Boarding Dogs

[bebelle]

I need some reassurance. We are boarding our dogs for the first time and I am VERY nervous. They are both about 4 years old. One is extremely nervous/anxious. She was rescued from the pound and had been abused/neglected. The other dog is extremely attached to me. I cannot go anywhere including to the bathroom without my shadow!

Any suggestions for how to make this easier on them AND ME?

 

[java]

Sorry I am no help. I drive almost an hour to get my dogs to a fancier kennel than we have around here. They'll have play time with them as often as I want to pay for it. Also they'll walk the dogs as opposed to just letting them out in the yard.

They'll be fine. And you can call to check on them.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

We also board our dogs. They have been boarded many times.
It is not something that I look forward to but it is the option that we need for them.

They are 3yo and too full of energy and mischief to be home alone for a long period of time.

 

[kirbydog48]

Can you do a trial run before you go away, even have them spend a day there, so it will be a familiar situation for them? It also might help to put a t-shirt that you've worn (and not washed) in their crate (are they sleeping in a crate?) so they'll have your scent. I board my dog all the time, but he's a lab, so he'd go off with anyone as long as they had food LOL! They'll be fine. It won't be perfect, but they'll be taken care of and loved.

 

[mumom95]

We have three dogs. The older two have been boarded many times, the baby (he's a little over a year) will be boarded the first time this Thanksgiving (we've been able to find house sitters up until now).

I hate doing it, and I know the dogs don't enjoy it, but they are safe and I guess that is what matters the most. I went from kennel to kennel until I found one I was comfortable with. Even though it ends up costing a fortune, I always get them a couple playtimes or walks a day.

The other thing, if you have multiple dogs and they get rowdy, you may want to get them a bath before you pick them up. I think because of the wrestling, the dogs always smelled like urine when I picked them up. So now, we always get them a bath.

 

[Hercules10]

I know you've probably put down a deposit already...but did you consider a pet-sitter? I got lucky. I asked my vet about one and turns out one of the RVTs was a bonded pet-sitter who also raises shepherds. She also lived just down the road from us. Was a little more money, but definately less stress on the dogs.

 

[McKelly]

Not that much advice to you, but I CRY when I leave my dog at the kennel, but the good news is he seems to love it, he runs right in without a glance back! It kind of offends me, to tell you the truth!!

We always bring his own food from home, a blanket that he is familiar with (the kennel provides dog beds each night, our choice) and a few special treats. The kennel we take him to allows us to pay extra for one-on-one play time, nature walks, and they have a doggie day care there as well that has an indoor play yard for the dogs that are behaved well and neutered/spayed of course!! We can pay extra to have him in that room as well. We usually give him 2 special things a day, it isn't that much more ($3.00) for each session and he seems to handle it much better, meaning he doesn't go on a food strike or anything like that. We call it the dog hotel (eases my mind a bit) and we also drive an hour to get to it.

He goes there two times a year, one longer stretch and a four day weekend here or there. He still likes it and doesn't whine when we pull up to the place, he actually gets very excited.

Good Luck to you, my only advice is really look around and find a place that you feel comfortable with. It makes it easier to leave them there. We looked around and this one was the cleanest, there were people there almost all the time (we went to a kennel several times to tour and there was never anybody around!) I also remember to book very early to reserve an inside/outside kennel, they are bigger and my dog can walk back and forth, inside and out. He is a bigger dog though.

 

[H.E. Pennypacker]

I can sympathize with you. We have two dogs - a 9 year old Jack Russell named Finster and a 4 year old Rat Terrier named Bruno. The rat terrier is a lot like you describe. He's our little shadow. He can get very nervous and anxious when we're not around, or when things are just a little bit different. Usually when we vacation, we board Finster (she does fine at the kennel) and my mom would watch Bruno. This spring, we brought my mom with us to WDW, so had to board Bruno for the first time. He did fine! We were nervous just like you. But we talked to the kennel ahead of time, told them about our concerns, and they knew to give him a little extra attention. They worked with us to schedule play times for both our dogs at the same time and gave Finster and Bruno side-by-side kennels so Bruno wouldn't feel all alone.

