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The doghouse

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

Original poster

No more holidays without the dog?

52 replies

HolidayRat · 31/01/2023 17:31

Has anyone else struggled to find suitable options for boarding their dog?

We've had two failed trial nights with two different home boarders, scheduled another who has just cancelled on me. When do you just accept that holidays without the dog are off the cards?

Dog is nearly 2, first home boarding trial was when she was around 10 months. Tried again about 18 months. The main issue is she won't settle and barks/howls.

She has no issues being home alone for up to 4 hours and she's not generally a barky dog. She settles fine in other places when we've gone away so new places don't appear to be an issue.

We were expecting to keep most holidays dog friendly but we thought we'd be able to have the odd few days away. I don't know what else to try.

Our house is a renovation project at the moment so house sitting is not really an option and not sure it's something i'd be comfortable with anyway.

Do we just give up on the idea of going away without her?

OP posts:
RunningFromInsanity · 31/01/2023 17:35

I put mine in kennels. Wouldn’t trust him in someone else’s home and I think it would confuse him.

Don’t know why people are so against them.

Doesn't matter if she barks in kennel either.

user1497787065 · 31/01/2023 17:38

I was happy to leave my DC with their GP but my 12 year old dog has never spent a night away from home. My adult DC will take care of him in our home if they weren't able to do so I wouldn't go away.

HoldingTheDoor · 31/01/2023 17:40

Doesn't matter if she barks in kennel either.

It matters if the dog is distressed. I wouldn't put my dog into a situation where she's constantly distressed as my two would be in kennels because it's cruel imo.

ShouldIknowthisalready · 31/01/2023 17:41

I would just build up the relationship with your sitter.

Go for a walk with them, have them back to your house for a cup of tea, build up to going to their house etc.

Let the sitter walk your dog (if safe to do so)

Build up to leaving for a short time at the sitters house on their own etc.

Equally having home sitters dogs do usually settle well (unless got major sa)

mixedrecycling · 31/01/2023 17:43

We are lucky with family members and a fairly laid back dog, but I know at least 3 sets of dog owners who have their dogs in day care once a week even when not needed because the provider will have dogs to stay full time if they are also in regular day care i.e. they already have a relationship with the dog. It's expensive, but if you can afford it may be worth a try?

Or trying to recreate it with a local home boarder, if they will have your dog regularly starting from taking the dog for a walk/having it for an hour, and build up.

Newfluff · 31/01/2023 17:55

I also only use kennels. Secure, sensible staff, and a different environment. Also fine with barking

Original poster
HolidayRat · 31/01/2023 17:56

The first home boarder was our regular dog walker, so a person she knows and a house she has visited before. We purposely got a dog walker who does home boarding for exactly this reason! The second one, she'd met a couple of times before but was a quieter house with no other dogs which we thought might be a better fit.

She'd be pretty happy left with anyone in the day time, it's the evenings where she won't settle.

I don't think she'd be happy in kennels at all.

OP posts:
Darhon · 31/01/2023 17:58

My dog comes back from kennels thin and in shock. We tried several and he would shake when he got there just knowing what he was going into. So he comes with us or is looked after.

Roselilly36 · 31/01/2023 18:00

We never put our dog in kennels, he was always looked after by a family member, no way could I have enjoyed my holiday otherwise.

BiteyShark · 31/01/2023 18:01

You said the first was your regular dog walker but maybe you could try someone who does daycare and boarding. Then perhaps your dog might get used to being in their home for an extended time in daycare which will help when he boards.

BiteyShark · 31/01/2023 18:02

Sorry said he when I meant she.

chupachump · 31/01/2023 18:02

Would you really not consider dog sitters when the renovations are done? We've tried boarding, kennels and home sitting and this was by far the best option.
We do some dog friendly holidays and some not.

Zipps · 31/01/2023 18:07

We have a friend to sleepover then a dogsitter for the walks and daytime stuff. Then friend isn't tied. We obviously pay.
My friend uses a dog hotel and her dogs love it- they have their own room with sofa,tv etc and get to do loads of activities with the other dogs.

Original poster
HolidayRat · 31/01/2023 18:07

Would you really not consider dog sitters when the renovations are done?

We possibly would, i'm just not sure how far away that is! Renovations might outlive the dog!

OP posts:
LimeCheesecake · 31/01/2023 18:09

I would persist with the dog walker then. My DDog goes to the dog walker when we go away, although she isn’t available over the school summer holidays. This year we are going to a place in north france with DDog. Just need to sort her jabs….

UrsulaPandress · 31/01/2023 18:11

We used kennels with my first dog and really regret it in hindsight.

My DH now stays home with the dog whilst I go away. Win win.

TrianglePlayer · 31/01/2023 18:11

We have had success having people (family or professional sitter) coming to our home and looking after our pets. I think as long as you can keep your dog safe, which I assume you can as you live there with her, someone else could do the same in your house?

Original poster
HolidayRat · 31/01/2023 18:18

Yes, nothing inherently unsafe. Just annoyances and temporary fixes that we live with but I'm not sure I could ask someone else to, blankets for doors, precise sequence of things to get the shower to work etc.

OP posts:
GoodChat · 31/01/2023 18:25

Do you have any friends or family whose house she visits?

2bazookas · 31/01/2023 18:29

I don't think she'd be happy in kennels at all.

You might be surprised; some dogs really enjoy the company. One of our dogs loved her boarding kennels so much she used to tow us in on arrival, and we had to tow her out afterwards.

kitcat15 · 31/01/2023 18:31

Can you ask any family? Our dog is ten….only ever left with my Mum, my eldest DS Or my SIL

Original poster
HolidayRat · 31/01/2023 18:32

Neither of us have family in this country unfortunately. She's been to some of my friend's houses but most of my friends have busy lives and children and cats and aren't really in a position to dog sit.

OP posts:
Original poster
HolidayRat · 31/01/2023 18:38

only ever left with my Mum, my eldest DS Or my SIL

I don't think I appreciated that so many dog owners have family help when we were looking at getting a dog. We thought that having the dog walker would have us covered for any occasions we need to leave her. It was always the intention that most holidays she'd come along, she's been on ferries, camping and multiple holiday cottage trips. We've both had trips away separately but it would be nice to say be able to attend a wedding at the other end of the country together and I wasn't expecting we wouldn't be able to.

OP posts:
MaverickGooseGoose · 31/01/2023 18:44

My dog is diabetic and. Or well regulated so it is one family member who can look after him, knows signs of DKA or highs / lows. Otherwise he comes with us, or I or husband take the kids away separately.

We had brilliant home boarders before but they're not on it enough re the diabetes for me be able to relax on holiday.

Not quite what you asked but more as an awareness to others that they're a life long commitment.

I wouldn't leave my dog in kennels if they barked.

unsync · 31/01/2023 18:47

I have a lovely sitter and my dog loves going there. We did build up to it though. So first he went to stay for a couple of hours, repeated that a few times, then he went for the day a few times, then a few overnights, then weekends etc. He's been going there for years now and it's his home from home.