need help deciding the best dogsitting arrangement

[Sadiesmom]

Hello! I'm a new labradoodle owner and need opinions on the best dogsitting situation from those of you who have experience and/or knowledge about training and adjustment of puppies.

I have a 4 mth old female. In two months (when she is 6 months old) our family (me, hubby, 8 yr old daughter) need to go out of the country for 3 weeks and need to choose the best situation for her. Which is best in your opinion?

First, perhaps a description of the dog is helpful? She's VERY VERY mellow and slightly submissive (she is scared of new people at first, but warms up fast). VERY smart and just about housebroken (by 6 months, I trust this is not going to be a consideration). She's in puppy preschool, so her continued training (on the leash especially) is an important consideration for me.

My main concerns in order are: safety, bonding, training, happiness (options to hike/play etc).

Situation 1: Leave her at home, in her own environment with a housesitter. This single woman would live at the house and be around most of the time. Dog could possibly be in the crate for several hours a day if/when she works, but she'd also get a lot of hikes and possibly some training--but I doubt much. I have a cat and chickens so I'd need a housesitter for them too anyway. I have some fears that the dog wouldn't be her first priority, however (I think the free place to stay IS). She has dogsat for us before and did fine (different dog, now in heaven). I could also consider hiring a "professional" dog sitter who might be slightly more conscientious? (not sure that's a guarantee tho).

Situation 2: Take her to the breeder's house in town. She'd be with her mom and two aunts (dogs) so she'd be very content there. Would NOT likely get much one-on-one training, but breeder is home most of the days and does go on hikes/walks etc. Could possibly arrange for sessions with current dog trainer to keep her polished?

Situation 3: Take her to close friend of the family home (in another town). She has 3 gentle children (that just spent the weekend with puppy and did great with her). Eldest is 11 and would treat it like a job, spending time with puppy and doing some training. My friend is responsible and I think would insist on safety issues (leash all the time etc). I'd worry that the pup would have a re-bonding issue with me and I fear she might think that I gave her away to this family.

Please help me decide? Thanks! Sadiesmom

[maplegum]

Cancel the trip!

LOL, sorry, I'm no help.

[Daisy'sMom]

I so totally understand how you feel and what you're going through. We just went on a week long vacation and I was kind of a wreck about what to do with Daisy. If it were me, here's my order or preference of what I would do:
First choice - situation 2
Second choice - situation 1
Third choice - situation 3

Here's why - just by reading what you wrote, nowhere in situation 2 did you have anything really negative to say I guess you did mention not much training, but I guess we can't really expect that when our dog isn't in our own care. It would be a nice bonus though. When I leave my dog for a trip, my wishes are for my dog to be safe and happy, that's just me though. I worry that my dog will think I'm never coming back, but someone once told me dogs don't have a sense of time. I don't know if I believe that or not. Situation 1 is nice, too, because she'd be in her own home and it sounds like the sitter would be around a lot. If you go with this option, I think I'd shop around for a different sitter to see if there's other options since you are concerned about her priorities. I would ask for references as well. Situation 3 is decent and seems lovely, but 3 weeks is a long time for someone who has children to take on another dog, or really anyone (family or not), to have your pet in their home for that long. As much as she's your dear friend and would love your dog, 3 weeks is still kind of long. I LOVE dogs and am willing to dog sit for people and love to help people out, but I'm always ready for the dog to go home when it's time, and I think the longest I've done is a week. And what if an issue comes up when you're gone and it's not working out or something? You just never know, and then what do you do when you're out of the country and your dog needs to be moved to someplace else. I've dog sat for family and friends several times and 3 times it didn't work out, and they swore up and down their dog would be great and happy, etc. And I take extra special care of dogs knowing they are not in their own environment and they are missing their owners. I always took extra care over them to ensure happiness and it still didn't work out Either my family/friends weren't honest with me or their pets were more stressed than any of us ever dreamed they would be. I have a very calm environment in my home so I felt really bad wondering why they were so beside themselves. My point is, you just never truly know how it will go until you try it and the first time being 3 weeks long could be too much. Or has she stayed there before and it's been fine? It's still a much nicer option than boarding at a kennel, you are very lucky! We plan to use a dogsitter for Daisy, but she's young enough still that I worry she'll wonder where in the world we have gone and if we're ever coming back, lol! And I worry about her being lonely.

Regardless of what you do, you have 3 nice options. Trust your gut instinct and go with it

Good luck, I know this must be so hard!

[Sadiesmom]

Thanks Daisy's mom.... you raise some really good points and reminded me about a time two dogs and two decades ago when we left our pooch with someone and he had an emergency and left our dog with a complete (irresponsible) stranger. NOT GOOD. With her staying in town, there are a lot more emergency options.

On another forum, a trainer said that shouldn't be too much of a concern, and that you're right-- safety and happiness are paramount so I'd think being back with her Mama is what she'd choose.

[Daisy'sMom]

A friend of mine takes her dog/puppy (she's less than a year old) to her breeder's house when they travel. I recall feeling insanely jealous when she told me that's what she does. To me that would be the most comforting of anyone and I wouldn't think twice, but you also have two other nice options. Good luck I hope you get to go somewhere fun and exciting!!

[lindamarie]

-- safety and happiness are paramount so I'd think being back with her Mama is what she'd choose

I get the feeling that this is what I would do. To me, it sounds like the best, although your other options are pretty good as well.
On all of the options, training most likely will not be the best while your gone, but if a trainer will come to Mama's house.....that would be awesome!