Leaving dogs at home while on vacation? - Page 2 - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Lia · 06-08-2009, 10:26 AM

I went to Jamaica for 7 days, it was my Honeymoon, back in April. So I asked my sister to come stay at my house. At that time my boxer was about to be 5months and my yorkie was already 2yrs + . My sister works full time, so I decided to board my boxer since he still needed 24hr supervision, my pups are all indoor pups, and with Lucky I knew he'd be ok if he was left at home during the time period that my sister was at work. Lucky was an only dog for 2yrs so he would be fine in the house just as long as we left the garage door open for him to go potty and of course shut the bedroom doors. However, my boxer Mosley was only boarded for 3 days then my sister had 2 days off and ended up taking him to my mom's house because she couldn't bare taking him back to be boarded. So maybe if your lab could be boarded for a few days and then brought home. Just so that he isn't cooped up for the whole time you are on vacation. Just a thought.

Little Dog · 06-08-2009, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Romo604

How long are you going away for? I definately don't think cancelling your vacation (someone else mentioned this) because you are unsure of what you're going to do yet is fair to you. That's just silly.

Why exactly is it silly? Would not leave my animals that long without someone taking care of them PROPERLY so yes being me I would cancel the vacation.

smatt · 06-08-2009, 11:24 AM

How about if I left my lab out of her crate except at night which she always sleeps in anyway. I don't know if there would be much difference in leaving them at home in the kitchen and boarding them. They are still by themselves at night if I board them and I think they get 3 walks a day which my mother in law said she would do. What is everyone's opinion on this?

Gingergirlsmom · 06-08-2009, 11:28 AM

honestly, if the choice is between being in their own home and being in a kennel, I'd choose their own home. How long will he stay each time?

Lia · 06-08-2009, 11:32 AM

I've tried to leave my boxer in the kitchen with the baby gate up, a couple of times, and that didn't work for me. He managed to knock it down and I came home to a boxer roaming the house.

Not happy with that. Will your lab be ok to be left unsupervised with your yorkies? My boxer is ok with my yorkie, because Lucky can hold his own if Mosley is being too playfull. But I can't leave him alone with our latest edition Bella. She only weighs 1.9lbs and Mosley is 47lbs. Too scary.

ARCHIE · 06-08-2009, 11:34 AM

You still didn't say how long you would be gone!

LilMissy · 06-08-2009, 12:58 PM

I think that your dogs would be better off at home then in a kennel. How generous of your MIL to come over to supervise them 3 times a day. I would encourage her to stick around for as long as possible during her visits, and to even come and hang out for the evenings when she can. Personally, I couldn't leave Missy by herself for so long, but my other dog Tang I'd have no problems with. I guess that Missy is more needy. What I'm trying to say is, YOU know your dogs, and you know what their needs are. If you feel that this is the best option for them, then great!

Princessangela3 · 06-08-2009, 03:48 PM

We recently went for our vacation and we had planned to board our dogs but at the last minute I chickened out. We asked a niece who voluntered to stay at our house while we were gone and care for the dogs. We tried to pay her but she wouldnt take much. Do you have a family member that would be willing to stay over?

107barney · 06-08-2009, 06:02 PM

Hi, I've left my yorkies at home with petsitters lots of times while traveling and they LOVE it. They barley miss me when I come home. I have someone sleep over and they get 3 visits per day as part of the service. It's not cheap but it is cheaper than boarding! I would check out the professional petsitter websites such as National Association of Professional Pet Sitters and Home for people who are insured and bonded and interview them. See if you and your pets are comfortable. I have been using professional petsitters for 7 years and would never consider kennels.

Good Luck!

Patti · 06-08-2009, 06:42 PM

I would be afraid of having them alone for most of the day and all night. I am going away for 6 days later this month, don't want to as I have never left my 3 before. My 23 year old dtr will be home but works during the day so I am paying my nephew (20 years old) to come during the days she's at work and stay with them. I think it will be harder on me then them as they will be in their normal environment with my dtr home all night. I would see if a friend or family member would spend nights with them.

KYsweetheart · 06-08-2009, 07:01 PM

I only have 1 dog and I definitely couldn't leave her alone that long... let alone 3 dogs! LOL Mine has extreme separation anxiety so I have to be near every minute.

cheeselover8481 · 06-08-2009, 07:06 PM

I think at home is better. At least they have more room. Just make sure there's nothing they can get into and there is nothing they could choke on like bones and treats. Maybe even ask MIL to stay there when they're eating to make sure they don't choke.

