The choice is putting them (there's 2) in a kennel or leaving them home alone with a VERY responsible pet sitter who will come in and let them out 4 times a day and play with them. They would be crated in the house (separately) when we're not home (that is what they're used to anyway - although we are never gone more than 4 hours at a time). I'm nervous about them spending the night alone. How do other travellers do this?

You know your dogs better than a bunch of strange internet psuedonyms.

Surely you've left home before and done something with your dogs. If you haven't, strongly suggest you take a couple of dry runs to see which is more appropriate for your pets.

When we lived in L.A. we took the animals to a "pet resort" where they had their own rooms with beds and windows, personal and group play times, the cats got to watch TV, the dogs had Yappy Hour and a swimming pool shaped like a bone. They had "spa" treatments while we were gone (grooming, teeth cleaning, etc.) and they acually liked going there. Even the grumpy old Applehead Siamese would perk up in his carrier when we got there. They always provided pictures of the pet's visit afterwards. We were surprised to see the cat who liked no one relaxing in the lap of one of the groomers, getting his hair brushed. He never did that for me! lol

Um, never mind what I said. Our dogs our pets. We love them but they are pets.

For years I left mine with a pet sitter (that spent the night). Recently I found (through referrals) a wonderful "pet resort" that isn't the fancy kind, but one that focuses on meeting the expectations of folks like me. My pooch absolutely loves going there. I found it from friends who travel frequently on business.

Either would work, but I would lean toward the kennel if no one would be there overnight.

Really hard to advise not knowing the dogs and their size, age etc. If not for the crating, I'd say being in their own home is preferable. But don't think being crated all day and all night is much better than the kennel. Also there are all sorts of kennels.

IMO, they either need a reg. pet sitter who will be there for some real interaction (and staying overnight) which is what we do, or a good kennel like gracieb describes.

Why would you keep them crated all day if the pet sitter is coming in four times per day?

The kennel would be much more enjoyable for them.

rockhopper, even though your dogs may be just 'pets', that certainly isn't the case with everyone. I do not understand that mindset.

When we travel we either put our two "children" in the kennel or we have a house sitter who STAYS in the house.

I would never leave my pets in the "care" of someone who comes in four or so times a day and here's why:

What happens if that person gets delayed or cannot come at all? Is there a responsible back-up?

What happens if there is some sort of "malfunction" in the house? A possible fire? Break-in?

Admittedly, these are unlikely but if anything like this occurs, how will you feel?

One ting about a kennel..if it is one yopu have thoroughly checked out and is totally reliable it does offer complete peace of mind...for YOU

When our golden, Amber, was younger, we used to take her to the animal hospital where they also did boarding. As she got older, she would come home all freaked out, since she is the only dog in a childless house, where my husband and I both work all day, so is used to peace and quiet. So I found a petsitter that is awesome. Our dog has the run of the house anyway, so she would come and let her out 3 times a day, feeding, walking and playing with her too. One trip we took was 16 days to Hawaii, and we did not have any qualms of leaving the house in the care of our petsitter. Amber handled the days and nights by herself without a problem, much better for her than the noisy, barky kennel.

Intrepid, funny you mention break in and animal sitters.

I am so lucky that I have the world's best animal sitter and I sit for his two dogs and two cats when he and his wife travel.

While on a trip to Mexico, someone broke into my house, fled and left the doors wide open. My two indoor cats could have gone outside but luckily didn't. Because Jack drives by my house several times a day and visits with my cats several times a day, he saw the front door was wide open. My cats were scared under the bed and because they love Jack he was able to comfort them and calm them down. He and his wife spent four hours with the police and cleaning up the mess in my house.

I am so lucky to have him as a pet sitter and return the favor as often as possible.

Pet resorts? Sorry, I don't get it and I realize I'm in the minority here. Our pets are beloved members of our family but they don't go on doggie vacations when we leave town. They're older and don't adjust to kennels anymore so we go the pet sitter routine. We also have another friend check in on them daily.

Dogs, like people, are individual personalities and they respond like individuals to different environments. My point to wliwl was that strangers on the internet are not going to have any greater insight into what's best for his/her pets than he/she is.

We use GoTravel's idea, as well, and have for many years. My best friend and I keep one another's pets when either of us is gone. It works wonderfully and we both have peace of mind knowing that the animals are very used to their alternate surroundings and are well cared for while we are gone.

"Yappy Hour"?? LOL
Did they serve them Barkaritas?

I checked out what was called "the best kennel in the city". I didn't like it and decided to take my german shepherd with me in a rented car and cancelled my plane flight. Yes, I'm picky when it comes to my "little boy". To me kennels look like dog prisons.

I think your dogs would be more happy at home since they are also used to being in their crates and a Responsible person will let them out four times a day. Ask the sitter to call you from your home phone each day. Then you will know for sure that everything is OK and that he/she is doing their job.