Would you trust a friend to walk your Yorkie?

[Yorkiedaze]

Originally Posted by alaskayorkie

We're heading out on a two-week vacation to Hawaii on Friday, and it will be the longest I've ever been away from the boys. I'm panicking. I have a full-time housesitter (mother in law) who the boys love. But she's not real mobile and won't be walking them like I do.

A friend who I trust but doesn't know little dogs has offered to walk them. Should I take him up on it? I'm paranoid that they won't trust him and he won't realize if they are stressed. Or he'll let them off leash and they'll run away. Or he won't know the difference between an aggressive big dog and a playful one at the park. Or he'll let kids pick them up. I'm not sure giving him a list of 50 dos and don'ts would help. The alternative is to settle for them having the backyard to run around in.

So here's a poll. It may take a second to appear.

While reading your post I was imagining how I would feel in that situation and got a knot in my stomach. So, if it were me, there is no way I'd let anyone take my dogs out. Two weeks is not going to hurt them. YOu go have a great vacation and just call home each evening to see how they are doing.

[wemple2]

I said never...if I had to be away from him, he'd have his yard only, a couple weeks without walks won't hurt him. But in all honesty, I haven't taken a vacation since I got my first yorkie...15 years ago. If I did, he'd go with me.

[SophieRose]

I think I would settle them in the backyard, make sure they can't escape and you will relax a lot more. OR have a professional dog walker. Good luck, aloha and hope you get your "legs" tanned. Have fun!

[sweetr72]

I have complete trust in my friends...I wouldnt belittle them with instructions or do a trial walk with them lol...I guess thats just me...they would know what to do or figure it out real quick..

[KristiC]

My Best Friend knows how I panic when it comes to my babies,I would trust her but she wouldnt even ask do to if they where in her care and something was to happen she would never forgive herself, I will be leaving in two weeks to go to FL and my Father will be here taking care of them and I have no worries what so ever he knows how to care for them. I would go with what you feel is right and have a great time!!!!!!!!!!

[alaskayorkie]

Ugh, two days to go and I'm totally freaking out. I told my friend last night not to bother with walks, that I was afraid of fireworks and the fact that he didn't know the dogs.

Then I came home and found out my housesitting MIL has a two-day, overnight babysitting job next door for the first two days we're gone! She totally lied to me. She's going to be close, but she's not going to be with the dogs for the first two nights.

So now I'm arranging to get someone else to stay at the house those first two days (daughter in law). I also called my friend back up to arrange a trial walk schedule tomorrow.

Sheesh, look at me. And we haven't even left yet!

[RLC12345678]

Originally Posted by alaskayorkie

Ugh, two days to go and I'm totally freaking out. I told my friend last night not to bother with walks, that I was afraid of fireworks and the fact that he didn't know the dogs.

Then I came home and found out my housesitting MIL has a two-day, overnight babysitting job next door for the first two days we're gone! She totally lied to me. She's going to be close, but she's not going to be with the dogs for the first two nights.

So now I'm arranging to get someone else to stay at the house those first two days (daughter in law). I also called my friend back up to arrange a trial walk schedule tomorrow.

Sheesh, look at me. And we haven't even left yet!

Mike, you need a vacation!!!!!!

[Gingergirlsmom]

Originally Posted by alaskayorkie

Ugh, two days to go and I'm totally freaking out. I told my friend last night not to bother with walks, that I was afraid of fireworks and the fact that he didn't know the dogs.

Then I came home and found out my housesitting MIL has a two-day, overnight babysitting job next door for the first two days we're gone! She totally lied to me. She's going to be close, but she's not going to be with the dogs for the first two nights.

So now I'm arranging to get someone else to stay at the house those first two days (daughter in law). I also called my friend back up to arrange a trial walk schedule tomorrow.

Sheesh, look at me. And we haven't even left yet!

LOL, I know what you should do. Just have the plane swing by Pennsylvania (okay, so what if its 1000's of miles out of the way) and drop Eddie and Jack off here. I promise we will take very good care of them.

