going to Australia on Wednesday for a trip of a lifetime and my beautiful golden retriever is going in kennels for 4 weeks, I know I will bawl my eyes out on Tuesday when we have to take her to the kennel, who else gets really upset and stressed about doing this.
The Kennel my dog goes in is fantastic, she is treat like a princess and rather them look after her than my family or friends as they have no idea how to care for a dog, its just hard and emotional as you all know but thanks for your answers and hey Elena Melbourne is were we are coming to as my cousins live there, can’t wait to get there.
20 Responses
2009 Mar 12
If only we could explain to them, yes it is hard.
2009 Mar 15
Theres no way I would let my dog go to kennels again, she always stays with family or friends. We took her to a few different kennels and every time she came home she had fleas and lost her voice from barking. My parents felt so guilty when we picked her up, they don’t look after your pets properly.
2009 Mar 16
I used to could never bring myself to take them used to let my partner take them and come in the house and cry .. They used to get there and jump out of the car and look really happy to be there thats what he used to tell me anyway ……….. Am sure she will be alright enjoy your trip . x
2009 Mar 17
I get so upset when I have to leave my pets behind. What helps is having them stay with family.
2009 Mar 21
LMAO!!!
HEL* NO!!!
2009 Mar 22
Yes extremely hard hence wont do it. Have always had someone to come stay at my house and care for the dog. However saying that I have never been away for 4 weeks and if I did then kennels would have to be it and I would cry too.
BTW Australia is great this time of year. I am in Western Aus and the weather is just perfect. You will love it Australia is awsome and deffinatley is the trip of a lifetime!!! Hope you get to see Perth, it’s an awsome city
2009 Mar 22
When I was young my mum would put our alsation into kennels and I would break my heart for her, I have never put my present dog into kennels.
2009 Mar 24
Sweetie I know how hard that is, in fact I’ve darn near ruined a vacation worried sick BUT you trust the kennel or you wouldn’t be letting your best friend stay there. Try to remember that the kennel is a business and will want to provide good care so you will return as a costumer. Leaving her there will be the hardest part, if you think it will be to hard for you, ask a friend along when you drop her off. I always looked at it like its better than leaving her home alone and having someone come and feed her and water her. This way she will be around other dogs and people all day.
Enjoy your trip and don’t worry about your dog, she will be fine and when you get home she will be SOOO happy to see you.
2009 Mar 25
Yes, this is very hard. I took my dog to the kennel only once and I have never done that after that one time. She got out and because they had taken off her collar she got almost home before they could catch her, and the kennel was really far away. hwhen ever we are gone, we always get family to watch her when we are gone.
2009 Mar 25
It will be hard but I wouldn’t board my dog for 4 weeks. I would rather ask a friend if they would mind her for me. Make lots of fuss over her and spend lots of time with her before Wednesday. Don’t make out as though you will never see her again, she might get the wrong idea.
I hope you have fun in Australia! I live in Victoria (Melbourne) and it’s a great time of the year to come. It’s supposed to be the start of Autumn (Fall) but we still have a few hot days. I hope you come visit Melbourne - definitely a great city in Australia!
2009 Mar 27
I do! I have a full bloodedAmerican Pit Bull and I can’t stand it. We’ve gotten his Bordatella shots for the last two years so he could go in the kennel, but at the last minute I chicken out and I pay some one to house sit. I can’t enjoy myself if I know he is un-happy. It kills my entire vacation.
2009 Mar 29
She will be fine…you wont, but she will!! I felt just the same first time I left my ‘baby’ in kennels,,she will have a great time with all those new ‘friends’……. Have a great time and dont worry..x
2009 Mar 31
I left my dog in kennels many many years ago, for 2 weeks, when I came home she was in such a state that I swore I would never put a dog in kennels again and I haven’t, to the point of not having a holiday now for a very long time, my dogs come before me. I’m not saying you shouldn’t go on holiday, only that this is what I do.
2009 Apr 03
I know exactly how you feel! I have never even been able to bring myself to do it!! I’m sure she will be ok though. Perhaps next time you should think about getting a home or pet sitter? It means she can stay in her home environment and it won’t be as stressful for you leaving her!!!!!!
2009 Apr 04
Why not take her to a dog sitter instead? She will live as part of the family. I have never put my dog in kennels, they are too cold and dirty (even the nice ones) and he caught kennel cough once. He goes to a lovely dog sitter who he loves to go to so there is no upset.
2009 Apr 06
At first I found it very hard… (we usually only leave him for a weekend) I’d call to check up on him and feel really guilty, but after the second time, I found that he loved it. He would get so excited, because he was such a social dog, and knew that he was going to get to play with the other dogs. Now if I have to take him, he doesn’t even say goodbye to me. He just runs to the door at the Kennel and starts scratching and wagging his tail. He can’t wait to play!
I guess it all comes down to finding a good Kennel that will take good care of your dog and truely give them the individual attention they need. Play time is also important, dogs need to socialize, especially with their owners gone. I know they miss us, but I’m sure they are having a good time, too. Also finding a clean Kennel is important. One that will keep your dog in their own space is good. Make sure your dog is up to date on all flea meds, too.
Now, I have never left my dog for as long as you will be leaving yours, and I do feel for you. But feeling like this is normal, and it might be expensive in Australia, but you can always call to check up on them. Give yourself a little peace of mind. Leave them some personal items i.e. favorite toys or bed (something that smells like home).
Just think when you pick up your dog, how excited they always are to see you! You know they love you.
Good Luck and have an awesome trip!
2009 Apr 07
My friends dogs came back unbrushed and covered in their own poop. After seeing that, I will not put my dog in one. They do not even walk them. At best they are let out twice a day.
Ask a friend or a professinal petsitter
2009 Apr 08
Are you serious? My dog lived in a kennel while we were looking to buy a house. That was for months. Customs dogs all live in commercial kennels their entire lives, nothing wrong with any of them. It is the kennel that matters, not what you think your dog will feel. The only dogs that have problems adopting to kennel life are the spoiled ones that get treated better then most humans, the rest of them are fine. I made it a point to NOT allow anyone to walk my dog or even take him out of his kennel. I do not need other people imparting their ideas on him. Your dog, unless spoiled, will be fine. Enjoy your vacation.
2009 Apr 10
I would not leave my dog in kennels, I would always leave him with relatives, But she will be ok in there do not worry about her, she will be waiting for you when you get back, have a good holiday
2009 Apr 12
I totally know what you mean I went on holiday for 2 weeks at xmas and a member of my family works at the kennels but I still bawled like a baby when I had to leave my shitzu and bordeau x mastiff they are like my kids, i rang every other day to make sure they were ok, when i came to pick them up the lady who owned the kennels had looked after them so well they didn’t want to come back with me they were pinning for her!!! Then I realised dogs will always have that one special owner that they know by smell but they are just tarts when it comes to attention, they go to who ever gives the attention at the time haha. Good luck.