We are thinking of cancelling our holiday next year as we are not sure if we want to leave him in the kennels as we have heard some horror stories! and my hubby won’t let us have a dog sitter in the house (booo!). Can i have your thoughts please.
We are thinking of leaving him with his breeder (who is more than happy). But our dogs mum is quite dog aggressive but the dad is not. They all live in the house, no kennel or crates (which may upset his routine as he is crate trained)
25 Responses
2009 Feb 27
My bro-in-law uses a kennel for his dogs and always has no problem. I think researching a kennel well is a big thing tho. Some will be great, some not so much. It’s up to you to research them before choosing one.
We always had a friend come here to stay with the critters. But maybe you can find a boarding place that does it in someone’s home instead.
ADDED: Won’t your breeder at least follow your crating routine?
2009 Mar 02
We leave our dogs in kennels but we were very careful when we did, to make sure we found a good one. We rang up before hand and arranged to visit to look round. the kennel gave us an open invitation so we turned up on spec and they allowed us to look around whilst they accompanied us and explained there services etc.
I would suggest this approach then at least you can see for your self what it is like.
2009 Mar 03
We have a small touring caravan. That way you can take your dog anywhere providing that the site accepts dogs. The dog also gets a change of scenery and plenty of walks. Solves the problem of someone else looking after your dog. You did not say though whether you were going abroad or staying in the UK.
2009 Mar 06
this is my experience with kennels, when i was young we had a westie and my parents put him in a boarding kennel so we could go on holiday and when we came back he was crying and barking . They said that he missed us terribly and would cry all the time !
can anyone look after your dog for you? A kennel might be ok for your dog everyone has a different experience with them.
2009 Mar 07
i am going away in 3 weeks and the kennels i have booked my dog into offered a tour of the premises and to meet the staff which may help to set your mind at ease.
2009 Mar 10
i was told that if the dog comes from kennels origionally then it isnt fair to put them in a kennel again as they will think you dont want them anymore and that you wont be coming back. my mom puts hers in 1, he sulks wen she goes and picks him up, but then he is his normal self after a few hours.cant you get a friend or family member to have him?
2009 Mar 11
i have never left my dogs in kennels some are good some are bad but kennel cough is rife in kennels due to the amount of dogs at any one time,they also don’t get the attention needed,and are often left in there kennels with out exercise.
my family look after my dogs when i go on holiday or my neighbours.
2009 Mar 11
I used a kennel this weekend just gone, for the first time. I did my homework on the kennels in the area and visited each of them. the first one I visited was awful, it stank and I would’ve cancelled my trip rather than leave my dog there. But luckily I found a family run kennel not too far from here and it was clean, spacious and I felt right about it. although I felt terrible leaving her there and worried about her the whole time I was away I knew she was in good hands. When I went to collect her she was very over anxious to see me and went crazy, she hasn’t left my side since we got her back. the owner told me things like how much she had/hadn’t eaten and was laughing about some of the things she was doing when she was allowed out for a run and some ball games. it felt nice that they cared enough to note these things. All in all although kennels isn’t an ideal place for your dogs to be, I would definately leave mine there again. She is fine apart from being my shadow for the last few days, there’s no over anxiety and she doesn’t seem to be emotionally harmed in anyway. However my dog is only 7 months old and I guess it’s better to leave them in kennels as young as possible to start with so they can adapt and will know that you will come back to get them. We left ours for 2 days as we only went away for the weekend and I think this is a good first time time limit as maybe putting them i kennels for a first time for say 2 weeks while you jet off to the sun, could really scare your dog and unsettle him. I would suggest that maybe you leave him at the kennels of your choice for a day or two if you can just to let him know you will return and he will be aware of the surroundings before you go on holiday.
As yulln said earlier, turn up on spec to see the kennels. i did to all 3 I checked out andas I said the first one was in a disgusting state but the one I chose was immaculate and even though they were very busy, they spared the time to see me.
2009 Mar 13
I use a dog camp for my girl. It takes a lot of effort to find the right one though.
Do your homework and find a dog camp you feel most comfortable with. There truly are some excellent ones!
Best of Luck!!
2009 Mar 15
I have always used kennels for my dogs, and have had no problem, the dogs have came home very happy and looked after.
2009 Mar 18
Some kennels are good, some are not so good. We’ve found a brilliant one that our Labrador loves going to, so they’re not all bad despite any horror stories you may have heard.
Perhaps you’d be better asking for recommendations for a good one close to where you live?
2009 Mar 21
Depends where you go.
if you can take it with you
if not, a boarding kennel is great make sure you pay to get him exercised, its going to cost a lot but loving a dog is priceless..
2009 Mar 24
There is nothing wrong with kennels, all you have to do is visit the kennels first. Try getting a recommendation from friends or even better your vet. The vet will not, obviously, recommend a bad kennel. What I used to do was to look around the kennels and speak to the staff about feeding, how many times a day they exercise the dogs etc.
I noted that one person answered that if the dog came from a kennel, you should not put the dog back into a kennel. I do have to disagree with this as all of my dogs have come from rescue homes and have been quite happy to go to kennels and have not looked any worse for it! In fact we used one particular kennels everytime we went away and my dogs used to run upto the owners with big waggy tails!! You can’t cancel your hols. just because of your dog, there are loads of good kennels out there. Good luck.
2009 Mar 26
Yes, but now I have some friends who carpool with me who found out that I have a dog. So, they would be happy to babysit. In this case doggysit (don’t care if it’s corny).
2009 Mar 28
If you have heard bad stories about this one kennel then I wouldn’t use that particular kennel.
