<p>Thanks so much on the dogwashing advice! They have a laundry-room sink in the basement originally used for washing out mops and things, oddly built in to the floor but has a lip around the edge to keep too much water from escaping, that is useful for washing the dog, so I’ll try that before I try and get her in the car, and at least will only have a tiled basement room to clean instead of the whole house if I can keep her in there long enough to get her less-than-soaking wet. Adventure time… 
Thanks again for all of the advice.</p>
<p>I can’t understand how anyone would expect a relative stranger (who is not a professional) to wash their dog, unless that’s the dog’s favorite activity…
I hope the weather is good enough do do this outside. If not, I’d recommend getting into enclosed shower with the dog, and not letting him out till he shakes the water off. Then keeping him on the leash till he’s dry. A wet dog of that size can make an incredible mess in the house…</p>
<p>Since you are getting car privileges, I think $30/day will be fair.
We leave in “inexpensive” area of the country, and boarding the dog costs $36/day. No weekly discounts. They will wash the dog for free, but we pay to have him blow-dried (he has lots of hair).</p>
<p>wow you guys are expensive, my oldest often housesits, and I dont think she gets that much- she looks at it as a plus cause she is getting to maybe be in another part of town, play with pets, and borrow their car. ( not to mention getting a break from her roommate- who she loves I’m sure but they both need their space)</p>
<p>I wash our lab in the tub, I just get in with her ( she doesn’t like the autowash- but a * lab*, so easygoing). Have a towel on the bottom of tub and a hand nozzle helps .
You go through a lot of towels after blotting really well, ( I also use a hair dryer- plus I brush her good first) & don’t let them roll outside until they are dry- but it is kind of fun.</p>
<p>Also unless it is a pretty old lab, I expect it will need to go outside more than 1x a day, they need a lot of exercise. ( they also need companionship- - they are very social)</p>
<p>However, if you take her out first thing in the morning when you get up, take her for a good walk at noon and out again in the evening, depending on dog, that might be ok.</p>
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<p>Well, here we are… first day of spring in Chicagoland, and it’s snowing. I think the tub will have to suffice!</p>
<p>Our local kennel charges $20 a day for boarding. My dog stays with a neighbor and I pay them $20 a day.</p>
<p>We pay $50 per day to our housesitter. She has to feed/hang out with the dog (except that she works during the day), feed the other small pets, take in the mail, put out the garbage cans, etc. We live near a large city. I think $20 day is too cheap, but if you are uncomfortable charging $50, maybe ask for at least $35.</p>
<p>We pay $15/day for the neighbor kid to come over and let the dog out several times a day and to feed her. Noone sleeps over. The dog kennel charges $40/day.</p>
<p>I only wash my dog a few times a year, mainly when she gets into something stinky. Our vet said too much shampooing can cause skin problems. So far, so good. I take her in the shower with me. It’s easier that way.</p>
<p>Agree that you want to have instructions for contacting a vet, etc. if necessary.</p>
<p>If they have wireless and you would like access for your computer, get the password before they leave, assuming it’s OK with them. If you are collecting their mail, check to see if you need a key to the mailbox.</p>