katevin Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 (edited) Hello all :) In 4 weeks time we're off on a family holiday that was planned before Archie came to live with us, and we're feeling a bit anxious about what to do with him while we're away! He's very much a part of our family- spends most of his time inside with us, is crate trained, loves walks and outings with us daily...basically he's a spoilt little brat :laugh: Because he's only young and is so used to lots of human company, we feel a little uneasy about sending him to a boarding kennel. All of our friends and family members work full time so he'd be home alone all day and we're not sure how he'd cope with this either. So what do you do with your beloved pets when you go away? Would love any tips or experiences! Or if anybody can recommend somewhere/someone in the Geelong area that'd be even better! Thanks in advance :D Edited February 15, 2013 by katevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pretty Miss Emma Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 Mine go to a friends house or they stay home and I have a house sitter. Don't have any recommendations for you, but if you can get a house sitter I've found that they love being in their own environment (that being said Kenzie does sometimes ditch me and chooses to have sleep overs at her friends place just of her own accord!!!!). Good luck finding someone/somewhere! You'll figure out an ok option! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RiverStar-Aura Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 Would Archie's breeder be willing to take him back whilst you're on holidays? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katevin Posted February 15, 2013 Author Share Posted February 15, 2013 Mine go to a friends house or they stay home and I have a house sitter. Don't have any recommendations for you, but if you can get a house sitter I've found that they love being in their own environment (that being said Kenzie does sometimes ditch me and chooses to have sleep overs at her friends place just of her own accord!!!!). Good luck finding someone/somewhere! You'll figure out an ok option! I've considered the house sitter route but I'm not sure that I'd be comfortable having a stranger in our house...how does it work? Would Archie's breeder be willing to take him back whilst you're on holidays? I'm sure she'd be happy to have him back for a visit but she lives so far away! One of the disadvantages of the breed I guess. Most people have to travel in order to get their hands on one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheena Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 We have housesitters that we found on Aussiehousesitters.com. Look them up on the web & put an add in ...it's free. We are so happy with ours, & they are so happy with looking after our dogs & house, garden, chooks etc that they come back each time. You do have to give plenty of notice to get the right ones though as they are popular. We get retired couples, non smokers & ask for references, photos etc...anything you like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpha bet Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 Why not just explore the option of a good kennel.... despite what many here think.... there is nothing wrong with putting a dog in a kennel, especially for a period of only 9 days. After all you could find yourself in an emergency situation and need to get your dog minded - better to have somewhere that suits you already. Check out the kennel, not just the reception, ask for an inspection of where the dogs live and exercise, make sure your not just being shown the best fancy ones. Consider the staff who are looking after your dog, talk to them and see if you feel comfortable. There are many kennels, big and small, you can easily find one to suit your dog..... often a dog can enjoy the experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poochmad Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 I agree regarding the kennel. Sometimes it's not that easy to find someone at short notice and if you have a good kennel that your pup is used to and you are comfortable with, they can be a god send. A house sitter is also a good option, if you can meet the person first - if you can go on other people's (real references) recommendations, even better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosetta Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 I agree with others about finding a good kennel. Do your research and try him out overnight to see how he goes. I think it is much better for them to have some company and I think you have more peace of mind knowing they are safe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdierikx Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 I've boarded my dogs with the local vet on occasion... worth looking into, as they have staff there all day that would probably love playing with Archie on a regular babsis. T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Her Majesty Dogmad Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 I've boarded my dogs with the local vet on occasion... worth looking into, as they have staff there all day that would probably love playing with Archie on a regular babsis. T. That's where I board mine if I go away, I trust my vets implicitly and they have dog runs inside, where temp is kept at 21 degs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pretty Miss Emma Posted February 16, 2013 Share Posted February 16, 2013 In terms of housesitters I've always been able to use friends. But I did look at the website that was mentioned by someone above as a backup and liked the information you were able to get from it, and I think many of my house-sitting options are starting to disappear so may have to investigate it more! I've tended to stay away from kennel purely because of the expense. I've investigated a couple that I would use as a last resort if no one could take them and I'd just have to fork out the $$$$$. But more likely it would mean I would miss out on a holiday as I just can't afford a kennel for any more than a day or two! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
temperamentfirst Posted February 16, 2013 Share Posted February 16, 2013 I have an utterly amazing house sitter but as you're in Vic I don't think she'd be available. A good house sitter means the animals are in their own home and routine. THere is an amazing kennel in Vic - one of my puppy buyers used them for her two dogs, and if ever i can't get my sitter I would consider driving the dogs down there from Sydney! PM me if you want the details. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shirra Posted February 16, 2013 Share Posted February 16, 2013 I was in a similar position. I checked out a number of kennels and was told by all but one that they wouldn't take a pup that young. The one kennel that would take her at 5 months didn't impress me. Luckily a friend offered to have her for the 10 days and she had a ball! Good luck finding a solution. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmolo Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 While we offer dog minding to some clients dogs, we're nowhere near Geelong. Do you have a dog trainer that you could ask for recommendations in your area? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mel_ Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 I had to opt for a kennel too as I don't know anyone who would be able to take my guy in. As mentioned they are generally more pricey but since I had a great experience with them it was well worth it :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mthetealady Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 I used to use Lonely Pets Club (and worked for them as a pet sitter for awhile) when I lived in Melbourne and they were always very good. All of their employees are police checked. Unfortunately, as far as I know, they don't yet service Geelong. It's a pain, because I think keeping a dog in its home environment is always preferable to a kennel. Be aware though that with a pet sitter your pup would still have long periods at home alone with no companionship - I used to book my dog in for 2 x 30 minute visits per day so that she had a little more company. The norm for most people was just one 30 minute visit per day, which isn't much time. For a young dog, this arrangement may not be suitable. Now that I live in Geelong myself, I am not sure what the solution for you would be, and I will watch your thread with interest, given that we will soon have our own lovely little one at home and she will occasionally require care when we are away on hols ourselves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YvonneM Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 I have always used a boarding kennel which had "special care". It was a little luxury resort for doggies and he was always so excited to go there .... he always had the same "room" so knew exactly where to head when he arrived. They had play time a couple of times a day where the staff member allocated to look after him took him out to play, and he also had "social time" which meant that he was socialised with other like-sized dogs. for a period of time every day. I was always happy with this boarding kennel and had no other alternatives. It came with a hefty price tag of about $45/day but I was happy to pay it. Hope you can find something suitable for your little fellow! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stolzseinrotts Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 As a breeder I would be very dissapointed to hear that one of my 5 month old pups had been to a boarding kennel for that period of time. It is not an environment I would want to see a young pup in for many reasons. We offer to take our pups back in their first 12 months should a boarding kennel be required. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudlark Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 I'm not sure if they operate in Geelong but you could try Don't Fret Pet, which is a service that places dogs in people's homes. We've had two successive dogs use this service and they have stayed in some wonderful homes where the families have gone all out to give our dog a fabulous stay - and they've taken photos to prove it too. At his last stay our dog was allowed to sleep on the humans' bed. Here's their website: Don't Fret Pet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheena Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 A pity you're not in Tasmania, as my housesitters are looking for a sit in Tassie. They are pretty much booked out though, so would have to have heaps of notice. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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