Find another one and ask to see how the dogs live. Ask a lot of questions.
Make sure that your dog is up to date on all shots.
2009 Mar 28
I actually own a boarding kennel. Most dogs do well here. Things to make sure of before you go:
1 shot records. Dhlpp, rabies and BORDATELLA (kennel cough)
2. Do the owners live on site? It is better this way, as you know someone is there.
3. Bring your own food. I don’t charge for this, but some places do. Changes in diet will most likely give your dog diarrhea.
4. Big corporate places hire people who may lack skills. Find out who they hire, and why they hired the people who work there.
5. Is your dog in an indoor/outdoor run? These make the most sense, especially if your dog is used to going to the bathroom outside.
6. Does the kennel smell bad when you walk in? That is not a good sign.
7. How often do they feed? Make sure your dog is getting the same amount of meals as they would at home.
8. Pay for playtimes if you want your dog to have “extra” attention. Going into the kennels to give just one dog extra attention makes all the other dogs crazy and stresses all the dogs out.
9. How quiet is it at the kennels? Mine are pretty quiet. Quietness is key, dogs sleep most of the day, and I try to foster that. Constantly going in and out of the kennels does not allow them to sleep, gets them over excited.
10. Do they personality match the dogs that are going to be near each other? This is a huge thing. I don’t ever put a small dog next to a large dog. This intimidates the small dog.
11. Make sure you put flea meds on your dog before you go.
12. Tour the kennels without calling. I personally will allow this whenever someone shows up during business hours. Just like a day care, check it out.
13. If your dog is female and not spayed, DO NOT BOARD HER, until she finishes up her heat cycle. Dogs in heat drive the other dogs nuts.
14. Are you comfortable with the owner/manager? Can they tell you about what goes on in the kennels? Are they friendly? Many people are dog people, but lack human interaction skills. Avoid the kennels that have people running it that aren’t friendly.
15. Make sure all your questions are answered before you go.
16. Although having a neighbor/friend take care of your dog is fine in most cases, I have had numerous clients use my facility after their neighbor flaked out or did not notice something. i.e. diarrhea., dog got out, etc.
2009 Mar 29
Check out your local places.Some places will “kennel” your pups together.some even have “home-like” suites for your pet.Depending on what you are willing to pay for the comfort of your pets,the comfort is there at some places.Your dog MUST have the bordertella vaccine prior to staying anywhere though.I myself,prefer to have a family member come into my home.Sometimes pople just stay here,other times they just stop by at least 3-4 times per day.Good luck!
2009 Mar 30
I have had three dogs that I have boarded in kennels as day care. My present dog was 2 years in kennels before I got him.
It is really embarrassing as he gets really excited and barks when we arrive and when I go to pick him up he has to be dragged away. They love him and all dogs left there are spoilt rotten.
One dog that was pining was given the run of the yard and they took it in turns to cuddle and play with him.
2009 Apr 02
Try to find a friend that knows dogs and would be able to watch him. Or you could find a well known and liked kennel, but do your research. go to the place and see how things run first hand. if your dog likes to be outside or likes walks, human interaction, make sure the place has enough of that for him. also, if your dog isn’t the most friendly of pups with other dogs, check to make sure they are able to handle that and keep him separated. personally, i would never leave my dog at a kennel and rather not leave him with a friend. if he is small and where your traveling to isn’t that far away and you could go by car, why not take him with you?
2009 Apr 05
I know of some really good ones and others that fit that horror stories.
go check out some facilities if they are good thenm they should be able to give you referances to check out.
make a unexpected visit and ask for a walk through. Aske them the daily routine and exactly what they do .
is someone there at all times, what God forbid of emergency do they do.
Check their contract.
I would also check into getting the bordetella to protect for kennel cough ask your vet when would be the best time to give before going.
Good Luck
2009 Apr 06
Are you in the UK? If you are then what area are you in? I recently left my three beloved dogs and cat in kennels for three nights. I hadn’t had a holiday in seven years because i didn’t want to leave them but have recently had a bout of very bad health and needed a break and as there was no one about to have them at home i had no choice but to opt for kennels. I was like you, debating whether or not to go, should i cancel etc etc, drove myself demented ha ha. I found the number of a kennels through a friends recommendation and rang them up for a price guide. I got their address and paid a surprise visit and was really glad i did, they were lovely and showed me around and allowed me to ask anything i liked. It was heartbreaking leaving them there, kind of spoilt my time away but they were absolutely fine! They didn’t eat much as dogs pine for you when your away but it was only for three nights so they didn’t starve too much! If you are in the UK, email me and i’ll give you the address of the kennels i used, they’re in surrey but if your in the US then the only advice i can give you is to ask your friends and family if they know of a good, reputable kennels or ask your vet, he / she will know of one or two. Pay a surprise visit, they should be pleased to see you not all in a panic because they need to show you around at short notice! Good luck and don’t worry, your dog will be fine.
2009 Apr 06
We go to a caravan park in the south east of England that takes dogs
2009 Apr 09
I never go away so it’s not an issue for me, but if I were you I’d go on holiday to a place that welcomes dogs. Or maybe go self catering in a rented cottage. I could never leave my dogs and go on holiday, they cry for me even if I’m out for just an hour and they have my mum with them!!
2009 Apr 09
I used to leave my dog in a really good kennels where the dog had to be assessed before being accepted. He was so happy there he leaped out of the car and rushed in when I took him and wasn’t too bothered about coming home either. Just do thorough research and recommendations from other dog owners.
2009 Apr 12
no i always let my mate look after her otherwise i refuse to go which really riles my girlfriend but i dont care