YorkieTalk.com Forums - Yorkshire Terrier Community - View Single Post - Vacation dilemna-do you take or leave your Yorkie?

Calmom · 03-28-2007, 06:58 AM

For those who HAVE to leave your dog/dogs I will say that having someone we know well and trust stay at our house while we were gone was really the BEST solution we found.

Lacey was in a familiar place and stayed with someone she had known for a long time. We talked to the person daily and had left a fairly detailed agenda of what Lacey was used to doing during the day.

Our criteria for someone to stay here was
1. Someone we knew for at least a year.
2. Someone we knew had about the same ethics we have.
3. Someone who had the same regard for animals as we have. If you cherish you dog as a family member you don't want someone with the "It's JUST a DOG!" attitude.
4. This had to be someone we would be willing to leave our children with.
5. They had to have SOME experience with small dogs. Small dogs are NOT the same as their larger brothers and sisters.
6. WE had to have seen them interact with their own dogs and/or Lacey more than once and possibly during something difficult.
7. They have to be willing to do things OUR way while they are here. For example-we don't give rawhide or certain other treats-we didn't want someone who thought, "OH well I give them to MY dogs so I'll get Lacey one". Of course it HAD to be someone who does NOT ever physically discipline...meaning by hitting a dog...putting one in a crate is fine.
8. Someone who was mature and informed enough to handle an emergency.

She grew up in a house in which the mother was a reputable dog breeder and show person, so she actually had more experience than me with dogs! She was extremely kind and Lacey adored her.

To this day we have but to say her name and Lacey will go to the window and watch for her to come over. When she visited us for Christmas I think Lacey was actually disappointed that she left and WE stayed!!!

IF this same young woman could stay with her OR we knew anyone else well enough who was able to stay here that is what we would do BUT we just don't so she will go with us.

We always make reservations for hotels before we leave...we know how long it takes and we never travel more than a certain number of hours a day-so we will be able to find pet friendly hotels ahead of time! We only have to stay tow nights on the way and two on the way back!

Thank you again for all the support and help! I feel more confidant now about taking her!

03-28-2007, 06:58 AM	#17
Calmom Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 34	For those who HAVE to leave your dog/dogs I will say that having someone we know well and trust stay at our house while we were gone was really the BEST solution we found. Lacey was in a familiar place and stayed with someone she had known for a long time. We talked to the person daily and had left a fairly detailed agenda of what Lacey was used to doing during the day. Our criteria for someone to stay here was 1. Someone we knew for at least a year. 2. Someone we knew had about the same ethics we have. 3. Someone who had the same regard for animals as we have. If you cherish you dog as a family member you don't want someone with the "It's JUST a DOG!" attitude. 4. This had to be someone we would be willing to leave our children with. 5. They had to have SOME experience with small dogs. Small dogs are NOT the same as their larger brothers and sisters. 6. WE had to have seen them interact with their own dogs and/or Lacey more than once and possibly during something difficult. 7. They have to be willing to do things OUR way while they are here. For example-we don't give rawhide or certain other treats-we didn't want someone who thought, "OH well I give them to MY dogs so I'll get Lacey one". Of course it HAD to be someone who does NOT ever physically discipline...meaning by hitting a dog...putting one in a crate is fine. 8. Someone who was mature and informed enough to handle an emergency. She grew up in a house in which the mother was a reputable dog breeder and show person, so she actually had more experience than me with dogs! She was extremely kind and Lacey adored her. To this day we have but to say her name and Lacey will go to the window and watch for her to come over. When she visited us for Christmas I think Lacey was actually disappointed that she left and WE stayed!!! IF this same young woman could stay with her OR we knew anyone else well enough who was able to stay here that is what we would do BUT we just don't so she will go with us. We always make reservations for hotels before we leave...we know how long it takes and we never travel more than a certain number of hours a day-so we will be able to find pet friendly hotels ahead of time! We only have to stay tow nights on the way and two on the way back! Thank you again for all the support and help! I feel more confidant now about taking her!