One of the things that I take a lot of care and consideration with is who will keep my dogs when I’m out of town. I love to travel and I make time every year to get to a new fun place, as well as to visit some friends/family who live out of state. I want my dogs to be with someone I trust, with someone they have experience with, are comfortable with, and for them to have a good time while I’m away.
For my puppy, I am considering positive situations for him, expanding the circle of who he trusts/feels comfortable with, and how to get him more comfortable with me being away a couple of times a year. It can feel hard to leave your dog but it’s also essential. If you don’t leave, then they don’t experience your return. The key is to give your dog practice and set them up for success so that as you travel more, your dog is comfortable with it, understands you will come back, and feels safe/loved in their vacation spot.
Here are some of the options for what your dog might do when you go out of town and cannot take them with you:
Boarding at a facility - Ideally the same place they go to daycare. Daycare can be a first step to more comfort with the place and a way to acclimate them before they spend the night. Try a trial night and see how they do before you book multiple overnights.
A pet sitter who stays at your home - If you find someone who can stay at your home, make sure that you feel comfortable with them too. They will be in your space. You also want to ensure that they are going to be home enough during the day. My pups are used to me working from home and being in/out for appointments up to 4 hours at a time. If your petsitter has an office job and will be gone for 7-8 hours/day, what will the pups do during that time?
A pet sitter who boards dogs - If your dog is friendly and comfortable with other dogs, this can be a great option. Make sure that you take the time to go to the home, meet her/his dog(s) and ask about how many other dogs might be boarding at the time. If you have a puppy like I do, ask about crating and pottying (you want your puppy to stay on track) and if she’s going to have other dogs stay, how will she ensure they are puppy-friendly?
A friend/family member - Sometimes a friend or family member who knows your dog is the best dog-sitter b/c there is an established bond and there is trust between you/them. Consider whether or not this will tax them. For Silas as a puppy, going to daycare while staying at a friend’s could be a good option so that he has something during the day that doesn’t affect my friend’s work schedule/routine and he has a cozy spot to stay at night.
Another dog parent who can do trades with you - This one can be golden if you find it. Does your dog have a dog friend that they love to go on walks with or to have playdates with? If so, could you have them keep your dog while you travel and then when they travel, you keep theirs?
No matter which avenue you choose, make sure to give your dog practice in that setting, with that person BEFORE your trip. If you have a trip coming up, consider what things need to happen to test it out. I recently went to Chicago with my boyfriend for 5 days and it was the first time that I was away from Silas since his gotcha day. To ensure that he was comfortable, I did the following:
I asked a good friend (Lillian) about keeping him for some of the time that I was away and also gave him one night at his daycare/boarding spot to practice. Made a plan for him to be with her Friday - Monday morning, then drop at daycare, stay overnight and I would pick him up on Tuesday afternoon after my return.
I had him go to daycare at a place that could also be a boarding spot and saw that he was comfortable/happy there. He’d been probably 7 times before I was away for the trip.
I had him meet Lillian, and her boyfriend, and their dog. We watched the dogs interact and ensured that Silas and her dog were a good fit (Pics coming!)
What’s your next trip and what’s your plan for your new puppy? Do yourself a favor and plan for your puppy’s time away from you like you plan for your time in whatever destination you are visiting!