Do you trust people to watch your dog(s)?

[LostAndConfused]

do you feel comfortable and trust people to watch your dogs while you're going to be gone? Some people, yes.

How do you know the people that you do let watch your dogs? Are they dog fanatics too? When I am home visiting family and I need to leave him somewhere, he stays with either my parents or my in-laws.

When he is with my folks, he tends to be crated because their house is full of madness. A few of the grandkids are always running around, their dog is running around, my sister's dog is normally visiting, and running around. He does better in a crate, lol. But if the grandkids aren't there, he is left out. I trust them with him. It helps that they also have a dog that can help keep Hudson in line

When he is with my in-laws, they stick around their house a lot, but will take him out to visit the chickens or mini-horse. He likes that.

If I am at home and need to be gone for a bit, I have 2 people I trust him with. One is a co-worker. I like her, she's nice, she just isn't always super reliable. The other person, who I trust him with 110% (possibly more than I trust me with him & definitely more than I trust my husband with him), is Julee. Who I met on Chaz. Yay Chaz! Hudson loves Julee and thinks she is awesome and always has fun dogs for him to play with.

 

[Julee]

I love Huddy man.

I would trust Terri or Christin with my dogs, but my family never goes anywhere all together, so I haven't had the need. It's been like 6 years since we have gone away together. I pity the people who will one day need to watch Bloo...

 

[Southpaw]

I trust people. I just dont always trust my dogs to not be aholes.

 

[GoingNowhere]

haha, yes, I'm trusting unless someone has proven me wrong or I have reason to believe that I shouldn't. This might change when I get a dog who is strictly mine and not a family dog. Of course, if I had it my way (and had a dog living with me currently), I'd bring them with me when possible. That said, I've had to get used to missing my dog because I don't get to see her much anymore since she lives at home with my parents.

I kind of laugh about how silly and overprotective people are with their animals. I've watched people's pets and it's pretty common that people think that their animals are oh so particular... I get to watching them and lo-and-behold, each one acts like a dog Different personalities, yes, but in my time petsitting, I've learned that it's usually the people with the big quirks, not the dogs.

Don't get me wrong - I get being nervous about having others watch my animals. I just don't think that many dogs are quite as impossible to handle and quirky as their people seem to think that they are.

 

[AllieMackie]

Yes. I like to travel, and I go places that I can't bring the pets.

JessLough watches my pets - she's known Finn since he was brand new and she always does a great job. I have no issue leaving her with my animals.

I also have a second friend whom I trust completely with the pets should Jess not be available, and if neither are available I have a few other folks I would trust and leave instructions with. All our pets love people so it's pretty easy.

 

[PerformanceDog]

haha, yes, I'm trusting unless someone has proven me wrong or I have reason to believe that I shouldn't. This might change when I get a dog who is strictly mine and not a family dog. Of course, if I had it my way (and had a dog living with me currently), I'd bring them with me when possible. That said, I've had to get used to missing my dog because I don't get to see her much anymore since she lives at home with my parents.

I kind of laugh about how silly and overprotective people are with their animals. I've watched people's pets and it's pretty common that people think that their animals are oh so particular... I get to watching them and lo-and-behold, each one acts like a dog Different personalities, yes, but in my time petsitting, I've learned that it's usually the people with the big quirks, not the dogs.

Don't get me wrong - I get being nervous about having others watch my animals. I just don't think that many dogs are quite as impossible to handle and quirky as their people seem to think that they are.

I think you have a point here, for example, if people kept them on leash outside or had a fenced yard and no dogs, or dogs that got along with mine and were east going, I think mine would be super easy to care for. And if the people didn't have the desire to do dumb things like bark at or chase Chloe and such. So mine aren't really difficult, it's more me just worrying about worst case scenarios.

 

[BostonBanker]

I just don't think that many dogs are quite as impossible to handle and quirky as their people seem to think that they are.

I don't think mine are really hard to handle at all if someone has even a wee bit of dog sense. Meg's about the easiest dog to live with on the planet if you keep her away from outside dogs. And Gusto is quirky but not in a difficult way.

I just have trust issues when it comes to my dogs. My friend and I got lost hiking this summer, and wound up having to walk back to the car on a very twisty, scary road. We each took one dog on leash, and she was shocked that I handed her Gusto. As I explained to her, if something happened to Gusto while he was in her care, it would take me a long, long time to forgive her. If something happened to Meg, there would be no forgiveness. That's a lot of pressure to put on someone else.

And probably a sign I need therapy or something. Ah well. I'll just go snuggle my dogs instead.

 

[AmandaNola]

I hate leaving my dogs (especially Nola. Especially her) with anyone, but if I had to, I only trust my parents. Nola comes with me unless it's just not possible, but the other two sometimes stay with them and sometimes come, or I'll take Nola and Pike or Nola and Livvy.

 

[Annabell]

I only trust certain people to watch Fable. I would rather put her in a boarding facility than have someone watch her that I don't completely trust. There are only three people that I would let watch her in their house, and if one of them couldn't do it, then I would just board her. (I don't let anybody watch her in my house because the cat stays here when I go away, and I don't trust anybody to safely deal with both of them).

