What do you do with your dog....

[mellowbird]

...when you want to go on a day out (and it's not somewhere you can take the dog with you).

[DooinMeCleanin]

Give the whippy one to my mum and dad. Give the devil dog a long, long run by the bike before we go out. Instruct my mum and dad to come and get the devil dog, take him to the beach for an hour or so and then feed him at about 5ish. They won't have him in the house because my mum is scared of him. My dad will normally give him a morning too if we set off very early.

[mellowbird]

i'm a bit soft with my dog,don't really leave him much,an hour max,but am wanting to take my boys out and about to soft play,our local attractions and lots don't allow dogs.

So,i will walk him first then leave him home alone...how long is ok?

[OnlyWantsOne]

My lab is happy 3-4 hrs, we have a kong that I use :)

[DooinMeCleanin]

It really depends on your dog. Whippy gets upset if you so much as got to the loo. The Devil Dog is okay alone so long as some one feeds him and we leave the window open for him to get in and out.

I'd say a day every now and again would be fine, so long as your dog doesn't have speration anxiety and you pay/bribe someone to come in and feed and exercise him halfway through the day.

[mellowbird]

I think i will try 10am til 2pm to start with,see how he goes,he will prob just sleep the whole time! he's 4 years old.

[lisad123]

I can now leave me boy for about 4 hours, which i dont like to do but do nif we need to.
I have a friend that comes in spends time and walks himif im out all day.

[mellowbird]

it's hard isn't it? i don't have anyone to look after him,it's just me and my boys,i've always taken him with us everywhere but want to be able to do some things that i can't bring him to,like swimming centre..amusement park,museums,soft play etc...

[chickchickchicken]

i leave mine for a few hours if i go out shopping, appointments, etc. they get a walk first and are left with a kong toy. mine are past puppy stage so have the freedom of the house when i am out. they cant access the garden so if i am longer than a few hours then a neighbour or friend will come in and walk them. one of mine goes to doggy daycare about once a month as it has helped him to be more confident. is this something you could think about if out all day?

[mellowbird]

doggy day care...not sure if they do this where i live? sounds fun!!

[chickchickchicken]

whereabouts are you?

[Choufleur]

Pay for a dog walker to come and take him out during the day sometime when we are both out at work all day. Despite being a very bouncy, young springer often takes himself off to his kennel for some quiet time so I guess he's ok.

Doggy day care would be an option if we went out for a really long day.

[chickchickchicken]

i think i am lucky in that my dog daycare is only £10 whether for all day or overnight

[Jaynerae]

We have just booked four days doggy daycare for our two for when we go camping for two weeks. It will be first beach hol for DC's (not really a beach person, like forests! But am thinking of DC's) and DH and I want to have some dog free days so we can do beach, and other activities that dogs can not come on. I will not leave them in kennels and go away for two weeks as they are part of our family, and I would miss them so much and worry about them.

I feel day care is good compromise and if all ok will do it again whilst we are camping. We drop them off at 9am and pick up at 5.30pm. So not too bad and only £6 per day per dog.

No reason you can't use daycare for a day out from home.

[Madsometimes]

I use a dog walker who does boarding. If the day out is going to be very long, then I may put him overnight. She will also take him for the day.

It can be difficult because many dog walkers only take regular clients, so finding the right person can take a little time.

[mellowbird]

chicken-i'm in Cornwall,near Land's End.

Is doggy daycare the same as kennels?

[Tuggy]

Doggy day care is like this

www.diggazdoggiedaycare.co.uk/

They'll normally come to your house and take the dog for a walk, or let ut out for a wee while you're away.

Normaly the dog doesn't go to them, they come to the dog.

[mellowbird]

wow!! not too far from me!! thanks

[mellowbird]

[chickchickchicken]

the daycare i use is in someone's house. the dogs have freedom of the house and garden. they are taken on long walks a few times a day. i just drop dog off with his food for the day. the woman running it took early retirement and spends her days looking after dogs in her own home. she has been involved in dog rescue for many years and is very passionate about animal welfare. my dog loves going there and he is an anxious highly strung type of dog. i take him about once a month even if we arent going anywhere because i think it helps him with his confidence. sorry dont know any in your area. would suggest you chat to other dog walkers and get a personal recommendation if you can. the place we use doesnt advertise and she is always busy