[Patch]

My husband and i are going away for the weekend in about a month.

My sister lives about a 15 minute drive away from our place and has offered to come over to our place once a day to feed Patch.

Patch is used to being fed twice a day... how do you think he will adjust/cope with once a day feeding (mind you, we are leaving friday night and coming back sunday night, so really it will only be saturday he will be fed once.... because she will feed him sunday, and then we'll give him a feed in the evening when we get back).

I'm SO worried he is going to miss us too...

My sister isn't that keen on dogs, so I cannot imagine her fussing over him and playing with him too much either.

It is making me not want to go!

 

[gazar]

It is making me not want to go!

It is hard for us to go on trips, too. We have a neighbor teenager come in and feed the dogs and play with them. We pay her $20 per day ($5 per dog) to come over three times a day to let the dogs out, play with them, give fresh water and fill their dog food dishes. This works out to two 30 minute trips and a one hour play trip = $10 an hour. Not bad for a teenager needing some "Mall" money and cheaper than boarding and gives us peace of mind while we are gone.

 

[Bustersmommy]

I was gonna say to maybe ask a neighbor to help you guys out.This way he gets fed twice a day and let out to potty and someone to play with him.Leave a radio on for him so he hears sound and a light or night light as well and make sure you have something in his crate like a GOOD chew toy.I hope it all works out for you.We are going away for a week in June and I found someone to watch Molly but am still working on Buster,I am really picky about who watches and gets him.I have been working on my dad now for weeks as there house would be best for him but my dad hasn't caved yet.I know how you feel though.

 

[Lisa]

I really don't think that feeding him once a day while you are gone is a big deal. What is their for him to "adjust" to? He is not going to know the difference. Dogs can't tell time. He will be just fine. He is a DOG and its only a few days!

However, I am concerned you leave your dog in the backyard unattended. I hope no one steals him for one and I hope that he doesn't get into anything that may harm him. I am not sure how old he is (I asked you that in another post but you didn't answer) but he seems awful young for the amount of freedom you give him.

 

[Bustersmommy]

I really don't think that feeding him once a day while you are gone is a big deal. What is their for him to "adjust" to? He is not going to know the difference. Dogs can't tell time. He will be just fine. He is a DOG and its only a few days!

However, I am concerned you leave your dog in the backyard unattended. I hope no one steals him for one and I hope that he doesn't get into anything that may harm him. I am not sure how old he is (I asked you that in another post but you didn't answer) but he seems awful young for the amount of freedom you give him.

I must of missed something cause I didn't see that he is left out in the yard.That is something I would be very worried about.When I let Buster out I keep a close eye on him cause he finds things to chew or get into and I worry about him digging his way out and like Lisa said what if someone takes him.This past weekend I just put pad locks on my gates cause my side gate has been found unlocked several times and we dont ever use the side gate and first thing that came to mind was someone wants Buster so I put padlocks on all the gates even though I know if it is Buster they want they could hop the fence , but one more reason to keep a close eye on him.The gate issue could be kids cutting through my yard ( I have woods behind my house ) but you never know.Be careful, you just dont know who is out there.

 

[Miakoda]

I recommend a reputable & responsible boarding kennel. Chances are if someone notices your car gone & knows you have a "pit bull" breed, then you will most definitely come home to a full food bowl & an empty yard.

 

[Patch]

Patch is 4 months old now.
There are a few dogs in our neighbourhood (including two pitt-bulls next door) who live in their yard.
There has never been a problem with dog-napping or anything else in our area.
Although, i would still be worried.... i get worried when im at work during the day that he's gone!!
I couldn't ask a neighbour to look after him while we're away.... some of my neighbours aren't particularly friendly towards me because I complain to the Strata Managers frequently about parking problems within the townhouse complex... people block the driveways off etc... so i'm not the most liked person in the complex!
they would never do anything to me though.... i'm just NOT the loved neighbour.
there is one old couple i COULD possibly ask to help, and the old lady likes dogs and thinks Patch is cute.... but i have severe trust issues with people that aren't friends or family when it comes to looking after my Patch!

I think i've decided to have my brother house-sit at my place for the weekend.
He is out a fair bit though... he DJ's at niteclubs on saturday nights, but at least he'll be there during the day.
If he won't be home for a while, i'll get my sister to come over for a bit.

Gosh, I didn't think it would be this hard to organise a weekend away!

It's my husband's 30th b'day, so i wanted to do something nice for him... (even though the heart isn't in it cos i don't want to leave my baby!!!!)

do you think it's terrible that Patch is left home in the yard all day?

He has a gorgeous big kennel, and PLENTY of toys, including chew toys (that he buries!) and balls.
and yes, he digs my garden, but i'm over the frustration about that.
we're buying him a sand-pit this weekend to try to divert his digging attention away from the yard...

he's such a well-behaved dog in the house, but we can't leave him alone in it...

 

[Shay78]

Im going to Florida In July for 5 days. I am gonna leave Rex with My sister. She has a shitzu pup. They will both be in their crates and she has 2 teen boys who will most likely have Rex because they want a pitbull so bad. I never even thought of leaving a dog alone. I have seen plenty of people do it and i see nothing wrong with it but I wouldnt leave mine and mainly not in a yard because what if it rains or it becomes cold I live in New Jersey and its still cold at night.

 

[Patch]

well he has a huge kennel with loads of pillows so he is warm. plus, we're in Sydney, Australia so it doesn't get very cold... even in winter. when it rains, he has not only his kennel but a large pergola where our outdoor furniture is.
its not the climate im worried about.
its more the fact he won't be getting the exercise and attention.

i'm going to speak with my brother about house/dog-sitting for that weekend.

otherwise, i know i wont enjoy myself knowing Patch is alone.

i can't leave him with my parents because my mother absolutely hates dogs, and won't allow him in the house.
and my sister has two children and she also has chrones disease which makes her extremely tired. she wouldn't be able to look after him too.

it is just so hard!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Shay78]

Ohhh duh I didnt see you were in Australia lol. I hope your brother can do it for ya