I am leaving Fable for the very first time this weekend, and I completely trust the lady I am leaving her with. She works at the dog rescue I volunteer for, works as a dog trainer at another facility, has raised guide dog pups for 15 years, and has three labs of her own, so I know she is very dog savvy (and I have known her for 2 years and really like her). Fable also ADORES her, which is a big plus in my book.

So in short, no, I am not very trusting of other people when it comes to watching Fable. I am going out of the country this weekend so Fable can't come with me, but I would much rather go on vacations where I can take her. Sometimes it's not an option to take her though, and so the problem of pet-sitters arises.

 

[Laurelin]

Oh I would be so happy if I had someone I could count on reliably and they sent me photos!!! And hahaha how could Mia be Satan? (I'm pretty knew to the thread so I don't know peoples dogs too well yet, so maybe I'm missing something lol.

Mia has a reputation, hahaha. She's a bit antisocial. He still asks me how Satan is doing whenever I see him. :rofl1:

I do think most dogs are easier than we give them credit for. I was sooooo worried about how Hank would handle being dog sat since she was coming by 3x a day and he's very high energy. He managed just fine but it was only 3 days and he got a good amount of exercise the day before we left and the day we got home.

She said all three were great, including Mia! (Though Mia would not let her touch her the entire time)

 

[Red.Apricot]

I trust my family and my boyfriend.

I've never had to trust anyone else, so I've never thought about it.

 

[lancerandrara]

Just a couple people- my one aunt/uncle and my close friend. I'm generally okay with a few other friends too, as long as they follow the rules laid out and don't go letting my dog outside to play while I'm gone.

My close friend dude isn't dog savvy at all, but he's extremely trustworthy- even though Rara doesn't like him much, he still does his best to get on her good side LOL.

 

[SpringerLover]

Gabby can go anywhere though she prefers to stay with her Springer friends.

Bailey used to have a fabulous pet sitter just for her when she lived at my mom's. And then her pet sitter moved away so our option is the same special needs boarding Lauren is talking about.

I only trust Diego with Lauren or the same special needs boarding.

Generally speaking, I don't have a problem leaving them behind.

 

[Sweet72947]

I don't trust most people to watch Norris, because he's nervous and flighty and only real dog people could handle him. When I had to go away over Thanksgiving, I boarded him where my mom boards her dogs, at Creekside Kennels. The woman runs it out of her house and if the dog is dog friendly he gets to hang out with other dogs and run about the house and stuff. For the DA dogs, she has a small kennel in back. Norris did ok there, even with his nervousness. She said he wouldn't let her touch him though, which isn't surprising. My parents' dogs love the place, much less stressful than a boarding kennel.

Boarding kennels just aren't good for a lot of dogs. Where I work, we have plenty that drool all over themselves, don't eat, bark constantly, and just stress out. Reception won't tell people if their dogs suck at being kenneled because the bosses don't want to lose the business. GSDs are the worst breed to put in a kennel environment. They tend to rapid-fire bark, spread their food everywhere instead of eating it, dump the water, chew blankets, fence-fight, and generally just disintegrate. I can only think of one GSD who has boarded with us who wasn't annoying.

 

[PerformanceDog]

I don't trust most people to watch Norris, because he's nervous and flighty and only real dog people could handle him. When I had to go away over Thanksgiving, I boarded him where my mom boards her dogs, at Creekside Kennels. The woman runs it out of her house and if the dog is dog friendly he gets to hang out with other dogs and run about the house and stuff. For the DA dogs, she has a small kennel in back. Norris did ok there, even with his nervousness. She said he wouldn't let her touch him though, which isn't surprising. My parents' dogs love the place, much less stressful than a boarding kennel.

Boarding kennels just aren't good for a lot of dogs. Where I work, we have plenty that drool all over themselves, don't eat, bark constantly, and just stress out. Reception won't tell people if their dogs suck at being kenneled because the bosses don't want to lose the business. GSDs are the worst breed to put in a kennel environment. They tend to rapid-fire bark, spread their food everywhere instead of eating it, dump the water, chew blankets, fence-fight, and generally just disintegrate. I can only think of one GSD who has boarded with us who wasn't annoying.

That is so sad to hear! And one reason I never consider boarding my dogs, I don't know or trust anyone that works at one to tell me how my dogs handled it.

 

[Finkie_Mom]

I've had to learn to trust people LOL. When we lived in TX and we visited home we could not bring a dog with us. Well, we COULD have, but Kimma would have probably flipped out having to fly as cargo. Luckily I found an amazing boarding place near our house down there (they had actually watched the Nika ferret the Christmas before we got Kimma, and I liked them so much I worked there for a summer) so I didn't have to worry at all.

