What to do with dogs?

Lilo06 · February 2009

DH and I live 2000 miles away from our families, we're too cheap to board our dogs while I'm in the hospital having the baby, and our close friends all have very young kids and are busy enough with their own lives. So, I'm thinking of putting the dogs in the garage (when plenty of water, toys, and food) when we leave for the hospital and having DH come home to let them out and spend some time with them after the baby is born. (Depending on how long I'm in labor, DH might be ready for a break by then anyway, right?) We live about 20 min from the hospital. Is this reasonable?

FWIW, the garage is not temperature-controlled, but March where we live is very mild; if anything, we may have to put a fan in there if it gets a little warm. Obviously, we would also clear out the garage as much as possible to remove any potential hazards, like chemicals. And I know that labor could take 2 hours or 20, but it's not a big deal if the dogs mess in the garage, and I feel like one or two days of "neglect" (compared to the attention they usually get) isn't going to hurt anything.

What are you all who have pets planning to do with them when you go into the hospital?

amberwc · February 2009

I don't know if you have a fenced yard, but at least while you're in labor leaving them outside might be an option. That way neither of you have to worry about what the dogs are doing (or peeing on) while you're in labor. Move them to the garage after the baby is born.

FWIW, DH is planning on going back and forth after the baby comes.

scooterpie85 · February 2009

boarding the dogs is really not expensive and they are taken good care of while they are there!

RichInLove · February 2009

I personally think it's a bad idea. You're going to mess with their schedule, they'll feel abandoned and to top it off, you're coming home with a new member of the family (which will really mess with them). I think boarding is a much better idea because at least they'll get walked and get attention/love, and not as expensive as you might think.

grettaz · February 2009

DHs step-brother is going to come stay with our dogs while we are in the hospital. If I didn't have anyone to come stay with them then I would board them. I am not comfortable leaving them alone overnight. I'm an overprotective doggie mommy.

soon2Bclc · February 2009

I would board them. I don't care how much it costs, there is no reason for them to be locked in a garage for a couple of days. I would also be concerned if they bark or howl much, they may be annoyances to neighbors who may call to complain. Unless there is absolutely no way to afford it, board them.

GRKaters · February 2009

I'd spring for the boarding this time.

Jess&Greginlove · February 2009

We're probably going to have our ILs watch our dog like they always do. If we didn't we probably would board her. Personally, I could not leave her alone in the house or in the garage; it would just make me worry too much. Cats are a different story - much more self-sufficient. Sorry not much help. Could a neighbor possibly keep an eye on them at least?

freeburger16 · February 2009

amberwc:
I don't know if you have a fenced yard, but at least while you're in labor leaving them outside might be an option. That way neither of you have to worry about what the dogs are doing (or peeing on) while you're in labor. Move them to the garage after the baby is born.

FWIW, DH is planning on going back and forth after the baby comes.

I definitely wouldnt leave them outside under ANY circumstances, no matter what the weather. There are a hundred things that could go wrong in that scenario.

I would just board them - they are safe and well looked after. A day or two shouldn't be that expensive either.

njkitty · February 2009

do you have a friend you could trust to let the dogs out? i was thinking of doing that... i have a trustworthy animal-loving friend and i figured we'd just leave her a key to let the dog out... otherwise we'll board our pooch.

lincoln64 · February 2009

My aunt is going to watch our dog. I would definitely board her if I wasn't able to have her stay with family. Or, ask your vet for a pet sitter recomendation. There may be someone in the area who would watch them for you at a cheaper rate.

cspence1 · February 2009

The only way I would leave them in the garage is if you give your neighbor or someone you are kinda close with the garage door opener, so they can let them out, but just lock your house... then if you are paranoid about them going in you wont have to worry about it... dont leave them all alone you arent for sure how long you will be gone, and most anyone wouldnt have a prob with it.. you are pg woman..understandable!

blewis2323 · February 2009

I think that is totally fine. I will likely do the same. I have left my dog overnight before, and she doesnt mind at all. so what if she pees in the garage? its easy to clean, she has water and food, her bed and toys. Not a big deal. Every dog is different, but my dog is super laid back and actually prefers her "alone time" as opposed to a kennel full of other dogs. she is much more relaxed at home than all stressed from the other pets at the kennel.

care22 · February 2009

Ummmm...I'd board them until you're done laboring. They bring them home and then dH can take care of them on a regular schedule. It's NEVER good to leave dogs for more than a day in any situation. I live in a farily expensive area for boarding and for 1 day it's less tahn $70. I'd pay the 70 for piece of mind. FWIW. I had a Csection, but we live 35 minutes from teh hospital and while I was recouping and the time I was in the hospital, DH was able to care for them. So it' sonly maybe 1 or 2 days in the boarding facility.

hawindrem · February 2009

Mine will be staying in the fenced yard with plenty of food and water. I'm sure that if the garage is your only choice, they'll be fine. Just make sure they can't get into any antifreeze, paint thinner, etc. (but you already knew that).

freeburger16 · February 2009

blewis2323:
I think that is totally fine. I will likely do the same. I have left my dog overnight before, and she doesnt mind at all. so what if she pees in the garage? its easy to clean, she has water and food, her bed and toys. Not a big deal.

