Join Early Retirement Today
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Boarding dog
Old 04-02-2009, 09:49 AM   #1
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
bright eyed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,891
Boarding dog

Hi,
We have to travel over spring break next week and I was looking at boarding options for my pooch.

The vet and petsmart do boarding for $27-30 a nite - they both walk 2x's per day and feed them. The vet has a 8' or so dog run so other than the walks, they'd be pacing. I believe the petsmart has a little room they play around in during the day.

The third option is a local ranch that does horse and dog training. The dogs get to run outside most of the morning and afternoon, the owner has a ton of toys and equipment for them and they play in pack style. Only hitch is the kennels are outside and my pampered pooch stays inside most of the day. He's a 10 lb maltese/shihtzu, many of the dogs there are larger herder type dogs.

Anyhoo - the ranch owner said it's not a problem for the dogs, they have an igloo kennel that would protect him from wind, but just don't want him to be upset about it. She said she's taken smaller dogs inside (like chihuahuas) who can't handle it, but my dog would likely stay outside.

Any advice is appreciated!

Thanks!
__________________
If i think of something clever to say, i'll put it here...
bright eyed is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 Early Retirement and Financial Independence Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

Are you planning to be financially independent as early as possible so you can live life on your own terms? Discuss successful investing strategies, asset allocation models, tax strategies and other related topics in our online forum community. Our members range from young folks just starting their journey to financial independence, military retirees and even multimillionaires. No matter where you fit in you'll find that Early-Retirement.org is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with our members, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create a retirement blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 04-02-2009, 09:54 AM   #2
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
ziggy29's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: North Oregon Coast
Posts: 16,483
I love the dog ranch concept. It's one of the most expensive options, but if I'm on vacation, I don't want to be burdened with the guilt of putting pooch in a small enclosed area 23 hours a day. I want to enjoy myself with a clear conscience.

We send our dog (see avatar) to a dog ranch setting where she can roam and play with other dogs on several acres. It's gotten to the point where she knows when we get there and she gets very excited to go. Knowing how much she enjoys romping around with all those other dogs for 10-12 hours a day instead of being confined for 23+ hours a day makes the extra expense worth it for us and makes it easier for us to leave her behind and enjoy ourselves on vacation. And she loves wading in the ponds, too.

In your case, as long as they have the ability to take him inside if need be, I wouldn't worry too much about it.
__________________
"Hey, for every ten dollars, that's another hour that I have to be in the work place. That's an hour of my life. And my life is a very finite thing. I have only 'x' number of hours left before I'm dead. So how do I want to use these hours of my life? Do I want to use them just spending it on more crap and more stuff, or do I want to start getting a handle on it and using my life more intelligently?" -- Joe Dominguez (1938 - 1997)
ziggy29 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2009, 09:59 AM   #3
Moderator Emeritus
Rich_by_the_Bay's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 8,827
Tough choice. I probably wouldn't be happy with my 10 lb dog loosely supervised with other big dogs of unknown manners, in an open field she isn't used to.

Kennels aren't much better but at least they're safer.

Any chance of finding a reliable neighbor or friend to keep her for a fair price?
__________________
Rich
San Francisco Area
ESR'd March 2010. FIRE'd January 2011.

As if you didn't know..If the above message contains medical content, it's NOT intended as advice, and may not be accurate, applicable or sufficient. Don't rely on it for any purpose. Consult your own doctor for all medical advice.
Rich_by_the_Bay is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2009, 10:08 AM   #4
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Gotadimple's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,605
Small dog owner, here. They don't need a lot of room, but may need more protection from the elements than what would be provided at the ranch.

Either the vet or Petsmart would be fine. I'd lean towards Petsmart as they don't have a large run to themselves and the supervised play is needed to blow off steam.

-- Rita
__________________
Only got A dimple, would have preferred 2!
Gotadimple is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2009, 10:09 AM   #5
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
ziggy29's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: North Oregon Coast
Posts: 16,483
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rich_in_Tampa View Post
Tough choice. I probably wouldn't be happy with my 10 lb dog loosely supervised with other big dogs of unknown manners, in an open field she isn't used to.
Some of them segregate dogs by size (i.e. the small/toy breeds in one area, larger dogs in another area). Some of the better ones also test the temperament of dogs before releasing them to be around others. That's not perfect, but it's not like indiscriminately dropping them into a pack of other dogs without checking any of them for temperament.

Having said that, for a very small dog, a decent-sized kennel could be sufficient, but then again, my philosophy on very small dogs is that if you want a pet that size, get a cat. I'm really not up on the needs of small dogs.
__________________
"Hey, for every ten dollars, that's another hour that I have to be in the work place. That's an hour of my life. And my life is a very finite thing. I have only 'x' number of hours left before I'm dead. So how do I want to use these hours of my life? Do I want to use them just spending it on more crap and more stuff, or do I want to start getting a handle on it and using my life more intelligently?" -- Joe Dominguez (1938 - 1997)
ziggy29 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2009, 10:11 AM   #6
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
Sarah in SC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Charleston, SC
Posts: 13,566
I like the vet, honestly. They know your dog, can evaluate if something bad happens, etc. With such a tiny fellow, I'd be more leery of the ranch option. I have border collies, so it would be okay for them.
A pet sitter would be choice #1, going rate around here for a 2x day feeding and play is around $25. I have 5 dogs and 5 cats, and have only done boarding a few times, and for only the oldest girl who has since passed. The rest would not do well away from home.
__________________
“One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it's worth watching.”
Gerard Arthur Way

Sarah in SC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2009, 10:12 AM   #7
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Gotadimple's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,605
Quote:
Originally Posted by ziggy29 View Post
Having said that, for a very small dog, a decent-sized kennel could be sufficient, but then again, my philosophy on very small dogs is that if you want a pet that size, get a cat.
Oh, hush.