Seriously, I understand your concern, but it sounds like you are rallying the troops. People go on vacation everyday and leave their pets in someone else's care. Most of the time everything is fine. I hope that you are able to work this out so that you can enjoy your vacation. Hawaii must be incredibly beautiful. Just think of all the pictures you can take.

[browniesmom622]

they will be fine without a walk for 2 weeks !

[Tiggerwit]

I'm on the fence. I think if I was totally comfortable with the friend and Alphy knew them and was comfortable with them then I would. Otherwise, I watch way too much late night tv which has given me an overactive imagination and I'd opt for the backyard with supervision. I think otherwise I'd spend my vacation worrying about getting "the call".

Sorry, probably wasn't very helpful. You'll know what to do when it comes to it. Just listen to your instincts.

Have a great and safe trip.

[sasha1]

An attack by another dog can happen in an instant and if not experienced you friend may not be able to keep your babies safe, espically since there are two that requires eyes in the back of your head.

My dog was attacked this week while being walked by an experienced person, thankfully he is ok just a bit shaken but you want to avoid this at all costs. As someone suggested a run the back yard seems the safest move, and you will probably feel more at ease with this while away!

Good luck.

[LuvMySissy]

Originally Posted by alaskayorkie

Ugh, two days to go and I'm totally freaking out. I told my friend last night not to bother with walks, that I was afraid of fireworks and the fact that he didn't know the dogs.

Then I came home and found out my housesitting MIL has a two-day, overnight babysitting job next door for the first two days we're gone! She totally lied to me. She's going to be close, but she's not going to be with the dogs for the first two nights.

So now I'm arranging to get someone else to stay at the house those first two days (daughter in law). I also called my friend back up to arrange a trial walk schedule tomorrow.

Sheesh, look at me. And we haven't even left yet!

Okay - so now when you go and you have photos of your boys in your wallet, show them to strangers and call home everyday to check on them (at least once) you'll know my feelings!!!!!!

When you go to Maui, if in Lahaina shopping - make sure to check out the store Oh, Baby and see the cute doggie T-shirts. There is at least one other store in Lahaina also selling doggie things!!!!!!

[kalina82]

Originally Posted by LuvMySissy

Have a great time in Hawaii!!!!!! Enjoy everything about it!! I highly recommend the Old Lahaina Luau while on Maui - it is really the most authentic, good food and great dancers. But, call now for reservations!!

Looks like you are having your friend come over for a trial run. That's good. see how he does with the boys and then make your decision.


And i'm gonna second going to the Old Lahaina Luau. BEST LUAU EVER!

[BubblPopElectrc]

I'd say no. If I were you, and I did allow him, I'd be stressed out the entire time.

Esp. if he hasn't been around them. When I take my dogs to my Mom's when I go on vacation, I don't mind if she takes them out because they really listen to her.

[alaskayorkie]

Originally Posted by LuvMySissy

Okay - so now when you go and you have photos of your boys in your wallet, show them to strangers and call home everyday to check on them (at least once) you'll know my feelings!!!!!!

When you go to Maui, if in Lahaina shopping - make sure to check out the store Oh, Baby and see the cute doggie T-shirts. There is at least one other store in Lahaina also selling doggie things!!!!!!

LOL, I've got about 60 pictures in my video ipod. Hmm, maybe I'll load up some vids too!

I just discovered my dogsitting mother-in-law offered to overnight babysit for the next door neighbors for the first two days we're going to be gone. I'm paying her, meanwhile, to watch my dogs full time. She was planning on just letting them out in the yard in the daytime and let them sleep by themselves at night. Ugh. I got the friend I was considering allowing to walk them to stay at the house those two days. That way he'll get to know them and I'll feel better about walks too.

I've decided I'm going to try not to stress. I take risks with Eddie every day that could kill him. I let him off leash in a land with eagles. I trust him on the front lawn. He'll be in no more danger while I'm gone than he is when I'm here, so I'm just going to try to enjoy my trip.

Thanks for your advice, everyone! I'll drink something with an umbrella in it in your honor.