What to do with Dog boarding?

[Microcell]

I am really torn! In prior trips to WDW we took our Jack Russell to the Vet for boarding, and she seemed fine coming home, we never thought "she looks unhappy or is acting strangely".

Then we took her with us on vacation, and oh my was she a nervous wreck! We left her in the hotel to eat out, and if we went any places where we would be at too long to leave her in the car. We were in the mountains though so she was with us alot! We also took her kennel so she would feel safe in her "cave". She hardly ate and shook quite a bit the entire trip! She only seemed "okay" in the car with us.

So after witnessing what being gone from home for five days did to her, I wonder if I should pay extra for a "fancy" kennel like Pete & Macs or Petsmart etc.. or have her go to the vet, where I think she was happy? I certainly do not think she was mistreated.

We got report cards from the Vet and they reported that she was happy, but are the higher priced places worth it? Do you think she would be occupied enough to justify spending double?

Let me know any of your experiences!

 

[2binak]

I say stick with what your dog knows. We sent our dog to a high end kennel once and refuse to every do so again. We ended up taking her to the vet when we returned because she wasn't acting right and we found out that she was dehydrated. I called the owner and he admitted that she wasn't drinking much, but that there was nothing he could do about it (Hello! Call her vet, ask for suggestions, call us, do something!). We paid extra to give her some play time (yes, they charged for playtime!). I told the male owner that she was abused by a previous male owner and did not like or trust strange men and that only his wife should play with her. He didn't listen to me. He tried to play with her and all she did was cower in the corner of the playroom. He still charged me for the 1/2 hour of play time though.

We ended up finding a wonderful kennel closer to home that allows the dogs more freedom (they can come and go withing their own inside & outside kennels whenever they want - the fancy kennel did not have this), they get individual walks 3 times a day plus playtime in the large dog runs and the owners and staff get to know each dog really well. They give our dog water in with her food to make sure that she is drinking - why the fancy kennel owner didn't know to do that is beyond me. We pay about 1/2 for our current kennel than we did at the fancy one. I'd pay double the fancy kennel's fees if it meant that my girl was well taken care of!

 

[Heidijs]

We'll be taking our golden to a boarding kennel in our area for 7 days when we're gone. I hate doing it but I have no choice this time. The good part is they can have other dog interaction play if you wish. They get 4 plays breaks during the day in a huge fenced in area where they can run and romp with each other. I honestly think he'll have more fun being there than at home. He loves other dogs and since it's so cold here, we haven't been out to play or walk in almost two weeks So getting 4 play times in a day with other dogs is probably going to be heaven to him. he probably won't want to come home! I hate how they smell when they come home though. Blech! I better set up a grooming appt for him the next day.

 

[Microcell]

Our vet does bathe her.. she smells good when she comes home! I am leaning toward the Vet after the comments so far! I still worry about how much playtime she gets but I believe I can pay extra for more and still come out ahead of the "high end" places.

I welcome any suggestions though!

 

[rubato]

I don't know where in Missouri you are located, but I live on the Kansas side of Kansas City and take my Welsh Terrier to Dogs World of Fun down at 31st and SW Trafficway in KC. It's only $15 a day(which includes overnight boarding) and the dogs get to play together. They have the smalls and bigs seperated. It's like a doggie daycare place, but not at fancy and expensive. And, they have grooming and bathing available also.

Since I have a terrier, I know they can handle his "special" personality. In fact, I've taken him other places and he ended up in his cage all day because the people didn't know that you just need to put him in his place up front!

They have very large sleeping areas also. So, if you are in the area, that might be an option. We try to take our dog with us, but he's so hyper and can't settle down. He ends up pacing a lot. So, it might be a terrier thing.

 

[Microcell]

I live on the MO side of the metro.. Lee's Summit actually. My only concern is that as it is she will be there 9 nights and the Monday morning when I would pick her up I have to get to work by 10:15 and since I work from home I would like to get her first thing in the morning so she can be with me and at home (I think I have the seperation anxiety). I will keep it in mind though, that is a great price!

I am contemplating paying Grandma to take her, but she is sooo high energy and they don't have a fenced yard. Grandma doesn't really want her either. She does love it there at Grandmas though.

 

[rubato]

They do open at 6:30, I believe. My little guy will be there 8 nights, so I'll be there right at 6:30 to get him! I love Jack Russells, but it does take a certain kind of person to handle their energy! My parents would never be able to handle my dog and he's almost as high energy as a Jack!

 

[2binak]

I hate how they smell when they come home though. Blech! I better set up a grooming appt for him the next day.

Another great thing about our kennel - she gets a bath before she comes home and there's no charge for it! They also clean any blankets or bedding that you bring in with your dog.

 

[snoopy5386]

how about hiring a pet sitter to come to your home?
Know any responsible young adults who could house-sit/pet sit for you?

 

[design_mom]

Why mess with success? If the dog seemed happy at the vet, and you were happy with the care she received, stick with it.

Some dogs would relish the playtime with other dogs -- other dogs would feel overwhelmed my so many dogs. You need to find the situation that's a good fit for your dog (and you).

 

[HotCoffee]

We have a shepherd mix, a husky, and a cat. We have found it cheaper to pay a friend a little extra to come by a feed them and play with them once a day while we are gone. We generally will pay them $10 a night which is considerably cheaper than boarding three animals. I have a friend with 7 dogs, 2 cats, and 3 horses that pay a house sitter. Either of these options are good and it keeps the animals in familiar surroundings. But you have to have someone you trust. We normally will sit for each other and let the children do the "work" and let them keep the money.

 

[DecaturDad]

We use a doggie daycare place that also does boarding. Dring the day, he has free roam of a large indorr/ourdoor fenced area. At night, he is in a private enclosed area with his crate. (There is no door on the crate, but he sleeps in it at home.) He always comes home happy and tired. My only concern is that there is no one there over night. But, I assume most kennels are that way.

They do have a doggie cam so my son and I check in on him each morning

 

[Happiest mommy]

my dog is older and on heart meds so a kennel would not be good for her, we usually leave my brother to pet sit if not she would not eat, this is the only way we can go away and she is quite happy in her home and he's happy cause he gets a couple of bucks.

 

[Swmr359]

My dog goes to Petsmart for boarding. She is a very social, active dog; so the play time during the day works well for her. Plus they have someone in the building at all hours, other boarding places we looked at and even the vet have no one in the building at night!