I've seen 50 pound hunting dogs totally intimidated by a 7 pound Yorkie who barked at them!

-- Rita
__________________
Only got A dimple, would have preferred 2!
Gotadimple is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2009, 10:15 AM   #8
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Los Angeles area
Posts: 1,708
.
__________________
learn, work, save, invest, fire
CyclingInvestor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2009, 10:16 AM   #9
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
ziggy29's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: North Oregon Coast
Posts: 16,483
One more thought: It also depends on how well your dog tolerates being alone. Our dog has some separation anxiety issues and can't stand being alone, so leaving her alone in a kennel setting almost all day seems a bit cruel. Putting her into a pack takes her mind off the fact that we're gone. Other dogs that don't have such separation issues, and especially the smaller breeds, would do better in a kennel setting.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gotadimple View Post
Oh, hush.

I've seen 50 pound hunting dogs totally intimidated by a 7 pound Yorkie who barked at them!
Oh, I know it. I almost never get barked at by 50 pound dogs. The toy breeds, on the other hand...
__________________
"Hey, for every ten dollars, that's another hour that I have to be in the work place. That's an hour of my life. And my life is a very finite thing. I have only 'x' number of hours left before I'm dead. So how do I want to use these hours of my life? Do I want to use them just spending it on more crap and more stuff, or do I want to start getting a handle on it and using my life more intelligently?" -- Joe Dominguez (1938 - 1997)
ziggy29 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2009, 10:17 AM   #10
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Los Angeles area
Posts: 1,708
Ignore my previous empty post.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rich_in_Tampa View Post
Tough choice. I probably wouldn't be happy with my 10 lb dog loosely supervised with other big dogs of unknown manners, in an open field she isn't used to.
It can be dangerous indoors too. Here a 10 lb Shih-Tzu we are babysitting is surrounded by my menacing 50 - 120 lb dogs.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg bijou.jpg (74.8 KB, 6 views)
__________________
learn, work, save, invest, fire
CyclingInvestor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2009, 10:56 AM   #11
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
bright eyed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,891
Mmm, the ranch owner is a dog trainer so I feel comfortable she would make sure they are safe - my dog is pretty social and likes to play - the real question is whether he could sleep outside in the igloo, which is on a deck that's fenced w/ about 4 by 5 or 6 feet or so.

The pet smart option seems to be the second best where they at least get to socialize indoors...
__________________
If i think of something clever to say, i'll put it here...
bright eyed is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-03-2009, 11:36 AM   #12
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
bright eyed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,891
Well, I wimped out and went with petsmart, they do a doggy day camp (extra of course!) which is just a play room during the day w/ an employee, but better than a concrete dog run like the vet...

The weather turned the last day or so and made me too nervous to leave poor poochy outside overnite! Even though the forecast is supposed to turn by the weekend, I'm not going to take the chance. We may end up taking classes at the ranch though, so all is not lost there...my daughter is probably as excited as the dog about that possibility!
__________________
If i think of something clever to say, i'll put it here...
bright eyed is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-03-2009, 10:08 PM   #13
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
youbet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Chicago
Posts: 13,151
My DS and DIL have DW and I stay at their home when they travel. That way we're there to pamper their smooth collie and over weight mixed breed cat 24 x 7. I thought that's how everyone with pets handled pet sitting while they were traveling.
__________________
"I wasn't born blue blood. I was born blue-collar." John Wort Hannam
youbet is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-04-2009, 12:42 AM   #14
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
bright eyed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,891
I wish! but everyone's coming on the trip so nobody is left to watch the pooch - usually he come's with if we're going up north or stays with my family...so I'm new to the boarding thing too!
__________________
If i think of something clever to say, i'll put it here...
bright eyed is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-04-2009, 08:54 AM   #15
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
ziggy29's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: North Oregon Coast
Posts: 16,483
Quote:
Originally Posted by youbet View Post
My DS and DIL have DW and I stay at their home when they travel. That way we're there to pamper their smooth collie and over weight mixed breed cat 24 x 7. I thought that's how everyone with pets handled pet sitting while they were traveling.
If you can find someone to do that. Last year we had to travel over one weekend on fairly short notice and were thinking about what to do with the dog. Then we remembered that one of the families at our church had their son home from college (it was in June), and hey, college kids are usually looking for easy opportunities to earn a few bucks and we knew he was responsible. So we had him stay at the house and mind the dog while we were gone.

It was easy on the dog, it was less of a hassle for us and it was a quick and easy $40 for someone to just sit around the house, watching TV and letting the dog out for occasional nature calls.
__________________
"Hey, for every ten dollars, that's another hour that I have to be in the work place. That's an hour of my life. And my life is a very finite thing. I have only 'x' number of hours left before I'm dead. So how do I want to use these hours of my life? Do I want to use them just spending it on more crap and more stuff, or do I want to start getting a handle on it and using my life more intelligently?" -- Joe Dominguez (1938 - 1997)
ziggy29 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
dog boarding, dogs


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Walkin' the Dog Purron Health and Early Retirement 8 03-26-2009 09:42 AM
Really big dog, anyone? Urchina Other topics 43 04-06-2008 12:37 PM
When to dump a Dog bearkeley FIRE and Money 16 02-19-2008 04:38 PM
Lucky the Dog Purron Other topics 1 02-09-2008 06:32 PM
I had to put my dog down Helen Other topics 32 03-08-2007 05:55 PM

» Quick Links

 
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:48 PM.
 
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.