an elderly lady. Could you leave the puppy with her for a practice day or two and see how it goes? Hopefully people on here with more puppy experience will reply. If not, I'd recommend starting your own thread.I have been reading all your posts with hope that I will find a solution to my 'dilemma' I have an 8wk old puppy and we are booked to go away for 2 wks in september, so she'll be around 3.1/2 months old then. I have arranged for my mother (who ls fairly elderly) to have her, she's willing, but I'm wondering if it will be too much for her.
My puppy is really good, does all her pees and poops outside when I take her, but has accidents obviously occasionally. I am so worried what to do. I have a friend who lives a fair distance away who has just started up her own dog minding business, not sure whether to keep her in mind in case..... or cancel our holiday.....
ps. puppy still sleeps in our bedroom too. I have tried crating at night but she makes so much noise crying I'm afraid of waking the neighbours. I am a real worry-wort.
I keep telling myself, she's a dog! she'll be fine. dogs survive a whole lot worse! but it doesn't make me feel any less guilty.....
Could you perhaps find a house sitter. Maybe a responable young person that could use a few bucks and wants to get out of the house for awhile. Family friend? I don't know what boarding costs where you are, it's $22 a day here, thats with a play time, $ 18 with out.
My daughter would have done it in high school, and we would have let her using it as a learning experience.
Mike
My daughter would have done it in high school, and we would have let her using it as a learning experience.
Mike
I'd hire a sitter. Why? I worked in a boarding kennel last year. Seemed great, people were happy.. Unless there are webcams set up what you are told may not be the truth.
I had to quit. People being told their dogs were getting endless time free to play when they were getting maybe 30 minutes a few times a day and things..
I know places where there are 24-7 webcams going. No choice but for them to be truthful that way. Likely the only way I'd ever board now that I've seen some not great stuff.
I had to quit. People being told their dogs were getting endless time free to play when they were getting maybe 30 minutes a few times a day and things..
I know places where there are 24-7 webcams going. No choice but for them to be truthful that way. Likely the only way I'd ever board now that I've seen some not great stuff.
The puppy should have no problem being boarded at a facility. It wovld actually be really good for socialization. We had a 14 week old mastiff at my work recently, and he had so much fun. I am always weary of pet sitters. Yes, there are great ones, and if you can find one, the are a godsend. Unfortunatly, good ones are few and far between. In my area, most of the people who do it are really young witg no experiance, or adults who charge too much, and dont do enough. Example: my parents next door neighbor went out of town for 3 weeks, and left there dog. My parents didnt think anyone was taking care of it, because of the constant crying and barking. They ended up taking care of the poor thing, feeding and playimg with him everyday. They were going to report the owner, but this dog is old and not so great with strangers. He would have been pos. The owner came back and my parents had a talk with him. Come to find out, the guy had hired a petsitter, paid him and everything. My parents arent home all the time, but they are home a lot. They not omce saw anxone go that house. The neighbor was really upset. Maybe the owner should have known better, but this kind of thing happens a lot. Just be careful what you do with your dog when you go away
We board. I feel safer being away if she's in a kennel. The place we use is fantastic....wonderful people and an excellent facility. She can go indoors or outdoors....they have play groups....a pond to swim in. I worry less knowing she is there with supervision and attention.
I have two chihuahuas and they were never board or had to deal with an unknown sitter. We are lucky that we have family where we can take them or have my sister stay at my house with them. I am EXTREMELY paranoid about who deals with my dogs. If I didn't have my family to take care of them, I honestly don't think I would go away on vacation...but that is just me.
From the two choices you have, the boarding place sounds better. I honestly do not think 1 hour of interaction a day is enough, especially if it is a hired sitter they do not know (and as someone else mentions, having a stranger in your house, the danger of the dog slipping through the door, etc). By leaving them so much time alone at your house, I think they would be miserable. They may even destroy stuff out of boredom. I don't even leave my dogs for more than four hours alone at a time (6 hours if I really push it, once in a blue moon).
If they do exactly what they describe, it sounds like they would have a blast at the boarding place and they they'll be super excited to see you when you are back.
That said, I would really try hard to find a family member or close friend that you trust who would be willing to stay at your house during your absence (and offer to pay them if you want).
From the two choices you have, the boarding place sounds better. I honestly do not think 1 hour of interaction a day is enough, especially if it is a hired sitter they do not know (and as someone else mentions, having a stranger in your house, the danger of the dog slipping through the door, etc). By leaving them so much time alone at your house, I think they would be miserable. They may even destroy stuff out of boredom. I don't even leave my dogs for more than four hours alone at a time (6 hours if I really push it, once in a blue moon).
If they do exactly what they describe, it sounds like they would have a blast at the boarding place and they they'll be super excited to see you when you are back.
That said, I would really try hard to find a family member or close friend that you trust who would be willing to stay at your house during your absence (and offer to pay them if you want).
Well, I have horses, dogs and cats so it is either a house sitter or nothing for us from now on! We are moving to 5+ acres and will soon have the horses at home for the first time.
I am planning on asking the clerk at the school where I work to house sit if/when we go out of town (she is a recent HS grad, works FT, goes to college PT, very responsible and has experience with horses). I do think we will be staying home a lot more than we used to though. We have waited so long to have our land I cannot think of many other places I would rather be!
I am planning on asking the clerk at the school where I work to house sit if/when we go out of town (she is a recent HS grad, works FT, goes to college PT, very responsible and has experience with horses). I do think we will be staying home a lot more than we used to though. We have waited so long to have our land I cannot think of many other places I would rather be!
I'm not sure about most pet-sitting businesses; But with mine, we'll go over to a client's house as many times a day as needed... I have a client I go over at least 4 times a day, sometimes 5! (45 minutes each time!) I'm a dog-owner, of course, so I know to watch out for things like, "letting the dog out through the door". And if I have to go over four to five times a day, I give a pretty good discount, to encourage continued business.
Alot of it depends on the dogs...mine are...difficult. My shelties would be ok with someone coming over two or three times a day, especially if it was 45 mins to an hour at a time...they aren't crated and are pretty much couch potatoes, but my other two are an aussie puppy and a border collie and both need to be crated when no one is there. They would be insane with that much crate time, especially with the situation the OP first said where the pet sitter was only there an hour a day. My preference would be a house sitter, but if that weren't an option, at least a boarding place with larger kennel runs as opposed to crate sized cages.
I take my dog on vaction with me, but use a dog sitter while we go out. I can usually find some good ones through sittercity.I'm not sure about most pet-sitting businesses; But with mine, we'll go over to a client's house as many times a day as needed... I have a client I go over at least 4 times a day, sometimes 5! (45 minutes each time!) I'm a dog-owner, of course, so I know to watch out for things like, "letting the dog out through the door". And if I have to go over four to five times a day, I give a pretty good discount, to encourage continued business.
http://sittercity-review.blogspot.com/
I returned from vacation a few weeks ago. I boarded the dogs at a good place. The dogs were fine and when we got back, it was like they'd never left. I arranged for a generous neighbor who knows the dogs well (and who the dogs really like) to visit them a couple of times too. I don't know if that made a difference to them but it made me feel better!
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