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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

When you go away

30 replies

loopydoo · 18/01/2012 13:27

Hi - really not trying to be arguementative here but was just wondering what all you dog owners do when you go away (say to relatives/friends) for a weekend.

Say if, for example, you didn't see your siblings very often, would you expect them to 'host' your dogs too, as well as you - even if they had cats?

Do relattives tell you outright that they won't host the dogs or do you ask them etc?

thanks for any info

OP posts:

shoutymcshoutsmum · 18/01/2012 13:29

I just ask them. They can always say no. Your question seems like a fair question to me and not remotely argumentative

Original poster

loopydoo · 18/01/2012 13:35

I think perhaps I was worreied about dog lovers everywhere thinking I was trying to rub them up the wrong way.

Basically, it'e me who has cats and it's our relatives who won't visit overnight because they have the dogs to 'think about'.

Yet, it strikes me as odd - they quite simply go into kennels when they go away for longer periods (ie: 3 week overseas trip) so what's so hard about getting a friend to feed/walk them/ put them into kennels for one night - when we only get to see each other perhaps once/twice a year?

I don't hate dogs but I don't want them in the house. DD has a bit of a fear of dogs and they smell (imo).

I was hoping there may be some posters who wouldn't dream of simply assuming that their dogs are always invited and would actually not visit someone if dogs weren't invited?

OP posts:

Lizcat · 18/01/2012 13:36

I ask politely if mobile mop is included in the invitation if he is not I make alternative arrangements for him.

Ephiny · 18/01/2012 13:37

I wouldn't expect anyone to have my dogs - though equally they have to understand that unless I can make arrangements for the dogs to be looked after, I might not be able to visit them.

I would just ask, but they're quite entitled to say no if they're not comfortable with it.

JaxTellerIsMyFriend · 18/01/2012 13:39

Now that we have 2 GSDs I dont assume that they are welcome in others' homes, I ask first. If not then I make arrangements for the dogs.

CAt isnt a problem, she goes next door when we are away.

It does make me snurk though, someone who I love dearly wouldnt entertain my 2 (v well behaved) dogs in her home, but fully expects me to allow her dog in mine. There is nothing stranger than folk and their animals!.

Original poster

loopydoo · 18/01/2012 13:43

That's strange indeed jax

OP posts:

shoutymcshoutsmum · 18/01/2012 13:45

I agree with Ephiny. i understand if they say no to my GSP but I expect the, to understand if that means I decide not to come. TBH my dog is only 11 weeks old so have not done kennels yet. i may become more flexible with experience.

scottishlawyer · 18/01/2012 13:49

I would not dream of taking my dog to visit overnight in the circumstances you describe; we are quite happy to put her in kennels overnight. And I love her dearly. But don't expect others to feel the same

Original poster

loopydoo · 18/01/2012 13:49

But would you seriously give up seeing a close sibling just because you decided to get dogs?

I just don't get 'dog people' and I mean that in a nice way

OP posts:

mustdash · 18/01/2012 13:51

Jax, we have friends who are exactly the same. Always, always bring their dog to ours, and yet when we asked if it was ok to bring ours to them, got a definite no. and

Original poster

loopydoo · 18/01/2012 13:52

Scottish that's what I thought some people might think.

If I were buying a dog (as I did when we had the cats/guinea pig/hamster), I would ask myself, could we find someone to look after them if we go away? And the answer was yes, we could.

I cannot believe someone would limit seeing friends and family just because they were being arsey over the people not being that into their dogs.

OP posts:

yesbutnobut · 18/01/2012 13:53

I'm hoping to find a local dog sitter who will have my puppy when we go away - don't think I could face kennels for my pfb. Not sure if this 'home from home' that I have in mind exists but I'm hoping to find one so I can go away and have peace of mind. I wouldn't really expect to take my dog with me to people's houses unless they specifically invite.

louby86 · 18/01/2012 13:53

To be honest it's never crossed my mind to take my dog with me if I'm going to visit or stay overnight at someone's house, not unless we're asked to bring him with us like my MIL often asks. If people ask us to come and stay we make other arrangements for our dog, but also the people inviting us need to understand we're unable to make it if we can't get a dog sitter

scottishlawyer · 18/01/2012 13:59

I think it's weird too. Lest I should be thought hard hearted, yhe kennels are near us and very lovely, my dog is always happy and excited to go there and loves the owner. Wish I could put the dcs in there too, actually

SquishyCinnamonSwirls · 18/01/2012 14:06

I'd never just assume my dog was invited! He's a big hairy brute and I can totally understand people not wanting him in their home. If we're going for an overnight stay then I'll put him in kennels but if it's just a day thing then he'll come in the car with us and I'll take him for a couple of walks while we're there.

