Opinions on who takes care of your dog if you go away for a weekend?

[MarleyGSD]

Hey everyone! The hubby and I were thinking of going away for a week in the winter time. We havent made any actual plans as of yet, its all just talk. We keep discussing what to do with Marley if we end up going to a place that we cant bring him. So we are thinking:
1. only go to a place where we can have the lil guy come along.
2. .......that's as far as we've got, lol.

I don't know the options really, as far as boarding. I wouldn't want a family member to come and dog sit because i don't think it would be enough time spent with marley. I also get a little nervous about what "could" happen if we board him for a week. I'd miss him so much, and i'd be constantly worried about him.
I feel it is our responibility to only find a place where he can come with us because, after all, we are the ones who wanted to take on the lifestyle of being dog owners.
My question is, what do you guys do with situations like this? Do you put your 'romantic getaway' vacations on hold for a few years until the timing is better?? He's a rescue so we can't call a breeder to board him for the week. Thanks in advance for info!

[cshepherd9]

If you don't have family that will come to your house why not look into a petsitting business. I personally hire/pay my coworkers daughter. She loves it. She can stay at my house, go to school (college) and/or work as she needs and I still have the piece of mind that my dogs are taken care of and time is spent with them.

When Willow was a bitty pup I had a professional dog walker come and let her out in afternoons. He also did petsitting for people out of town. There are some places that will stay at your house with your pets. Since you aren't going right away you have plenty of time to research and find someone you might be comfortable with. Allow the dogs to meet the petsitter and get used to them.

[Lilie]

I exchange animal duty with my neighbors. They take care of mine and I take care of thiers. It works out well for the both of us.

[MarleyGSD]

There is someone who could watch marley....DH's brother. But he works wacky hours and has his own family. That's the only person who i can think of that we know, he's also done dog sitting for us for one overnight occasion.
The dogsitter sounds interesting, but i would feel uncomfortable with a stranger in our home. I don't really have many valuables but it would give me the hibby-jibbies!

[MarleyGSD]

come to think of it, exchanging with neighbors could work really well! We are good friends with a couple 3 blocks down and they have a boston terrier. That could actually work out pretty well

[Freestep]

Originally Posted by MarleyGSD

I don't know the options really, as far as boarding. I wouldn't want a family member to come and dog sit because i don't think it would be enough time spent with marley. I also get a little nervous about what "could" happen if we board him for a week. I'd miss him so much, and i'd be constantly worried about him.

What are you thinking "could" happen if you board him for a week? Generally, IMO it's safer to keep your dog at a boarding facility than to have someone come to the house. Maybe it's just me, but I'm always paranoid about someone leaving a gate open, or leaving the dog in an area where he could get into something he shouldn't, or whatever.

Boarding facilities range from keeping the dog in a kennel 24/7, to a daycare-type situation where your dog is allowed to play with other dogs. When I've kept my dog at the latter, she comes home TIRED, which is a good thing!

[ponyfarm]

I have gotten great dog/horse sitters from the local high school's FFA club. The teacher should be able to give you a recommendation. The kids have been super and the dogs always have fun.

Hiring folks that have "real lives and jobs" doesnt work that great..the older teens seem to be the best bet.

[Pattycakes]

We have had my dad come and stay at my place and he watched Uschi. But my dad is getting older and I think he doesn't feel comfortable being outside his "comfort zone" so he doesn't dogsit anymore. But the last few times we have gone on vacation for a few days, we have taken Uschi with us. We haul our horse trailer with living quarters and stay at an RV park. Its worked out great for us. There are more and more pet-friendly hotels these days so depending on where you want to vacation, you might be able to to Marley with you.

[Mac's Mom]

You sound like us. We don’t go anywhere, not because we don’t have babysitting options, but because we’d miss Mac and worry too much. J If that’s truly how you feel then I suggest planning a vacation that can include Marley. Or start by taking a weekend trip and see how that goes.

[cshepherd9]

I too like the older teens scenario. The last trainer that I worked with actually started a program where she gives a one day seminar to this age group and teaches them animal basics and then refers them out to people wanting pet sitters. I am not sure of all the logistics but here is her new website. Sensible Pet Sitter, Student Jobs, Training Indianapolis I thought this was a real cool idea.