Canine pension, petsitter, kennel or holidays with your dog?
As you know I do EVERYTHING with my Labradamour: Musher (the site's mascot). For us the holidays are together or nothing. On the other hand, as you know all too well, it's not always easy to take your dog on vacation and some of you may not be able to go with him. In this case, a bunch of questions arise: where to keep my dog, how much does a dog kennel cost, is there a dog sitter at home or can we and how to have our dog looked after by an individual?
Don't panic, there are several solutions to save your doggie's vacation if you can't take him on board (plane, non-dog-friendly accommodation, etc.). Here is a list of the different existing solutions on the market.
Petsitter at home – your dog stays at home
What is it about ? It's simple, when you go on vacation, your doggie stays at home and a dog lover comes to take care of him during your vacation! Walks, games, food, your dog might (almost) not notice your absence. This is ideal for anxious dogs as this form of guarding allows them to maintain their own environment, habits and cues. Before the holidays, plan a few meetings and walks with the petsitter you have chosen so that he gets to know your doggie and that you can tell him everything you need to know about your companion: what he loves, what he is afraid, the stupid things he is likely to do… Specify in detail the mission of the petsitter with him: how many visits per day? how many outputs? should he send you pictures of your loulou? Many sites exist to find your ideal petsitter. Be careful, they are always paying.
Canine pension – holiday club for sociable dogs
This place is like a dog holiday club where he will find lots of friends to have fun. Be careful, your dog must be very sociable to enjoy this type of holiday. Find out about the establishment well in advance because not all of them offer the same services: group or separate activities and walks, collective or single enclosures, size of the enclosure, freedom area where the dogs are released several times a day, summary daily newspaper and photos of your loulou on your mobile…
By taking this precaution, there are no unpleasant surprises. Only you know your dog and this upstream research will allow you to find an establishment that will really meet his needs.
My family living in the four corners of France, going there by plane would be super convenient but it means leaving Musher for a few days in boarding house. For my part, I have never found the right pension for her. I've visited several...couldn't bring myself to leave Musher there. If you know any wonderful places; save your tips online!
Foster dog family: cuddled and pampered like at home
Foster families are also for dogs. Here your dog finds his place in a surrogate family during your vacation. He is also going on vacation! Your doggie will receive adequate supervision throughout your stay to ensure his well-being and safety, with play and walk times of course. He finds himself in the family, pampered and cuddled by animal lovers. Before dropping him off for a few days, also plan a meeting beforehand to check if your dog feels comfortable with this new family. Preferably opt for a meeting in the foster home to see where your favorite companion will live for a few days. And if the hosts already have animals, it will allow everyone to meet.
The exchange between individuals
It is a simple and free solution. Let me explain: let's imagine that I go on vacation without Musher. I entrust it to you for a few days. And when it's your turn to go on vacation, it's me who keeps your loulou. In addition to being free, this solution allows you to meet people and, if all goes well, to renew the experience from one year to the next, which is reassuring for your dog and for you. It's a give-and-take solution: different from the petsitter you have to pay for the services rendered.
The solution I prefer: go with Musher!
Hikes, walks, swimming, visits... it's unlimited activity. We share together wonderful moments of complicity and new experiences. For me it is necessarily THE ideal solution. Musher is a member of my family, leaving her for a few days is always heartbreaking for me. The few times I had to, I think I was more unhappy than her. I pissed off the friends who warned her to receive news and photos. I felt a bit lonely without my four-legged shadow…
Going on vacation with your doggie is a great way to spend time with him outside of daily walks. Traveling with his dog is also a way to socialize him: he discovers unknown places and lots of new friends. He will have to adapt to all these novelties: it will give him self-confidence.
Latest tips
Whatever the care system you opt for, think about meeting the people who will take care of your dog, going to see the places and above all bring your dog with you so that he can visit the place with you for the first time. It will be less stressful for him to go back there: the place will already be familiar to him. And then it's very important that he has a positive experience of the place: you go there together and you leave together, that will give him confidence.
When you leave without your dog: does he feel abandoned? We all ask ourselves this question I think… Above all, when you leave, no tears, no hugs as if it were the last time you see each other, no outpouring of emotions… Hold back! Your dog should not sense your stress. He must feel that vacations are cool and that he's going to have a lot of fun here.
Anticipation is essential so as not to stress your doggie. You will need to check that all his vaccinations are up to date: you will be asked to bring his health record.
And for those who are lucky enough to be able to take their best friend with them this summer: remember to consult the list of all our great vacation plans online!