How much for watching our dog?

[TahoeDirtGirl]

You are lucky to have a neighbor that will do it. I miss my neighbor in Tahoe right now because they would do it for free! I had to board my dog (yes I dragged her to the East coast via car!) it was $24 a day plus $4 for walking and extra play time. I have to say I'm in the market to find a reliable trustworthy person to do it now because that was probably her first and last kennel stay. I interviewed people to do it and they almost seemed like it was something they would 'fit in'. They asked between $16 to $20 to make the visit and it was about a 30 min visit as they said. To give meds was more. I would rather have someone just stay here (I have a cute house on the water) and well...forget that...people wanted $70 per night. I thought, they should be paying me! as one was excited to get away from her roommates! so I'm still in the market. Sigh...I wish my neighbors were more friendly...

With that giant ramble...I would say if she's coming over twice a day, I would give her between $16 and $20 because she's right there, and no gas to burn!

One thing I would suggest is to please take your valuables like jewelry, cash (aka small stuff) that you have in the house to a security deposit box or other place. Not that you shouldn't trust your neighbor but a long time ago I had someone I didn't know that well check on my dog and I still have a watch and necklace missing. It just makes it so you don't get put in a bad position...have a good trip!!!

[michelem]

Another Northern Californian here, and I agree that boarding prices are insane here. When we lived in AZ, a woman from our church boarded dogs in her home (she had us sign a contract and everything . . . very professional, but provided the TLC we wanted our "kids" to have while we were away). She charged us $25/day for both dogs! We never knew what a bargain that was until moving here. The people who watch pets in their homes charge AT LEAST $30/day PER DOG. So, that would be a minimum of $60/day for our two small beagles. Boarding them at the PetSmart Hotel would be $30/day as well. This does not include play times, food, etc. That is all extra. We've settled on a place in West Sac, about 25 miles away. Both dogs are allowed to board together in the same small room (it is their smallest room, but it is bigger than the crate they sleep in at home). They get two full hours of play time with other dogs their size (two one-hour play times per day). Also, the food is included. They come home WORN OUT. It still comes out to a little under $60/day, so we only use them about once a year. We try to plan as many trips with the dogs as possible. A new place is supposed to be opening here in Folsom soon. Sounds like they'll be charging the going rate of $30/dog/day, but we'll see if they offer a discount for "roomates" and include playtime, food, etc. If so, it would sure be nice to have a place close by . . .

For someone to watch your dog in your home or theirs, I would say $20-$30/day is fair . . .

[Tuckervill]

TahoeDirtGirl, I'll drive up to Tahoe and watch your dogs for a week, for free, in exchange for a place to stay in Tahoe!

Actually, I know lots of people who do that in the homeschooling community. House trades and/or house sitting for free, for the chance to try a new place. I'll bet there's an online network like warm showers for that kind of traveler.

Karen

[roadie gal]

Our local kennel charges $35/24hr/dog. The trainer that we used when we first got the dogs will board select dogs that she knows. She charges $35 for the first dog and $25 for the second. The dog sitter visits for $20/visit to feed and walk both dogs.

When we've had someone house sit we paid $25/day.

[dakay]

I usually trade boarding with some of my dog training friends now, but several years ago I used an outfit called Pet Vacations. They maintained a list of families willing to watch your dog in their home and paired you up with someone close to you. An advance visit made sure that you felt comfortable with the home and they were fine with your dog. I don't remember the cost but it was very reasonable for 2 dogs and my dogs came home much happier than they would have been at a kennel. Maybe there is a service like that near you.

Kathy

[Tri Girl]

I pay the neighborhood girl about $12/day to feed my dogs. She rides her bike to my house and feeds all 3 dogs- which takes about 20 min. total. She's a former student of mine, and I feel quite comfortable with her in my house. I was wondering myself if that's an OK amount to pay her, and judging from your responses- it's not too bad.
Now I have a new neighbor next door who offers to feed them for free when we're gone. I just buy him a bottle of wine and he's paid in full.

[xeney]

MicheleM, it sounds like we are using the same kennel. This is our first time using that one in West Sac and I have no idea how it is working out. Our three dogs had to be separated -- two together, one on his own -- and they are used to boarding together.

A friend uses that kennel and loves it, and it is much more convenient to our house than the very expensive and totally fabulous kennel we used to use. That one is out in Loomis, and we love it, but they doubled their prices and it is now about $100/day to board our dogs, plus a half hour drive each way.

[sundial]

I count myself as being very lucky to have a relative of a friend that is happy to just hang out at our house with the puppers. He comes self contained with a tote of his food, paper goods, videos, and laptop. He launders, vacuums and cleans the house and in return he's content to be paid whatever amount we bestow (which is about $15/day). We usually leave him cash for pizza and emergencies as well.