Another question for you dog lovers

L Sass

L Sass

Cathlete
Hi all. I am not an avid dog lover, but I gotta say I have just about the best dog in the world. She's a 3-year old golden retriever and my parents got her for my kids as a puppy - she is fantastic with and for those kids.

This last weekend we took our kids to an amusement park for a 3-day romp, and for the first time we boarded our dog. This kennel came highly recommended from our vet.

I picked her up yesterday and wanted to cry. I will never board my dog again. Penned up in those small cages in the hot sun (it was in the low 90's here). They told me she had a defecation accident in her cage, but other than that she was fine. UGH!

We're going camping in August out of the country and it's not feasible for us to take her, but I won't take her back there. Are all boarding kennels like that ( I literally have NO experience with them)? My vet is wonderful and with such a high recommendation I thought it would have been fine. I know I can look for a house sitter who will take care of my dog in her own environment. But are there other options that you all are aware of that I don't know about? TIA

Lorrie
 
Well, first of all, you don't have the best dog in the world, I do. ;-)

The poor baby. I have never boarded my dogs for a variety of reasons, & it's certainly cramped my style when it comes to traveling but I've kept my peace of mind.

When I do travel overnight, I pay a very nice college student (female of course) who goes to a university in our town. College kids are generally trustworthy & need the money. Also they love to get out of the dorms for a weekend & stay in a nice, normal house with cable tv. I told my dogsitter she could have friends over if she wanted, just not any wild parties.

Of course she is president of the SGA & came very highly recommended. References are key.
 
Hi Lorrie,

I am in the same boat you are in...I have a wonderful (but HIGHLY domesticated :) ) 9-year old German Shepherd. He is a big, lovable baby. I have only tried boarding him once (3 years ago) and it was a disaster. He apparently barked and cried the whole time he was there and wouldn't look me in the eye for a full day after I picked him up. He was only there for a short weekend and it just devastated him.

I think if you are going to board your dogs, you have to start when they are young puppies for them to fully get used to it. In this case, I just don't think I could teach my old dog new tricks. As a result, I have a family member stay with him when I am going out of town. Not the most convenient thing, but I just don't have the heart to board him ever again. So my only vote is for the house-sitter approach. I would love to hear what others have to say about this, as I am always looking for good advice in this regard.

Dianna
 
I board my dogs once or twice a year. We have the best kennel. I have two lap dogs, lhasa apso and welsh corgi. They have nice big kennels that are indoor/outdoor with a big fenced in yard to play. They also fell in love with my dogs so they often take them into their house to play with the kids. I would never take them to a kennel where all they have are small kennels and don't get out but once a day. Good luck in whatever you choose to do in the future and sorry to hear you had such a bad experience.
 
Hi Lorrie,
I have a chocolate lab and i will never put her in a kennel no matter how nice it is. I just dont like the fact she is in a kennel most of the day and only let out at least twice. I have a good friend that spends the night at my house and watches my dog when we go out of town. I think that is the best way.
Randi
 
We have neighbors who watch our dogs now - they'll take them down to their house and keep them all day, returning them only at night to our house. These neighbors are their "adopted grandparents" and I think the dogs would rather we take longer vacations so Grandma and Grandpa can spoil them rotten.

But, if you cannot find neighbors like that, contact your local doggy day care places. Some of them have people who will keep the dogs at night in their own home, and bring them to the doggy daycare during the day. It's like doggie camp. As long as your dog plays well with other dogs, they'll happily take him. The problem is that these places are expensive.

And by the way, neither you nor LauraMax has the best dog. I DO!!! ;)
 
Not all boarding kennels are like that.

You might also try hiring a pet sitter to watch her at the house.

Colleen
 
Hi Lorrie-
I rarely have to board my dog, Shelby, but sometimes I just have no choice. We have a great kennel here, with indoor cages and access to their own little fenced-in area outside. Shelby's never exactly thrilled to be "left" anywhere but he does get exercised and attention there, and has always looked fine when we retrieve him. Just saying, there are some really good kennels out there. Keep looking! ;-)
 
This is such a tough one for me. I've had many dogs and have never had to have them boarded...UNTIL the dog I have now. The dog I have now, Carma, does not like everyone, she is very nervous of men/boys/tall women/people with hands reaching for her, etc. (even though she has been socialized daily in my grooming shop since 8wks old) She also is not totally reliable off leash and that limits, who I can get to watch her. the last time I was leaving for one night, I had it arranged to have my neighbors twin girls come over to watch her. They were so excited and Carma likes them. So, here's what happens. We are home packing and Carma is watching us with that "What's going on, I'm worried look." that dogs get (you know what I'm talking about) and as soon as we were ready to leave and the twins were at the front door ready to watch Carma, Carma whines to go out and what do you know, PROJECTILE DIARRHEA EVERYWHERE!!! I can no way leave her with these twins in this condition. My house would be totally ruined when we came home. Carma had made made herself sick wondering What we were doing. So, I had to take her to the boarders on the way out of town, and of course she Puked in the car! And she loves riding in the car any chance she can. I had a tinzy, thought that I wanted to strangle her, but it passed quickly as I knew it wasn't her fault that she was a basket case.

Anywhoos, This was only the second time I have ever had her boarded and when I picked her up, she was ALOT better than the first time I took her (I wasn't , but she was LOL!). She, also had to stay in a tiny pen, probably 3X6. But, it was inside. I wish I could find one of those boarding places that you see the stars use, where the dog has it's own room and bed, with TV and Massages and play time outside in the pool with all the other well behaved spoiled dogs.

The only thing that helps me be able to drop her off at the boarders, is she's in the back of the vets office and they can treat her if she needs anything and that she will be there when I get home. That might not be the case if I have others watching her.

It still is tremendousely hard to do it.
 
Hi Lorrie,

Not all boarding kennels are bad, you may just have to do a little more homework to find a good one. We boarded our dogs in a kennel in the past without any problems. Currently, my in-laws watch our dog if we travel without him.

As an alternative, is there anyone (relative/friend) you trust who could take care of your dog at their home while your gone?

ETA - Just so everyone is clear...I have the best dog in the world!!:D :D
 
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