My son got a chocolate brown labrador for Xmas and he loves it very much. We are going on holiday for 10 days next month and can’t seem to decide what is best for the 7 month old dog.
The kennels we looked at seemed well run, but the caged pens looked cramped and the noise of the other dogs barking would certainly scare our young labrador. All the dogs are fed twice a day and walked in country settings. But we are worried the sudden change of setting will have a detramental effect on the young dog.
My sister has an enclosed garden and suggestd leaving the dog with her as she works part-time. We could also leave the dog’s box with her. My sister’s 16 year old daughter is very keen to walk the dog. My son’s concern here is that his dog might get out of the garden and run away.
Which path do i take?
12 Responses
2008 Nov 10
Get a petsitter to come to your home. Many vet techs at local clinics will gladly petsit, and have the knowledge needed to help your dog if something comes up. There are also petsitting services that do the same thing. Most will do 2-3 daily trips, and some can even be paid to stay in your house if you’re comfortable with that.
2008 Nov 12
Personally I would go with your sister, it will be a lot less stressful for the dog and he won’t run risk of catching something like kennel cough. Just ask her to keep an eye on it when it’s in the garden. Good luck.
2008 Nov 16
a family member! do know what they do in dog kennels it is like pure torture
2008 Nov 16
i suggest hiring a petsitter because some flowers in a garden can be very toxic to dogs. if u get a petsitter ur dog will be comforatable without the stress of moving from one place to another
2008 Nov 17
you should leave your son’s dog with a member of the family so that your son will be able to keep in touch with that dog as the saying goes is ” the dog is a mans best friend”.
2008 Nov 19
Have you tried looking at other kennels?? Kennels are tend only to be noisy when a person walks past them. I have volunteered at one and they are all quiet until they see a human and then they all go off.
Some kennels tend to be better run than others so i would look at more if you have the time and also see what other people recommend who have dogs.
If your sisters garden is really enclosed and there is no way the dog can get out and he knows her then i would go for that option more over than a kennel, they can upset a dog.
2008 Nov 20
i think you should leave the dog with your sister.By a run for the dog for your sisters house if your son is worried about the puppy getting out. i would never put my dog in a kennel in less i had to i would have my friends or family watch him.
Good luck and have fun on your trip!
2008 Nov 21
i would suggest leaving the pup w/your sister. give a detailed note on how much to feed, walk times, what he likes and dislikes…etc.
also have your sister and your niece come over several times to visit w/the pup BEFORE you leave, AND take the pup to visit them as well. that way your pup will be comfortable w/the ppl looking after him, and the environment he will be placed in.
i have nothing against boarding Kennels…and was forced to use one once when my husband was in another town having major surgery, and no family lived nearby, but i hated having to do it. My dogs were shelter dogs so it was a very traumatic experience for them…i have learned the hard way and next time i need to leave my dogs w/someone i have a list of ppl that i know would take on the job, and my dogs would be comfortable and happy.
2008 Nov 22
i would always leave my dog with family as it is some one that knows the dog and the dog would be HAPPY
2008 Nov 24
If the dog gets acquainted w/ your sister ahead of time, then I don’t see a problem with leaving the dog there. Just make sure you give her your vet info and call to check on the dog daily. I would also inspect the garden to make sure the dog can’t get out.
Kennels aren’t a bad idea, but not all dogs do well. I put mine in a kennel one time (he is a lab mix) and he didn’t eat or drink for 3 days. Not a good situation!
2008 Nov 25
Go with the sister. Your dog probably knows her, and she is more than capable of giving him the TLC that he wouldn’t get in a kennel. While kennels are very good, it’s not like having family care for your loved one. Leave the dog’s box and everything else, especially all of his toys, with her. Also, leave things that have your scent, your son’s scent, and anyone else’s scent that lives with the dog, leave them at your sister’s as well. It will make the dog feel like you are all there.
2008 Nov 26
I left my dog in a kennel for seven days. She must have lost several pounds when i picked her up. The first thing she did when she got home was drink about a half a gallon of water.So I would not go to a kennel…Stay with the family or a friend that could dog sit.. Best of luck.