Who looks after your dogs when you go on holiday.
Discussion
ARHarh said:
Pistom said:
Am I understanding this?
People are getting dogs, animals that bond to their owners and see them as leaders of the pack and then the owners wilfully abandon them for days or weeks on end?
The OP has asked a reasonable and fair question as they clearly care and are looking for a solution for when leaving them behind is unavoidable but this problem is one of the reasons I won't have a dog.
If you've got someone close who can take on the role then OK but dogs need more than just feeding and their s
t cleaning up.
Some dogs don't travel well but for others, UK self catering holidays are a great way of solving the problem.
I thought it was just me, but a dog, or any pet is part of the family, and would therefore go on holiday with us. People are getting dogs, animals that bond to their owners and see them as leaders of the pack and then the owners wilfully abandon them for days or weeks on end?
The OP has asked a reasonable and fair question as they clearly care and are looking for a solution for when leaving them behind is unavoidable but this problem is one of the reasons I won't have a dog.
If you've got someone close who can take on the role then OK but dogs need more than just feeding and their s
t cleaning up. Some dogs don't travel well but for others, UK self catering holidays are a great way of solving the problem.
Pistom said:
Am I understanding this?
People are getting dogs, animals that bond to their owners and see them as leaders of the pack and then the owners wilfully abandon them for days or weeks on end?
The OP has asked a reasonable and fair question as they clearly care and are looking for a solution for when leaving them behind is unavoidable but this problem is one of the reasons I won't have a dog.
If you've got someone close who can take on the role then OK but dogs need more than just feeding and their st cleaning up.
Some dogs don't travel well but for others, UK self catering holidays are a great way of solving the problem.
He's a dog. He's not made of porcelain - physically or mentally. A few days/couple of weeks will not give them PTSD.People are getting dogs, animals that bond to their owners and see them as leaders of the pack and then the owners wilfully abandon them for days or weeks on end?
The OP has asked a reasonable and fair question as they clearly care and are looking for a solution for when leaving them behind is unavoidable but this problem is one of the reasons I won't have a dog.
If you've got someone close who can take on the role then OK but dogs need more than just feeding and their s
t cleaning up. Some dogs don't travel well but for others, UK self catering holidays are a great way of solving the problem.
People leave their children with family members whilst they go on holiday all the time. A dog, obviously, has simpler needs than a child.
Ours stays with my in-laws. He gets spoiled by his 'Granny' with treats every day, an extra-long walk each day and someone around all the time. He has a bloody whale of a time.
Muzzer79 said:
Pistom said:
Am I understanding this?
People are getting dogs, animals that bond to their owners and see them as leaders of the pack and then the owners wilfully abandon them for days or weeks on end?
The OP has asked a reasonable and fair question as they clearly care and are looking for a solution for when leaving them behind is unavoidable but this problem is one of the reasons I won't have a dog.
If you've got someone close who can take on the role then OK but dogs need more than just feeding and their st cleaning up.
Some dogs don't travel well but for others, UK self catering holidays are a great way of solving the problem.
He's a dog. He's not made of porcelain - physically or mentally. A few days/couple of weeks will not give them PTSD.People are getting dogs, animals that bond to their owners and see them as leaders of the pack and then the owners wilfully abandon them for days or weeks on end?
The OP has asked a reasonable and fair question as they clearly care and are looking for a solution for when leaving them behind is unavoidable but this problem is one of the reasons I won't have a dog.
If you've got someone close who can take on the role then OK but dogs need more than just feeding and their s
t cleaning up. Some dogs don't travel well but for others, UK self catering holidays are a great way of solving the problem.
People leave their children with family members whilst they go on holiday all the time. A dog, obviously, has simpler needs than a child.
Ours stays with my in-laws. He gets spoiled by his 'Granny' with treats every day, an extra-long walk each day and someone around all the time. He has a bloody whale of a time.
We've left our dogs with family members in the past, but it's not so easy now as they're either no longer local or have too many of their own commitments, so we are happy to stick to holidays where we can take them with us. They're a member of the family so it's only right they come with us.
Only once have we left a dog in kennels and that was a last resort - my FiL suddenly passed away and we had to travel to Spain at the very last minute to deal with everything. It was a good kennel with a very good reputation, but we hated doing it as the dog had no idea what was going on
Zetec-S said:
Muzzer79 said:
Pistom said:
Am I understanding this?
People are getting dogs, animals that bond to their owners and see them as leaders of the pack and then the owners wilfully abandon them for days or weeks on end?
The OP has asked a reasonable and fair question as they clearly care and are looking for a solution for when leaving them behind is unavoidable but this problem is one of the reasons I won't have a dog.
If you've got someone close who can take on the role then OK but dogs need more than just feeding and their st cleaning up.
Some dogs don't travel well but for others, UK self catering holidays are a great way of solving the problem.
He's a dog. He's not made of porcelain - physically or mentally. A few days/couple of weeks will not give them PTSD.People are getting dogs, animals that bond to their owners and see them as leaders of the pack and then the owners wilfully abandon them for days or weeks on end?
