Boarding at Vets.

[Great90wt]

We're going on a one week vacation next month and unfortunately have to leave our three little ones at home. I've reminded my family that this will be the last family vacation we go on if they don't rent a dog friendly house next time. We'll pay the extra.

Our first thought was to get my mother in law to stay at our place so our dogs could stay in their own home. Well, that's out because my MIL is having leg problems. We live out in the country and doggy daycare is few and far between. So we figure our 2nd best option, (best is to take them with us), is to board them at our vets. Besides family, the vet and his staff are the most familiar to our dogs. They are the little barky celebrities at the vets office. The can stay together with their own beds and toys.

Any thoughts on what we should leave for them? We're going to leave them with food, jugs of water from the house, and plenty of their toys. I'm going to leave a list of contact numbers and emergency contacts.

[Jenn]

Well, every vet is different. The first time I boarded Charlie, I left some treats and a toy for him plus his blankie. They told me that the blankie would prolly end up dirty and that they have special beds for them, I left it anyway. Well, get back and go to pick him up and the blankie has disappeared and not one of his chewis or toys was given to him. Needless to say, I have never left anything with him ever again. I hate leaving him there and did not do so all last summer plus too I never went anywhere but this time there is a weekend fishing trip comming up and a wedding where I will be gone for 6 days. I am dreading it and I could have my sister loook in on him at home but 6 days and nights mostly by himself worries me a little. At least at the vet he can run outside at least twice a day. Plus too if any medical emergency arrises he will already be there...but I know at home he will be more comfortable...it is kinda tit for tat.

[Orchid Crazy]

We board Buddy at our vets and he loves it there and they love him. He gets play time every day, they play fetch with him and love on him. He drags me into their office any time we go, so I know he loves it and the folks there. I don't bring his toys, only food, treats and vitamins. They have their own blankets and beds and he always comes home with a new toy. Just check with them on what they want you to bring.

[nmgirl98]

What I've done in the past is to buy new blankies/toys - 'cheapies' if you will - a couple of weeks before going to be boarded. I put away her favorite blankie and let her get her smell all over the new one. Then I can leave those there with her without worrying about if I'll get back her favorite stuff.

[Tucker's Mom]

I'm not sure where you're going on vacation; but, is it a possibility that there would be a daycare or boarding kennel anywhere near where you'll be? That way, you could go and visit with the puppers and maybe take them on a day trip or something. Just a thought. I know how hard it is to leave these little ones. Good Luck. Enjoy your vacation.

[Suzanne R]

Be sure to leave something with your smell, if that's an option. That will be reassuring, I would think. I've left mine at the vet's for boarding when I had no choice, and I hated it! They didn't seem to be the worse for wear.

[Great90wt]

We thought of taking them with and boarding them, however we felt it was better for the dachsies to stay near their vet if they cannot be with us. He knows them pretty well, he's been seeing Peanut and Bubba since birth and Ozzy since we adopted him.

We plan on buying them some toys about a week before we go, and let them get the toys all 'customized' (slobbery) for the week and send the toys with them. Also, they know grandma (my MIL) very well and she can visit if her leg is feeling better.

[cunhvn]

Take their beds!!!!! And blankies!!!!! Any and ALL toys! As well as treats and write down times for treats, I had to board mine at the vets and I even put the food in sandwich bags with their names on them along with their treats for each day as well with their names on them and the times to feed on them also! The vet loved that I had made it so easy for his staff, but they ended up staying at the vets house with his family as he like my furbabies:) Bring anything that they are used to that is ok to leave there for their comfort, and make sure any and all meds to take their also, as well as any instructions! Have a great bacation!!!!

[Lazydaisy]

This is a tough decision. I can understand how you feel. What part of michigan are you at? We dont know anybody here whom we can trust to watch our daisy for us so everytime when we go on vacation, we have to bring daisy to the pet hotel. We are planning on 2-3 weeks vacation (oversea) in the end of this year and I still dont know what to do with daisy. I really dont want let her stay in the pet hotel for 2-3 weeks but really dont have any choices. I wish I could find someone who loves dachshunds and willing to watch our baby for us though. After we put up a fence in our yard, I dont mind watching DBB's dachshunds. :0210:

[Suzanne R]

It is a tough decision. However, at least being at the vet's, they are safe, have medical care at hand, and you won't have to worry about them. I've had to board at the vet's in the past, too, and it's not the greatest, but it's safe.

[Amos' Mom]

Can you find a house setter? I work at a Vets and I love them but I would never leave my dogs there! No one is there from 5:30PM till 8:00AM the next morning and that is the part that bothers me! Things can happen in that time. If your vet does boarding along with being a vet that would be great but when they don't and there doing you a favor most of the time your dogs will not be tended to all night. This is not just were I work because I have a friend at another vets and the same thing happens there. At our vets when they do clients a favor and board someone pets we all volunteer to take turns to come in and check on the pet. And guess what happens when no one wants to come in - they are left alone! Sorry this is just from someone who knows what goes on behind closed doors.