I have done a little bit of everything to take care of my dogs when I travel. When Julia lived at home, she was the primary caretaker, with help from a professional dog sitter who came over to let the girls out or feed them as needed. Recently one of her friends came by the home to spend time with them when Julia was working after school. And I boarded them in a local kennel for part of the time. First time they had been boarded, and they did great.