When choosing the best dog care option for your dog, you need to consider how your dog may be different from other dogs. From breed type to age, there are many things that you need to think about:
Dog Behaviour & Temperament
Think about how your dog will react around new people, new dogs or other pets – this will help you figure out the perfect fit for you and your pooch. It’s important to learn about your dog’s body language (your dog might not always bark when they’re upset). Instead of aggression, they could be trying to play, which actually means they’re comfortable with a new person or dog.
Check out some common behaviour signals to learn what your dog is telling you.
Playful
Look out for pricked up ears, wagging tails and even a bark or two!
Aggressive
Beware of bared teeth and growling – this dog needs some space.
Scared
This dog has it’s ears back; they may start whining to tell you that they’re scared.
Happy
Lots of wagging tails; relaxed ears show that this is a happy pooch.
Hungry
You may find your dog hanging around their food bowl, as well as following you very closely to get your attention.
Bored
This dog will likely be staring off into the distance and when they lie down they don’t close their eyes.
Assessing Your Dog’s Needs
When picking a dog care option, there are several factors to consider – ones affecting you (such as cost and convenience), but they don’t cover the whole picture! Here are a few key questions to ask yourself for the benefit of your furry pal.
- What sort of temperament does your dog have?
- Are they sociable dogs or do they require individual, one-on-one care?
- Are there any medical or dietary requirements that need to be catered for?
- How relaxed or stressed is your dog likely to be in a new environment?
- What are they like around new people?
- Will they need something that reminds them of home?
Breed Specific Behaviour
All dogs are different, but when it comes to purebreds there are some common characteristics that a lot of that breed share. It’s good to be aware of what these tend to be, as it can give their sitter an insight into your dog’s behaviour and what kind of care it may need. Take a look at what you can expect from the top five most common dog breeds:
Labrador Retriever:
- Super playful and always curious, no one should be surprised to see a Lab run off on the never-ending quest for ‘the bigger stick’.
- They love going for a run, swim, or any exercise really!
- They tend to get a bit chewy – best to give a heads up to any carer if this is the case for your dog!
French Bulldog:
- Expect quiet affection from your chilled out joker of a Frenchie!
- Short regular walks will help to keep this pooch in shape.
- Without showing authority with a French Bulldog, you could end up with a dog with a stubborn streak.
Cocker Spaniel:
- They will have bundles of energy – the more you put in, the more you’ll get back from a Cocker Spaniel!
- Gentle natured, they’re always game for a cuddle on the sofa.
- They’ll also be great around feline friends that you or your carer may have.
Pug:
- These pups can catch illnesses very easily, so watch out for extremes of hot or cold weather.
- As Pugs are inquisitive and highly intelligent, they can get bored easily – stay on top of keeping them stimulated!
- Overeating is something that Pugs are not scared of, you have got to keep an eye on how much you give them.
Springer Spaniel:
- They love hunting birds – it’s what they were bred for!
- Springer Spaniels respond to a calm but strong approach to training.
- They usually form a really close bond with one or two family members – remember this when they may be separated from them for an extended period of time.
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg! If your dog’s breed isn’t listed here, check out all of our breed profiles at https://blog.dogbuddy.com/dog-breeds/.
Cost Of Dog Care
One of the most important parts of picking the right dog care is whether it is affordable. Many people even sacrifice their holiday because they can’t afford to keep their dog in a kennel.
How much does dog care cost for a week?
Take a look at how much an average week’s worth of overnight dog care will cost you:
| Dog Care: | Average Cost for A Week: |
|---|---|
| Dog Boarding | £150 |
| Dog Kennels | £105 to £350 |
(Source: http://www.boardingkennels.org/)
How much does dog care cost for a month?
If you have up to a month where you will not be able to look after your dog, these are the average costs that you could be looking at:
| Dog Care: | Average Cost for A Month: |
|---|---|
| Dog Boarding | £600 |
| Dog Kennels | £410 to £1,300 |
(Source: http://www.boardingkennels.org/)
You really see a huge difference at the upper end of the dog kennel price scale. The top end £1,300 service tends to be for big dogs and essentially you pay for the extra size of the kennel and any ‘luxury’ items for your pooch. Remember that in these scenarios, the lower end of the dog kennel average tends to be for very small dogs, combined with cheap (and sometimes questionable!) conditions. Also, don’t expect to negotiate price like you can with a high-quality dog sitter boarding your pooch (large or small) in their own home.
For even more on holiday dog care options, head on over to our full guide.