The OP has asked a reasonable and fair question as they clearly care and are looking for a solution for when leaving them behind is unavoidable but this problem is one of the reasons I won't have a dog.
If you've got someone close who can take on the role then OK but dogs need more than just feeding and their s
t cleaning up. Some dogs don't travel well but for others, UK self catering holidays are a great way of solving the problem.
People leave their children with family members whilst they go on holiday all the time. A dog, obviously, has simpler needs than a child.
Ours stays with my in-laws. He gets spoiled by his 'Granny' with treats every day, an extra-long walk each day and someone around all the time. He has a bloody whale of a time.
We've left our dogs with family members in the past, but it's not so easy now as they're either no longer local or have too many of their own commitments, so we are happy to stick to holidays where we can take them with us. They're a member of the family so it's only right they come with us.
Only once have we left a dog in kennels and that was a last resort - my FiL suddenly passed away and we had to travel to Spain at the very last minute to deal with everything. It was a good kennel with a very good reputation, but we hated doing it as the dog had no idea what was going on
But my point was that going on holiday for a couple of weeks without one's dog will not mentally scar them - providing that they're in familiar surroundings and/or with familiar people.
To this end - family, a pet-sitter introduced beforehand or similar solution is fine.
We normally take ours with us, but when we have had a few days away abroad we used kennels. Really good reputation, they stay in the same kennel together and 2 walks a day.
It’s not ideal, but they are always fine and it’s only normally for a few days.
I would try a pet sitter first, but kennels are always a good alternative.
It’s not ideal, but they are always fine and it’s only normally for a few days.
I would try a pet sitter first, but kennels are always a good alternative.
I have spoken to two pet sitters today , both come and stay at the house . We have a small annex so that may make it easier .
E mail exchanges and a call with each before we both agreed that we would never have them anywhere near the dogs or the house . Absolute fruit cakes .
The hunt continues, we are going to see a lady on Friday who has dogs at her home , albeit she sounds a bit odd too.
We are odd so maybe it will work
E mail exchanges and a call with each before we both agreed that we would never have them anywhere near the dogs or the house . Absolute fruit cakes .
The hunt continues, we are going to see a lady on Friday who has dogs at her home , albeit she sounds a bit odd too.
We are odd so maybe it will work
We have looked after several people's dogs. In one case, for over six months whilst the owner moved house and couldn't leave the dog in the rented accomodation as it barked all day if left alone.
What hasn't been mentioned yet is how destructive some dogs can be when outside of their own homes, whether it is weeing/pooing on the carpet, digging holes in the lawn, chewing up random things they have managed to find or as one tried to do, digging a hole in the settee. I don't mean when left alone for hours, but as soon as one's back is turned.
Do you tell your friends, " No I'm sorry your dog is an uncontrollable little st and if I never set eyes on him ever again, it would be a blessing", do you present them with a bill for the destruction, or just suck it up?
The other thing is, that looking after someone else's dog can be effectively putting your life on hold until the thing goes home, as in addition to all the walking, if you take your eyes of the things for a moment the destruction starts, or the barking, if you put it in its cage. Sure, there are well behaved dogs out there, but I guess they get taken on holiday with the owners...
What hasn't been mentioned yet is how destructive some dogs can be when outside of their own homes, whether it is weeing/pooing on the carpet, digging holes in the lawn, chewing up random things they have managed to find or as one tried to do, digging a hole in the settee. I don't mean when left alone for hours, but as soon as one's back is turned.
Do you tell your friends, " No I'm sorry your dog is an uncontrollable little s
t and if I never set eyes on him ever again, it would be a blessing", do you present them with a bill for the destruction, or just suck it up?The other thing is, that looking after someone else's dog can be effectively putting your life on hold until the thing goes home, as in addition to all the walking, if you take your eyes of the things for a moment the destruction starts, or the barking, if you put it in its cage. Sure, there are well behaved dogs out there, but I guess they get taken on holiday with the owners...
bigtomski said:
I can throughly recommend using trustedhousesitters.com
I'm a sitter and I (and sometimes with my other half) look after other peoples dogs and the house when the owners go away.
We've have done about a dozen sits so far and all of them have been brilliant. We've met some wonderful owners and some amazing dogs.
The dogs are happy 'cause they're in their own home and for us it's great as we don't have our own dog and it's lovely to be able to look after one (or two or three) dogs for a while.
We've stayed in some incredible houses, sometimes it's for a few days and other times it's for 2 weeks.
We pay about £200 a year to be members of the site and that's the only money that changes hands.
As a sitter you don't get paid, its simply for the wonderful experience of sitting the dogs.
I'm not sure how much you would pay as the pet owners looking for sitters. It's got to be cheaper than kennels.
We connected so well with all the owners we have sat for that we are going back to do loads of resits over the next few months.
Being able to pretty much work from anywhere definitely helps as a sitter.
We've had requests from people asking us to sit for them in Berlin, Washington, Porto and Florence but so far we've only done sits in the U.K.
Maybe we'll go further afield soon!
