Do you take your dog to a kennel when you travel?

[wannago2disney]

We just adopeted a 1yr old lab from the humane society. we have a 12yr old sheppard already...they are getting along great already and we are very happy with our new addition.
I was wondering if anyone boards their dog at a kennel when they travel.
We have never had to use a kennel because family has aways been available to look after Riley for us(our sheppard). But we do not want to burden anyone with having to look after a very energetic lab as well as our Sheppard...2 large dogs...when we are at Disney in January.
Is there anything that you look for besides cleanliness and space? and how does you pet like it?
I would appreciate any advice that you can provide.

 

[mollyseven]

Wow....that's really hard.
We also have a similar situation. We have 2 dogs now also. We just adopted a newfie/lab cross and he's 1 year old and we have a 4 year old border collie/lab cross. THe 4 year old has stayed before and hates it....yeah...loses weight every time. I am worried about the newfie though cause he loves loves loves people attention and we are going for 10 nights so it will be a long stay. I may look at a new kennel. I want one that has a large enough space for both to stay together but not one of the new open concept kennels where all the dogs run free. That is a popular thing around us...free run kennels....no cages/individual runs...it's all free for all.....that is fine for an hour or so but wayyyy to stressfull for our border collie for a long period of time. Friends of ours did that in Feb. with their golden and when they got home after a week he was very ill, 800dollar vet bill later he was just exhausted....he lost 12 lbs.
Ask around...everyone has an opinion on this. When you find one you like...take them for an overnight sometime and try it out first and see how they make out. Make sure you can just show up and look around and that they are open to that...
Ask for referrals...they should be able to provide you with names or get some for you.
Ask your vet..they usually know one or two.
Really check it out. Ask what they do if your dogs refuse to eat? ask what they do if your dogs bark constantly?
Make sure they do not sedate the dogs...some do if they are too upset. Our real estate agent put her dog in a kennel and came home to no dog....he died and they waited until she came home to tell her. Their vet thinks they sedated her dog and it was too much and he died.
Be very clear with the kennel and tell them what you want and what you expect and you will see how they react and you will know if it's right or not.

You want to be comfortable going away knowing they are happy.
Leave yourself enough time to check around before deciding.

Enjoy.

 

[wannago2disney]

OMG that would be horrible. Riley was supposed to stay with my aunt...he is just a big couch potatoe and just lays around most of the time ...but Hailey (lab) still has a lot of energy though she is very well behaved inside...Hailey wasn't part of the package when she offered to look after Riley and I don't expect her to look after them both. But if one goes to a kennel then I think that they should both go to keep each other company.
My parents have a newfieXlab...she is 12 yrs now and still a big puppy! she is extremely intelligent too so I can imagine that you have your hands full with 2 very smart breeds in the house

 

[Disneyof3]

I board our dog at the vet's or I leave my dog in the house and my mom comes in 3 x a day and let's her out and feeds her. She is a big dog and can be over bearing at times. She is much happier at home on our COUCH while we are away. The cat is there to keep her company too. Sometimes mom will take her to her house for the day so she has interaction with people. She lives 6 houses away so it is close by. I would ask your vet and then if they have suggestions to go out and see the kennels where your pet will be staying. If they won't allow you to see the kennels that is a bad sign and avoid the place Best of luck

 

[mollyseven]

disneyof3.....Oh my god I think we are going to disney the exact date in march...our tickers say the same 5 months 2 weeks and 6 days!!!
we are trying to decide between POR and CSR.....ahhhhh
wow...that's funny

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

What about trying to get someone you know to come stay at your house to look after the animals?

We have a few friends and a few of dh' employees that are willing to do that for us (I'm sure the big screen TV with the surround sound and well stocked kitchen has something to do with that ) Makes it much easier for us as we have the dog, rabbit and a tank full of fish.

 

[Disney_Mama]

About a year ago we moved away from family so we now have no choice but to board both our dogs. The first time we took them they were not to happy to leave my side. But the next time they went they ran right into the back room with the girl. I was very happy to see that. Find a kennel that allows both of your dogs to stay together (We have big dogs) Bring a blanket from home that has your smell on it. Don't worry too much....

