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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

Excessive Barking only at boarding. Do we just accept we won’t be holidaying abroad?

24 replies

MartyrOf3 · 16/03/2022 12:18

Ddog is 3 and castrated. He is a small breed (apso) and has always had a feisty, over excitable but friendly personality. Overall he’s a lovely dog.

He’s well trained but very stubborn. One of his flaws is his complete inability to shut up when he’s with other dogs socially . He’s like that friend that won’t stop talking and let people get a word in. At home, he’s fine.

He will bark and bark to get other dogs attention to play with him. He only does this at the dogs he know will play with him. On and on it goes. We remove him , he settles temporarily and then he does it again.

We have trialled him with home boarding on a few occasions and each time , his excessive barking is brought up and is naturally off putting for the boarder. There are no boarders near to us who do not also have their own pets.

He’s had extensive training and behaviourist consults where it was agreed it’s a personality trait . I’m at a loss as to what to do.

The only other option is kennels but I’m loathe to use them as I worry he’ll be extremely distressed. I WFH so he’s always used to having me around and he has a good routine.

WWYD?

OP posts:

Anomalocaris · 16/03/2022 12:21

Use a house sitter?

TeeBee · 16/03/2022 12:22

I'd ask a friend (without pets) to have him or put him in kennels. I wouldn't be missing out on family holidays for a barky dog.
You could put a call out on Facebook for someone to dog sit who does not have pets themselves. Is there someone who could housesit and dog sit for you while you're away so the dog is at least in its own environment?

Original poster

MartyrOf3 · 16/03/2022 12:24

We don’t have any family or friends able to take him.

DH is completely against house sitting as it would be a stranger coming in to our home.

OP posts:

nearlyspringyay · 16/03/2022 12:25

Take him with you? Ddog has been coming to France with us for years.

Original poster

MartyrOf3 · 16/03/2022 12:26

@nearlyspringyay do you drive or fly? I did think of this option, but do you not have to quarantine your pet on arrival?

OP posts:

Myee · 16/03/2022 12:30

These are the rules for bringing pets to EU from UK.

www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/pets/taking-pets-abroad-after-brexit

Fernsinthegarden · 16/03/2022 12:33

My parents have been taking theirs to France by car for years too and have a marvellous time. Is it possible to look for a breed specific boarder where they are likely to know what to expect? Failing that does the behaviourist have any suggestions of suitable boarders that wouldn’t find this a problem?

Original poster

MartyrOf3 · 16/03/2022 13:16

Taking him with us is certainly something to consider , although he won’t always be able to come.

I think kennels are going to be our only option. I’m assuming kennels will be more tolerant of barking dogs?

I could never leave him for a fortnight but I’d be happy to sacrifice 2 weeks away for a city break. DH has also pointed out , kennels would be more reliable in an emergency too as home boarders are usually booked up quickly.

I may start getting him used to kennel boarding. Any tips on how to do this?

OP posts:

RandomMess · 16/03/2022 13:29

My dog goes to kennels - she comes back hoarse so we have given up!!

3ormoredogs · 16/03/2022 13:41

I kennel my naughty one if I ever need to go away (very rarely!)
I hate doing it as I know she does not like it though. No boarder would take her.
The kennels are very good with her and her behaviour isn’t as important as it would be in someone’s home.

She’s never traumatised by it and if it’s only a few days it’s sadly one of those things I’ve had to accept!

Original poster

MartyrOf3 · 16/03/2022 13:43

@RandomMess how long did you leave Ddog for? I fear my DDog would be the same. I don’t want to give up on family holidays to places he can’t go so I’m willing to try .

OP posts:

Blossom64265 · 16/03/2022 13:57

I would look for a local teen who works as a babysitter who might want to also work as a live in dog sitter. Someone less random you can develop more of a relationship with.

