where do you leave your dog when you go on vacation?

[SuperLab123]

if your not taking your dogs on vacation, with whom do you leave them with..

i have left sandy in a kennel once and have regreted it ever since they treated her horribly.., i felt so bad leaving her there i came back early got her.. and drove back on vacation (it was a 3hour road trip)
I always now leave my dogs with a family member or a friend.. they take great care.. i have even started a little buisness where i take care of dogs when their owner is gone.. so they dont have to lock thier poor puppies up in a horrible kennel!

tell me where u leave your dog!

[pupslover]

our stories sound similar....

my boyfriend and i went to california for a week and i had no one to leave the pups with. so i let them with my vet, who my neighbors recommended and had always left their pets with. so i tried it...but much to my dismay, i found that due to my goldens nose being torn up from rubbing on cages all day, they must not have let them out much to play. i was more than upset to see my baby come home with a bloody nose and a scar to last forever. is this kind of thing allowed? to cage animals all day with no love, care, or play time?

i know NEVER to do that again! i felt like a horrorible mommy like i ruined my pups! not to mention that my shepherd learned to pee in her cage again and i had to re-train her in her potty ways.

i hope not to hear that many people do leave their pets at kennels, but i know i had to learn the hard way.

[SuperLab123]

i cant believe that happened im so sorry ! that shouldnt be allowed.. if your going to leave your dog with a vet (especially) then they should let them out to go to the bathroom and play. thats so sad
i hope no one goes through what we have been through

[GoldenRetrLuver]

At my grandmother's house most of the time. Although I hate leaving them alone for a long period of time (more than a few days..) my cousins are there to take care of them.

[lovemyshiba]

We don't go on vacation

We have 4 dogs to take care of, lol

Seriously, though, we went away last fall for my cousin's wedding, and we found a great kid on our street who comes and stays with the dogs. We pay him, and he loves to stay in our house without his bratty little brother around, and all of the toys we have!!!!
He is so great with the dogs too!!!!!

[Kfamr]

It won't be a vacation without them, i'd never be able to relax. We have never left them alone while going on vacation. We ALWAYS bring them with, and if it wasn't possible, I wouldn't go.

[binka_nugget]

I don't go on vacations anymore. I gave up a trip to China because I didn't want to leave them behind with a stranger. If I absolutely had to go somewhere, I'd ask a friend to stay here with the dogs.

[Logan]

I have a petsitter that I have used for 3 years now. Our "family" grew so large that I was having to board the dogs (2 at that point), then have someone come take care of the cats at home and the hamsters (we didn't have the birds or the two extra dogs at that point). She doesn't stay at my house, but comes at least 3 time/day, and if there is a storm or something, she will come more often. She puts them in for the night after a long play time, and comes back early in the morning to feed them and let them outside. She also comes at lunchtime. It is not cheap, but neither was boarding them. Everyone is much happier since they get to stay in their familiar surroundings and I am much more at ease too. Of course, I can still never wait to get home!!!!

[pupslover]

yeah, i'm the same way. i hate to leave them...even for school and work. they are so spolied lol

[Twisterdog]

I just KNEW this was going to be another boarding kennel bashing thread without even opening it.

Sad to say, I was right.

There certainly are bad boarding kennels. Sorry that some of you happened to find one. However, there are also wonderful boarding kennels out there. Usually, you can tell the difference with a quick tour and by asking a few pertinent questions of the managers. A little research goes a long way.

There are also horrible pet sitters out there. I have heard many pet sitter horror stories - like the one that "forgot" one of my customers, and her pets literally starved to death during her two week vacation. Or the doctor in our town who's neighbor didn't latch the gate while watching his dog, and his dog was hit by a car and killed. Of course ... there are also wonderful pet sitters. Just like there are good and bad vets, good and bad restaurants, good and bad hospitals.

I get so sick and tired of hearing, "All boarding kennels are bad, I know this for a fact, because once I left my dog at a bad one." One rotten apple does not make the whole bushel bad. Do some research, look around, ask some questions. A good boarding kennel is a GREAT experience for a dog, and they have a blast there.

[Lissa]

I have only left Layla once in a nice boarding kennel. She was happy to come home, but she was completely healthy and happy, even giving kisses to everyone before we left. I hate to leave her just because I miss her soooo much. (I cried at night, and even had the kennel on speed dial so I could check on her.) If it's a day or over night thing, one of my friends is more then happy to watch her. I just can't be for too long since we have to sneak her in. I wouldn't have to leave her at all but I can't take her to my parents house for various reasons.

[wolf_Q]

We pretty much take our dogs everywhere with us.

I remember a few times many years ago we left Reggie and Smokey with my Grandparents when we went on vacation.

I'm not quite sure what I'd do right now if I had to leave Nebo. I'm like completely paranoid! I've left him overnight with my parents, and that's fine, but I hate making them take care of him. I think if I was to go away for a long period of time I would put him in a doggy daycare. AFTER checking the place out and researching it. Like Twisterdog said, every daycare/boarding place isn't bad, you just have to find the right one. I've seen a few on the news up in SLC that seem pretty good I think!

Actually if I had the money, I would start my own Daycare/Boarding!

[Tonya]

If it's just for the weekend, I leave them at home and ask my brother to come over. He spends time with them each day and feeds them. If it is more then a week, I kennel them.

[Logan]

Twisterdog, I totally agree with your statements. All kennels are not bad! In my experience, the vet's office is not the best place to leave them unless they run a full time boarding service, in addition to the regular vet services. The only time I have ever left one at the vet was after Murphy's ear surgery last year. She was still bandaged and on heavy pain medication to try to keep her calm so she wouldn't dig at her ear. It was the best place for her to be at the time. I didn't want the petsitter to have to deal with that issue, on top of all the other animal care.

I am fortunate to have found a perfect petsitter. I have told this story before, but it bears repeating. When this particular lady came to meet me and my animals, she plopped herself down on a wet, dirty patio and let my Golden girls climb all over her and give her kisses. She won me over at that moment! But the kennel that I used, I would use again if necessary. In fact, when I moved last year, I boarded my two Goldens for a few days until things were settled here. There are pros and cons with both alternatives. Just wish I had a vehicle and place to go where all would fit and be welcomed! Wouldn't that be something to see??

[lovemyshiba]

Originally posted by Twisterdog

I get so sick and tired of hearing, "All boarding kennels are bad, I know this for a fact, because once I left my dog at a bad one." One rotten apple does not make the whole bushel bad. Do some research, look around, ask some questions. A good boarding kennel is a GREAT experience for a dog, and they have a blast there.

You're right, Twisterdog.
There is one boarding facility in the area that I would use if I had to. I have met the owners, and they said I am welcome to come at any time and check the place out, and get a complete tour.
I know the kennel my mother in law used to use here before she moved didn't even let you see the area where the dogs were kept.

I am very fortunate to have found the kid who takes care of our dogs for us. He knows the dogs, knows their routines, and knows who gets along with who, and what to do in the house. He sleeps here with them, and spends time with them when he is here. I love it because I know they are in great hands, and they are home, where they are comfortable.