See, every dog is different. Jackson would have a straight up panic attack if he had to stay at the vets office. He barely made it when he had to stay one night for a hospital/stomach visit. He came back to me with his anal glands expressed (scared), panting, very shaken up and traumatized. He doesn't even like walking in to a place that smells like a vet (he avoids the corners of Petsmart where there is a Benfield lol). He would legit be so traumatized lol. I'd 100% rather have him be able to stay home and have a pet sitter pop in a few times. Hell I even got a mobile groomer for him to make it easier on him and he still freaks out lol. And no he's not abused. ;) Just a weirdo. 90% of the time he's not like this but vets/groomers/etc bring out his worst anxiety.

Which dates will you be gone if you don't mind me asking? Yes, Jax loves to swim! He's also used to being with other dogs since I've been pet sitting for so long. No guarantee I'll be available but if there's an emergency where you can't find anyone, you can keep me in mind for sure. :)

Well for this vacation we are going to a timeshare at the beach. We travel by car. We have owned it there for about 30 years. We love the place but they are strict about pets. I have to say I understand. If someone brought a cat or lab in there I would be on my inhaler for days. My daughter's mother in law is taking her dog but she's (the mother in law) not very friendly so I'm not going there - if you know what I mean.

Hey Brit I know what you mean about freaking out at the vet's office. Deuce is all happy in the carseat and I tell him we're going to see the girls. He thinks he's going to the beauty salon with me. But when he catches a wiff of the place he puts the brakes on. Just hates it. I also don't want to board him in a boarding facility since he had a reaction when he had the kennel cough nasal immunization. He never reacted to it before but last year the poor guy got a cough from it. I will not give that to him again so I avoid those kind of environments. I do my own grooming so he doesn't have to be in that environment either. I have two interviews next week and I will just keep going through the local listings on rover.

I have had to unexpectedly travel A LOT since October. In my experience, it's best for *my* dog to stay here, in my apartment, and have someone she knows well stay with her- most times, it's been the same person, one she knows and loves (loves like family, she slept in the bed with them and everything) and who didn't work, so could give her lots and lots of attention. She kept up our routine of going to the same parks and pet stores. That is ideal, but I have some travel coming up for which this person is not available, so I am also trying to decide the best option for Moxie. I even just got a roommate in the former guest room (who was also a rover.com sitter while in graduate school), in part because I've been away so much that it's crazy to pay for a two bedroom when half the time it's just my dog sitter, in part because I want there to be someone Mox knows when I go away, even if they aren't her full time caretaker. The travel should stop after October, and now, if I have to go anywhere for more than a month, I've decided I will just take her unless she'd have to be in quarentine.

I think what works best varies depending on the individual dog. Moxie likes to be an only child and likes people better than dogs, so I decided on a sitter I know and trusted to stay here with her. Last year, the one time I went away without her, I boarded her, and I prefer this. Whatever you do, I think it's important to introduce the dog to the situation beforehand. Moxie met and played with the sitter before I left.

The problem is, of course, no one will take care of your dog like you will, often even if they love them. She's gained a few because everyone except me will give her treats and people food because she's so cute. Now she's turning her nose up at her normal food because her sitter only fed her chicken breast for the past two weeks!! She's having some accidents because sitters will let her get away with more. That will take some work the weight gain is what worries me the most because that affects her health.

I'm beyond grateful I've been able to see such amazing places and spend time in other countries, but unless you have TONS OF MONEY (like enough to fly private or first class and always stay in pet friendly hotels and hire a dog nanny on the road), it's not great for your pet. I will miss the adventure but I have missed my girl much more and look forward to always being there for her again.

Well I'm still moving forward on my search for a pet sitter through Rover.com. I've taken to keeping notes on each person I contact to keep my brains from getting scrambled. So far I've corresponded with 7 people had one interview and have another interview tomorrow. The person I interviewed was very competent and Deuce loved her. Unfortunately she just started a new day job so her schedule is not set nor flexible so she would not be able to make mid-day potty visits. I have also posted on Care.com. and 3 people have responded to my ad. I haven't gotten back to them yet but will after Tomorrow's interview. I also have a couple teachers who work with a friend of mine and are still on summer break who are interested. The downside on them is I don't know if they ever cared for an animal. I would rather use one of these services that somewhat monitor who they represent and have people who are doing the job because they like animals.

So does anyone know what I'm going to end up paying for this? The pricing varies with the person but it looks like around $35 per night. Then do I have to pay for day by how many times he goes out? Are there additional fees that go to Rover? I sure hope I don't get priced out of this after all this time and energy. I've been searching daily since 6/1.

Decision comment!
 

So I have two sitter choices right now. A - I interviewed a very nice young lady who works out of Rover.com. She's been doing it for about 1 1/2 years. Has sat for a few clients and did local walking. No specific training per se but intends to make this her career. She did cancel the first day we scheduled the interview due to "stomach problems". Deuce flirted with her. I asked her to send me two references to contact.

B - A teaching colleague of a good friend of mine is interested in watching Deuce. My friend knows her for several years and respects her. She will come with her college age daughter. They have taken care of dogs before for people in her townhouse development. Both overnight and as walkers since she has summers off. I will meet with her next week so Deuce can interact.

Would you go with someone you don't know at all but is starting out in the business or a person (adult) and (Young adult) daughter who a friend knows with some dog experience?

PS - I used to be a teacher. I know if you can handle kids in the classroom everyday you can handle Deuce.

I would go with the dog-savviest, more responsible of the two. Ideally, chose the one who you judge knows dogs best, knows how quick they are, knows how to recognize a dog with a problem and won't spend any time they're walking your dog or coming in/out outside doors distracted by texting or chatting on the phone, etc. Good luck!

I vote B. We had a friend of my niece. Worked out great! And she worked at a doggy daycare too!

Personally, I'd go w/ the Rover option, and not just bc I'm an experienced Rover sitter. I like the Rover option bc it's insured, the sitter is background check and has gone thru some Rover training, all Rover sitters have access to emergency help from Rover if needed, and all the money is handled by Rover and HELD from the sitter until the visit is completed.

Also, if the Rover person really *does* want to do this as part of a career...then I think the motivation would be there to do a really good job.

As far as Rover prices, they should be spelled out very clearly on each person's page - so I'm not entirely sure what's not clear there...?

[QUOTE=As far as Rover prices, they should be spelled out very clearly on each person's page - so I'm not entirely sure what's not clear there...?[/QUOTE]

Well Rover lists t prices for dog is walks, for house sitting, for overnight, etc. I thought you had to add all that up. Actually during the interview the Rover person clarified the fee. I was comfortable with it. I have one more person to interview.

Thanks for the comments.

Hired!!!
 

I ended up interviewing another person who was a school counselor/part time dog sitter/care giver/plant waterer/personal assistant during school vacations. She lives nearby. Nice person too.

RESULTS: I ended up hiring the Rover sitter for the August Vacation but also hired the school counselor for plant watering when we go away periodically. We have all these bonsai trees and just can't take them on vacation with us anymore. I still would like to get a travel trailer but need to work on that idea with the hubby. The Rover sitter will come for training next month so Deuce can get to know her a few times before we have to leave him. I'm feeling good about our choice and think this will work out fine.

With Bella's dietary restrictions and meds, we don't let strangers keep our dynamic duo. For a recent trip to go back and see my dad for a couple of weeks, we rented a small RV and drove them. The larger space and ability to move around a bit made it seem better for them than a car and we were able to have our babies with us. I have said in other posts, but the rule of thumb for us is if the girls can't make it, then neither can we.

Amen if my boy can't go then we can't!