Gotta leave my boxer girl for days! NEED ADVISE!

[alclemmo]

We are going on vacation and will be gone 5 days. This is the first time that we have to leave our precious boxer girl. We are dreading it! We have an 8 year old Lab also. He has been left before and knows the routine.

We are trying to decide if we want to leave them at home and have my sister come by several times a day to feed and let them out. Or... take them to a kennel. It's a tough decision for me! Let me give you a few more details so you can better know the situation to advise me!

The kennel is a very nice one... well the nicest one I've seen in our area. The owner is a huge dog lover. She rescues dogs. She keeps them in a house that she has converted solely to house dogs. She has put up wall dividers in the rooms of the house to separate the dogs... so they have their own little space.... but can still see and hear the other dogs. It is all air conditioned. They even have a tv playing animal shows. The dogs also get several hours outside. She separates the dogs as need be outside. It seems like a really nice place. It was extremely clean inside. I was very impressed.

So... here is my thing with the kennel. When we took the tour... all of the dogs looked so sad... like they couldn't stand being there. They were all barking hysterically. We couldn't hear ourselves talk. All I could think... was my little Zoey is not going to like this. All of this will get on her nerves. Plus... it will drive my 8 year old Lab crazy too. I just almost hate the thought of it.

So... my other option with letting them stay home... they will stay in our garage. It is air conditioned. They have their beds, food... etc in the garage. But they will be locked up in the garage until my sister comes to let them out. When she lets them out... Zoey will be wild... running etc. We live on lots of acreage. There is a pond nearby. Zoey likes to make trips to the pond. So... if my sister is limited for time... she will have to round her up before leaving. So.. it might be a hassle for her. And I will worry that there might be a possibility that Zoey might not return from the pond or something.

So... my dilemma is... let them stay home and be in their familiar surrounding... or take them to the kennel and know that at least they will be completely safe! I want them to be comfortable. But I also want to be comfortable and not worry so I can enjoy my vacation.

Anyone have any input. This is my first boxer... so I would love to hear how boxers react to being left by their owners for days at a time. I know how my Lab does. He's older and laid back.. and goes with the flow. But I have no clue how Zoey will react. Maybe knowing this will help me make my decision. I HOPE!! (Zoey is 10 months old by the way)

THANKS!!

 

[elgerdes]

Is there anyway your sister can stay at your house? That would be my vote. 95% of the time we have our families watch Zoe. The only time in the forceable future that we would have to bring Zoe to an overnight daycare is our wedding (families want to party).

My second question would be: What time of year are you leaving? Will there be storms that could frighten the dogs? How about if a tree gets downed in your yard, causing the fence to collapse? Would your sister do a "perimeter check?" I only ask because we had the same issue with our fence (but we were home).

Ultimately, if she can't stay there my vote is doggie daycare. But check out other ones, keep your options open.

 

[Cyrus2005]

I also would see if your sister could just stay at your house, that way Zoey, still being a puppy can get more attention.
If you are worried about Zoey running off, maybe provide a leash or a long line for your sister to use when her time is limited.

 

[sandy's mom]

What part of Alabama are you in?

 

[Sansal]

Why would they have to stay in the garage?
Maybe you could check out some more kennel facilities, or even find someone that would be willing to watch them at their house (or at your house?). Personally I use a dogsitter that is able to keep them at her house when we are going on vacation without the dogs (which doesn't happen a lot, ). I know that it would be hard for Happy and Sky to be left alone at home with only a few breaks during the day.

 

[Cami]

*Disclaimer*
I own a pet sitting company and I don't have siblings. :D
I have no idea how sibling relationships work.

How well do you trust your sister in the reliability department?
Do you trust that she will come in at scheduled times? Feed the correct amount of food? Keep the dogs on leash if you have concerns about the pond? Is she able to notice anything out of the ordinary like health issues for example?

Is the garage where the dogs typically spend their days? If not I would be suspect in that area. Something new plus their family being gone a week could present problems you didn't anticipate.

IMO, the kennel idea doesn't seem adequate. People who work with animals for a living MUST love them however it doesn't make all of them great at their jobs! Hysterically barking dogs would bother me. The fact that the lady rescues dogs is a good thing however how well does she know these dogs?
Running a boarding facility is different in that typically the owner/employees learn the personalities of the dogs being boarded over time and those same dogs return.
I don't know what this set up is really like but bringing in dogs via rescue could be problematic if new ones are showing up on a daily basis.
I also wouldn't like that the potential for health issues might be present in some of those rescued dogs. Just my opinion though!

I'd vote for your sister if you trust her abilities with your pets 100% or hiring a pet sitter to come in verses the kennel.

I've cared for dogs of all ages and breeds and have yet to have any owner not be 100% pleased upon their return. Younger, destructive, not housebroken dogs are crated between visits or contained in certain doggy proof areas between visits. I also would NEVER allow a dog off lease access to a pond so if it were me caring for your dogs I would tell you right up front that if they are outside near that pond they would be on a leash. It is only for a week and it is better to be safe than sorry.