Pet Sitters

[Daisy'sMom]

Has anyone here ever used a pet sitter for their Doodle? We are going on vacation for 5 days in November and I just am so stressed about the idea of a kennel. I think we are going to try the pet sitter route where they come into your home to care for your pet, probably not someone to stay overnight though. So if you have, can I ask how many times per day they come into your house to check on your dog and let them out, etc? I found a reputable company and the woman who would be sitting for Daisy would come in 3 times per day (she works at a local school so am not sure she can do more visits). To me, that does not seem like enough, only because I'm home with her all day and she's used to being able to go outside when she wants. I do think she can go several hours (we've left her 5-6 sometimes) but I worry about doing that 5 days in a row. I was hoping for at least 4 visits, I wonder if I'm asking for too much? I also worry about her being lonely. But, I still think it outweighs the idea of a kennel for me. Any thoughts or opinions? TIA!!

[Ace's Place]

Hi Daisy's mom:

Ace's mom here! We seems to be heading in this direction too. Ace's dogwalker, who does this for a business with her sister, will be sitting (no overnight stay) on a Saturday/Sunday coming up. Ace's schedule will be Sat a.m. (WE exercise him before we leave) - noonish he is on a hike with dogwalker (visit 1); 5 p.m. dinner and short walk (visit 2); very short visit at night pre bed (visit 3). Next day is morning and noon and we are back at 5.

Our dogwalker did originally ask what I thought about her coming twice only on Saturday and I added in the pre-bed (8 p.m ish) visit.

I'm going to shoot her an email and ask how she handles week long sitting as she does that frequently and also what most of her other clients dogs have for that. I'll share with you her philosphy on that just to have a point of comparison.

You know I"m thinking that Ace might be a little "bored" at home by himself on extended getaways, but he'll be safe and have less anxiety. And (more importantly ?) I"m sure I/we will have less anxiety too.

[Daisy'sMom]

Thank you Ace's mom!!! If you think of talking to her about her schedule when caring for dogs a week at a time I'd love to hear what she says. I know I'm being a little over the top, I just want to make sure I feel OK leaving Daisy by herself, it bums me out but I know our lives can not revolve around entertaining my dog 24/7 Thanks so much for your reply!

[Ace's Place]

I asked her exactly that as I'm interested in knowing too. I've asked her what her other clients typically do and if it is dependent on age, or anything else....will post back when I hear.

[Nikkiey]

My husband and I just got back from a two week vacation and Juneau went to a pet sitters house. She actually runs a little business out of her home. I am 100% against bringing Juneau to a kennel as I don't like the idea of Juneau being in a kennel surrounded by other stressed or anxious dogs or even sick dogs.

This was not the first time we took Juneau here either, we started going to her back in January and it started out as just a short weekend visit here and there and we slowly built it up to our most recent vacation. What sold me on this place (other than the fact that it was a home and not a kennel) was the fact that she lives on an acreage and has a fully fenced yard (including a small dog area), provided me with a schedule that she follows everydays (she does make adjustments here and there regarding feeding schedules) that included three walks, down times, ball/frisbee time and belly rub time. Her schedule started at 6 am and goes till 10 pm. All the dogs get free access to everywhere in her home and can sleep anywhere they choose. When we first brought Juneau there he was still sleeping in his kennel. She asked us if we minded him not sleeping in his kennel at night and we left it up to her.

When we picked him up after his first visit he didn't want to leave! We came and he greeted us right away and then ran off to chase his new girlfriend Layla (the lady owns two sheppards also, Layla and Bella). The first night home, he slept in his kennel without an issue (he never used it at the sitters) and was exhausted.

[Ace's Place]

Juneau's mom - I really like your arrangement! I am searching for something similar but have yet to find it here....especially if we ever get back into taking any 7 to 10 day trips.

In the meantime, this is what my dogwalker said about their clientele and services...