Brownlongearedbat · 16/03/2022 13:58

I have always kennelled our dogs when we go away. I have been using the same kennels for over 30 years who are excellent and have air conditioned/heated kennels according to the time of year. They are also roomy units with double glazed fronts and doors. They know my dogs and make a terrific fuss of them, as do the dogs of the kennel girls. I think if you can find a decent kennels (and you may have to travel quite a distance to do so) it is a perfectly acceptable place to leave a dog for a week or so. I am also reassured that they are, obviously, very experienced in dog care, and would take the dog to my vet if it needed it. I have heard (and read on here, one just yesterday) of some dubious behaviour by dog sitters, who don't need to have any qualifications to set themselves up as such as far as I'm aware. I know no dog is going to love being in kennels, but I would rather my dogs were safe and properly and professionally cared for when I leave them. They can manage without sitting on a sofa for a few weeks.

RandomMess · 16/03/2022 14:14

Longest is about 5 days. This time one of my DC will be around but working so we are paying for another teen to come and spend in our house to give her company.

Solosunrise · 16/03/2022 14:25

I would look for a reputable house/pet sitter. One with insurance and a DBS certificate, who has good recommendations or reviews.
A friend of mine works as carer in community, and also does this. If she's safe to look after vulnerable folk in their homes, she's safe in my home to look after my pets.
I know it's hard to let people into your home but it's your only option if you want to get away.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 16/03/2022 15:13

@Blossom64265

I would look for a local teen who works as a babysitter who might want to also work as a live in dog sitter. Someone less random you can develop more of a relationship with.

Please don't do this

A teenager wouldn't be insured if something went wrong - you need a professional who has insurance and experience with dogs.

RandomMess · 16/03/2022 16:55

Geez too much responsibility for some random teen!!!

I'm nervous our own DD and a good friend that DDog knows minding her for 3 nights/4 days!! Doesn't even involve taking dog out (unlikely to go past the end of the street with either of them).

Blossom64265 · 17/03/2022 01:59

I did it regularly for the year before I left for university. It was the perfect job for a student. Quiet place to study and a nice to have a bit of space from the parents without really having space since they were just a few blocks away. I made good money and her dog adored me. She traveled almost weekly for work.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 17/03/2022 08:26

But @Blossom64265 did you have insurance? What would you have done if something happened on your watch and the dog slipped it's lead, or got into a fight and got injured, or needed vet treatment at 3am?

I'm glad it worked in your specific scenario but it's a massive risk to take as a pet owner.

Pet sitters should be, at a minimum, insured, first-aid trained and experienced with dogs, not just a random teenager. Insurance also covers things like losing house keys or anything that requires the dog to go into kennels should you break your leg or end up in hospital, for example.

Movingonup22 · 17/03/2022 08:29

My boy didn’t settle at boarding so I have someone come to stay - she’s a dog Walker insured etc. they have a lovely time!

Your husband is just going to have to get over it I’m afraid…

Bagelsandbrie · 17/03/2022 08:32

Surely a registered person with insurance who is trustworthy in your home whilst you’re away is a good thing…..?! Your husbands attitude is strange.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 17/03/2022 08:38

I love having a dog sitter in our home.

You know your dog is in its comfort zone. Your house won’t be burgled. You walk out without worrying about leaving tap running/window open/gas on. And yes, more importantly your dog is very happy.

We have not had a problem in 12 years of having someone stay in our house. It takes some time to get someone you absolutely trust, but there are a lot of very experienced dog people who do this.

Roselilly36 · 17/03/2022 08:41

I would never have put our dog into kennels, he would have hated it and It would have stopped me enjoying my holiday worrying about him. If DH doesn’t like the idea of someone being in your home, could you consider a home boarding service, when someone looks just after your dog in their home rather, than kennels. Our dog was always looked after by family when we went away on holiday. We were very lucky to have this option.

Hulahula86 · 17/03/2022 20:57

I’ve had no problem finding one to one sitters locally to me I found about 3 when I looked into it as we were adopting and as we didn’t have a dog could have potentially ended up with a dog who could not live with other dogs so I made some contacts of sitters who offered this if we needed it. If your in Hampshire I’ll give you the details.

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