if you are dog boarding can you leave your home?

During the M&G, I will let owners know that, while I am home most of the time, I may have to leave to run errands, etc. I tell them that their dog will not be left alone for more than three hours, except for unusual commitments of which I will specifically inform the owner. If I don't know the dog, it will not be left alone during the first 24 hours, at a minimum. I need to establish how they behave in my home and with my own dog. Since I do not have crates or kennels, I might employ baby gates to physically separate dogs or restrict their movement. Generally dogs are allowed to roam the first floor of my home.

The most important thing is the dog's safety and communication with the owner about care you will provide their dog. Remember, in going with a Rover sitter, the client has chosen a "home" solution rather than a commercial kennel or boarding facility with a 24/7 staff. There are pros and cons with each, but in a home environment, with one caretaker, realistically speaking, that caregiver might need to go out. Usually this isn't an issue for my clients or their dogs.

I really think you need to discuss during the meet&greet to ensure that you and the dog are the right match.

There are some dogs that are used to always having a human around, and if left alone chaos can ensue (including property damage, self canine mutilation, and dog fights if another present without restricted access. ) Keep in mind that the guest dogs may behave differently in a new environment than they might at home.

For me it all depends on the dog and what they are used to. Some dogs cannot be left alone for any period of time and some are ok with short times alone. I have it in my profile that the dog will not be left alone for more than an hour, and I always discuss this with the prospects at the M&G.

If it's a short stay, less than a week, I will get all my shopping and errand running done ahead of time so I can be home with the dog their entire visit. If it's longer, again, it depends. I haven't had this situation yet, but if an owner said their dog could not ever be left alone and the request was for more than 3-4 days, I would probably decline the visit simply because I need to grocery shop every 3-4 days.

Yes, like you would with your dogs, you can go out. However, remember you have made a commitment to care for the dog(s). If your profile says that you provide potty breaks every 0-2 hours, I would expect that you are home almost all the time. You can go to appointments, errands, etc....but make sure the dogs are being taken care of well.

Most importantly, if you leave, make sure the dogs are safe and secure. Do not leave them to roam in the yard. If there may be fights, destruction, or accidents kennel them while you are gone as you would for your own dogs. Of course, should you trust them to have free roam of the house, be prepared to clean up any messes that may be made in your absence without scolding the dog(s). I've found that dogs that I board have even more separation anxiety than my rescued dog.

It really depends on the dog and what they are most comfortable with. I recommend staying with them for the first little while and if you need to go out to make sure they are in a safe place. I find putting on calm soothing music helps while I'm away and I always use baby gates to separate my dog with a boarder just for safety. Always talk with the owner if youre unsure. It never hurts to ask questions.

We also do dog walking, along with boarding, but we only board one family at a time.

My fiance and I will sometimes take turns doing the walks, but all of our boarding clients, which are 90% repeat customers, know that we do this. That we are in and out between 10am- 3pm, not 5 hours at a time, but that, just like if we owned a dog and had a job to go to, it would be home alone for periods of time, but we really limit it and tag team most of our walks.

We also usually close the door to the rest of the small house and let the dogs have the living room/kitchen area. Sometimes the entire house. Depends on the dogs. For example, one set of dogs we watch - I think we have had them maybe...90 nights now over the last 2 years? Its almost like we share custody, so they can go wherever they want.

For a first time boarder, for sure one of us would stay home and one of us would do the walks.

Some of the dogs we walk (only one family at a time as well) have very friendly dogs, and as long as both owners agree, sometimes we will take the boarders with us on some of our walks.

But I think just being honest and upfront is the best thing.

Our clients know that since we only take one family at a time, we can’t make a living on boarding alone, and they would rather have their dog be the only dog while we go out and make some money with a few walks, rather than have their dog be in a house that is boarding several dogs with a person there 24/7.

If I am boarding dogs I try and not be gone more than 2 hours, even if the dog is a perfect dog. Anything can happen. For instance a thunderstorm broke out while I was at the grocery store and thankfully I was within 5 minutes of my home or the dogs would have been scared even more. I usually dont make extended plans during my stays, but if other people want to get together I tell them we have from 12-2, or 2-4 ect.