What should I do with my dog during my 9 day vacation?

Question

My husband and I are going out of state for 9 days during Thanksgiving week.

We can’t take our dog with us because he can’t be around my sick grandma (and it will be snowing so he can’t be outside).

So we are leaving him in California at our home where the weather is nice.

I was going to pay our next door neighbor to go over to our house twice a day and feed him and walk him.

He has a doggy door so he can run around in the backyard and come inside to sleep, eat or get away from any rain.

I feel horrible leaving him without someone there to love him, but we have no family here to take him in.

I checked into kennels and they are $150 a week and he will just sit in a cage all day!!! I thought he might be less stressed in his own home even if we aren't there then in a cage with a bunch of dogs around him.

I feel like a bad parent for leaving him. He is my baby.

Do you think he will be okay for 9 days by himself?

My grandma is on her DEATH bed, and cannot be around animals!!

That is why I am seeing her at Thanksgiving, the doctors say she won't make it to next year!!

Looks like some of you did not read what I wrote. I said he would be at home, but I would PAY my neighbor to go to my house to feed and water him, play with him and walk with him TWICE a day!!

I am a responsible and love pet owner!

Answer 1

As long as someone is coming to care for him on a daily basis and he is getting his walks, attention and food...he should be fine. I used to run my own pet sitting business and I would take care of dogs in this fashion all the time and they were fine. You can also maybe have a friend or family member stay overnight with him a couple of nights so he will not be too lonely. When in a kennel situation...they really don't get much attention at all, mostly attendants just have time to clean and feed. Some do have time to walk them, but many don't. Also, think dogs do MUCH better in their own homes, thier own environment is a lot less stressful, and they are more comfortable, and you won't have to worry about dogs coming home with kennel cough and fleas.

Answer 2

Here's another possibility: Do you know of anyone, friend or family (maybe a mature teenager or early 20's individual), that you trust who could come house-sit for you? I know it's a bad time of year because of the Thanksgiving holiday, but if there was someone nearby that could watch the house and the dog for you, that would be best. If that's not possible, the next best thing would be to leave him at home and have a neighbor check on him since you can't take him with you to Grandma's.

Answer 3

Well, most boarding kennels do not leave them caged all day..Veterinary clinics that do boarding often do, but not private boarding facilities.. We allow the dogs play time about 10 hours per day..many boarding kennels have a web cam, so the owner can check in on their pet at anytime, on line..
So, if you call around, you might find a really good boarding kennel, that has good references...dogs are actually dragging the owner to the door of ours, as they are so eager to come back..
Otherwise, you might try bartering..Trading dog care, or even baby/child care for someone to visit your dog frequently..You may be surprise how many people would be happy to trade such services..There are also people who do pet sitting..they come and spend an hour or more with the dog..If your neighbor does it, and a pet sitter as well, your dog will have even more companionship at home..

Answer 4

I know that kennels are expensive, but at least someone will be watching your dog. A dog is like a child - you wouldn't leave your child unattended, would you? If you dont like the idea of the dog being in a cage all day, there are doggie resorts where they are allowed to play with the other dogs and walked a couple of times a day.

Answer 5

I wish for compfort for your family and your granma. I would do some more searching with the kennels. Here in NY, I found one that makes sure that she plays with the dogs at least 30 minutes a day. If she has time, she plays with them more. She even takes my moms dog who is afraid of thunderstorms up to her room to make her feel compfy. Or, you can find somebody to stay at your house while you are gone. A college student woul enjoy the money (someone that you know). I don't think that I would leave the dog alone for that long.

Answer 6

NO do not leave your dog alone for 9 days!!!!
If I were you, Id take him along with me, keep him indoors, and grandma would need to just understand! But I understand that can be difficult, which is why we never traveled anywhere!
Hire a pet sitter; professional - to come and watch, feed, water and walk him.
Contact your local petsmart or vet office for referrals. It will cost a day rate, but your pet will be safe and cared for at his HOME. Kenneling is stressful. Hire a PET SITTER that has referrals, he will be safe and happy and you can enjoy your vacation knowing he is safe, fed and in his house. A neighbor who is diligent and trustworthy is always good, too.

Answer 7

Dogs need fresh food and water at least once a day, this is something they cannot provide for themselves - how can you even consider leaving dog alone for that long? What's the big deal about 150$ - that's how much a very reasonable pet sitter would charge you for that amount of time. Plus you can arrange for playtime and even a bath if you were to kennel him.

Didn't you think about this part of dog ownership when you got him?

Answer 8

You have two options. Pay the price to board him for that time, or do what we typically do with our dog when we travel - Find a neighbor kid who likes pets, ask him or her to walk the dog and feed and play with him while you are gone. Then pay the kid a nominal fee. This will cost you less money than the kennel and will build camaraderie with your neighbors.

Answer 9

I too had to go away on a "rush" trip....couldn't take my dog. I had a older neighbor lady come over to my house. She fed,watered and took him out for an occasional walk. I also paid $25.00 before I left to have him micro-chipped...(just encase) I also left a radio on....mostly soothing music and alot of talking(nothing I would normally listen to) But, I figured that would take some of the loneliness away. Even, tho I trusted my neighbor....I still worried the whole time. I called everyday and even spoke to my dog...just to let him know I was still there for him...even tho he couldn't see me. It is a BIG trust issue with whomever you leave your dog with. So, please make sure you can trust your neighbor. I have boarded dogs at kennels before...it really screws up their heads.....my turned completely neurotic for quite some time.

Answer 10

If you trust your neighbor in your house your dog will be fine. A little lonely but dogs live in the moment. The neighbor is likely to play with the dog a little bit, so rest easy, enjoy grandma. Everything will be fine.