[Canula2000]

Well, it is that time again for family vacation and we now have to find somewhere for four dogs. Last year we went camping and left gus, our rottie home with a house sitter (took the other two with us). Gus jumps the fence and so sitter was to come twice a day to feed and put him in and out of the cover dog run (nicknamed fort knox). We came home to find him loose in the yard. Two years ago we left dog with boarding facility that slapped a shock collar on gus and left huge sores on his neck. Three years ago we boarded dogs with a small boarding place that had outdoor and indoor runs and left dogs filthy. Also tried a grooming place that year that had dog run so small I felt it was more for small breeds, but they accepted my money. I have also in the past boarded at my vet but it stressed the dogs so bad they both had runs for days and would not leave my side.

So I have called a few new boarding places. One was hugely overpriced. One didn't have a kennel with a top so gus could stay. One did impress me as they included two walks with the regular boarding fee, but kept asking if gus was aggressive. I called two pet sitters. One was really friendly and laugh when I ask how she felt about rottweilers. I am still waiting for a return call from other sitter. I also could seperate dogs into friends homes but still have to board gus into a dog run smaller than what I have.

So frustrating. Does anyone have a problem dog they hate to leave but can't take with them?

 

[Mocha]

What about neighbor kids coming and walking in the morning and evening and doing the feeding at those times also? There are always kids looking for money these days. (of course you would have to trust these kids to do it!) Or even a couple of different kids?

With the tough times these days there are people willing to do anything for money these days. At least in my town. My nephew offered to wash and walk Maggie for us a couple times a week if we wanted for $20 bucks. He needed gas money.

 

[Melissa]

Personally I feel safer with my dogs boarded than I do with someone watching. Well, I should say, I feel safer with my problem dog boarded than with someone watching her. =)

When it was just Otis, we would leave him home and have people stop by the house. I don't trust Kacey that long and I don't really trust people to know her idiosyncracies when they stop by. So we always board them both now.

I'd keep looking at kennels. Kacey is a fence jumper too, but she's okay in an 8-foot outdoor kennel without a top. Would Gus go over that?

Another thought is that before we left Kacey for an extended period of time, I dropped them off in the morning and picked them up that night for a trial run.

 

[BigBrownDog]

Yes I did. She died last September.

Her problem was not that she was a bite hazard, but she was very reactionary, very sensitive and would probably have had a psychotic break if I had put her in a kennel. Seriously.

I have wonderful neighbors (in fact several) and they watched my dogs for years as I did theirs. It all worked out well.

I have a different problem now with a diabetic dog who needs insulin injections twice a day. Not something you can simply trust to a typical dog sitter. But - a couple of the vet techs at the practice I use do dog sit (stay at your house while you are gone and care for the dogs needs). This is probably what I will do when next I need that service.

This year we have a place where we can bring both of them.

 

[Canula2000]

I hardly trust any adult to my gus so a kid, even a level-head teen is out of the question. I do feel better about boarding them but I guess I just haven't found the right one. With my first lab we boarded at a doggie daycare but gus is dog reactive and doesn't get along with alot of other male dogs. Plus boarding four is so spendy now. I called a new one this afternoon and they don't do multidog discount. One I used three years ago did a multidog discount.

I don't have a medically fagile case, but I don't know how I could leave my dog if it needed daily meds and monitering. I am a basket case anyway. My hubby makes sure I don't call checking on dogs everyday.

 

[zoezoe]

I just went through this as I am going to be away a few days at the end of the month. I don't go ANYWERE because I hate to leave them and the hassle it is. I am taking Zoe with me, but can't take them all and Dutch barks the entire time in the car. Anyway, I found this company called Fetch; they are nationwide, so check to see if they are available in your area. The gal is coming Saturday for me to interview her. She is SPENDING THE NIGHT with them. I am sooooooooooooo excited; and it costs me about the same as a kennel would and I don't have to take them in the get KC shots. I'm so hoping this works out good as it will give me a huge peace of mind for going places now.

 

[BigBrownDog]

I just went through this as I am going to be away a few days at the end of the month. I don't go ANYWERE because I hate to leave them and the hassle it is. I am taking Zoe with me, but can't take them all and Dutch barks the entire time in the car. Anyway, I found this company called Fetch; they are nationwide, so check to see if they are available in your area. The gal is coming Saturday for me to interview her. She is SPENDING THE NIGHT with them. I am sooooooooooooo excited; and it costs me about the same as a kennel would and I don't have to take them in the get KC shots. I'm so hoping this works out good as it will give me a huge peace of mind for going places now.

Good for you! Sounds like an ideal solution!