Finding a dog/house sitter

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Limbo1

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I am having a total nightmare finding a sitter. We are first time dog owners and our pup will be 9 months when we go away at Easter. I never imagined it would be so hard to find a sitter. Every year we get the horses, cats etc sorted but add a dog to the mix!!

Any advice or places to look??
 
Usually the best are locally by word of mouth and most good ones will already be booked up for the busy periods.

Sorry that doesn't help! Have you considered approaching a family member or friend. This is what we do. We pay them the going rate, and for friends/ family who are further afield it's a bit like them having a mini-break.
 
Thanks, yes done all family - bit limited there as one half don't like dogs! I was hoping a friends daughter who is at Uni fancied it but no - not glam enough!

A friend has offered to have him stay with her but the have quite different rules regarding where in house theirs is allowed and on furniture. Theirs is allowed everywhere and on sofa and ours only kitchen and boot room - so not sure if our pup will get very confused! Also unsprayed bitch and Dog!

Other option is kennels but really want to avoid it due to his age.
 
Oh, OK, I thought if it was Essex way I might know someone. Personally I would put a young dog in kennels rather than leave it with someone strange. If you can find a really good small kennels I would go for it. He may hate it but he won't be ruined and will be safe.
 
Limbo1 said:
Thanks, yes done all family - bit limited there as one half don't like dogs! I was hoping a friends daughter who is at Uni fancied it but no - not glam enough!

A friend has offered to have him stay with her but the have quite different rules regarding where in house theirs is allowed and on furniture. Theirs is allowed everywhere and on sofa and ours only kitchen and boot room - so not sure if our pup will get very confused! .
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Maybe - but in the short term would it really do much harm?

When dogs stay with us they're on the sofa and in the bed! We like them to be part of the family....
 
We went away for the first time since having Heck in December. I got a FAB house sitter to do the dog and horse.

The dog was a stray, who was also quite nervous. He has been fine with us lately, but was nervous with her. Soooooo...... she slept on the sofa with him all night!

When we came home he was a little put out that we were not also spending the night on the sofa with him, and he had to go into his enclosed area and to bed!

He was confused, but it was still better than kennels for him. I was pleased the sitter went so far to have him comfortable. I am sure she was not comfortable herself!
 
Limbo1 said:
Thanks, yes done all family - bit limited there as one half don't like dogs! I was hoping a friends daughter who is at Uni fancied it but no - not glam enough!

A friend has offered to have him stay with her but the have quite different rules regarding where in house theirs is allowed and on furniture. Theirs is allowed everywhere and on sofa and ours only kitchen and boot room - so not sure if our pup will get very confused! Also unsprayed bitch and Dog!

Other option is kennels but really want to avoid it due to his age.
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I would go with your friend tbh. The unspayed bitch will only be a problem if she is in season.
 
If they stay somewhere else with different rules, it's at least in a different house and really won't hurt for a week.

My mum is renting somewhere in Devon in Easter and we said we would only come if dog friendly as so many nice walks by the coast. Sadly our dog unexpectedly had to be PTS- but we will hopefully have a new rescue by then and my mum new not to say to the rental there would no longer be a dog!

I'm in west Berkshire if you get stuck!
 
Thanks all - another friend has since offered to take him and has a similar home setup to us. So I think we will go with that. Thanks all for advice and next year I will be sorting a sitter out much earlier!
 
My horse help also does dog walking, training and over night sitting. She is fully booked for July/August. I found out why when I asked how much she charges, she been seriously undercharging, some of them get her up frequently in the night,so I have told her to up her charges.
If its a pup I would let it go to kennels, its all part of experience, if it has a nice time if it ever needs to go again it will not be so traumatic. If you really want it to stay at home some of the freelance grooms, dog walkers may do it.
 
I know a good sitter in Market Lavington. My dog goes there at least one day a week when I am in the office and all holidays. PM me if you want her details for future use. It pays to have someone you know on call for emergencies anyway even if you don't have any more trips planned.
 
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