Try free dog walkers. Put an add in the supermarket, or local paper. I am sure there are many dog lovers living nearby who would be happy to help. Good luck,

First, I would ask the dog walker that you have who they have lined up to cover their holidays or can recommend. If that yields nothing, you might want to check with your local Scouts (girls or boys) - if it is just occasional, you might be able to get a responsible student to do it - kind of like babysitting (only a fur-baby!). Have you tried asking your vet for referrals or ideas? I would think they might have some insights for you.

The other possibility would be to find somewhere closer to your work that could take your dog periodically.

Love and Hugs,
Martha

I have unusual hours, so finding a place close to take her is impossible. The Vet has no one that lives close to me. I don't mind dog walkers, but trusting who comes into my house is a problem. It's like hiring a handy man and telling him to come in by himself.

I'm wondering if anyone has left their dog home in a crate for 11 hours. I'm having problems getting someone for Mother's day.

11 hours in a crate is way too long. I try to keep it to 5 or 6 for my dog. When I know I will be coming home late from work late or even think I will be late I ask my neighbor to let her out. I come home to a much happier dog. Do you have a neighbor who can let your dog out? How about a neighbor child who is of a responsible age?

Can you tie it up on a long lead in the back yard?

Otherwise I think you're back to the fur-baby babysitter/student idea.

Now you know why I am a cat person!

Hi, I don't claim it's a wonderful thing, but once there was a highway emergency and I was hours late getting back to my crated dog. It was around ll hours and the dog was okay when I got there. I always leave some water in the crate and it has a soft pad. Adult dogs, until they get senior, can hold their urine for a pretty long time (not saying they enjoy it), but puppies have a shorter limit. As I remember it, my dog was just happy for me to get home. Hope this helps, Alice

Another idea just occurred to me -- is there a kennel or dog daycare anywhere near where you currently work? If so, maybe you could take the dog with you and drop him off near your work, if the hours of the facility are long enough, and pick him up the same day. Worst case scenario, depending on how frequently it happens, maybe you could actually board the dog in a kennel. My local kennel opens at 7 for drop offs, and you can pick up the dog the next morning before 10, for just the one night boarding fee. Alice

I have emergency water in her crate. If I leave her out there is also an automatic dog feeder. It was so much easier with a bird. I was gone for two weeks and just had my dog walker come in and give the bird water a couple a times a week. Otherwise the bird had his emergency waterer.

I'm still looking for a dog walker. It's just difficult with Mother's Day and my level of trust of letting a total stranger in my house. Thanks, everyone for your ideas. I know it will work out in the end.

I am a huge dog lover and have two senior dogs who I love dearly. 11 hours is way too long without a break for your dog. I travel frequently and have a hard time working out someone to take care of them. I volunteer at our local shelter and hire a girl I met there to let them in and out and spend time with them. I much prefer taking them with me, but sometimes it isn't possible. Hope you soon find someone to help.

Anyone know if Angie's List is a good way to find a dog walker?

By asking the question I think you already know the answer. The dog can tolerate it but they are social and it would definitely be very hard on them. I dont know the size of the dog or the layout of your property but would building a outside kennel on your property be a possibility. I have a funny story when it comes to dog crates. When I first got my dog who is a lab/rottweiller cross(BIg) I bought a dog crate. He was so scared of it I crawled in it a couple times to show him there was nothing to be afraid of. He never would go in it. Its gone now but I spent more time in it then he did!

I am so glad to hear you care enough about your dog to hire someone to help. There are so many cruel people out there that adopt a pet, then leave them caged up for hours on end. These people should NOT have a pet!

Other than what has been offered, I have no other suggestions. I hope you find a solution.

I understand your frustration. You can tell by my name (TwoLabs) that I am a dog lover! When Steve was alive, we could always coordinate our schedules to accommodate the dogs. Now it is only me, and it can get tricky working things out. I do feel 11 hours will be mighty uncomfortable for your pooch. As much as your dog may love his crate, he will need to be let out sooner to move about, potty, eat and drink.
I have located an awesome pet service that will come and do as much or as little as you need. Even if my normal girl is unavailable, they will send a substitute. When Steve was hospitalized all last summer, I would leave the house early in the morning and get home late at night. I recruited my neighbors to let the dogs out for me. Most people are happy to do it. I am lucky that I have dog-loving neighbors!
Keep looking for a good pet-sitting service....your dog will love you for it!!!

Whoa there, everybody!

She's not going to crate the dog for eleven hours on a regular basis! No, it's not an ideal situation ... and yes, you might come home to a potty accident ... but doing this for the upcoming Mother's Day is not a crime. I would, however, look into boarding the dog overnight if future holidays would present the same problem.

Truhal, you are obviously a caring person and a dog lover. Your pet knows this and will be happy to see you when you return, no matter what!

I had a little dog a few years back. I had to go out of town for the day and I knew that I would have leave the dog in the crate for a longtime. I asked my vet at that time how long could I leave the dog in the crate. He told me that the dog could be left there for quite a while. He made an other suggestion. If I had a laundry room put the dog in there put papers down, have the dog bed there, leave food, water and music and then close the door. I did this and the dog was fine.
When I had my cat last year My family and I were going put of town. I went to a different vet. This vet had names of people in the neighborhood that would come in feed the cat and make sure she was ok. This was great because the people on the list were already approved and had references.