 

[Disneyof3]

disneyof3.....Oh my god I think we are going to disney the exact date in march...our tickers say the same 5 months 2 weeks and 6 days!!!
we are trying to decide between POR and CSR.....ahhhhh
wow...that's funny

Looks like we are going the same time!!! That is so cool. We are flying this time instead of driving. POR is a good place to stay. We are as you can see a family of 5 so POR is the only moderate we can go to and we love it there. Best of luck with your decision.

 

[digskat]

We just adopeted a 1yr old lab from the humane society. we have a 12yr old sheppard already...they are getting along great already and we are very happy with our new addition.
I was wondering if anyone boards their dog at a kennel when they travel.
We have never had to use a kennel because family has aways been available to look after Riley for us(our sheppard). But we do not want to burden anyone with having to look after a very energetic lab as well as our Sheppard...2 large dogs...when we are at Disney in January.
Is there anything that you look for besides cleanliness and space? and how does you pet like it?
I would appreciate any advice that you can provide.

We board our 1yr old goldendoodle and our 12 yr old cockerspaniel. My parents use to take our dog when we just had the one but with two it is too much to even dream of asking. I would however reccomend trying the kennel out beforehad even for one night. We didn't do this last year and I was not pleased with it when I picked them up, overcharged what I was quoted and the dog dish was chewed to crap (plastic...and they didn't even say I word. Everything was filthy including the dogs that needed two baths before we could even stay in the same room as us, not too much fun after a long drive home. And this was the kennel that was $10 more a day, most exensive of the two I was looking at. This year I tried the cheaper one for a night that we were going to a wedding. The dogs had a huge run they shared plus a huge one outside that they had access too. $17/day for the two of them as apposed to the $22 I was quoted and the $26 that I paid at the other. And it was way cleaner. We decided to use it for a couple of days to go over to the states for two nights, Jasmine our goldendoodle practically ripped my hubbie's arm off to get to Amber that owns the kennel and she gets extremely excited whenever you mention Amber's name. It makes us feel wonderful to know they are happy to go there. Tamika is really easy going and will go anywhere! And we were only charged for a couple of hours not the whole day when we were 8hrs from our (48hr mark) instead of a full day, like we were at the other, even when it was 6hrs over. ie drop off at 10 am and pick up at 4pm. So I guess just try a few out before hand and then you know that they are happy with your choice of kennel it will make it easier for you, and you'll be able to have more fun knowing they are happy too....I know it will make a world of a difference for us. After last years experience I had said that when we only had one dog that it would be coming with us to WDW but now I know they are in good hands at home and it makes more room in the car on the way down. Take Care and Good luck on your decision, Kat.....holy am I long winded today or what??

 

[Chester's Mum]

We boarded with our vet once, but our pooch only had a small space and someone came in to walk him twice a day. He about went ballistic when we got home, poor thing was beside himself. (labrador retriever).

Since then we have found Boondocks Pet Resort check out their web site www.boondocspetresort.com in Niagara Falls. I know its not anywhere close to you, but you might look for a place similar. Each dog has not only a private enclosure, but a private run with a flappy door so he can go outside anytime he needs or wants to. For an extra fee you can get them to give your pet a private or group playtime once a day, and a spa treatment (bath/nail clip) just before you pick him up.

When we picked up our pooch from Boondocks, he was completely tuckered out, slept all the way home in the car. He was easier to live with after the Boondocks experience, than the cage at the vets.

 

[momtoamulan]

We have been really lucky..in the 10 years we have had our dog, he has never been kennelled.

When we went to China, I worried, as my parents went with us (they usually watch our dog now...but, I wanted my parents to go with us)...I had two friends watch our dog...one did one week, and one another week...so, it wasnt' asking too much!

We are heading to Disney next week...my parents are taking the whole family..so, again, I had to find a dog sitter...my one friend has graciously agreed to watch our dog again (whew!)...

Our dog has seperation anxiety (sp?)..so, trying to make his life easier is the way to go!

Good luck on your decision...hopefully, you can maybe find someone who will watch both!

 

[wannago2disney]

Thanks everyone for all your great insight.

My Mom usually watches Riley for us but she's coming with us

I also have 2 cats that my neighbour has voluteered to watch...however, she has 2 dogs of her own so spending extra time with mine is out of the question!

