What do you do with your dog when you go on holiday?

[Jenniferturkington]

As the title says really.
We are very close to saying yes to a family dog. The one thing holding us back is the fact that we go on holiday quite a lot.
The question is, what do you do with the dog when you go away? Or do you not go on holiday?

Only go on dog-friendly holidays. I can´t imagine not taking the dog with us, it would be like leaving a child behind! :D

I quite like leaving the dog and the children behind

Our (adopted) dog had a very unhappy puppyhood and although he is fine travelling with us in the car for long journey, he can't cope with strange hotels (strange noises/smells) and unfortunately gets too stressed. We therefore leave him with our trainer/dog boarder. He loves being with other dogs so is always quite excited about going. and always comes back better behaved.

My advice to dog-owners (unless you have willing friends or family nearby) is to always build up a relationship with a dog-sitter and walker, even if you don't need one very often, because the dog then has another "parent" they trust when your family has a health emergency or you have to travel at short notice and the dog needs looking after.

We use Holidays4Dogs. They check out the carers, and you visit beforehand with your dog to make sure that you're happy with them and that they're happy with your dog. Everyone our dog has stayed with so far has been lovely - they're people who love dogs, most are very experienced former dog owners. Its more expensive than kennels (currently £21 per day, the nearest kennels to us is £11.50) but IMO worth it. I can't imagine our dog being happy in kennels (and definitely wouldn't have been an option for the previous one).

My dogs go to a dog sitter. They love going there and are used to her as she always has them if we are going to be out for more than 4 hours. She charges £25 for the first dog and £15 for the second for overnight stays.

Kennels are much cheaper but my dogs went once and although one seemed ok the other didn't so would not use again.

My previous dog used to be looked after by my niece in my house but she has moved away and can't do it any more. I did used to give her money for doing it

Kennels for us. I have been using the same place for nearly 30 years, and I am very happy with them. Our last dog hated the cold, but the kennels are beautiful and kept at a constant temperature. Not cheap though, especially when we had two dogs.

Dog sitter and walker here. We charge £25 per 24 hours. We always do a trial night first to check that both dog and sitter are happy (this is free to client except for any fuel bills incurred). Most of our clients have been with us either walking or staying over or both since puppyhood and are totally part of our family. The worst bit about this job is if a family moves away, I end up in tears because I miss them, but even then we often get them coming back to drop the dog off for long stays when they go abroad on holiday.

Mostly he comes with us (Europe) or my mum has him.

Home boarding. Our family dog, when I was little, died because (the vet and my parents thought) he must have been kicked in kennels and my current dog gets kennel stress and Battersea would only adopt her out to someone who would never put her in kennels. I used to use an agency but they went out of business. Now I use people recommended by my dogwalker (who knows everyone). I prefer someone local and it is important that dog and I meet them and are happy with them (and they with her)before I book them.

Home boarder, a lovely man who is newly retired and who clearly adores dogs. He has moved his bed downstairs to the dining room and all the dogs sleep on his bed with him. Lots of country walks and cuddles for the pooches. He is so popular he 'interviews' new dogs before he'll take them. He is one of life's lovely people and I don't worry one little bit about our dog while we are away as I know they'll be cared for with love and kindness while we are off sunning ourselves.
£20/day.

Either they come with us, our dog walker house sits or they go to a lady who looks are dogs in her home.

Thanks for all the replies. I'm feeling more reassured that our holidaying need not end. I have a few friends who have already offered services but I'm not sure I would like to use them for more than a couple of nights. I think I will try to get the dog used to kennels early on.

I've tentatively booked my young whippet in to a home boarder for when I go away next year. She has two Whippeys herself and almost exclusively boards whippets so he'll be treated Iike he deserves She comes highly recommended by my local whippet facebook group.

Ddog goes to friends. There’s a few of us who met through dog walking and we all look after each other’s dogs. In the past, I’ve used kennels and home boarders, but prefer her to go to a friend if possible.