Make Your Summer Plans Now!

It always happens this time of year.  From now through September, I will receive endless queries about what to do with the family pets while the humans are on vacation. I always try to be helpful with my suggestions, but frankly, people who are leaving in a week for a month long trip and have yet to figure out what to do with their animals are very frustrating to me!  There are all sorts of options out there IF you plan ahead.  If you leave your decision to the last minute, you are likely to be out of luck, or to only find limited choices available. There also seems to be a great deal of negativity out there with regard to boarding facilities.  That is, many dog owners seem to think that traditional boarding situations are archaic and not appropriate for any dog, which simply isn't true.  So, with that in mind, here are my thoughts on your different options for your pet's care while you are away.

Boarding facilities come in many forms. There are facilities where the animals are housed in cages or runs for the duration of their stay. There are others where the dogs are taken out of their cages or runs for exercise in a fenced area alone or in small groups. There are others where dogs are grouped daily for exercise or interaction, much like doggie daycare. There are even facilities that allow multiple dogs to board in the same area, thus allowing dogs that live together at home to stay together while away from home.  Which of these scenarios would work best depends on the needs of your particular pet.  If your dog doesn't get along with other dogs, then boarding and exercise alone are a must, for example.  If your dog is a social butterfly, then boarding where there is an emphasis on group play with supervision is a better option. If your pet is aggressive toward people, then they may need to stay in an area with minimal interaction for their safety and the safety of their caregivers.  If you have a pet with medical needs, you can still choose to board them. You should plan, however, on additional fees being charged for that service.  And if your pet has a lot of medical concerns you may prefer to board them at your veterinarian's office, if that is an option available.

For some animals, the best option while you are away is a board and train type facility where they can receive additional training in problem areas while you are gone, in addition to having a place to stay.  Not all board and train facilities are created equal, however, so you will need to do your homework well in advance to insure that the choice you make is in your pet's best interest.

Many pet owners really want one-on-one care for their pets when they are away, but don't feel comfortable inviting a stranger into their home to house-sit.  If that is the case, there are certainly pet sitters out there who provide pet care in their own homes.  These sitters book up fast as they can only accommodate so many pet guests at any given time.  Expect to be interviewed and have your pets assessed for suitability in the homes of these pet sitters. It is likely that your pet will not be their only guest, however, so if your pet doesn't get along with others, then be sure to state that clearly so additional arrangements can be made.

If you feel comfortable having someone stay in your home to care for your pets, this is often a good choice from your pets' point of view. They get to stay in their own environment with all of their familiar things.  Be sure to leave the pet sitter specifics about your pet's daily life so that they can mirror those activities as closely as possible.  If your pet suffers from separation anxiety, be sure to let the sitter know this as you don't want them leaving your pet alone for extended periods of time thus increasing the stress.  If your pet gets nervous with strangers, however, then a pet sitter in your home might not be a good option unless you can choose a sitter that your pet already knows and is comfortable being with in your absence.

Multiple pets, any pets with special needs, geriatric pets, and those with behavior problems will require extra attention and that extra attention will come at an additional expense to you.  You have to plan for this and understand that not every boarding facility, pet sitter, or house sitter is equipped to deal with medical issues, behavior problems like aggression, or an elderly incontinent pet, for example.

It's my habit to plan out where my dogs will go FIRST, and then plan my vacation around that.  I have a select few people that I like to leave my dogs with and/or have in my home to care for them. It has been the case, more than once, that I've changed plans because I couldn't arrange for their care in a way I felt comfortable with.  That's just part of pet guardianship!  I was picky when it came to the babysitters/caregivers for my children. I am no less picky when it comes to my dogs.

Here's hoping that all of your summer vacation plans come together seamlessly!  As always, if you have questions about your pet's behavior, you know where to find me.