Where to leave dog while on holiday. It is not always possible to share every moment with the dog we live with. If we have to go on holiday, but the travelling conditions are not suitable for him, we need to find a place where he can spend this time peacefully in our absence. Boarding kennels and dog sitters can be a solution, but all alternatives must be assessed according to the dog’s needs.
Factors influencing the choice
It isn’t easy to make a general statement about the best place for your dog to stay because everyone has their individuality and personality, and what is suitable for one person may not be suitable for another. This depends on various factors, such as character, but also on the experiences the dog has had and stored up in its knowledge base: whether, for example, it is a dog that is used to spending some time alone at home, whether it is well socialised and likes to be in the company of other dogs, whether it is phobic or wary of other animals or people. These are just some of the factors that can influence the choice.
Relatives and friends
Relatives and friends may be the ideal solution for the dog you live with; if you already know them and have been in their home, you may feel less affected by the change and experience this period with more significant serenity. However, you must ensure that whoever will take care of the dog has the time to spend with him, attend to his needs and do various activities together.
The dog is a social animal and likes to feel part of a group; it must leave the house several times a day to do business, explore, and get to know the world. If all this is possible, it is advisable to go a few days beforehand to the person who will take care of it: this way, you can see if it feels comfortable in the house, if there is a positive interaction between the two and if a relationship of trust is created.
You can also do some ‘trial runs‘ by taking the dog out together several times so that they get used to each other’s presence. In addition, it is advisable to bring some objects from home: the blanket, which represents his “safe place”, some social or solitary games such as a tug-of-war rope or a kong and anything else you deem necessary. Finally, it is essential to instruct your friend/relative what activities the dog prefers, what is the right food for him and how to behave in encounters with other dogs on the street.
Leaving the dog with neighbours when you go on holiday
Alternatively, you can rely on a trustworthy person, who could be a neighbour, to feed the dog and take him to do his business. The advantage is that in this way, not only will the dog not have to be taken away from the house, but it will also interact with a person it knows well. Therefore the separation from the owner will be less traumatic.
Before departure, the pet will also be able to spend more time with its caregiver, becoming more familiar and accustomed. If the dog sitter is a person who knows the animals very well, when asking a neighbour for a favour, it is essential to ensure that they can interact with the dog and can look after it properly.
Dog boarding kennels: what to consider, staff and costs
If friends, relatives, and neighbours cannot, another solution is the boarding house, which generally houses several dogs. Boarding kennels can be very different from one another, and it is always advisable to make an inspection first, either alone or with the dog, to find out how it is run, whether it is suitable for your non-human companion and whether he feels comfortable. There are several things to consider: first of all, the dog’s accommodation must be spacious, clean and provide all the necessary amenities for the dog’s well-being.
Remember that every dog is different, and there is undoubtedly one whose temperament would not easily tolerate staying in a dog kennel.
Then the number of dogs in the facility must be taken into account: if there are too many of them and not enough staff, the needs of each individual will probably not be met. On the contrary, each dog must be supervised appropriately, especially in group activities with other dogs, to avoid accidents, discomfort and discomfort. The presence of dog trainers in the facility can significantly help: they can monitor dog encounters, ‘manage’ proper communication, encourage the proper development of canine relationships and even give you advice when you return.
It is also essential to see what comfort the facility is equipped with. If, for example, you live with a Labrador Retriever, a great lover of water, the presence of a swimming pool could turn your stay into an actual holiday. Another essential thing to consider is how many and what kind of outdoor spaces there are, how often dogs are taken outside the accommodation, how shared activities occur, and whether the operators form different socialisation groups to the dogs’ character. Some dogs have their preferences and do not want to “jump into the fray”, as is true for many humans.
Suppose your dog does not like or has problems socialising. In that case, provision must also be made for solitary activities with human contact and spaces where he can spend pleasant time without other animals around him. If this is not the case, it may be better to choose another type of solution that does not involve the presence of other dogs.
Once you have chosen a facility, always provide all the information about the dog’s personality, phobias, diet, medication use and habits that are important to know. Lastly, always take a blanket with you, a safe place where the dog knows nothing terrible can happen to him. The costs of a kennel can vary significantly on the services offered, the type of facility and the staff training.
How much does a Pension for Dogs cost?
As in the case of humans, the price of boarding kennels for dogs and cats is generally proportional to the service offered. On average, the cost is between £25 and 50 pounds per day, with a significant reduction if the stay in the kennel is extended. Other factors that determine the price are the area (in the centre or the suburbs) where the facility is located, the staff working there, and the items that are part of the service.
What are the characteristics of a good dog kennel?
To avoid nasty surprises and to be sure that your dog or cat is treated well, you should make sure of these things:
- Check the conditions of the boarding house in person. Do not limit yourself to telephone or Internet contacts, and make a thorough inspection.
- Check the space where the dog will sleep and where it can be outside. Both must be spacious, comfortable and clean.
- Agree on the food that will be provided. If your dog or cat uses exceptional food, leave yours as a spare so it will be used during your holiday. Pets’ eating habits are exceptionally delicate, and it is dangerous to change them suddenly.
- The boarding house must guarantee your pet’s hygiene and prompt veterinary care if necessary.
- Another thing that absolutely must not be lacking is a night guard service. Dogs and cats cannot be left alone during the night.
Dog sitter
Another alternative is the dog sitter, who, for work, accommodates dogs in their home for a limited period or takes them for food and walks together several times a day. If you are on holiday for several consecutive days, the dog shouldn’t be left alone in the house for too many hours, so a “transfer” to the dog sitter may be the ideal solution. To minimise stress for the dog, some dog sitters are also prepared to come to your home: in this way, the dog will not even have to move and will have all the comforts to which it is accustomed. This option is generally preferable to boarding for dogs that do not like socialising with other people very much and need more focused attention and a more familiar situation.
Preliminary meetings with the dog sitter
Again, you and your non-human companion must have one or more preliminary meetings. You will need to assess whether your dog feels comfortable in his new environment, how he behaves towards his new dog sitter and vice versa. Furthermore, you can choose someone with more or less experience and training for your dog’s character and needs. Going for walks all three together can be very helpful in observing whether the dog sitter can “handle” different situations, including, for example, meeting other people, and whether the dog feels comfortable and begins to get acquainted with the new person.
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If you have found “the one“, it is crucial that you tell him everything you need to know: the dog’s habits, the proper diet, the times he generally goes out, the activities he likes to do and the care and attention he needs. The price is around £20/35 per day but can vary depending on the person’s experience and the care that needs to be given to him.
Where to leave your dog for a few days?
That is why some services offer, like Airbnb and others, a system whereby owners can meet pet sitters.
PAWSHAKE
One of these is Pawshake.co.uk (literally, ‘let’s shake paws’), the site that allows you to select an animal lover to entrust your cat, dog or other two- or four-legged friend. Available online but also via the app (iOS and Android), the system prompts you to enter your home address and then displays a list of the nearest pet sitters with reviews left by previous customers.
In addition, it is possible to see which animals are allowed, for which period and the cost for the holiday period. Finally, the service also provides free insurance to cover veterinary care, should the need arise.
DOGBUDDY
Designed exclusively for dogs, on the other hand, is the DogBuddy service, a community dedicated to animal lovers and founded in 2013. The intuition came from the personal need of Enrico Sargiacomo, creator of the service, who is also a dog owner. So he built an online community to connect dog owners with other animal lovers offering hospitality.
DogBuddy currently operates in Italy, Spain, France, Germany and England.
Take your dog on holiday with you.
Suppose you can try to take your dog with you on holiday. If your puppy joins your holiday, he will have no problems with loneliness and will be happy. Many owners do not consider a family holiday an actual holiday unless it includes their four-legged friend! Fortunately, there are more and more dedicated solutions for dog owners, which means the options available are not limited to camping or staying home.
From Bed&Breakfasts to hotels, rented holiday homes and even entire castles, it is possible to find dog-friendly accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets. There are also holidays where you can also combine dog training in places where you can practice dog activities and sports with other dog lovers under the guidance of a qualified dog trainer.
Don’t forget to always seek the advice of your vet before booking a trip abroad with your dog to ensure they are ready to travel and have all the necessary documentation.
Conclusions
However, even in this case, it is necessary to weigh the decision well and objectively assess at least two aspects. Firstly, you need to know your dog’s character. Can it socialise with other four-legged friends by sharing space in an unfamiliar flat?
If the answer is yes, this solution is feasible.
It is now a question of identifying the professionalism and experience of the people looking after your pet. As in all situations, it is essential to avoid those who improvise as experts but do not possess specific skills.
Before choosing, it is helpful to seek advice from your vet or an acquaintance who owns a dog and has already approached the facility you have identified.
When it comes to the well-being of your best friend, caution is never too much.
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