Guest 7ct5 Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 So I'm going away for a course for two weeks at the end of the month. I need someone to look after Phoebe for at least a week (one of my housemates will be home for a week). I could bring her home to my parents, but they live 7 hrs away (one way). So I've been considering a local pet sitter. Most people charge quite a bit per day (I know there's been lots of other threads about this before). But I'm just curious- How many times a day in total do you let your dogs out to go to the bathroom?? (not necessarily a long walk). I think I walk Phoebe at least 4 times a day (we don't have a fenced in yard). Each walk is 15-45 minutes. I am thinking of paying someone for two walks a day- but that seems kinda cruel....three walks would be better, but expensive enough to consider driving her back home to the states. A kennel is definitely out of the question- she would just go crazy Anyway, I'm still exploring options and wanted to conduct a pole about this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest DarkHorse Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 (edited) My two go out two or three times a day, depending on their needs. Tends to be more often if they've been drinking a lot and less often if it's really cold. Where is local for you? I could probably take Phoebe in here for a week or two if it's convenient in location for you. ETA: Mine are also leash walked, so it wouldn't be too much of a change. Edited February 3, 2011 by DarkHorse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Wasserbuffel Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 I voted three, because that's all she seems to need. It's often 4 on weekdays and 5 on weekends, because she'll ask to go out to chase bunnies and just be outside. With the weather as it is now, she doesn't even want to go out three times, but I make her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ola Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 We do 3 potty breaks per day - one first thing in the morning, one in the afternoon, and one right before bed. If our schedule is all strange on a day, like we're going out for a long period of time that doesn't coincide with a potty break, we will do one before we go out and one when we get home. This usually results in 4 breaks that day, but it's not the norm. I would also worry about her being alone the whole day, aside from just the potty break issue. Maybe it would be cheaper and less problematic to find a pet sitter who would do boarding in their home? If it's not a big operation and there's just one or two other dogs there it might work out better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kudzu Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 My dogs almost always have someone home so they can go out most anytime they want. However, optimally they go 4 times a day. The rest are play. They would do just as well with 3 breaks but would need a little adjustment period. What usually happens when we are out of town is I pay the hourly "farm" rate for my critter sitter. We are in the country & she has numerous farm clients. She comes twice a day & is at out place for about an hour. Dogs go potty as soon as she gets there & again right before she leaves. They do fine. We have done this for a decade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeofNE Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 My mother always hires a sitter to stay at the house. I know that might be expensive, but if she can't go to a kennel, then it's a better option than having her alone all day and all night except walks. Not sure how that's better than being in a kennel? I take George out 4 or 5 times every day. Quote Susan, Hamish, Mister Bigglesworth and Nikita Stanislav. Missing Ming, George, and Buck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubcitypam Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 (edited) I can't vote in the poll as I have a dog door (oops I can ). Pre dog door I'd have voted 3 times a day. Check with the group you got her from and see if anyone will watch her in their home. Edited February 3, 2011 by Hubcitypam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krissy Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 I usually only take Summit out twice a day. Partly it's due to my schedule, partly due to weather right now, and partly because he seems to do fine. I walk him early in the morning before school. I'm usually gone from 8:30-5:30. I could walk him right when I got home and again a couple of hours later, but with the cold he doesn't want to go out in particular, he doesn't ask to be let out to potty, and if I make him go out that third time late before bed he doesn't really do anything. So I usually just end up walking him at an inbetween time, like 7 or 8. He's got a bladder of steel. He is also crated all day. I leave a bit of water in a bowl in his crate, which he'll drink before I get home. I don't leave him tonnes just because he's a nester and he gets his blankets into the bowl and then he has no water and his blankets are soaked. On weekends when I can take him out at better intervals (i.e. at midday) then I will give him at least 3 walks. Quote Kristie and the Apex Agility Greyhounds: Kili (ATChC AgMCh Lakilanni Where Eagles Fly RN IP MSCDC MTRDC ExS Bronze ExJ Bronze ) and Kenna (Lakilanni Kiss The Sky RN MADC MJDC AGDC AGEx AGExJ). Waiting at the Bridge: Retired racer Summit (Bbf Dropout) May 5, 2005-Jan 30, 2019 Like us on Facebook! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mbfilby Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Ours go out in the morning before breakfast Between noon and 2 Before dinner Between 7 and 9 At bed time This is their schedule, they go out when they ask. If we were away, they could make due with 4 breaks by eliminating the 7 to 9 turn out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottandjo Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Our bridge girl Cherry had no issues if 3 breaks were had during the day for many years, so I voted 3. Morning, Supper time, and before bed. Walks were generally morning and supper time. This worked until well over 13 years old. The last 6 months or so she needed and lunchtime break also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greysmom Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 My bigger concern would be her being alone for the rest of the day. Especially overnight. Who will feed her? Give her water? A petsitter at your house would be a better option IMO. Quote Chris - Mom to: Felicity (DeLand), and Andi (Braska Pandora) siggy by Chris Harper, on Flickr Angels: Libby (Everlast), Dorie (Dog Gone Holly), Dude (TNJ VooDoo), Copper (Kid's Copper), Cash (GSI Payncash), Toni (LPH Cry Baby), Whiskey (KT's Phys Ed), Atom, Lilly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DesiRayMom Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 