Which is nicer for a dog?

[Summerwhizzedby]

We rarely go away as I hate leaving our Ddog, 12. Whenever we have, we’ve always put her in a kennel with a good reputation, she’s secure and given food and water and cleaned etc, but sleeps alone in a room and it just makes me sad.
We don’t live near family so they can’t help unfortunately and friends all have kids, dogs, work etc.
I was thinking would it be nicer to have Ddog stay at home with her comforts and space to roam around and ask one of the nice neighbour boys (late teens, good boys, know family very well) to check in on her for a couple of hours per day-change food and water, take her for a walk (they have dogs too and we have woods and fields by the house) and to stay for a while for a but of company? (We’d pay them obviously

We leave on a Saturday morning, so we’d take her for a walk before we go and for him to check on her late afternoon/evening, spend time, take her for a walk. Then for him to come round on Sunday the same and Monday morning. We’d be back Monday afternoon

Hate the thought of her alone but sure she’d prefer our nice house than a tiny room

I just don’t know

She’d probably prefer being in her own home. But are you sure she would be safe looked after by a teen? Are they trustworthy and mature enough? Would your insurance cover them etc?

I don't know without knowing the family-have they done this before, do they have insurance/knowledge of what to do in an emergency like professional sitters? Some board dogs in their own home, so you could look into that. Another option is to take her-there are lots of dog friendly hotels, and many attractions welcome dogs these days. Ours loved Camera Obscura at Edinburgh, and the Novotel was great. Others have enjoyed boat trips, hiking etc. Generally, good hotels/restaurants encourage them. If you're cruising, there is one company which takes dogs.

I wouldn’t like to leave my dog with someone visiting for a couple of hours only, if we were away overnight. I’d think kennels where she has interaction with other dogs and people is a much better for her.

He’s an older teen-19/20 maybe, two doors down, v close to family as his little brother is best friends with our dd, in and out of each others houses etc, parents very sensible, I do trust him, I just worry about her alone for that long wondering where we are 😩

Would be better to have him take the dog to his home or ask him to stay at yours...

That feels more secure to me, just the tiny room she stays in makes me a bit sad

They have dogs, cats & birds, think it would be too crazy for our ddog and their family
He works and studies so i’m not sure it he could commit to that
Probably simpler at the kennels, just feel guilty!

Can you not get dog/house sitters? I personally wouldn’t dream of leaving my dogs for that amount of time alone, an evening visit then left all night is a long time. What if the dog needs out, it’s cruel if you ask me.

Edited to add we have regular house/dog sitters who are worth their weight in gold to us.

I think most dogs favour company over the size of the room.

She would be completely alone for very many hours.
What if there is a fire, what if she is sick, what if she becomes trapped somehow, is she scared of thunder, what if there is a storm overnight when she is alone, what if the boy doesn't shut the door properly and the dog gets out without anyone knowing about it for hours.
I would say kennels are a safer and more interactive option in this particular situation.
Can you take her with you on your trip?

Can you ask the teenager if he would stay at yours?

Yes I think it’s too long too 😔 never been left more than 5 hours maybe and it’s fairly rare. It’s just being stuck alone in that tiny room seems awful too

Would you/he agree to him staying over? I know when my partner is away my little dog kisses him, so I do different things to those she does with him. We walk in different places, go play ball in different parks, do a scent trail in the garden with plant pots and treats, or play a game of hide and seek, and I make some nice home made dog meals (roast chicken etc). It distracts her and she’s fine and isn’t sat wondering or pining.

Just might make it feel more exciting and comforting for her if he stays over and she has someone to snuggle with (if she’s that kind of dog).

There must be dog sitters in your area surely? Not just kennels or neighbours. Either you send the dog to theirs, or they come to you. My parents’ dog goes to the same person about an hour away a few weeks a year, basically through an agency who matches dog to sitter.

Can’t you get someone to stay at yours and dog sit?

You’re right there’s no way it will work unless he stays
She can’t come really as is a campsite and worried about her running off or barking lots etc

When I was a teenager (15-16? It was before I passed my driving test and that was at 17) I used to dog/house sit for family and friends and on occasion, random people. They'd pay me, id enjoy the peace and quiet for studying and look after the animals. Win win all round.

I'd pick the kennel, even though the room is small I think because I think it's more important they're checked on regularly. Unless he can sleep at your home instead, my dog would be too stressed being alone all night.

You can't leave your dog at home and only have somebody there for a few hours a day for several days in a row. The tiny room would be better because she won't be alone for such long periods. At 12, she might well sleep a lot anyway?

Find a home boarder?

If it's a choice of those two I'd go with the kennels and not sure I'd be happy for a teen neighbour to stay in the house. Ideally I'd either go with a professional house sitter or a dog sitter who keeps the dog at their house.

Can’t you pay for a dog sitter to stay in your house? It’s a pretty cheap option considering what you get for the price.

I would take DDog camping but understand if you genuinely can't and in that case I would happily leave them in kennels. I do know what you mean about them being alone in a small room, but in reality they will be perfectly fine. I think most dogs find kennels quite stimulating and happily go to sleep in between bouts of activity, and they will be fussed over by the staff I'm sure. DDog would be far more alone in your house with just a visitor for a couple of hours a day.

Would he not be willing to stay at yours while you're away?

EDIT: sorry I see you've answered that, I'd still ask him & if not ask around, recommendations for dog sitters etc.

MUCH. Better than kennels.

@Lovemyassistancedog She likely will sleep a lot, especially if I take her for a long walk Friday evening and then we take her Saturday morning before we drop her

Pay for a dogsitter. It's what I do for work and I know the vast majority of dogs would rather be in their own home with their own routine. Look for someone with good reviews/references and insurance.