Need opinions/advice on vacations

[CouversMom]

I agree with others... I would check for recommendations at your vet or even think about boarding them at your vet. Good luck!

[Schooby]

Originally Posted by 111lily222

We wanted to go on vacation for about ten days and were in the same dilemma. We went to vrbo.com and checked out pet friendly rental homes. It sounds like a great idea. I think Louie would be in a panic if we left him somewhere so we decided to rent a home with a fenced backyard so we could just take him with us. I just don't feel comfortable leaving him with someone at home either or in a hotel. Good luck in whatever you decide!

That sounds perfect! I'll start checking for those. Are their any other websites that are good for finding them? Thank's Dee, kisses to Louie

Originally Posted by Charlie_Boy2011

How are they potty trained? Do you have a fenced yard? Could a neighbor/friend just come over a few times a day and check on them/feed them/let them out? It could work unless they totally go potty outdoors then need let out more often. Huge decision. If you leave them you know you will be calling at least once a day to check on them! I wouldn't feel comfortable having a complete stranger come in or stay over.

They are pad trained, although Chase gets a quick "poo walk" after breakfast and after dinner. It's too cold for a long walk and Calvin gets too cold to go out most days. Although by April we will be taking our long walks everyday again. We don't have a fenced in yard. Honestly I don't know any one I would trust enough for that sadly. I have a friend coming over every other day to feed the chinchillas, but she lives too far to come every day. If I do end up leaving them with someone, I hope they are prepared to text me pics and updates multiple times a day

Originally Posted by lillymae

What about your vet ? My vet does boarding & has a nice big fenced in area for the dogs to go out for exercise attended by one of the tech's. If your vet does not do boarding then you could call around to some other vets in your area to see if you could find one that does boarding.
Also you could call pet sitters & do some interviewing at your home & see how your pups respond to them. One thing I do when someone comes in to stay with my pets is let my vet know that I will be away & leave my credit card # with my vet incase of an emergency & if you have an emergency vet that you would use for after hrs then leave it with them as well.Another thing I do before leaving home is to padlock all gates to ensure that no one can accidentally leave one open & take the key with me.

Thanks for the idea. My vet doesn't do boarding, although he told me before I could keep them there overnight when I was looking for a sitter. The vet across the street does, but that's where the little pom got mauled by a big dog just a couple weeks ago. I'm still doing some research, but it turns out Lansing is not a very dog friendly city It's hard to find care for them here. Great idea with leaving the credit card info with the vets!!!!! And locking all the gates is super smart!

[Schooby]

Originally Posted by Harrysmum

It's such a difficult decision to make isn't it?

We have always taken our dogs to 'pet-friendly' rental homes where possible, hotels for us seem to be a bit of a no-no with Harry as he makes a racket being left in a strange room...

There are times though when taking him is out of the question (for instance when Andy + I visit my son who lives in Vienna). I put an ad on the board at our Vet's, and placed an ad in our local newspaper. I interviewed masses of people, boiled it down to a few - and then went to check-out their homes (as we too didn't want strangers coming into our house).

I've settled on 3 different people, just in case one was busy at the specific time I needed them...the ones that I've chosen only take 1 dog at a time (unless from the same family). Then I went about it gradually - leaving Harry for just a day from 10-5, then leaving him overnight for just one night etc. etc.

Well done you on starting the thought process early - it'll ruin your holiday if you're not completely confident with the care you've put in place

Good luck! Sally + Harry x

Thank you Sally It is SO hard! That is really smart that you left Harry there gradually. I will see if the vet can recommend anyone, and there are just a couple pet sitting services that I have not checked out any more than looking at their websites.
I think I'll feel sooooo much better after I get this figured out!

Originally Posted by Joyce Adams

I don't blame you one bit, I know that Yoshi would be super stressed if we left him with someone or boarded him, that is why we have taken him with us. There are so many rentals that allow dogs, good luck and I hope it works out for you.

Thank you! I am thinking that would be best for all of us. I wouldn't worry if they were with me, and they would be happy. I had to work for a couple hours today, and my boyfriend said that the whole time I was gone, Calvin would randomly whine and stare at the door. Poor baby, I can't imagine him doing that for a week

Originally Posted by lynzy420

Ask the people at your VETS for recommendations. They usually know someone good. My vet is a 24 hr. place. This is the only place I will leave my babies. They are never left alone, are often held, and my Miss Mini loves going there. My problem is they often spoil her so its hard when I get her back. I never leave them for longer than a weekend but I wouldn't hesitate to leave them there, longer. You have to find a place you are happy with.

Keep going and kudos for noticing things like the gap under the fence, you will find the right place and or person, just keep trying.