Another problem has reared it's nasty head as well, we adopted Hailey on Sept.7, from the Humane Society and brought her home the same day. Later that same night we noticed blood on our floor . We were a little bit frightened for her as we had been told we were adopting a dog which was fixed....we took her back to the shelter to be checked the next day by their vet...when they put her into the dog kennel, she went nuts, jumping and crying and shaking...it broke my heart and I had to get her out of there...so instead of waiting for the Shelter's vet to look at her I took her to my own...it turns out she is in HEAT.
(I have never had a dog go into heat before and since she was supposedly fixed, we were confused)

The idea of getting someone to stay at our home to watch everyone is really good. We don't have any family near us but perhaps we can get a friend or co-worker to help out!

 

[drag n' fly]

We use a kennel here in Calgary. We have been really happy with them. They are here

http://www.petplanet.ca/stores_resort.asp

 

[Rescue Ranger]

I'm gonna bring my dog again when we go in a couple weeks and we take him to a fantastic place right by Disney called Sand Lake Animal Clinic. He's been twice before there, and would never take him anywhere else, top notch and if we want we can always go to visit him and what not if we want since its so close by and its good to know we‘re near if anything was wrong.

sandlakeanimalclinic.com

I recommend them wholeheartedly, I'd take them anyday over any place here I've had him. Plus they're a clinic too, so its all in one. Staff is great and very caring. We might take him to the Universal Royal Pacific for a night to at the end of the Disney trip!

 

[ottawamom]

Another option you might want to investigate. There are people here who will take your dog into their home. These are dog lovers who for whatever reason don't want to have a dog fulltime. Ask around at the dog park that's how I found out about one near us. They tend to charge about the same amount as a kennel but the dog will be in a home environment with dog lovers. Who knows you may even find someone to take the two of them. Good luck.

 

[lolinmr]

I would really try and get someone to stay at YOUR house. Taking a 'shelter' dog to a kennel can really set them back, they think they have been abandoned again. We adopted a second dog awhile ago too and I am having a hard time finding a trustworthy, dogloving, resposible person for here, but it always seems to work out in the end. Good luck.

 

[wannago2disney]

I would really try and get someone to stay at YOUR house. Taking a 'shelter' dog to a kennel can really set them back, they think they have been abandoned again. We adopted a second dog awhile ago too and I am having a hard time finding a trustworthy, dogloving, resposible person for here, but it always seems to work out in the end. Good luck.

Good luck to you as well.

I think I may ask a friend who house sat for us last time we went to disney. I am hoping she will be able to do it...she is looking after her parents house just 2 weeks before while they are at Disney...they are giving her and her boyfriend a trip to Cuba for their trouble...I don't think I can afford that ...last time she stayed for free!...but then again last time she only had to water the plants and feed 1 cat.

I am sure we will figure it out eventually...we still have 4 months to go.

 

[maddiel]

I would really try and get someone to stay at YOUR house. Taking a 'shelter' dog to a kennel can really set them back, they think they have been abandoned again. We adopted a second dog awhile ago too and I am having a hard time finding a trustworthy, dogloving, resposible person for here, but it always seems to work out in the end. Good luck.

You know, we have had quite the opposite experience. We've had our rather neurotic rescued beagle stay at our home with a relative (twice) and stay at a kennel (three times) and she did far better at the kennel. It really bothered her to be home without us. We had weeks of anxious behaviour afterward, whereas with the kennel it was like we'd never been away

Now that she's diabetic, I'm also far more comfortable having a professional give her injections than trying to train someone to do it.

M.

 

[lolinmr]

Well I am clearly not the person to ask!! We have THREE different caregivers coming over the (8 nights/9 days) we are away.
I'll let you know how it goes, but honestly I am worried sick about it.
My one dog is 11 and suddenly aging right before my eyes, he has just slowed right down and as mentioned the new dog was a rescue. I really feel like a kennel would set her right back to the issues we had with her before we got her settled here.
But the care givers are aware of all my appprehensions so i think it should go OK.

 

[maddiel]

I think it's a case of YDMV- your dog may vary!

I admit I was surprised that our dog did better at the kennel. I would think that since you have more than one, that your dogs would keep each other company and not feel as deserted as ours did. Our dog is just weird too - we love her, but sometimes....

Good luck with them when you take your trip!

M.