Definitely talk to your kennel and explain your situation. Any good kennel will listen to your concerns and offer ways to lessen the anxiety for your pets. And for you. And as a PP said, you should be able to call the kennel after your pets are there to check on them. Also, if you haven't ever used this particular kennel before, many offer tours of the facilities, so you could schedule a tour to check it out before you board your pets. That way you'll know where your dogs will be, see the size of kennels available, etc. Above all, be sure to enjoy your vacation and don't spend all your time worrying about your doggies. They'll be just fine! And don't feel guilty about boarding them. Doggie parents need a vacation once in awhile, too.

 

[TinkerbEllnor]

The only time we have ever had a problem with a kennel was when they charged us extra to feed our dog his own food. Stupidly, we just let them feed her the food that they had on site instead. Big mistake resulting in days of explosive diarrhea.

So I recommend packing them their own usual dog food. No problems since. I pack up 'meals' in individual ziplocks so they don't give her too much, and hopefully be able to tell if she doesn't eat.

I also recommend a bath on the pick up day. My dog has an activity level one small step up from a houseplant, and she still picks up a major stink. Even with the bath, she still comes home kind of smelly, just not as bad.

 

[LovinPooh]

I cry as well when dropping off our 6 year old collie. My DS takes it very hard and worries about her while on our trips. Last time the boarder yelled at me because I didnt tell her in advance that the dog would have diarrhea! I was like WHAT???? It was June, and I am sure the heat just got to her, but come on... how was I supposed to know. the woman told me that next time to tell her that my dog had diarrhea previously so she could charge me $2 more!!! I told her not to worry, my dog would not be returning. So I was really uncomfortable about boarding her this next trip. I couldnt find anyone I trusted to stay with her. So I started to talking obsessively to people about where they go and such. I found this great kennel about 15 minutes away that comes highly recommended. Its a bit more $$, but I dont care. I talked to the owner and she seemed awesome. She said she lets the dogs out before she goes to bed, cause she wouldnt want to go all night without going before be herself, and she didnt mind if our dog had diarrhea... it happens was her response . Me and DS even took a tour of the kennel and it is wonderful. Of course we will still worry cause she is our baby. But we know she will be in good hands. Its like a vacation for her as well.... nevermind how happy the witchy cat will be while the dog is away.
Well, I hope my rambling has helped a little. If anything, go check out the kennel and get to know the person and make sure you feel comfortable with them taking care of your pets. And that they will understand their needs.

 

[sunlver]

I would say if you have the time, check out dogsitters.. Now there are dift kind. Some come to your house several times a day..In this situation the dog is still alone for the majority of the day.

Other dogsitters keep the dogs at their house. I am a dogsitter, I do it out of my own house. I have been doing it for 13 years. I am a stay at home mom, and many of the dog owners love the fact that their dogs are in a home and not in a cage and not left alone all day.

I couldn't imagine leaving my dogs at a kennel . We havent had to do it, as I make sure my dogs are staying at somebodys house while we are gone.

Do you have friends who may want to keep your dog?

 

[MichelleVW]

I hate doing it, and I know the dogs don't enjoy it, but they are safe and I guess that is what matters the most. I went from kennel to kennel until I found one I was comfortable with. Even though it ends up costing a fortune, I always get them a couple playtimes or walks a day.

.

Same here, I hate it, but I've been burned too many times with dog sitters and crappy care, so I suck it up and send them to the kennel.

They get to stay in the same run so they have each other for company and I know they are safe with food and water so we deal with it.

 

[JoyLuck]

When you have pets, Kennels are a fact of life. My advice is to visit many, get recommendations and not necessarily go for which one is closest, but the one that you feel most comfortable with.