When we moved back to PA, most times I had to go away it involved the dogs so they could come with. The only times it didn't were this past summer when we went to Mexico and just this past week when I could only bring Kimma with me to Orlando. For Mexico, Bubbles and Kimma stayed home with my sister who lives here (my best friend came by a couple of times with her dogs, too, to play), Pen with the in-laws, and Jari went to board at a trainer friend's house. I like her and she took good care of him. For this past week, Pen is obviously living with the in-laws now, and Bubbles and Jari stayed home and had someone check in on them (either my best friend/her husband or my FIL) daily since my sister works long hours.

The only time any dog got walked was when Jari stayed with my trainer friend while we were in Mexico. Otherwise, no one was to be taken out of the house/fenced in yard unless it was an emergency.

Everything worked out really well, but I won't lie and say that I was totally happy with either situation. I'm too paranoid and particular about my dogs.

 

[teacuptiger]

Not really. I'd like to, but... eh. Most people I know aren't at the level of dog smart that I feel comfortable leaving Roxie with. I really wish I could, but a dog like Roxie isn't one that can just be handed off to anybody.

 

[BostonBullMama]

Just was having this conversation with someone, but do you feel comfortable and trust people to watch your dogs while you're going to be gone?

How do you know the people that you do let watch your dogs? Are they dog fanatics too?

No. I am a bundle of anxiety without my dog. He comes absolutely everywhere he possibly can with me - including to work, in a gift shop.

I have brought him with me to my in-laws when we've spent the night and while in labor with my daughter, while my son was at his Grandmothers, Toby was walked around the block and then left at home. I sent my husband to feed and check on him. I also made sure I was discharged as soon as possible from the hospital (out 3 hours after birth) and I'm pretty sure as soon as I got in the door I took him out for another walk.

Toby comes everywhere with us.

The reason I won't leave him behind though, is not *just* anxiety related - but also because of his allergies, his diet requirements, his exercise needs, and he's really soft and I worry that other peoples training methods may include disciplinary methods that I just wouldn't generally do.. For example, I had a friend who alpha rolled him when he was like.. 12 weeks old, for nipping. Like... he's a baby and we'd only had him a week. Bite inhibition was #1 priority but it doesn't go away in a week.... lol


Toby at Niagara Falls:

Toby in St Thomas:

Toby at Tabby's (in St Thomas - we live in London)

Toby in Fingal:

Toby at Springwater Conservation Area:

We don't really travel far, but I hope to broaden our travels and cross the boarder next year. I just have to get a passport and the kids should probably be a little older

(also he looks super fat in some of these pictures, we've been on a weight loss journey and he actually looks far better now than what he did when we started, and some of these photo's are from around when we started)

 

[noludoru]

Maybe? Depends on who. I think id kennel him over letting someone dogsit, unless it's someone I know well who is EXCELLENT with doggie body language.

 

[*blackrose]

I don't trust most people to watch Norris, because he's nervous and flighty and only real dog people could handle him. When I had to go away over Thanksgiving, I boarded him where my mom boards her dogs, at Creekside Kennels. The woman runs it out of her house and if the dog is dog friendly he gets to hang out with other dogs and run about the house and stuff. For the DA dogs, she has a small kennel in back. Norris did ok there, even with his nervousness. She said he wouldn't let her touch him though, which isn't surprising. My parents' dogs love the place, much less stressful than a boarding kennel.

Boarding kennels just aren't good for a lot of dogs. Where I work, we have plenty that drool all over themselves, don't eat, bark constantly, and just stress out. Reception won't tell people if their dogs suck at being kenneled because the bosses don't want to lose the business. GSDs are the worst breed to put in a kennel environment. They tend to rapid-fire bark, spread their food everywhere instead of eating it, dump the water, chew blankets, fence-fight, and generally just disintegrate. I can only think of one GSD who has boarded with us who wasn't annoying.

That is so sad to hear! And one reason I never consider boarding my dogs, I don't know or trust anyone that works at one to tell me how my dogs handled it.

I think it TOTALLY depends on the kennel environment, as well.

The vet clinic I used to work at offered boarding. It was...well...just chainlink kennels all lined up. At a single time, we could have up to 60 dogs. They were moved from their indoor chainlink kennel runs to even smaller outdoor kennel runs when we cleaned. We walked them on a 3' leash for potty time. The only out of cage time they got was when they were going out to potty, or if the owner paid extra to have them get 15 minutes a day running loose on a concrete patio. I'd say about...30% of dogs actually did well. The rest were various levels of stressed out/depressed.

The clinic I work at now prides itself on having a luxury boarding facility. It holds maybe a total of 25 dogs. The smaller runs have doors leading directly to an outdoor play yard (with grass!), the suites are 10'x10' rooms with beds, TVs, and windows. The dogs get to run loose (on grass!!) a minimum of three times a day. They go out to potty one at a time, and hardly ever walk by other dogs. There is never an opportunity for fence fighting. I'd say about 85-90% of the dogs do well boarding, with only a small few being stressed/depressed.

The first boarding kennel was much more efficient. More dogs could be taken care of with less staff in a similar amount of time. But the mental health of the dogs is much, much better at the second kennel. I don't think I ever would have boarded my dogs in the first kennel environment during a busy period. I'd board them in the second environment even if it were a busy period.