Ephiny · 18/01/2012 14:08

Maybe they just don't want to stay over anyway? I sometimes use 'dog sitting' as an excuse for not visiting the ILs...

Original poster

loopydoo · 18/01/2012 14:10

They're not coming in the day either! We all get on fine but maybe it harks back to the time when they came to visit in the day without telling us they were bringing the dog and then we said they couldn't bring him in!!

OP posts:

Elibean · 18/01/2012 14:18

I'm not sure there is such a thing as 'dog people'

Just individuals with dogs, all different! I would ask a close, close relative (mum or sister, eg) if I could bring Mouse - but would be fine boarding him if they said no. Not that I've done it yet, we've only had him for 3 months.

If the dog is very young, or very unsettled for any reason, I would expect relatives to understand - or rather, hope for their understanding - if I delayed my visit. We didin't visit my Mum for the first few weeks of having our rescue pup, because he still weed on occasion (when excited) and wasn't used to the car. She is not all that keen on dogs, but always welcomes her family's pets anyway - and totally understood that a new dog is like a new baby, in that its harder to travel with for a while.

D0oinMeCleanin · 18/01/2012 14:18

Half of my family is 'doggy' and I live very close to all of them so I don't have this problem for overnight stays. My parents would come and see to my dogs for one night. When I visit my parents at least one of my three dogs comes with me.

For longer trips the rescue we foster from takes our dogs or we use boarding kennels. I wouldn't be able to use a boarding kennel for one overnight stay because of expense and our most decent one is an hours drive away.

Elibean · 18/01/2012 14:18

x-post - yes, that makes more sense then! A bit of revenge

GrimmaTheNome · 18/01/2012 14:29

Having a dog is an extra complication - a bit like DC, not everyone wants to host them! With my family, there's some who are happy to accommodate our dog; others who I don't think would but we're near enough to visit for the day; others who I'd visit alone or with DD while DH stays home with the dog (good excuse for IL avoidance ). If there was someone we really had to all visit together we'd pay the arm and leg for Barking Mad. Or stay in a dog-friendly B&B and keep dog in car during visit (if cool weather). I don't think we've needed to ask to know who would or wouldn't have a dog - if I didn't know I'd ask but make sure the question was couched in terms which made it clear that I wasn't expecting them to accommodate my hound.

silentcatastrophe · 18/01/2012 15:37

We have a campervan, so it's not difficult for it to become a kennel. I don't expect people to want our dogs all over their houses, and there's always the problem of roads and doors and children... So, either the dogs go to kennels, or they come with us and live in the van and we take them out for walks.

PandaWatch · 18/01/2012 17:23

Yesbut - there are indeed such things! Our pup usually has his holidays at my parents' but if they can't take him he goes to a lovely lady who dog sits. She had always had dogs but when she lost the last one decided not to get another and instead do the odd bit of dog sitting here and there. Now she's booked up all the time and it is very much a home from home - the visitors get treated like family pets! If you happen to be in the Surrey area (she's in Camberley) I can pm you her details but if not, do a google search for dog sitters - there are plenty around and I think even some agencies that vet the sitters so you know what you're getting!

ditavonteesed · 18/01/2012 17:40

this is something that we considered when getting a dog, thing is the dogs give me pleasure daily, are my company and my friends day in and day out, I would not sacrifice that for someone no matter how close that I see a coouple of times a year.

Ephiny · 18/01/2012 17:46

Same for me dita

Though in most cases you shouldn't have to choose between not having dogs and never, ever seeing your siblings - it's usually possible to work something out if you really want to see them!

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