"We customize the sitting needs for each dog - but 80% fall into 3 visits a day, some older dogs getting only 2 visits, and a few puppies that get 4. We have added a mid-day "adventure outing" to take an active dog off property to a local dog park, green space or socialization with an appropriate dog. We really recommend this and think it makes a world of difference to get a young or active dog really burned out and make napping while home alone something to really look forward to.

We have recently had a 2 yr old dog home alone for for 3 weeks! That was the longest ever, but it went very well. Most bookings are up to 10 days.


Back to Ace - I think no longer than four nights until he's a year old. After that, I would be comfortable with a week. He can probably get by with 3 visits a day, but you are so close to me that we could add a 4th quick potty break before bedtime for a smaller sum on a longer trip.


I completely understand your concerns about having him spend so much time alone, but I betcha it's more you than him and he will be fine! And you know that I would monitor the situation and if he seemed to be getting anxious or ramped up I would adjust his care accordingly. "

So that's that. I wouldn't do 4 nights until AFTER he's a year - but that is coming soon anyway! Overall, its that last sentance that is key for me and what I know to be true because I really trust this person, she's provided such wonderful care.

[jodysh]

I'm trying to figure out what to do with Malcolm when I find another job. I love PetSuites, I used to take my lab there for day care and grooming, but their min age is 6 months so Mal is still too young. I thought about PetSmart too but they don't have an outside area for the dogs to play...I don't really like that.

So I'm starting to look into pet sitters that do afternoon visits. I'm so paranoid about leaving him in anyone else's care outside of family or my one friend that I really trust.

If I ever took an extended trip where he couldn't come with me I'd leave him with his mamma and pappa so I don't have to worry about that part thankfully.

[Daisy'sMom]

Thanks for all your replies and thoughts. And Ace's mom, thank you so much for all the nitty gritty details from your email/convo with your dog walker/sitter. Great info to know. Of course now today I woke up thinking maybe Daisy should go to the kennel I found. The place I'd only consider is a pretty nice place with an excellent reputation. The dogs have playtime all day long, inside and out, and they socialize with other dogs their size. They are put in their oversized kennels I think for an hour after lunch and then not again until bedtime. I think we can even bring her own bed and toys for her kennel. You can also upgrade to a suite which is their very own room with a tv, etc. It's like a hotel! I'm just trying to decide if I'd rather her be social and with other people and dogs all day long (con being that she'd not be in her own home and environment) or if she'd rather be here at home in her own comfy space (con would be that she would be lonely). She's such a people dog, I don't know what to do!

Thanks for listening

[lindamarie]

OMYGOSH! Do we LOOOOVE our doodles or what?
We ALL seem to have the same anxieties and worry, worry,worry! You all make ME feel so much better, because I thought I was the Queen of Panic!

When I look back at my life and how I developed PTSD, which is awful to have, I am grateful for it because it allows me to have a Service Dog that I can take anywhere. So, a compete negative went to a positive.

But, before Bogart was old enough and with my other dogs, I had these same concerns.
Bogart had to be a year old to even get his CGC and then all the training, so there was over a year that I had these concerns when I couldn't take him.
Rodney Pierce may appreciate this, but when I took my Springer Spaniel to a beautiful kennel.....exactly like the one Daisy's Mom describes.....he was banned from play etc., because he just couldn't get along with other dogs and was aggressive.
So, he spent all his time watching other dogs play.....his fault!

But, before Bogart was trained and able to be with me, we did board him at this exclusive place.
HE LOVED IT!....and they loved HIM!

With my Springer, we left him with a lady at my office who spent most of the day and the night here at home. That worked out really well.

Maybe someone mentioned this but in my reading of these posts........did anyone say how long each visit would be?
Many people in my area advertise as sitters/walkers, but their 3 times a day seems really short each visit.....like 15 minutes.
Also, these people in care of your doodle while you're gone, IMO, need to take ONE of those visits and make it a good exercise time.......a long walk.....or playing fetch etc. in the yard.
As I said before, "A good doodle is a tired doodle."

