I don't go away often, I would just like a steady person to be able to watch my boy when I do. He does require medication, but it can be popped right in his food and he usually takes it, if not it can be placed in a scoop of his treats. He does have pretty severe allergies so the medication is required. He is great with children, but overly excited about cats and I am unsure about other dogs (he does fine walking by them on walks we just haven't been around any other dogs since I had to put my other boy down in May).