NCEPR: Pets is dead and I need an advice

[heightsyankee]

This is a XP from what I put on pets but only 3 reads and no advice so just wondering what you guys think...

My boys and I are going on vacation for 2 weeks while Husband stays home and works in insane amount of hours. We have a rescue, Oscar, (terrier) who has lived with us for almost 4 months. Hubs will really not be able to care for Oscar, taking off early in the morning and coming home late at night.

I thought I was going to have a dog walker come 2x a day and then board Oscar if Hubs gets to join us later in the trip if work slows down. However, looking at prices for pet sitters who come highly recommended by people I trust, we're looking at $30/day for 2 walks. I could board him at a great, trusted facility for the same price. With boarding, he would have more human contact, plus the opportunity to play with other dogs- which he LOVES and does not get at home. However, then he won't be at home. I know dogs aren't like cats, so boarding might not be as bad for them, but I like the idea of him being home.

Additional positives of boarding include getting a bath (yay) and giving our cats some respite. He chases them and they hate him, even though he just wants to play. This would give them almost 2 weeks of the house to themselves.

WWYD?

Read more: pandce.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=pets&action=display&thread=39679#ixzz22PvbbSIc

[y4m]

If the dog likes boarding, I'd absolutely board him for that time period. It sounds like he'd have a better experience that way.

[zelda25]

I would board him. If it's a really good boarding facility where he'll get lots of interaction and play time (as opposed to some kennels where they just hang out alone in their kennel all the time), he's way better off there then at home.

I swear our dog would rather be at the pet hotel we take him to than at home--he gets constant play time and interaction. And, as in your situation, our cat is thrilled because she gets the house to herself

[redheadbaker]

Board him. Sounds like he'd enjoy it more.

I'm going on vacation later this month, and I've got one super-social dog, and one dog that hates other dogs. We typically have S.O.'s brother come stay with them while we're gone, but he can't help us out this time. So, we're sending them to a "host" (via DogVacay.com) home.

But if I didn't have my anti-social dog, I'd board the social one in a heartbeat.

Another positive to doggie-daycare-tyle boarding is that you have a passed-out-tired dog for a few days once you get back

[ringstrue]

Just board him. It's one change as opposed to two changes and the longer he is there, ime, the better they do since he has longer to get used to their routine. Also dog walker schedules can fluctuate and he might have an accident.

I used to work at a vet that boarded animals. IME, dogs love it. The owner sees only the drop off and early fears, but seriously, there is something about joining a choir of other dogs barking their head off for their meals and not getting yelled at if they piddle that, I swear, dogs really enjoy.

[MrsAxilla]

Board him. He'll have more fun, and so will your cats.

[heightsyankee]

Great! Thanks, gals. I was inclined to board but have that long time cat owner mentality. Cats hate to be boarded. I do think Oscar will enjoy it.

Here he is, just to AW:

[pixy0stix]

I'd board. My dogs come out of boarding so freaking happy that I sort of feel bad when I bring them home.

[thinklikeajellyfish]

Aug 2, 2012 14:10:08 GMT -5 zelda25 said:

I would board him. If it's a really good boarding facility where he'll get lots of interaction and play time (as opposed to some kennels where they just hang out alone in their kennel all the time), he's way better off there then at home.

I swear our dog would rather be at the pet hotel we take him to than at home--he gets constant play time and interaction. And, as in your situation, our cat is thrilled because she gets the house to herself

My thoughts exactly.

ETA: I just saw your picture. I. want. him. Seriously! He is adorable.

[statlerwaldorf]

Board him.

[osulori]

Omg look at his little face! I love him.

And yeah, boarding him sounds like a great idea. Similar to RHB, I have one super social princess of a beagle mix and one anxious, not dog hating but lacking in social skills dog...while we're in Cinci for three days next weekend various friends and neighbors are stopping by to play/feed/let the dogs out, but if it wasn't for Eddie's anxiety and less than firm grasp of appropriate behavior with other dogs I'd board them at the local daycare place in a heartbeat.

[pamela]

I would most likely board. Especially if it's at a place where they get interaction, not someplace like the vet where it's just the bare bones.

[Deleted]

We used a walker 4x a day when we went a way at Christmas. Our dog was depressed when we got home from not having steady constant contact.

For our summer vacation she boarded for 17 days. It cost me almost $500 but she came home happy