The Holidays / what to do with Fido? - Page 1

Just wanted to start a new topic about dogs, and with the coming Holidays, what does everyone do with their dogs? A lot of people travel or have lots of company over, how do you manage the dogs in? I personaly don't go anywhere, I have family just over 5 minutes from me and I always visit the grandparents for a evening and then home again to the dogs. Usually I spend extra days off with the Pooches, in the snow or hiking in the mountains. I have never put a dog in a boarding facility, as I have family that can stop by and check on my pets, on the rare occasion I am gone without them. Just curious how everybody else deals...

Pack, Do you take Pet Sitting assignments in your line of dog activities? If so I was gonna ask you to jet down here and help me out, as I dont use any Boarding Facilities either. Its tough when they are stuck to you with crazy glue. LOL

I pet sit occasionaly for my grandparents. They are away far more than I am. They usually use a neighbor or my uncle stay at their place and takes over the household stuff. I'd be glad to jet down and watch your doggies, just make sure the fridge is full of good eats and drinks. Show me how to work the remote and I'm down.

Hiya 4pack, good idea about starting a new thread haha Let me break my situation down a little. I have two horses (a clydesdale and a qh/lippizan cross). We also have 7 dogs and 2 cats. Not to mention three children. We don't go out of town too much, but when we do I have a good friend who I trust implicitly come and care for our animals. We have one dog that goes EVERYWHERE with us, to the point of looking for pet friendly hotels. Generally we will take 1-3 dogs with us if we travel. Years ago it seemed our families (his and mine) each expected us to come to THEIR home for the holiday (this is very common in military families to be pulled both ways like this). Also, with me being in law enforcement now it is difficult at best to get time off for holidays (crime doesnt stop during the season) so we have just gotten used to the idea that staying home is the easiest option for us. so that's how we do it :)

We live close to both sides of our family so don't noramlly "travel" for the holidays. When we do go anywhere overnight, or longer, we drive and take our dogs with. We have a very nice carge trailer set up with crates and supplies. Where we go, the dogs go.

I only have one dog and he is boarded when we can't or don't want to take him with us. Lucky for me, long time friends run a boarding kennel only a few miles from my house, so I don't have to worry about leaving him there. They have also volunteered to give him a forever home should something tragic ever happen when we are traveling. I also live close to Molly Graf and have seen her kennel and would not hesitate to board Blitz with her. I would not hire a dog sitter because we have an underground fence and I never let him outside alone. I would not put that responsibility on another person. The bottom line for me is it depends on the access to a reliable kennel. I would never board at a vet's unless they had kennels segregated far from their hospitalized dogs. We don't like boarding Blitz, not because we have concerns over his safety, it's because he makes us feel very guilty when we leave him at the boarding kennel. You've all seen the pathetic "please don't leave me or I shall die" look. However, he is a dog and there are times when we want to go somewhere and it's inconvenient to take him with us. Every mom and dad deserve a few days away from the kids LOL.

We never get to go anywhere anymore. A child in school, one not old enough for school, one on the way, 2 cats, 6 dogs and a hamster say we don't get to go anywhere. If I ever do go, I am fortunate enough to have family that can just come live here while we're gone. If I had A) the time and B) the inclination, I would start a pet sitting service, but I don't have either A or B. If someone who lived nearby called me in a pickle, I would help out, however. :) Nice post! Hope you all have a wonderful holiday season!

As someone who never boarded her dogs for lack of confidence, and now being someone who owns a state of the art boarding and training facility, I can tell you that many people expect friends, relatives and the local kid to care for the pets when they are gone. Many of these people end up coming to me the following year when there were problems. It does matter who takes care of ones' animals. It can be done at home with highly responsible people involved. But if, for whatever reason you can not find such an individual, you can look for a good kennel. I am proud to say that I have NEVER sent a dog home ill yet in 3 years. I am rigorous about what health maintenance standards boarders must meet. The facility is clean and disinfected regularly. It has redundent ventilation systems, both natural and mechanical. Dogs get time out in large exercise yards, depending on the weather and their preference. Dogs are not mixed with other dogs without an owner preference and my strict supervision. So it can be that finding a good kennel is a perfect alternative. But, let me suggest that before you ever board a dog anywhere, you go check it out. Ask lots of questions. If you smell urine or see feces all over, go the other way. Ask how often and with what substances are the surfaces disinfected. Ask about what requirements an operator requires before accepting a dog. Ask about what they would do in an emergency. Finally, ask them for references, including references of veterinarians who KNOW the facility and have been there themselves. There are alternatives to not having a life, unless you are like me and now own a kennel and do not trust anyone to take care of all the animals, yours as well as those boarded. LOL!

Thanks Hodie, I was wanting to know what criteria people use when picking a boarding facility, as I may have to someday. I have noticed a few new pet sitting places and even poop picker uppers in town. I don't know anyone who uses them, to get personal refrences. I would deffinatly ask a hundred question before I sent my dogs in some place. Me I work at home and have my own business that doesn't let me get away too often. Why spend on a vacation anyway, when I could buy more dog equipment??? LOL When I did have vacation time, we had a trailer and took the dogs and cat even, to Pismo Beach, to play in the ocean and sand dunes. My dogs love dirtbikes and can run along pretty well. I try to take my dogs everywhere but depending on the dog, where I'm going , who else will be there, sometimes it isn't a good idea.

the friend that cares for my dogs and horses is a vet tech from the clinic I take my dogs to and I have been friends with her for 5 years. As I mentioned above, I trust her implicitly. Unfortunately like Hodie mentioned, not everyone has this luxury and a boarding kennel may be the best place for your dog(s)It sure beats not having peace of mind with someone you don't trust completely.