Ever use a kennel for you dog?

[Spinning]

We have never put any of our dogs in a kennel. We were alway lucky and a cousin would watch them for us.
We are suppose to go away for a few days and unfortunately she can't watch Jessie. With it being summer all of our back ups are busy too. So...
Please calm my fears about a kennel. I trust the place we have used them for grooming. It is part of a vet. hospital. It is very clean and doesn't smell. They have an indoor run for the dogs which they get to use 3 times a day. Because of the size of our dog (yellow Lab) She gets a double cage. She will be in the run 3 times a day...
So please tell me this will be ok! She really isn't left alone for more than a 5-6 hours at a time if that. We never crated her even as a puppy! She hated it!........

 

[Pembo]

We have used a kennel and our dog(golden retriever) is very used to being free. He also has never used a crate. Don't worry about it. He'll be fine.

Our dog loves to bark at all the other dogs and he is always very tired when he gets home. I think he enjoys the kennel just not for a long time. If it's only a few days I wouldn't worry.

 

[stinkerbelle]

we leave our dog Jazz (that's her below) in a kennel every time we go to Disney. We've left her at my IL's house oever night or a weekend at the longest, but we don't like to burden people with her, because quite frankly, she can be a handful at times.

We've taken her to the same kennel since she was 2. It's a nice/clean place....indoor/outdoor type cage...we pay for extra playtime during her stay, and always ask for a 'going home grooming' (bath/trim) before we pick her up.

We've NEVER had a problem with this place, she's always hyper when we're there (dropping off or picking up!) Our dog loves new people though. Through the grapevine we've come across many other people that use this same kennel and are more then pleased.

I really wouldn't worry about it...but if you are, why not leave your dog overnight there 1 night when you are home, just to get her 'used' to it...and see how she does?

 

[Shugardrawers]

She'll be fine. First off, she's with the vet. Who knows more about dog care than your vet's staff? Secondly, kennel employees are people who adore dogs. She'll probably get more attention than she does at home! When you drop her off she'll probably be reluctant and clingy just because it's unfamiliar surroundings and you are leaving. And if she's never been crated she'll be reluctant to do that as well. Good kennels know how to coax a dog in to the crate. Bring along her favorite blanket or bed, some toys and her own food. Anything that reminds her of home will help. Do not be alarmed if when you pick her up it seems that she hasn't eaten anything in a week. Most dogs refuse to eat when they are under stress. When she gets hungry enough she will eat. Think of it the same way you would dropping your child off at daycare for the first time. They'll cry and beg you not to go or to take them with you. You just have to turn around and leave as hard as it can be. Oh, I know these things. I've worked at a few dog kennels. She'll be fine I promise!

 

[Luckymommyx2]

Have you ever considered a petsitter? We used one on our last two trips and it was terrific. I have an older dog that is blind and it was such a comfort knowing he would feel more secure in his house. She would come out three times a day and walk him, brush him, etc. plus she would turn on the radio, adjust blinds, get our mail too!
With that being said...we will have to take our newest dog to our vet to board the next time because our dog suffers from seperation anxiety and will completely destroy our house. Last time she ate a windowsill!!
I'm sure you'll be fine...just wanted to offer up some other options if you wanted. I had never thought about it until I ran across an add in a local paper. Great idea!

 

[stinkerbelle]

oh - and your dog will be VERY THIRSTY when she gets home. Jazz will drink a full bowl of water in 5 minutes.

probably from all that barking/talking with her new friends!

our kennel charges us if we bring our own food (???) so we just switched our dog over to what they use...cause she's there at least 2/3 weeks out of the year. so you might want to check on that too!

 

[thelittlemermaid]

I am so glad I found this thread!!

My dog will also be going to a kennel while we are gone. The place was recommened by a family member. And when I called, the lady that I talked to was very nice and could tell by the sound of my voice that I wasn't really sure about leaving my dog for along time. LOL!! The longest we {my dog and I} have ever been a part for a long time was when DD was born and that will be 5 years on the 19th.

The lady went through everything with me on the phone. Before we hung up she told me that if I had any more concearns or questions to please call her.

My dog is 13 years old {mix between a Golden Retreiver and Yellow Lab}. We also have a Rott. He is 3 years old and will be staying here at home. We have someone coming to look in on him and feed him. But with my dog being so old I wanted her to have someone around 24/7 in case something happened to her, she's my baby!!! LOL!!! I don't want to go away and have to worry about her. Plus the Rott is not a stranger liking dog, so he is better here at home with someone coming in that he knows. My dog LOVES everyone!!! If you don't mind getting licked, then you are alright with her. LOL!!!

 

[EsmeraldaX]

When we go away and can't take him with us, Monty dog goes to the Best Friends Pet Resort in Tyngsboro, MA. He loves it!

It costs more than a sitter, but he gets lot's of attention, it's somewhere "new" for him to explore and they have a playroom with all sorts of fun toys and a jungle gym.

 

[Keli]

My dd works at a kennel and I have to second what someone else said about the workers at kennels being people who love dogs. Every employee at the kennel my dd works at is exactly like that and often times they are students studying pre-vet. I know Ashli comes home talking about this dog or that cat (they don't kennel cats but they do groom them and treat them for fleas and stuff so they are in and out of the facility all day) and whenever she has a free minute she's always going to play with one dog or another. The dogs there really do get a lot of attention from the staff and most seem to love coming. Their frequent customers are always so excited to get into the building.

One thing I've always worried about with Ashli working at the kennel is when she is bathing and grooming the big or powerful dogs like german shepherds, pit bulls, rotties, etc. I'm always afraid she'll get hurt by one of them even though she assures me that's not likely to happen. Well she got her first bite a couple of weeks ago...it wasn't by one of the big, powerful dogs, lol. It was a chiuahua.

 

[PenskeSth1]

We kennel our Golden at the vets when we go on vacation. He runs free at home, but does very well at the vets. At least there I know he is well taken care of.

 

[stinkerbelle]

Originally posted by EsmeraldaX
When we go away and can't take him with us, Monty dog goes to the Best Friends Pet Resort in Tyngsboro, MA. He loves it!

It costs more than a sitter, but he gets lot's of attention, it's somewhere "new" for him to explore and they have a playroom with all sorts of fun toys and a jungle gym.

We take Jazzy to a Best Friends here in Connecticut...there are 2 in our area, we drive a wee bit further to go to the one we picked (had a nicer 'outdoor' area)

DH toured both kennels w/o me...but that's another good thing to ask when looking to board your dog...ask to see the kennels and what not.

 

[Spinning]

Thanks everyone. I reserved her a space. I do trust where I am taking her and have been there before for other things. Shesh! Had to go though the seperation when kids went off to school and day...now with the dog! LOL!
I think it will be fine. It is only for 3 nights so that isn't too bad...
Thanks!