It's more the safety, and the fact that dogs need consistency. Leaving a dog to use the bathroom where they don't know it's allowed is stressful to the animal. Bringing a baby into the home is stressful enough for them, why add more to them?

dkolody13 · February 2009

We will either board them or have someone come over a few times a day to run them and take care of them. I could not leave her in the garage. The kennel around us is very affordable and it will be peace of mind knowing she is okay.

TiggerCA · February 2009

That's a tough one. I family close enough to come take care of ours. I would leave them in the garage before I left them outside (I think what would be even better is if they could come in and out, if your yard is fenced).. The face that there is two of them will make them feel better. Here is the problem with boarding them. I don't know where you live but here in Northern Ca it is expensive. Not only that they are super picky about when you can drop them off. Not on Sundays and not after certain hours. So, even if you do decided to board them you will have to make alternate plans. I think if you clear out the garage, leave plenty of water and have DH go and check on them it will be fine. Also do you have a neighbor that you can tell. I don't have neighbors that I would ask to watch my dog but once we had to leave him overnight and I just let my neighbor know so that if he heard him doing something strange he could peak his head over and check on him.

acneiva · February 2009

I have two really large dogs and boarding for them is absurdly expensive, not to mention they get all bent out of shape being taken out of their usual environment...so I got a dogwalker that comes a couple times a day to take them out for a walk, relieve themselves, and let them play in the yard for a little bit before they go back into the house. It costs a third of boarding, and then you know that someone is coming every so often to make sure they're not getting into anything dangerous....plus if they are in rooms they are used to being in, the likelihood of them getting into stuff they aren't supposed to is much slimmer. We're going to do it with our dogs when I go into labor...my walker usually charges $20 for visiting the 2 of them and taking them out for a half hour, plus feeding them too...I would pay $80 for the each of them to board them somewhere per day!

azcobride · February 2009

We aren't exactly sure what we are going to do yet either. We don't have family around but may have some friends that could help. We will either board the dog (although you can only drop them off certain times so who knows when I'll be in labor) or leave him in the yard (if its nice) until either someone can come watch him or until DH can take him to the kennel.

erbear · February 2009

I'd board them or hire someone to come a few times a day and walk. feed, and play with them. I would not leave them in the garage...that seems mean and disruptive. Also, please do NOT listen to PP and "put them in the garage when the baby comes home". Um, no.

paulsgirl86 · February 2009

We are leaving ours with a friend, but if that weren't an option for us, I would definitely board her. First, I agree with pp's that it may be too much to be locked in a garage and then allowed inside only to find a new baby in the house. Second, I don't want to spend one minute while I'm in labor wondering what my dog is getting into/out of/etc., or whether she's barking up a storm and driving my neighbors nuts. Third, the place we board her isn't very expensive ($35/night), and she plays all day with the other dogs so she comes home nice and TIRED - which will be a great thing when you're just getting back from the hospital and don't have energy to play.

LM2003 · February 2009

Pay for boarding. Leaving them outside for extended periods of time is dangerous too.

blewis2323 · February 2009

freeburger16:

blewis2323:
I think that is totally fine. I will likely do the same. I have left my dog overnight before, and she doesnt mind at all. so what if she pees in the garage? its easy to clean, she has water and food, her bed and toys. Not a big deal.

It's more the safety, and the fact that dogs need consistency. Leaving a dog to use the bathroom where they don't know it's allowed is stressful to the animal. Bringing a baby into the home is stressful enough for them, why add more to them?

our garage is "her room" in the house, so altering this for her by placing her in a kennel where she is stressed out by other dogs would be more inconsistent than leaving her where she is most comfortable at home. I agree with you, if you dog isnt already used to it, but for me personally, this is what she has always known and feels is her safe place. When the baby comes, she knows she can always go there to be alone and safe. I am sure for alot of dogs, this wouldnt work well for them, but it does for us.

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