We use trustedhousesitters also. Can recommend. I'm a sitter and I (and sometimes with my other half) look after other peoples dogs and the house when the owners go away.
We've have done about a dozen sits so far and all of them have been brilliant. We've met some wonderful owners and some amazing dogs.
The dogs are happy 'cause they're in their own home and for us it's great as we don't have our own dog and it's lovely to be able to look after one (or two or three) dogs for a while.
We've stayed in some incredible houses, sometimes it's for a few days and other times it's for 2 weeks.
We pay about £200 a year to be members of the site and that's the only money that changes hands.
As a sitter you don't get paid, its simply for the wonderful experience of sitting the dogs.
I'm not sure how much you would pay as the pet owners looking for sitters. It's got to be cheaper than kennels.
We connected so well with all the owners we have sat for that we are going back to do loads of resits over the next few months.
Being able to pretty much work from anywhere definitely helps as a sitter.
We've had requests from people asking us to sit for them in Berlin, Washington, Porto and Florence but so far we've only done sits in the U.K.
Maybe we'll go further afield soon!
Sitters apply , send a profile and you decide. We like to meet the sitters prior to any decision. Our sitters have been from UK ,NZ , Hong Kong , Germany and Alaska who do this either while relocating or as a big adventure. All have had plenty of 5 star reviews from previous sits , criminal records checks, references.
The site used to allow unlimited applications , you could pause applications to read through or stop applications if a sitter found but for some reason THS changed the limit to 4 per advert. This now means sifting through those who apply for everything , blocking them and placing the advert again.
We state couples only , no kids , no pets but it doesn’t stop the chancers applying. Our family of 4 … my pets will be fine with yours , I’m a single mum etc…….
Generic applications get blocked asap, we prefer to read a reply that has obviously read the advert. Once joined you can also look up sitters , from your area if you prefer , message them directly and ask if they’d be interested before placing a site wide ad.
Mindmyhome another site a friend of ours uses. Free for placing an advert , less choice of sitters as they pay to join.
To be honest, since the Covid we don’t go overseas. Wouldn’t dream of leaving him anywhere, as he loves being with his family.
Unfortunately, in the past his “Mum” had work commitments elsewhere, which wasn’t ideal. So would stay with stepdaughter rather on his own (night shifts). Which was two hours drive away, each way. But all of that is in the past.
Unfortunately, in the past his “Mum” had work commitments elsewhere, which wasn’t ideal. So would stay with stepdaughter rather on his own (night shifts). Which was two hours drive away, each way. But all of that is in the past.
Was thinking to leave mine in local keenels last year for a 3 night trip away. Went along for a look round and despite being highly recommended by locals and friends really didn't like the feeling of the place. So decided one of us would have to stay at home, it was disappointing but a no brainer for me despite being a close family wedding.
Luckily a neighbour who volunteers at a rescue centre suggested a friend who she'd worked with that had moved to Durham but liked to come down south whenever possible to visit. A couple of calls later and a lovely couple arrived to house and dog sit. We couldn't have been happier and more importantly nor could Archie. Two walks a day and I swear he was better trained than when we left!
So, if using a kennel definitely check it out first. The one I visited has lost a lot of local business recently due to dogs coming back malnourished with kennel cough and not so clean.
So I'd definitely give a big thumbs up to accredited dog/house sitters.
Luckily a neighbour who volunteers at a rescue centre suggested a friend who she'd worked with that had moved to Durham but liked to come down south whenever possible to visit. A couple of calls later and a lovely couple arrived to house and dog sit. We couldn't have been happier and more importantly nor could Archie. Two walks a day and I swear he was better trained than when we left!
So, if using a kennel definitely check it out first. The one I visited has lost a lot of local business recently due to dogs coming back malnourished with kennel cough and not so clean.
So I'd definitely give a big thumbs up to accredited dog/house sitters.
Have looked after my sisters dog numerous times over the years, up to 2 weeks at a time, she's generally well behaved, doesn't go upstairs, doesn't make a mess, sits and bides her time between walks/play. Also looked after some colleagues dog for a couple of nights which was a bit of a different experience as not as well behaved, but didn't cause any damage or carnage and being left alone for a few hours here and there. Woudln't consider looking after a dog overnight that I didn't know or hadn't looked after for a few hours or a day beforehand.
Will be cashing in some of the many owed weeks back from my sister with our new one.
Will be cashing in some of the many owed weeks back from my sister with our new one.
We are really lucky. Our little guy comes on holiday with us during the summer. We have found a really good, dog friendly cottage, that he treats just like home. A couple of times a year, we have 3 nights away at fantastic B&B’s that sadly, are not dog friendly. During these holidays, he goes to a local “doggy daycare” place. It isn’t cheap, but they look after him like he was their own. He can leave the “bedroom” anytime he wants and can have a run around the paddock with his friends. When we drop him off, it is quite funny, as he doesn’t even look back at us as he runs off to be with his buddies. The only issue we have is making sure we give sufficient notice of our bookings because they fill up really quickly.
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