Barking Mad dog sitters
Discussion
Anyone used these Barking Mad people?
Most of the time we take our Springer away with us, but occasionally we feel the need to do sports car holidays which really aren't compatible with dogs.
Barking Mad tell me that we can't go and see the host home (they pick up and deliver dog to home) which to me is not acceptable. I need to see where my dog is going to stay and meet the person looking after her.
What do you think of this odd way of carrying on a business? Would you leave your dog with someone you hadn't met? One of the only places I can think of which you don't have the opportunity to visit first is usually prison!
Can any one recommend any other dog sitters around Surrey/West Sussex border?
Most of the time we take our Springer away with us, but occasionally we feel the need to do sports car holidays which really aren't compatible with dogs.
Barking Mad tell me that we can't go and see the host home (they pick up and deliver dog to home) which to me is not acceptable. I need to see where my dog is going to stay and meet the person looking after her.
What do you think of this odd way of carrying on a business? Would you leave your dog with someone you hadn't met? One of the only places I can think of which you don't have the opportunity to visit first is usually prison!
Can any one recommend any other dog sitters around Surrey/West Sussex border?
My other half is a dog walker/sitter and she knows a lot of the other walkers/siters in our area. None of them rate Barking Mad that highly, mainly for the reasons you have specified. They are a Franchise. If Dog sitters/walkers that are that lazy that they cannot set up on their own, then they probably should not be walking your dog. It only takes a few hundred to set up and only a few months to get busy and usually much cheaper than a franchise.
Unfortunately I do not know of anyone in your area, however I am sure that Google will throw up a few if you use terms such as dog sitter, dog boarding, dog daycare. Also use your post code i.e. dog boarding AB13 3CD which will show those near you. If I google my area, my other half's business pops up as do a lot of the other dog sitters. Also pop down the park andask the person who is walking lots of dogs (5 or 6). They may not do boarding, but they will know who does.
Another optionis to contact your local council. Where I am, Dog Boarding establishments need to be licensed by the council (not many are though) and the council will have a list of them that you may be able to get hold of. That list used to be be on our council's website (Tunbridge Wells), but they seem to have taken it down this year.
When we first got our dog, we were looking for Dog daycare for the days when I was not at home. We found first one through our vet. There are good and Bad dog sitters out there and I would suggest doing either an overnighter or a daycare first with them before going away to make sure that the dog is happy.
Unfortunately I do not know of anyone in your area, however I am sure that Google will throw up a few if you use terms such as dog sitter, dog boarding, dog daycare. Also use your post code i.e. dog boarding AB13 3CD which will show those near you. If I google my area, my other half's business pops up as do a lot of the other dog sitters. Also pop down the park andask the person who is walking lots of dogs (5 or 6). They may not do boarding, but they will know who does.
Another optionis to contact your local council. Where I am, Dog Boarding establishments need to be licensed by the council (not many are though) and the council will have a list of them that you may be able to get hold of. That list used to be be on our council's website (Tunbridge Wells), but they seem to have taken it down this year.
When we first got our dog, we were looking for Dog daycare for the days when I was not at home. We found first one through our vet. There are good and Bad dog sitters out there and I would suggest doing either an overnighter or a daycare first with them before going away to make sure that the dog is happy.
Jill450se said:
Barking Mad tell me that we can't go and see the host home (they pick up and deliver dog to home) which to me is not acceptable. I need to see where my dog is going to stay and meet the person looking after her.
No chance of such a person looking after my dogs then.Though I would also say that I am aware of kennels who have their "show" kennels for when people visit which are totally different to the kennels they place the dogs in.....
Try to find someone who can housesit your pets IMHO.
Hi My mum and dad run a similar but very small friendly service. They always like owners to visit the dog carer before any dog stays there so both sides are happy with the arrangement. They have a good network of carefully vetted sitters. They are a little way from you but are worth the trouble for the peace of mind. You can find them at www.doggiehomeboarding.com
Jill450se said:
Anyone used these Barking Mad people?
Most of the time we take our Springer away with us, but occasionally we feel the need to do sports car holidays which really aren't compatible with dogs.
Barking Mad tell me that we can't go and see the host home (they pick up and deliver dog to home) which to me is not acceptable. I need to see where my dog is going to stay and meet the person looking after her.
What do you think of this odd way of carrying on a business? Would you leave your dog with someone you hadn't met? One of the only places I can think of which you don't have the opportunity to visit first is usually prison!
Can any one recommend any other dog sitters around Surrey/West Sussex border?
Most of the time we take our Springer away with us, but occasionally we feel the need to do sports car holidays which really aren't compatible with dogs.
Barking Mad tell me that we can't go and see the host home (they pick up and deliver dog to home) which to me is not acceptable. I need to see where my dog is going to stay and meet the person looking after her.
What do you think of this odd way of carrying on a business? Would you leave your dog with someone you hadn't met? One of the only places I can think of which you don't have the opportunity to visit first is usually prison!
Can any one recommend any other dog sitters around Surrey/West Sussex border?
carlrsdavies said:
Hi My mum and dad run a similar but very small friendly service. They always like owners to visit the dog carer before any dog stays there so both sides are happy with the arrangement. They have a good network of carefully vetted sitters. They are a little way from you but are worth the trouble for the peace of mind. You can find them at www.doggiehomeboarding.com
Is or was your dad in recruitment? I seem to remember speaking to someone a while ago that setup this up or perhaps it was something similar.Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff