What do you do with your dog?

[opal]

That security guard was misinformed. If they're asking for "documentation" they are violating the law and are in danger of getting Mickey's butt sued off. There are questions that can be asked but documentation is not a thing you're allowed to require because many legitimate service dogs don't have it. Many service animals are trained by their handlers independent of a specific training school (because those schools charge $10K or more for a dog) and there's not a governing board or anyone that you would go to to get documentation. You can't require disabled people, who are disproportionately low income, to buy an expensive animal to satisfy a desire for paperwork.

That dog did not belong in Disney and should have been removed. Even a trained and valid ESA does not belong on a table and by your description that wasn't one. The standards are pretty minimal but that one failed to meet them.[/QUOTE

The WDW website only references Service Animals. I could find no policy relating to Emotional Support Animals. The Americans with Disabilities Act excludes Emotional Support Animals. Perhaps it is time for Disney to address this in policies...

 

[TippeeCanoe]

That security guard was misinformed. If they're asking for "documentation" they are violating the law and are in danger of getting Mickey's butt sued off. There are questions that can be asked but documentation is not a thing you're allowed to require because many legitimate service dogs don't have it. Many service animals are trained by their handlers independent of a specific training school (because those schools charge $10K or more for a dog) and there's not a governing board or anyone that you would go to to get documentation. You can't require disabled people, who are disproportionately low income, to buy an expensive animal to satisfy a desire for paperwork.

That dog did not belong in Disney and should have been removed. Even a trained and valid ESA does not belong on a table and by your description that wasn't one. The standards are pretty minimal but that one failed to meet them.

Only certified, verifiable service animals should be allowed. "Emotional support" animals are not service animals and shouldn't be allowed.

 

[Pesky]

We used to use a gal from our daycare to housesit and dogsit. It was closer to her work than where she lived and she got all the great amenities of our home versus a shared apartment. We now use a college graduate who lives across the street while he is waiting to get a full-time firefighting job. If he finds a job, we'll either go again with a gal from the former daycare or another local kid.

 

[mickeygirl78]

We go to Disney every year for 2 weeks and we board our dogs at a local place. We have four dogs between all the extended family that go to Disney and they all go to the same boarder. We made sure to tour the facility before we first brought them there. My sister actually did a trial day visit for her dog to make sure it worked. It is very expensive to board them, but we want to make sure they are taken care of. I wouldn't put off getting a dog because of vacation. I just look at it as the dogs get a vacation too.

 

[Squggl3]

I am a dog groomer, and work at a boarding facility, that being said I wont ever board my dogs! I am a helicopter parent when it comes to my dogs. I have a close friend that I pay to stay at our house, or a local dog walker who I know very well to come and see them 3x a day to let them out, play, and feed them. it can cost us an extra $450-$700 each trip, but it is so worth it to have someone you trust! If you do decide boarding is the best option for you, tour the facilities and get to know the staff. Maybe have your dog stay there for a weekend a few weeks before going to get used to it for a short period of time. I wouldn't trade my dogs for anything, and I enjoy my vacations much more knowing they are safe and well cared for in their own home

 

[katt789]

We always took our dog to the kennel (?) i dont know if that's the right word for it, but doggy day care essentially. She loved it but i guess that would depend on your dog.
If you're close enough to drive & would be okay with driving down with a large dog they do have pet care down there as well

 

[larryz]

Whatever you do, don't drop your dog off at a strange kennel just before you leave.

 

[larryz]

That's a cute pic!

 

[ottawamom]

There are pet sitting services that match families who have a pet with those who would love to have a pet but can't for various reasons. Your dog would go and stay in their home while you are away. These families are checked out by the service and you are able to meet them and have your dog meet them so you can see how things will go. My friends have sent their dog to the same family whenever they travel ( so a relationship develops between your dog and the host family ) They start out with just a weekend and moved on from there.

You might want to check with neigbourhood vet clinics and see if such a service exists in your area. The cost was marginally more than a kennel (so not cheap but it is a home setting with experienced/responsible pet owners).

 

[Mark P.]

Last Summer we drove from NJ and brought Winston (shown in my avatar) with us. We stayed at pet friendly hotels on I-95 (plenty of nice ones to choose from, btw), and rented a house about 10 mins. from Disney, and stayed 2 weeks.
We had Winston booked at the Disney Kennel for many of the days we spent at the parks. The kennel, staff and accommodations were really nice. We got pretty much the best package they offered, such as personal time, walks, special snack, etc. Again, the place was top notch!

