Dog Sitter dilemma

[Tinkobell]

We've booked a 3 week holiday to Australia in September. DDog is booked to stay with her favourite home sitter - a retired couple who haven't been dog sitting for too long. Plans were made in Jan ....so well before time. They told me last week that whilst Ddog is with them, they're planning a number of over nighters of their own - involves some 2 hour car journeys, Ddog being crated while they're out, strange places ......about 3 trip in all including a party. I feel very unhappy. I don't expect people to be rooted to their place over 3 weeks but AIBU to expect that's if they do dog sitting as a job then they should be largely at home to do that job? If anything happened, I'd have to come back from Australia. How would other owners feel in the same situation please?

Being left for a few hours or travelling in the car would not bother me at all as I kind of expect my boarder to go about 'normal everyday business' like we do anyway.

Not sure what you mean by an overnighter? Does that mean leaving the dog alone all night or travelling with the dog? Travelling would not be an issue for me but leaving alone all night would as it would cause him anxiety.

I would be finding another sitter if possible, wouldn’t be happy with that at all

They'd be travelling with her. Dog would be crated and left in a room (friends house) whilst they attend a concert. DDog is only ever crated for travel, i don't crate her at home. The places they're going are unfamiliar. I can't say I'm at all happy as things stand.....people can get delayed etc and I don't like to think of DDog stuck in her crate for 4 hours plus at all.

Nope, I wouldn't be happy with that. If he happy that my pooch was getting out and about but not of they were crated in a strange property while no one was there. Very unprofessional on their part. I'd find another boarder and sharpish as places do go quickly x

@Bitey....I agree with you about 'normal every day business' but these are pencilled in functions some way away. I don the like to think of Ddog being dragged around pillar to post with people having the functions and not her top of mind. Family think I'm being precious.

@Tinkobell I just wondered if you knew that as of fairly recently people offering Dog sitting in their own (as opposed to your own) home should be licensed. The licensing process is pretty rigorous, based on DEFRA guidelines (although specifics do vary from county to county).

I'm not sure whether taking the dogs on long trips is covered in the guidelines but I do know that leaving them for long periods is not permitted.

Apologies if you know this already but it's worth checking that your sitters are licensed. I'd assume there is a knock on effect on insurance if they are not.

I would be grateful that they are at least telling you.
But it’s too much, poor Ddog would wonder what the heck was going on, he would be really upset and he’s pretty adaptable

If I knew the sitters well and my dogs had spent time with them previously and been happy with them, then I would be ok with this. both crate trained and happy to sleep in there in strange places as it’s their safe place that goes everywhere with us, so that wouldn’t be a problem. Wouldn’t be happy if they weren’t well known to us though and the dogs unused to staying in new places as be too stressful for them. This is why, if they can’t go to family, we only go to dog friendly places

That’s a good point
I think premises may have to be licensed and registered, their friends house won’t be

The bottom line is if you aren't happy then you need to find another sitter because the last thing you want is to be worrying about her when you are on holiday.

@peoplepleaser1.....I absolutely did not know that! Wow. That actually throws up all sorts of implications. DDog is well insured but I'm assuming if any 3rd party liability claim were made in case of an incident, this would be very difficult. TBH I bet most dog sitters are not licensed! I have followed my instincts (very sadly) and got a space at a kennel. Heavy heart as a home is so much nicer but I cannot go away with this worry and think of her crated in a strange place...v frustrating situation to have been put in.

Thank you all for your views!

Where are you Tinkobell? With this much notice and not in school holidays you should be able to find another homesitter.
Maybe try a local FB forum or breed group for recommendations

If the kennels won't penalise you for cancelling I would still pursue a home boarder as you still have plenty of time. Three weeks might be a bit long for some but September is out of the main holiday season.

TBH I bet most dog sitters are not licensed!

Not necessarily. I use daycare and most also do boarding and you need to be licensed in a similar manner for both so the ones I have seen/use are licensed.

Yes I am, I've asked another home sitter too and awaiting answer. Problem with her is she lives a literal stones throw from our house and Ddog would have to be kept on a lead all the time (we have woodland) in case she tried to leg it home. At least we have kennel as back up, and they've suggested a pre-visit day and would co board with same breed - dDog is highly sociable. Feel happier actually.

@Hoppinggreen - I am grateful that they've told me. On the other hand, if something had gone wrong during a trip and I knew nothing and received a call in Australia telling me my dog was perhaps missing or very ill in some town, I'd be beside myself.

Tinko, I feel for you. We also have a sitter move in to our home when we're away, and I would also not agree to what your sitter suggested doing, for many reasons but also because we don't use cages so that alone would unsettle my lot. I've never had to use a kennel yet, and I would be angry if my first use was because of something like his rather than an emergency. At least you now know that you need to find new sitters for future, unless you think they can understand not to make those arrangements in future?
... is it at all possible that you might find a new one before your trip?

Thanks @dudsville. The kennel isn't a doggy prison it's ok. It has a 4 acre paddock so the dogs are let out in social groups for a good stretch. They tend to come back pongy but happy. I wouldn't consider it for winter or an older dog though. Things ok with sitter .....I suppose it's always good to have a plan B!

Sadly I think a lot of home boarders are now operating without a license. Less common for kennels though as they are more visible so it's harder for them to slip under the radar.

@Tinkobell I noticed you said the kennels will 'co-board' your Dog with another of the same breed. Does this mean sleeping in the same kennel? I think this is only allowed for dogs from the same household, and even then the kennel size has to be larger. If you're sure you are ok with it then fair enough, but I'm not sure it's technically allowed so again maybe worth checking the kennels are licensed.