I'm really confused

I thought when you board the dogs are in kennels all day other than a few potty breaks in the day, no? I also thought someone isn't there during the night or weekends either, no?

mscat · 06-08-2009, 07:06 PM

I have had to be in the Hospital , for 8 days . Suzi was still a puppy. That time, I did have someone stay at my home taing care of my child too. Anther time, i was in the Hospital, it was only for 3 days max. My brother was in charge of Suzi and my son. He did not sleep over, however was over our place ecery single day at least twice in one day. My brother also has done this for us when we went to Disneyland for a few days . Suzi was fine, and did great with my brother.
With 3 dogs, and one being a Lab, i would be personally very nervous about leaving them alone for long periods of time . I agree that it is not right to crate a Lab all day/most of the day .
Could your MIL take your Lab at her home? Or all your babies? stay at your house? IMO, they need more attention and human interaction.
Could you take your 2 yorkies with you? Being small, it would be easier to have them come along? Than have your MIL, care for your Lab? If all else fails, I would personally try to find more assistance, hire someone to come over and house sit, perhaps a good friend, coworker, realitive ? OR board them .

Gingergirlsmom · 06-09-2009, 04:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LilMissy

I think that your dogs would be better off at home then in a kennel. How generous of your MIL to come over to supervise them 3 times a day. I would encourage her to stick around for as long as possible during her visits, and to even come and hang out for the evenings when she can. Personally, I couldn't leave Missy by herself for so long, but my other dog Tang I'd have no problems with. I guess that Missy is more needy. What I'm trying to say is, YOU know your dogs, and you know what their needs are. If you feel that this is the best option for them, then great!

smatt · 06-09-2009, 05:35 AM

After reading everyone's posts I have decided to go ahead and board them. It will be worth the money to have peace of mind while we are gone. My mother in law offered to stay with them so it was just an idea. Thanks so much to everyone who took the time to read and respond to my post! I love this site and the people on it. It has been a wealth of information for me since I have had my dogs. Thanks Again!!

06-08-2009, 11:28 AM	#19
Gingergirlsmom and Bernie's mom too!" Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 8,283	honestly, if the choice is between being in their own home and being in a kennel, I'd choose their own home. How long will he stay each time? __________________ Ginger Bernie Fun Kitty

06-08-2009, 12:58 PM	#22
LilMissy Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 3,421	I think that your dogs would be better off at home then in a kennel. How generous of your MIL to come over to supervise them 3 times a day. I would encourage her to stick around for as long as possible during her visits, and to even come and hang out for the evenings when she can. Personally, I couldn't leave Missy by herself for so long, but my other dog Tang I'd have no problems with. I guess that Missy is more needy. What I'm trying to say is, YOU know your dogs, and you know what their needs are. If you feel that this is the best option for them, then great! __________________ Shaunna with Missy (my princess) & Dora (my tomboy)

06-08-2009, 06:02 PM	#24
107barney T. Bumpkins & Co. Donating YT Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New England Posts: 9,816	use a professional pet sitter Hi, I've left my yorkies at home with petsitters lots of times while traveling and they LOVE it. They barley miss me when I come home. I have someone sleep over and they get 3 visits per day as part of the service. It's not cheap but it is cheaper than boarding! I would check out the professional petsitter websites such as National Association of Professional Pet Sitters and Home for people who are insured and bonded and interview them. See if you and your pets are comfortable. I have been using professional petsitters for 7 years and would never consider kennels. Good Luck!

06-08-2009, 06:42 PM	#25
Patti Donating YT 30K Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 35,509 Blog Entries: 6	I would be afraid of having them alone for most of the day and all night. I am going away for 6 days later this month, don't want to as I have never left my 3 before. My 23 year old dtr will be home but works during the day so I am paying my nephew (20 years old) to come during the days she's at work and stay with them. I think it will be harder on me then them as they will be in their normal environment with my dtr home all night. I would see if a friend or family member would spend nights with them. __________________ Cali Pixie Roxie : RIP Nikki; RIP Maya;RIP my sweet Dixie girl 1/17/08 http://callipuppyscastle.bravehost.com/index.html

06-08-2009, 07:01 PM	#26
KYsweetheart Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Marrowbone Kentucky USA Posts: 36	I only have 1 dog and I definitely couldn't leave her alone that long... let alone 3 dogs! LOL Mine has extreme separation anxiety so I have to be near every minute. __________________ Jamie (24) mom to: - Ally Mae born in June '08