Around very early evening, right before dinner at Ohana, we called to see how he was making out, and the staff said he was very nervous and wouldn't relax/nap, eat or even do his business outside. Winston's spoiled silly, so we cancelled all the rest of the days, and he chilled at the rental house and made out just fine.
Heck, he's a Bulldog after all, they pretty much sleep all day

Now, the tough part for us is that we're leaving in just under a month for Disney, and he's staying home with our 3 cats for 6 days.
We already have 3 neighbors scheduled to take care of him and the cats. His treats will be plentiful (like they're never not,lol...), and we purchased new play toys for every day we're away.
We just don't wish to board him, and we've got super friends/family that he's very comfortable around, and we know he'll be just fine. The instructions I have printed out for each of his caretakers are very specific, and of course we're always a phone call/text away.

 

[Parker Clan]

We are blessed to have many family and friends who have watched our bulldog the last several years when we go (for 10-12 days) I've heard or seen kennels/doggie daycare near by Disney and also have heard of people renting houses where they can bring their doggies.

 

[DisneyFan2013]

I have a cat and I leave her with my mom. I would never consider boarding her because I wouldn't want her to feel scared and abandoned. She doesn't really like anyone besides me. I feel guilty for being away from her regardless and my longest Disney trip was only 6 nights! I'll probably only do 4 nights this year.

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

We board at our vet's office. They take excellent care of the dogs, know them very well, and are the only ones I trust (it's a small town and I have accident prone pups..). The pups get excited when you ask them if they want to go on "vacation"! They love it there. We always spring for a large breed run for our dogs even though they are easily small kennel sized. I do not want them confined. I think that really helps.

 

[Mark P.]

We are blessed to have many family and friends who have watched our bulldog the last several years when we go (for 10-12 days) I've heard or seen kennels/doggie daycare near by Disney and also have heard of people renting houses where they can bring their doggies.

Fellow Bulldog owner...Right on point, check out my post right above yours.

 

[SnackCredit]

We leave ours with a family who are friends from our 4-H dog obedience club. They have two dogs of their own. The mother and daughter are two of our dog's favorite people!

 

[Jetta8300]

Ours stays with our mother in law. But in the past she's been unable to dog sit, so we have used a dog sitter that will actually come and stay at your house and watch the dog. We have an in-home dog sitter that my whole family has used before that we all know and trust. Obviously there is a kennel option but our dog is so emotional that she starves herself and refuses to drink while there. My parent's dog is like that as well and ended up with a doggie ER visit when picking her up because he refused to eat or drink, and was so stressed he almost died.

 

[ellie05]

Op you have to consider that boarding might not be an option. Every dog is different and some just don't react well. We had to board our Pomeranian one night because the pet friendly hotel didn't have availability for that night. He didn't do well at all, he didn't eat, he was nervous so we were called and we picked him up. We ended up having to stay at a hotel that was not very nice, but the only pet friendly choice for the night.

Our lab/mix has separation anxiety so we will never kennel him. We have 3 big dogs now(50 lbs) even when we had 5 we always had someone stay at our house. They take care of our 2 cats too. Honestly it is pretty easy for our pet sitter. They just need to be feed 2 a day, clean cat litters and let out when they ask, which when it is hot out ( most of the year around here), it is just when they need to use the bathroom (about 3 times a day). We have a big house with plenty on room for them to play inside if they want, but now that they are 8 is not that often.

Depending on the type of vacation we do try to find pet friendly rentals and take them with us. That is when we go to the mountains but not Disney. Palomar and kimpton hotels are pet friendly and are great we love them.

Now a lab and a puppy that is something else to consider. They are high energy dogs and if they don't get enough exercise you can get pretty destructive behavior. If you are not up for that you might want to consider adopting an older dog. You should get a dog that fits your lifestyle and not base on looks. If you have a very active lifestyle then a lab is the dog for you.

 

[Networth]

Have always hired someone to watch the house including pets. They get free board and a nice chunk of change. We get piece of mind about are dogs and property.

 

[Parker Clan]

Fellow Bulldog owner...Right on point, check out my post right above yours.

I saw!! Bulldogs sure are the best

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

We use a petsitting/housesitting service. Our dogs can be challenging (I know... it's OUR fault!!), so I spend time up front: making clear to the service what I think we need, setting up a meeting ahead of time with a possible petsitter to see how they interact with the dogs, etc. When we've found people who are AWESOME, we request them for EVERY trip. Our petsitter now is awesome -- sends us texts and emails with updates as much as we want. Really puts our minds at ease knowing they're all set and doing (more than) fine without us!