Depends on the dog. I have one boy (13 yo) that would be fine with 2....morning & evening. The other (8 yo) needs & wants out first thing in the morning, another time before work (he comes with because he can't/won't hold it & needs out about 1:00. Then another walk after work, & a quick turn-out before bed. So he's a fiver. Quote Blessed is the person who has earned the love of an old dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BootsyCollins Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 I voted 4, but it's misleading, because he still goes 10 hours during the day without a potty break. We walk him until about 7am, then let him out for a quick pee at 8am before we leave, then walk or let out at 6pm when we get home, then quick pee at 10pm. Quote Christie and Bootsy (Turt McGurt and Gil too) Loving and missing Argos & Likky, forever and ever. ~Old age means realizing you will never own all the dogs you wanted to. ~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinM Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 I voted 6. Because that's how much they go out but if need be, it could prob be 4. Lately, we are getting woken up in the middle of the night as well and that is not included. Quote ROBIN ~ Mom to: Beau Think It Aint, Chloe JC Allthewayhome, Teddy ICU Drunk Sailor, Elsie N Fracine , Ollie RG's Travertine, Ponch A's Jupiter~ Yoshi, Zoobie & Belle, the kitties. Waiting at the bridge Angel Polli Bohemian Ocean , Rocky, Blue,Sasha & Zoobie & Bobbi Greyhound Angels Adoption (GAA) The Lexus Project Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 7ct5 Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 Thanks for the responses...it's neat to hear everyone's different schedules! I think I may have found the perfect person to watch Phoebe. A university student a couple blocks away, with 3 classes/wk (and reading week no classes). She loves dogs, doesn't have any of her own and would be happy to have Phoebe come stay with her. She's willing to walk her as much as needed and is very, very reasonably priced! (like a quarter of what I was estimating for a real sitter). My two go out two or three times a day, depending on their needs. Tends to be more often if they've been drinking a lot and less often if it's really cold. Where is local for you? I could probably take Phoebe in here for a week or two if it's convenient in location for you. ETA: Mine are also leash walked, so it wouldn't be too much of a change. Thanks for the generous offer! I'm actually four hours east of you .... but it was much appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jubilee251 Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 I voted 4 - 2 longer walks in around 6am and 5pm, and then 2 short pop-in-and-out potty breaks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shel0306 Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 I would do a trial run with the college student if your dog has never been to her place. Have her take the dog during the day for a few hrs at least twice before you leave so it isn't a complete surprise when she is with her a whole week. That way you know how your Grey will adjust and you can make sure it is a good match. Some Greys aren't into change so if it is someone she recognizes and has been to her place then things should go a lot smoother. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BlingDogs Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 Dory used to go out 4 times a day, but then she started having accidents between the evening and night breaks. So 5 breaks it is: 8:00am, 12:00pm, 4:00pm, 6:00pm, and 10:00pm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winnie Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 Couldn't you find another greyhound person who can take her in while you're away? That is what we do with our greyhounds. We don't pay either - just return the favor for them at a future date. As for the potty schedule... I voted 5. We let our dogs out 2x in the morning before work and 3x after work. Each potty break is pretty short (fenced yard). Quote Laura with Celeste (ICU Celeste) and Galgos Beatrix and Encarna The Horse - Gracie (MD Grace E) Bridge Angels Faye Oops (Santa Fe Oops), Bonny (Bonny Drive), Darcy (D's Zipperfoot) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 7ct5 Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 I would do a trial run with the college student if your dog has never been to her place. Have her take the dog during the day for a few hrs at least twice before you leave so it isn't a complete surprise when she is with her a whole week. That way you know how your Grey will adjust and you can make sure it is a good match. Some Greys aren't into change so if it is someone she recognizes and has been to her place then things should go a lot smoother. Excellent idea! I was just going to meet her for a walk..but having her stay there first would be better! Thanks for the suggestion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Miller Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 I'd drive the 7 hours one way to your parents house. My parents and sister live 10 hours away and if I had to leave Jeff for two weeks I wouldn't leave him with a sitter. I'd take him where I would know without a doubt he was 100% taken care of and loved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest FullMetalFrank Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 Once in the morning before I leave for work, and again when I come home for lunch; then when I get home from work. Then they go out again after dinner and once more before bed. Frank always gets an extra trip outside in the middle of the night. I think I voted 4 but it's actually more like 5-6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest FastDogsOwnMe Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 When I am home (almost always) and my dogs are following me about, actively, I say four or so... but if I was gone and they were sleeping, I think morning, noon and night would be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest shanesmom Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 Elton goes out at least 4 times. More when the weather is nice. He never asks to go out though. I guess I just always take hime before he really needs to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cello Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 7am or as soon as they wake up. 12 noon thereabouts. 5pm before dinner. 8pm early evening after dinner. 11:30pm before I go to bed. I am home most of the time, so this schedule works for us. If I was working, then they probably would do without their noon turn out, and we would add a second quick pee before leaving for work, after they eat breakfast. Quote Molly Weasley Carpenter-Caro - 6 Year Old Standard Poodle. Gizzy, Specky, Riley Roo & Lady - Our beloved Greyhounds waiting at the Rainbow Bridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.