Boarding Your Animals

PanteraGirl
PanteraGirl Posts: 566 Member
edited October 5 in Chit-Chat
I have two dogs and they have never been boarded. My bf and I are thinking of boarding them for a week because we've been together for over 3 years and have never had a real vacation together due to not having doggie sitters. And we are due for our first real vacation.

What are your thoughts and experiences. I got slightly turned off when I called a Kennel to inquire about prices based on size of my dogs and he had a really SH/TTY attitude.....and this is supposed to be a Kennel that has won awards.....I'm left with a bad taste in my mouth.

I know they are dogs and after being away for a week they will forget all about it.....and my dogs are really friendly and lovable, and love their cuddles, play etc. but my older dog is protective of his brother, and doesn't take well to people or other dogs who are mean or abusive to him. He doesn't attack but he will sure growl and let you know to stop being a jerk. The only time he has ever attacked another dog was when the other dog attacked his brother.

Am I really over thinking this???

Replies

  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,416 Member
    Interview and visit several places. You need to be comfortable leaving your animals with strangers.

    They will forgive you..enjoy your vacation.
  • lcchrt
    lcchrt Posts: 234 Member
    Look for a local sitter!! There are usually a couple in each town. Usually these people are kind hearted, cheaper and focus on the dogs more since they are in their home!
  • catherine4211
    catherine4211 Posts: 944 Member
    I have a few times. My dogs aren't super excited when we get there but I know they are safe, being fed and loved a little bit. All the girls know my dogs because it's also where my vet is and the place they get their haircuts. When I go to pick them up you cannot imagine how excited they are to see me - I always think it's going to be the first time they talk to me for real. Silly I know. I say go for it.
  • aaleigha1
    aaleigha1 Posts: 408 Member
    I would never kennel my dogs - they holiday with us

    however if I needed to go away without them I would leave them at home with a trusted family member or friend to house and dog sit for me

    my dogs are all rescues and I personally dont think kennelling will help them going by past experience - they do not forget the trauma of a hard life before being rehomed
  • lotty1987
    lotty1987 Posts: 176 Member
    I hoenstly would never put my dog into boarding kennels - but he is my baby I never could - I have someone house sit the house and look after him norm this costs me £20 a day but i feel its worth it
  • chyloet
    chyloet Posts: 196 Member
    Just keep looking, you'll find a place and you'll know it when you do. Don't get discouraged and don't settle.

    Where do you live? I have a really great kennel in Mira Loma, California.

    Good luck.
  • PANZERIA
    PANZERIA Posts: 471 Member
    Just be thorough. Kennels and boarding isn't as terrible as people make it out to be. I have 3 dogs and I don't mind leaving them in a kennel, assuming I've gone and interviewed the people running the place and have been taken on a tour of the facility. Make sure you are allowed to go back where they keep the dogs, make sure it's clean, ask how often the kennels are cleaned, etc.

    You can also find boarders who keep the dogs with them in their own houses around their dogs...which is fine, too, but make sure you bring your dogs to meet their dogs/other animals first to make sure they're a good fit.

    I'm a dog trainer, so feel free to message me if you have any questions. =)
  • superhippiechik
    superhippiechik Posts: 1,044 Member
    I am a dog groomer and have worked at facilities that offer boarding. Definitely look for somewhere that offers play time and one on one one attention. You may need to have them put in seperate kennels for the safety of the workers but you can ask that they have playtime together. I would also look into someone coming into my home.
  • shamr0ck
    shamr0ck Posts: 296 Member
    I would recommend a pet sitter that comes to your home rather than boarding your dogs. It's usually more reasonably priced, the folks that do it are animal lovers, and your pets normal routine isn't disrupted. You can find a sitter at petsit.com or petsitters.org.
  • livnlite
    livnlite Posts: 520
    If you do end up taking your dogs to a kennel, ask your local vet for a reference. Kennels open to the public often are infected with 'kennel cough' and other very aggressively contagious viruses. You may have to do a little research.
  • tiptoeketo
    tiptoeketo Posts: 271 Member
    I wouldn't have the heart to kennel our dog.

    Have you considered a house sitter? Maybe there's a reliable university student nearby who'd like a little 'holiday' at your place?
  • deewildwoman
    deewildwoman Posts: 120 Member
    When you look into these kennels, make sure you tour the kennel...all areas. The may look good online or in the waiting room, but make sure they keep all the areas clean. There was a very popular one in my neighborhood that just shut down. Everyone thought they were great until one of the customers walked into the back room and it was absolutely filthy.

    We have to board our babies when we visit my husbands parents. I would love to take the with us, but they just can't handle 2 large dogs in their home. Loki is 90 lbs and Neo is 65 lbs...and you can't find a hotel that will take 2 of that size either...sometimes you don't have another option except boarding them. We found a private dog trainer that will kennel in his home. He was the trainer that we worked with on both our boys. I like sending them there because we know that they will not have to stay in a small kennel all day and night. He has a fenced back yard and lets them out to play during the day. They get lots of attention when they stay with James and seem happy when we pick them up. It costs a little more, but totally worth it.

    If you can find someone that either kennels in their home, or that will come to your house to take care of them, I would highly recommend it. If not, just make sure you check out the kennels in your area very, very well.
  • macpatti
    macpatti Posts: 4,280 Member
    Maybe the person who answered the phone was having a bad day. Go check the place out, since you said they've won so many awards. Go by word of mouth, too. I've boarded mine before when we couldn't find someone to come to the house. My main concerns were fleas, kennel cough, and if they were just left locked in a pen all day. Visit places and ask. There are some very nice places to board your furbabies. Don't feel guilty about leaving them for a week......you deserve a vacation without having to take pets along. Good luck to you!
  • PanteraGirl
    PanteraGirl Posts: 566 Member
    Thanks for all your feedback....I appreciate it!!!
This discussion has been closed.

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