Dog sitting?

[princesspumpkin]

We will be out of town for 9 days and will leave our 10yo dog at home. We plan on having our neighbor's son care for her. He has done this several times before, but not for this length of time. When we are home, our dog basically eats, sleeps, goes out 2 or 3 times a day and will play sometimes (she is really starting to show her age). My question is, is 9 days too long to leave her home with someone coming over to care for her? DH and I feel that it's fine, but before we ask our neighbor, we want to make sure that this period of time doesn't seem outrageous to others. I prefer to do this over a kennel and it would too much of an imposition to have her stay at someone's house for that length of time. Has anyone had a dog walking service or sitter for that long? Thanks

 

[Tigger&Belle]

We left our dogs and cats home for 10 days this summer. A pet sitter friend of ours came over and it went well. About a week before we put the dogs in a kennel for a different trip and one of our dogs just doesn't do well in a kennel (the other dog is fine). If you think that your dog is happier at home then I think that is the best choice. Make sure you leave all your contact information for the sitter--where you'll be, the vets ph #, etc. Sounds like your dog knows the neighbor and that it will work out well!

 

[hercamore]

9 days is fine, but I'd be checking in with my nbr every couple days just to be sure things are ok.

My 21 yo neighbor just watched our l0 yo beagle for 6 days a couple weeks ago. It was great. No problems, other that he was a big barkier when he was let outside.

My dog would not do well in a kennel situation and I would rather pay my neighbor than a kennel service anyway.

herc.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Honestly, with the "dog flu" going around I would be very hesistant to board my dog right now.

 

[Shugardrawers]

How old and how responsible is the neighbor's son? If you happen to live in my area PM me I'd be happy to do it.

 

[vettechick99]

I used to own a pet sitting business in my hometown and used one often when I lived in Atlanta. It gets expensive, but there are NO worries associated with it. I love pet sitters and so will your doggie!

http://www.petsit.com/locate/default.asp

 

[princesspumpkin]

Thanks for the replies everyone. My neighbor's son has doggie sat for us several times before (and always plays with our doggie even when we're home). The sitting part isn't an issue, it's the length of time that i was concerned that might sound unreasonable. One of my other neighbors (who used to watch my dog) gave me an odd look when I once said that I was leaving our dog at home for 4 days while our neighbor cared for her. So I just thought that maybe other people might feel that leaving a dog at home for one or two days was fine, but that it might be bad to do it for longer than that.

 

[Jackie0824]

Of course Im the odd one. I would think it would be lonely for the dog being left alone for 9 days. I know you have a neighbor coming in and all. But, Im just a big sap.
Iam a dog sitter for a petsitting business. BUT I have dogs come to my house and stay in my house while owners are away. Its a neat service. That way the dog isnt in a kennel, and not left alone. I own 2 big dogs, and sometimes have 2 or 3 or 4 extra's around here. We have done it for 11 yrs and most people think we are crazy.

 

[MrsNick]

I don't think this is too long of a time as long as someone is staying with your dog. I could not board mine since he'd be so stressed out that he'd get very sick. Even if I could, I agree with another poster about the dog flu going around right now. We always have someone stay with ours. aw: