Caring for Your Dog When You are at Work or on Vacation

Caring for Your Dog When You are at Work or on Vacation

Many options exist to an owner for who can care for your dog when you are away at work or on vacation. Some services will come to your home and care for your pets, water your plants and bring in your mail. Some will take your pets into their home while you are away. Or you can take your dog to a boarding kennel where he stays until you pick him up. Finally, he can stay with friends or family. 

Petsitting or Dog-walking Services

Pet sitters and dog walkers come to your home and care for your dog while you are away at work or gone for a few days. Their services usually include letting your dog out into the yard, taking him for a walk in your neighborhood or driving to a park for a walk, and giving food and treats, if you want. These “animal nannies” can give medication or play with your pet. If you are away for a more than a day, they can pick up your mail, water your plants, turn lights off and on, and take care of other pets. Some companies have nannies who can stay overnight at your place, or they can bring your pet to their home for the night. Many also have driving services to take your dog back and forth to doctor appointments, if needed. 

Daycare or Boarding Kennels

A day care kennel is set up as a place to take your dog for the day while you are at work. Think of a kiddie daycare for dogs. You drop them off in the morning and pick them up in the afternoon or evening. Many places allow the dogs to be loose and supervised in a general play group designated by size and temperament so they can socialize and play with other dogs. In these circumstances, your dog would have to have previous socialization with other dogs to past the assessment tests most places give in the beginning. Some additional services offered could be lunches, snacks, naps, walks outside the facility, grooming, transportation to vet appointments, and pickup and delivery to and from your home. 

Many daycare places also have boarding rooms for overnight stays. Some of these rooms even include televisions! So your dog would be loose in the play groups during the day and then in their own private boarding room at night. You can bring their beds, toys and food to help them feel comfortable during their stay. 

Conventional Kennels

There are still places that offer the private boarding kennel runs for dogs that are not able to be in social play groups during the day. These work great for dogs who need to have their own space. Many have inside rooms with their bed and toys and outside private access for running and using the bathroom. Their prices are usually lower than the daycare/boarding facilities for people with tighter budgets requirements.

Veterinary Hospitals

Most vet hospitals also offer individual boarding runs as a service to their customers. I have heard of some vet offices that have employees who will take the boarding dogs home for the night and bring them back the next day. This may be a great option for dogs who are already familiar with a vet office and the employees, and feel comfortable staying overnight. Many vet offices also offer a wide of other general services such as grooming and walks during the day. 

Family and Friends

There are always relatives, friends, and neighbors who might able to care for your dog during the day or for overnight stays. This option would be great if your dog is already familiar and comfortable there and maybe has another dog to play with. Usually the rates are great (free!) and it is always personalized, in-home care.