A very good kennel will know that these little guys are your babies, and will give them a safe, 'homelike', healthy environment while you are away.

I strongly advise a few visits before the vacation---maybe even leaving your dogs for several hours....it can help you all feel more adjusted. I know how hard this is.....they will be fine!

Our first dog (several years ago)had such a good time---he actually made 'friends' with a few other males, and they would play together for most of the day! I called to find out how things were going

Some kennels are SO high tech these days, that they have cameras set up so that you can see your babies (via the internet) if you desire!!

 

[nataliela]

We've only boarded our dog once. It was a "doggy daycare" aka- an expensive kennel! He had his own 5x5 room with a tv, chair and bed. We brought his food from home, a shirt I wore and his little mattress. I cried when we pulled out the parking lot. When we picked him up he could have cared less about us! He wanted to stay! That little fart! He made friends with a Boston Terrier and the kennel owner let them have sleep overs b/c they liked each other so much-lol He had lots of run around time and attention, so he was happy. He also got groomed the last day he was there. I would def. board him there again. I am not sure if I would board him at a vet or someplace like that though.

I would ask the owner if there is space where your two dogs can stay together so they can comfort each other. If the dogs anxiety is really bad, I would talk to the vet about something that will calm him down while he is there.

 

[Tuffcookie]

Half the battle is finding a kennel you like.

I have been using the same kennel for 6 years.

Hunter, the Lab, loves the kennel! In fact, when I say, "Hunter, you are going to Crabtree Farm", he starts going wild and barking for joy!!!
Dudley, the other dog (a Shih Tzu), on the other hand, hates going to the kennel!

TC

 

[Pakey]

I also suggest a trial run. I have two little hairless Chinese cresteds. One was fine but the other has separation anxiety and is afraid of everyone. He freaked at being at the kennel. So we have a pet sitter. He is afraid of her too but at least he is in his own home while we are away.

 

[MushyMushy]

We have a great kennel we use! We haven't been there since we got our most recent dog, but our older dog loves being there. We call it her sleepaway camp because she goes berserk when she sees the place and comes home exhausted, but happy. I'm not so sure our youngest will be too thrilled about staying in the cage, but I know she'll be treated well while she's there.

Oh, and the owner always sends them home with a homemade seasonal bandanna -- it's so cute!

 

[horseshowmom]

OP, I had a smiliar situation. We had a dog (she's been gone now for almost two years ) who came from the same situation. She was a cocker/beagle mix. I had to be out of town and had no choice but to board her (no pet sitters way out here in the country). It was a small kennel, and they seemed to take very good care of the animals. I explained her background and how nervous she was of others.

That afternoon we got a call from the owner asking if it would be okay if they got Cherry a plain hamburger when her husband went to McDonald's. When we got back a few days later, they showed us pictures of Cherry stretched out sound asleep on a couch next to the husband. He said he had laid down and before he realized what she was doing, she hopped up there too. They made sure she felt secure, and she always did well when she stayed there from then on.

 

[pumba]

We call the kennel the fat farm.......or puppy penitentary......we are bad I know.....we just love our doggie so much......This is our second Dalmatian that we have owned and our doggie goes to the same one our first did.......we called all around......asked questions ......our vet sends his dogs to this place too......No extra charge for bringing our own food or playing with them........they are so good.....When our dal was sick a year ago there ......they put her on chicken and rice mixture right away....they kept her clean and this made us happy......

We bring her spring water too .....and they keep it in the fridge for us.....cause she does not like warm water in the warmer months....
ASK QUESTIONS.......ask your vet if he knows of a good place.....

remember that some places do not allow the dogs to be in the same play yard together because dogs can fight for no reason and get injured ........so be careful on that

 

[louey]

If at all possible I would definately look into having a petsitter. At least they would stay in their own home especially if they have anxiety. There are some really great kennels it really depends on your dogs whether they will not be happy no matter how nice it is. I would just check into it if ya can