06-08-2009, 10:26 AM	#16
Lia Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Oceanside, Ca, U.S. Posts: 169 Blog Entries: 2	I went to Jamaica for 7 days, it was my Honeymoon, back in April. So I asked my sister to come stay at my house. At that time my boxer was about to be 5months and my yorkie was already 2yrs + . My sister works full time, so I decided to board my boxer since he still needed 24hr supervision, my pups are all indoor pups, and with Lucky I knew he'd be ok if he was left at home during the time period that my sister was at work. Lucky was an only dog for 2yrs so he would be fine in the house just as long as we left the garage door open for him to go potty and of course shut the bedroom doors. However, my boxer Mosley was only boarded for 3 days then my sister had 2 days off and ended up taking him to my mom's house because she couldn't bare taking him back to be boarded. So maybe if your lab could be boarded for a few days and then brought home. Just so that he isn't cooped up for the whole time you are on vacation. Just a thought.

06-08-2009, 11:24 AM	#18
smatt Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 27	How about if I left my lab out of her crate except at night which she always sleeps in anyway. I don't know if there would be much difference in leaving them at home in the kitchen and boarding them. They are still by themselves at night if I board them and I think they get 3 walks a day which my mother in law said she would do. What is everyone's opinion on this?

06-08-2009, 11:32 AM	#20
Lia Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Oceanside, Ca, U.S. Posts: 169 Blog Entries: 2	I've tried to leave my boxer in the kitchen with the baby gate up, a couple of times, and that didn't work for me. He managed to knock it down and I came home to a boxer roaming the house. Not happy with that. Will your lab be ok to be left unsupervised with your yorkies? My boxer is ok with my yorkie, because Lucky can hold his own if Mosley is being too playfull. But I can't leave him alone with our latest edition Bella. She only weighs 1.9lbs and Mosley is 47lbs. Too scary.

06-08-2009, 11:34 AM	#21
ARCHIE No Longer A Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: NEW YORK Posts: 16,218	You still didn't say how long you would be gone!

06-08-2009, 03:48 PM	#23
Princessangela3 Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Woodland, Ca, Usa Posts: 764	We recently went for our vacation and we had planned to board our dogs but at the last minute I chickened out. We asked a niece who voluntered to stay at our house while we were gone and care for the dogs. We tried to pay her but she wouldnt take much. Do you have a family member that would be willing to stay over?

06-08-2009, 07:06 PM	#27
cheeselover8481 Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: knoxville Posts: 1,537	I think at home is better. At least they have more room. Just make sure there's nothing they can get into and there is nothing they could choke on like bones and treats. Maybe even ask MIL to stay there when they're eating to make sure they don't choke. I'm really confused I thought when you board the dogs are in kennels all day other than a few potty breaks in the day, no? I also thought someone isn't there during the night or weekends either, no?

06-08-2009, 07:06 PM	#28
mscat YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Hanford, CA Posts: 4,895	I have had to be in the Hospital , for 8 days . Suzi was still a puppy. That time, I did have someone stay at my home taing care of my child too. Anther time, i was in the Hospital, it was only for 3 days max. My brother was in charge of Suzi and my son. He did not sleep over, however was over our place ecery single day at least twice in one day. My brother also has done this for us when we went to Disneyland for a few days . Suzi was fine, and did great with my brother. With 3 dogs, and one being a Lab, i would be personally very nervous about leaving them alone for long periods of time . I agree that it is not right to crate a Lab all day/most of the day . Could your MIL take your Lab at her home? Or all your babies? stay at your house? IMO, they need more attention and human interaction. Could you take your 2 yorkies with you? Being small, it would be easier to have them come along? Than have your MIL, care for your Lab? If all else fails, I would personally try to find more assistance, hire someone to come over and house sit, perhaps a good friend, coworker, realitive ? OR board them . __________________ "No matter how little money & how few possessions, you own, having a dog makes you rich."

06-09-2009, 05:35 AM	#30
smatt Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 27	After reading everyone's posts I have decided to go ahead and board them. It will be worth the money to have peace of mind while we are gone. My mother in law offered to stay with them so it was just an idea. Thanks so much to everyone who took the time to read and respond to my post! I love this site and the people on it. It has been a wealth of information for me since I have had my dogs. Thanks Again!!