How to Relax When Having a Dog Sitter Come To The House.....
I am faced with the decision of leaving the dogs behind. Not because I want to but because it seems like it maybe a better solution. Over the summer my brother will be getting married and leaving the dogs in a hotel room just doesn't seem right. Although, I have to get over the fact that we need to leave them behind. Our trips revolve around the dogs, they come with us if at all possible, which 99 percent of the time is.
We have kenneled Lance once in his seven years with us, and that was to take the kids to Disney when they were younger. Kenneling Lance is out of the question because of his illness. In seven years I finally found someone that I would feel comfortable leaving the dogs with. The lady who did the house check from the shelter we got Tucker from!!! She originally wanted to adopt Tucker, but it just didn't work out, and she was really bummed. She adores Tucker and I know he would be in good hands with her, she would watch him at our house. We have kept in contact over the last 2 years through facebook, so I sent her a message asking her if she would like to watch him for us. She also has two pembrokes of her own and also works at the same vets office we take Lance and Tucker too!! She just started there, but had previously worked there. :)
I thought about taking Lance with us, one dog in a hotel room is better than 2. My husband asked me to consider asking the dog sitter to also watch Lance as well, which I was hesitant to, not because she can't or won't do it, its because of my own anxiety of leaving him behind. She had asked me if we needed to watch Lance, so I don't think it will be an issue.
I need to get over my worries, which are:
1. making sure she knows to feed them separately at all times including when Lance is getting his
meds. due to food agression. I don't want to have any incidents at all.
2. Any and everything I can think to worry about I will :O
3. If she brings her younger daughter, how Lance will react to any noises or movements she makes,
or the need for him to feel like he needs to protect her, which he seems to do with little ones.
4. How do I bring up the fact about her bringing her daughter or not bringing her?
5. How do I figure out how much to pay her.
6. Is there anything I should think of that I am not, when having someone come to our house to watch
our dogs?
I wish I didn't worry so much. I do know that she has experience with corgis so that is good, she works at a vets office (ours), so how do I make myself relax and enjoy our weekend away without the dogs, something we have only done once in seven years!!!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Bev Levy on
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Is she staying at your house or just coming in several times during the day? I always have someone stay at the house. She goes about her regular day, making sure that the dogs are not alone for more than 4 hours at a time.(my dobe has to be kenneled without bedding due to her habit of chewing so I don't like her to be on that hard surface for too long) Just ask what she charges or call a couple kennels by you and ask what they charge for two dogs. That will give you a range of what to pay. I would make it clear that Lance can be a little over protective with children and that you have concerns about a small child. I always leave extensive notes (you aren't the only worrywart out there) and my vet's number. Also, the number of a friend that can be called if she needs help. I also call several times to check on things. I have had my current sitter for three years and really have been happy about the care my pets have when I am gone. It also is less expensive than boarding 2 cats and 2 dogs so my husband is happy too.
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Permalink Reply by Jane Christensen on
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I agree with Bev...I am lucky though that the woman I have loves the country so she takes vacation from work to spend some quite time. Even with all the notes...I call to see how things are going. It works very well:) Since she considers it a vacation...I get by pretty cheap!
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Permalink Reply by Natalie, Lance &Tucker on
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I believe she is staying at the house, I told her she is more than welcome to stay over, and with Lance needing meds twice a day, it will be neccessary. I just hope she doesn't favor Tucker over Lance that would cause jealousy issues. See, there I go worrying about the littlest things. Glad to hear I'm not the only worrywart. Thanks for your reply.
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Permalink Reply by Marcie on
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I have never left Becca, but this is where I would start. I would have a discussion with her and ask how she feels about keeping Lance as well. Explain his needs and foibles and your anxieties. Ask her to come interact with the dogs while you are there. She may be fine with not bringing her daughter. You won't know without having the conversation. Figure out how much it would be to kennel them and pay something similar or a little less.
A friend comes when I am gone to lizard sit. She has the routine down now, but initially I had everything written down. All contingencies were covered. I let the close neighbors know who will be coming while I am gone. There have been a few problems, easily fixed with a phone call. Both revolved around power outages, easy with a dog, deadly for a lizard.
I would feel comfortable leaving Becca and Mokey with her as well. Trust your gut, but don't let your anxiety take over.
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When I originally asked her to watch Tucker she did ask if we would be leaving Lance too. Since then my husband talked me into having me ask her to watch Lance as well. I will ask her this weekend. Once I have a more detailed discussion with her, I will feel better I'm sure.
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Permalink Reply by Anna Morelli on
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It sounds like you have a very competent sitter available. I would write things down for her, keeping it simple and make sure that the dogs are OK with her when you are not in the house. I used to pet sit many years ago and, if I had a new job, I would arrange to go to the house for a visit before the people left and when they were not home, that way, if there were any issues, we could discuss them. You can do this well ahead of when you leave, that will give you both peace of mind.
Regarding the child, discuss it with her, your concerns are valid. For how much to pay her, she should tell you her fee. You can also ask for references on her pet sitting. As for your anxiety, you may just have to bite the bullet and live with it, at least for this first try..... then, if you're pleased, don't wait seven years to leave them again.
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Yes you are right Anna, I also believe we have a competent sitter. :) My husband also feels the same, so this is a great start!
I did wonder how the dogs would react to someone in the house, without us home!! I like your suggestion to try it out ahead of time, thanks!
If this works out well, we may actually be able to go on another short trip this summer without the dogs. I need to get over the idea that I am the only ones who could handle my dogs. Thanks!
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Permalink Reply by LA Stewart on
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My vet always requires a letter on file if someone else will bring in the dogs in an emergency. You may want to check on that.
I have never left my Corgis, but I used to have sitters when I had my German Shepherds. They were much more dificult to travel with. When I have left the Shepherds with a housesitter, I worried about everything. I leave extensive notes and call them to be sure everything is going well.
Be sure to tell the sitter that they are required to stay on duty until you see them or talk to them and tell them you are back home. A friend of mine had a sitter that got the dates mixed up and the dogs were alone for 3 days with a sad ending for her elderly Sheltie.
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