kennel or housesitter for dog when I travel?

[taylor]

We have a new dog that we will be leaving for the first time when we travel for the holidays. Some of my friends who have dogs tell me that the dog will be happier if I hire a housesitter so the dog can stay at our house. Other friends say we should get the dog used to a kennel.

Any thoughts?

[lauras]

We have often used a housesitter but now have switched to a kennel. The housesitters varied a bit in quality and many of them worked full time so the dog was alone most of the day. One housesitter's family had a medical emergency and she had to leave; another one brought her dog that got to sleep in our bed (which our dog would have loved to do but it was forbidden!). When our most recent dog was new she ran away from a housesitter - so being in her new home wasn't a comfort.

Now we take our dog to a kennel, but we checked a number of different kennels first. The one we selected has a doggy daycare component so it's really lively with lots of dogs in and out that come to play and socialize. And our dog gets to hang out with them during the day and then is in her individual kennel at night. Our vet wanted us to use their kennel but when we checked it out there were very few dogs there and it looked too lonely.

So my advice is to research all the kennels in your area and find the best one you can find. The dog will eventually get used to it. And you will know that your dog is safe and cared for no matter what.

[lori854]

We have always used dog sitters that stay at the house. The few times that we left our dog at the clinic for an extended day after a teeth cleaning or other medical procedure, he'd cry or howl until we picked him up. He was always much happier at home. But, I have to say, if you can find a kennel that you feel comfortable leaving your dog at, it might be worth breaking him/her in now.

[todobigo]

We live in New York City, where kennels can run $50-$75 a day -- I know, more than many hotel rooms. So, for us, it was always most cost efficient and most fun for our dog if he could stay with another family.

We had a wonderful dog walker and over holidays, our dog could stay with her and her dog, have the company, and get walked more often. It was a nice source of extra income for her ($30/day) and not much more trouble than her own dog.

But I understand that a professional kennel can be very reassuring. If you dont' find one you are comfortable with for your dog, you might want to ask at the Vet's office or the local animal shelter if any of t heir employees "board" dogs in their own homes and check that out.

Good luck

[terrier1]

Dogs need exercise. If the choice is between a kennel with a good-sized run and a smaller room (or crate) in the house, I'd go with a kennel, unless your puppy is too young to have received all his/her shots. (An elderly dog with limited mobility could be another story.) Dogs also have sensitive stomachs that may not handle an abrupt change of diet well, so I would bring the dog's accustomed food rather than avail myself of whatever product the kennel uses; most will charge an additional fee for the inconvenience to them. I would also bring treats (with instructions on how often they are to be given) and a couple of toys. You will be asked for veterinary information and proof of shots. Kennels will often refuse to take puppies who have not yet received all their shots and may insist on immunization against "kennel cough" (to avoid recriminations, if your dog picks that up). If your puppy is too young to have received all shots, the kennel may not be an option.

[linda]

We've done both. We've hired housesitters, which worked out part of the time depending on the person and their schedule. We've also hired our neighbors to take care of our dog and asked if they would have the dog spend some time with them at their house.

But because our dog had "accidents" at their house, we decided to try various kennels. We found one that allowed the dogs to hang out together most of they day and play if they were well socialized. Our dog is soert of middle aged and doesn't play anymore but is happy to hang out and watch other dogs play, so we feel that she is less lonely and more entertained at the kennel. But it totally depends on the kennel - make sure it's a lively place with lots of dogs.

[lauras]

We have friends who trade dog sitting services with people - and when they go on vacation their friends take their dog into their own home. I asked them about it and they said it was hard on the dogs the first few times but they got used to it. THey would visit each other 3-4 times with the dog before leaving, which helped. But the dogs became friends and always had each other as well as their "host" family. That sounds like a very good way to do it - and with no charges attached!