Thanks! I am taking Chase to the vet next Monday, so I will ask them for recommendations. I wish my vet had boarding, but it's a pretty small place. I'd love to find a place that would spoil them!

[Schooby]

Originally Posted by SophieKatesMom

I agree with boarding with your Vet. I also only board Sophie Kate at her Vets (also 24 hour and she pretty much hangs out with the receptionist all day).

I had Sophie Kate in Lansing last summer and had a really hard time finding a place I could board her for a day. I finally ended up letting her stay with my Aunt which turned out good.

It is hard around here! Thank you, I will ask my vet. Maybe one of the techs would even do it.....

Originally Posted by DBlain

Scooby, OP do you have a vacation planned yet, will you be flying or driving.
It is not close to you but if you are going to metro to fly not to bad. I have a lady I know in Troy that only sits for yorkies and other similiar small dogs, double fenced in yard, they are not kept in cages, just live in her home with her and her retired husband. Her home is all on one level home, even my last really small agressive yorkie did fantastic there. My sister comes to visit me from NY and brings her yorkie and then we bring her dog there since we travel from here,her dog is social and had a blast, did not want to leave when my sister came back to pick her up. Another option is if you are driving just take your dog with you and find day kennels near where you will be so you can have them with you at night. I will even stay at hotels that don't allow dogs if I am not leaving the dog there when I go out for the day. Dogs (at Least mine) tend to mostly bark when you leave them alone in the room so I only do it if I know I can take them out when I go out. Try to get a hotel room where you can go in and out from your own door to the parking lot.

Thanks for the info! We are driving to TN, so we could take the boys if I can find a rental that will work for us. This lady sounds good Does she have any dogs of her own, or does she take in anymore at a time? I might pm you for her info if I can't take them with us. Thank you so much!

Originally Posted by CouversMom

I agree with others... I would check for recommendations at your vet or even think about boarding them at your vet. Good luck!

Thank you! I am going to ask my vet next week

[DBlain]

The lady in Troy has two yorkies and one maltese. She will take about 4 or 5 others. I have been there when she had a full house and it is amazing they all seem to do well and get along. It sort of reminds me of the yorkie meetups I go to. She does require proof of shots and one day a week they all get groomed. I would go crazy with all those yorkies but she seems to love it and her house and yard is dog proofed. There is another gal that she is friends with that does this in Lapeer but that was further for me. Since you are driving I would really try to take the dogs with you. I know a lot of people say the vets office, but then no one is there at night and they do put them in cages, I am sure they would be safe, but I know even my most adjusted dog would be stressed left in any environment that involved being along at night and in a cage.

[RoxyLuv]

Doesn't Lansing have any doggie daycares that also board dogs? That is sure what I would do, and have done, but not familiar with what's in Lansing. Sure beats the vet's office and a stranger staying in your home.

[shawnzeppi]

Not to further complicate your discission, but I have had bad results leaving our first Yorkie at the Vets, which is why we gave it up. They put him in a little cage and gave him a couple walks per day. That was totally unsatisfactory, and he was a high strung type Yorkie and barked constantly. Every time we picked him up, if we did not pay extra for the bath service, he always had poop all over him, AND he was always so horse from all the barking he had no voice left. I would never subject a more nervous Yorkie to conditions like that if I had any other choice. On the plus side, I never was concerned for his safety, because they never left the dogs together, but just walked them independently.

[Namor]

Ok soooo, I want a motorhome for vacations. Then we can all be happy except for dh who will be the driver I just can't stand leaving my little boy.

[Schooby]

Originally Posted by DBlain

The lady in Troy has two yorkies and one maltese. She will take about 4 or 5 others. I have been there when she had a full house and it is amazing they all seem to do well and get along. It sort of reminds me of the yorkie meetups I go to. She does require proof of shots and one day a week they all get groomed. I would go crazy with all those yorkies but she seems to love it and her house and yard is dog proofed. There is another gal that she is friends with that does this in Lapeer but that was further for me. Since you are driving I would really try to take the dogs with you. I know a lot of people say the vets office, but then no one is there at night and they do put them in cages, I am sure they would be safe, but I know even my most adjusted dog would be stressed left in any environment that involved being along at night and in a cage.

Yeah, I really do want to take them. Our vet is not a 24 hour office, so they would be alone, and I'm sure they would both be upset. I'm looking into rentals, and so far found a few pet friendly ones. I think this will be what we do.

Originally Posted by RoxyLuv

Doesn't Lansing have any doggie daycares that also board dogs? That is sure what I would do, and have done, but not familiar with what's in Lansing. Sure beats the vet's office and a stranger staying in your home.

We do have a daycare that I have taken Chase to, and love it, but they don't board. There is another one, but I have never been there. I don't think they seperate dogs by size, and there's no webcams. I don't think anyone is on site their at night either?