[Daisy'sMom]

Originally Posted by lindamarie

OMYGOSH! Do we LOOOOVE our doodles or what?
We ALL seem to have the same anxieties and worry, worry,worry! You all make ME feel so much better, because I thought I was the Queen of Panic!


Maybe someone mentioned this but in my reading of these posts........did anyone say how long each visit would be?
Many people in my area advertise as sitters/walkers, but their 3 times a day seems really short each visit.....like 15 minutes.
Also, these people in care of your doodle while you're gone, IMO, need to take ONE of those visits and make it a good exercise time.......a long walk.....or playing fetch etc. in the yard.
As I said before, "A good doodle is a tired doodle."

Yes, it's kind of scary how much I love and adore Daisy and worry beyond belief. I need to keep telling myself she's not human and will be fine. She's just become the center of our family so much that I want to make sure all is perfect in her world when we won't be here. Again, probably not terribly realistic, I do realize that.

And yes, thank you for bringing that up about how long the visits would be by a pet sitter. The company I talked with yesterday made me think the visits would brief, so I did flat out ask "would this person stay for a bit and/or walk Daisy, play ball, etc?" I don't think it's worth it for them to drop in and leave within 10-15 minutes, that's just not enough for me. So again, I'm leaning toward the "fancy kennel". I need to go check it out and see for myself (my hubby has been there).

Thanks for the feedback and reassurance Linda, I appreciate it

[lindamarie]

Why not take Daisy with you, and her health records, so that you can see how she reacts?
Call them and ask if you can & maybe even what time the dogs play. Maybe they'll let her romp a bit with the dogs and you'll see how she is.

Usually, the good kennels get to know the dog fairly quickly and they can then tell which group she'd be better off in.
One thing they don't like to do is bring one dog in alone to the pack. All the others, who may be used to the place, usually run to the newcomer. If you know when they play, they can let her out with the others so that it's less traumatic for her and it doesn't make her skittish.
Just a suggestion.

[Daisy'sMom]

Daisy has actually spent a full day there already about 8-9 months ago. We thought we were going to have her stay there in March when we went on vacation, so we took her there one day for a full day evaluation, along with her vet records. Before they'll take any dog there, they do full evaluations where they observe your dog one-on-one, then your dog with another dog, then they let them play with all the others. And they do have them in separate groups based on size and behavior, etc. My husband dropped her off that day and said initially she was a little shy and scared, which the employees said that's very typical. She warmed up and did fine. They have video cameras running at all times so you can log on their website when you want to check on your dog. I think it really is a great place. I think my problem is just leaving her in general I need to stop being a control freak. Yeah right, maybe in my next life

Thanks Linda!!!!

[lindamarie]

EXCELLENT!!
I know of the video's. I would come home and watch Bogart.
Does yours have a camera where you can snap a photo while Daisy plays?
Ours did and I took many of them when he was a pup. So cool!

It sounds so much like the place we went to! They have all the things you mentioned....the suites etc.......even added the fake palm trees and wading pools inside.
Outside is a really neat play area with all kinds of slides and toys etc.

We went there sooooo many times for Day care and grooming.
Then one day, my husband went to pick Bogart up.
Some dog bit him through his jacket and the dogs owner made a smart remark like, "My dog never bites! You must have done something to her." What? he was just standing there in a jacket with a baseball cap on.....so the owner actually said it must've the baseball cap. Half the workers there, if not more, wear baseball caps!

We knew the manager, in fact, I even sold her a house! But, they took it all so nonchalantly .......no apologies......nothing. But we do know they conacted their attorney.
When a place contacts an attorney, you know that they know something went wrong....which did!
Anyway, we dropped the entire issue and never went back. Sad ending.

[Daisy'sMom]

Sounds like a very similar place that you went to. I don't know if we can snap photos, that's very cool that you did!! Fake palm trees and wading pools, too fun and cute!!! And yes, the play area has slides, etc, lots of fun for the guests That is an unfortunate and sad ending to your going to that place Wow!