When we first got our Goldendoodle poodle mix dog. We timed things perfectly. (Sarcastically). We had our big 2 week vacation in the middle of summer at the same time as our puppy was weaning away from his mother’s milk. So timing wise it was just the worst to go on a vacation. I had to ask the Breeder if they could keep our puppy with his Mom for just an extra week since we were out of town. Luckily she was ok with keeping RickyBobby for that extra 8 days or so. It was so sad coming back and he was the only one still there.. We got lucky this time some breeders will just say, “pick up the dog or we’re keeping”. But what about our next vacation? Or what happens if you are going out of town, and your husband won’t be home because he’s going to golf all weekend away? There are many times we as Dog owners might be away from our Poodle Mix Dog. I’ve got some great advice when you are looking for options to watch your cute puppy. Also there is a link here for a great article when looking for a Goldendoodle Breeder.
Options for Goldendoodle Dog Sitters
Let’s look at some of the options that I looked at over the last couple years.
- Family Members- They are great if you have them close. Definitely the best choice!
- Friends- Friends are just like family members. (Alexa Play “You’ve got a friend in me”)
- Doggy Boarding Locations in your area- Do your research!
- Veterinarians, Dog Bath Locations, Or Some Pet Stores, ETC.
- Personal Dog Sitters & Independent Solo Businesses.
Dog Boarding Locations for Goldendoodles
Looking for a dog sitter at a Dog Boarding local spot, is a good idea if you don’t have a friend or family member who can help out and watch your Goldendoodle here are a few tips when looking for a Dog boarding location that will keep your dog safe!
1.Do your research online. We all use phones, social media of some kind, or at least read reviews! Check reviews and really dig deep into them. I like to start with 1-Star reviews and go up from there. Also the more review the better!
2.Go to the actual location yourself! This one should be an obvious one. Go in, meet the employees, and owner if you can. See the dogs there now and if you get a good vibe or feel good about the people, that’s a good sign!
3. Do a test run, try out at least two different locations. Try the same process on both locations. You will get a difference right away. If you know it’s a long trip maybe even try 3 or more.
4. Price isn’t everything! Just because someone is a little less expensive, or you see a drastic difference in price there usually is a reason why and with most things “You Get What you Pay For”.
Family Members & Friends
My advice here is to have your family member go to your house! Ask them to house sit to make it easier on your puppy. That way your Goldendoodle knows he’s at home and can be a lot more comfortable around his new Dog Sitter. If they aren’t able to come to your place, then I recommend a few tips.
1. Have your family member come to your place to let the dog out, go for a walk, and feed and water the Dog. They don’t have to stay all night but at least coming by 3-5 times a day to play with the Goldendoodle while your away.
2. If your family member or Friend can’t do that then the next best option is to prep your dog for a sleepover at his temporary dog sitters house.
3. Get all belongings your dog loves to play with. Grab his/her bed and of course some of your dog’s favorite treats.
this way your Dog will at least have some level of comfort from home while the dog is having fun at your family’s house.
Doing the above few steps can really help to ease the anxiety your pet will be going through once you do leave and they are alone. Especially if it’s your first trip away from the puppy! So make sure to help your Goldendoodle be as comfortable as possible because the last thing you want is a misbehaved dog while your away!
Veterinarians, Independent Dog sitters
Some Veterinarians have the capacity and do offer Doggy Boarding. I would check local listings. Not all Veterinarians are equipped to handle short term doggy boarding but everyone is different so be sure to call around. Also more and more popular these days are Dog Sitters, or Dog Walkers. They can come to your house while your gone and pick up your dog for a walk and time to go potty. This is a great option for some dog owners who are away. It is usually pretty affordable as well when compared to a full time Dog Boarding pricing. Again same as the veterinarians who offer dog boarding just do your research and find the best one in your area that can work for your situation. The most important thing is they love dogs in general, and give you a good energy and make your dog feel comfortable that is the most important aspect when searching for a dog sitter for your Goldendoodle.
What is your experiecne with finding a Dog sitter for your puppy while you were away? Comment below would love to hear your ideas on the best options for a Goldendoodle Dog sitter.