Originally Posted by shawnzeppi

Not to further complicate your discission, but I have had bad results leaving our first Yorkie at the Vets, which is why we gave it up. They put him in a little cage and gave him a couple walks per day. That was totally unsatisfactory, and he was a high strung type Yorkie and barked constantly. Every time we picked him up, if we did not pay extra for the bath service, he always had poop all over him, AND he was always so horse from all the barking he had no voice left. I would never subject a more nervous Yorkie to conditions like that if I had any other choice. On the plus side, I never was concerned for his safety, because they never left the dogs together, but just walked them independently.

Thank you for sharing! I love my vet, but I can see this happening there too. They are not set up for boarding, so they would be in tiny cages almost the whole time, and I seriously think it would be too traumatic for them I am worried about their safety with other dogs though too. They did great at a yorkie meetup we went to this summer, no fighting at all, but this is alot longer than a couple hours and in a strange place without me.

[Schooby]

Originally Posted by Namor

Ok soooo, I want a motorhome for vacations. Then we can all be happy except for dh who will be the driver I just can't stand leaving my little boy.

Me too Wouldn't that be great?

[Britster]

Ugh, I'm sorry. It's such a dilemma. I don't know WHAT I would do without my father. Luckily, every time I've ever been away, he's always home. And his house is practically Jackson's second home, and he loves their two dogs, and my brother and step-mom. So he's the most comfortable there. He still misses me, and is different more reserved when I'm not there, but he does okay and ultimately, I know he's in good hands. I don't think I could ever board him, he's not the type of dog that would do okay in that kind of environment. If I didn't have family, I think pet sitter would be my #1 choice. I would find someone to meet him first a few times with me there (it takes Jax a few times to get acclimated to someone, then he loves you forever). But good luck!!

[DBlain]

Originally Posted by Namor

Ok soooo, I want a motorhome for vacations. Then we can all be happy except for dh who will be the driver I just can't stand leaving my little boy.

that's exactly what my neighbors did so they could take their golden doodle with them, they even bought a new car that could be towed behind the motor home. That is true doggy love

[111lily222]

Originally Posted by Schooby

That sounds perfect! I'll start checking for those. Are their any other websites that are good for finding them? Thank's Dee, kisses to Louie

Not that I know of, but vrbo.com is supposed to be a reputable one. You're welcome Jen! Louie sends kisses to his bro Calvin :P

[Yorkiedaze]

Originally Posted by DBlain

The lady in Troy has two yorkies and one maltese. She will take about 4 or 5 others. I have been there when she had a full house and it is amazing they all seem to do well and get along. It sort of reminds me of the yorkie meetups I go to. She does require proof of shots and one day a week they all get groomed. I would go crazy with all those yorkies but she seems to love it and her house and yard is dog proofed. There is another gal that she is friends with that does this in Lapeer but that was further for me. Since you are driving I would really try to take the dogs with you. I know a lot of people say the vets office, but then no one is there at night and they do put them in cages, I am sure they would be safe, but I know even my most adjusted dog would be stressed left in any environment that involved being along at night and in a cage.

Not all Vets. that board, let the dogs be alone at night. In fact, all the Vets. I know that board, always have at least two people on night watch.
They have to stay in their cages for their own security, but they take them outside in a secure area two or three times a day to run and play and potty. They even have cam corders so you can actually watch your own dogs anytime you want. It give you peace of mind when your away.

[Schooby]

Originally Posted by Britster

Ugh, I'm sorry. It's such a dilemma. I don't know WHAT I would do without my father. Luckily, every time I've ever been away, he's always home. And his house is practically Jackson's second home, and he loves their two dogs, and my brother and step-mom. So he's the most comfortable there. He still misses me, and is different more reserved when I'm not there, but he does okay and ultimately, I know he's in good hands. I don't think I could ever board him, he's not the type of dog that would do okay in that kind of environment. If I didn't have family, I think pet sitter would be my #1 choice. I would find someone to meet him first a few times with me there (it takes Jax a few times to get acclimated to someone, then he loves you forever). But good luck!!

Thanks Brit I sooooo wish my family were better with dogs. It would make this so much easier! I agree with you on the boarding, I think it would be bad for them both. I could deal with them being unhappy if I knew they were 100% safe, as a last choice. I just worry about so many random things happening.

Originally Posted by DBlain

that's exactly what my neighbors did so they could take their golden doodle with them, they even bought a new car that could be towed behind the motor home. That is true doggy love

That's awesome! If we could afford it, I would so do it

Originally Posted by 111lily222

Not that I know of, but vrbo.com is supposed to be a reputable one. You're welcome Jen! Louie sends kisses to his bro Calvin :P

Thank you for the link! I was on there for a couple hours last night I found a couple that I think will work!