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Boarding dogs first time

brandyalee

Posted 4/28/2008 11:38:05 AM

Active: 04-28-2008
Posts: 1

I am leaving out of town for five days and I cannot take my babies. I have a 8 month old mini Dachshund and a year old yorkie. I have found a highly recommended boarding kennel for them but I am so stressed out about leaving them. I work during the day so they ar use to me leaving them for hours during the day but I have never left them at a kennel. Am I being a drama queen or are there things I should worry about. I worry they will be so sad while I am gone for so long.

beaglebrat

Posted 4/28/2008 2:28:20 PM

Active: 05-01-2006
Posts: 842

Quote brandyalee: I am leaving out of town for five days and I cannot take my babies. I have a 8 month old mini Dachshund and a year old yorkie. I have found a highly recommended boarding kennel for them but I am so stressed...

Do you have a friend or relative that could watch them in your home if you pay for them to stay? Or that could take your dogs to their house?

If you have no other options, most dogs end up being fine at a boarding kennel.

maligirl1

Posted 4/28/2008 2:49:00 PM

Active: 12-14-2007
Posts: 365

not that you have not thought of this but if your only choice is to leave them in a kennel ,make sure they are up to date on all shots,especially the bordetella.most reputable kennels will make you bring a copy of their shot records.good luck

lakid1

Posted 4/28/2008 3:18:37 PM

Active: 02-29-2008
Posts: 223

I agree with both maligirl and beaglebrat. If you do not have any friends your dogs can stay with, then make sure they have all of their shots.

suebgone

Posted 4/28/2008 4:55:50 PM

Active: 01-10-2006
Posts: 3359

your dogs are much safer at a kennel than at someones house. I can't remember one single Dog coming into the shelter that got away from a kennel but dozens & dozens from "babysitters"

take two old T-shirts or hand towels & sleep with them for several nites, do not wash & then take those along for them to have your smell with them.

go & take the tour of any kennels you are considering using before you make your reservations.

maoseger1010

Posted 4/28/2008 5:03:49 PM

Forum Moderator
5001 - 10000 posts

Active: 02-20-2005
Posts: 6665

NO your not being a drama queen. Yes there are things to worry about in leaving your dogs in a kennel.

Have you discussed with them what they will do if your dogs do not eat? Some kennles tube feed. Have you discussed how they handle excessive barking? Some kennels sedate and don't tell owners. Have you asked what the average age and experiance is of the person or persons who will be caring for your dogs? Many kennels use teenagers or people with little or not training with dogs. Have you discussed what will happen should your Dog become ill or need medical attention? Who will transport your dogs to your vet? Who's vet will they use if not yours? Many kennels will not treat problems or call you and expect you to come get the dog. Hard to do when your thousands of miles away. Have you discussed how often your dogs will be walked or taken outside? Some kennels (even in vet offices) only take the Dog out three times a day and the last trip is at six at night and first trip outside at eight am. Its easier and cheaper to mop poop and pee off the floor than pay someone to come in at ten at night,and six in the morning and let the dogs out. Have you dicussed how or if your dogs will interact with other dogs in the kennel. Some kennels believe in "group play" which allow bigger sometimes unfixed dogs to "play" in the yard with other smaller dogs. I would also ask what they clean the kennel floors with. Since your dogs will be walking and sleeping on the floors other dogs have pottied on they'd better be cleaning them well between dogs.

Does the kennel require or Offer as part of the service a free bath before the Dog goes home?? Red flag. They know your Dog will stink from being in and around their own urine and fecal matter as well as other dogs, so they have to clean them up before they go home. I knew of both a vet clinic and boarding kennel that did this.

beaglebrat

Posted 4/28/2008 5:23:18 PM

Active: 05-01-2006
Posts: 842

Quote maoseger1010: NO your not being a drama queen. Yes there are things to worry about in leaving your dogs in a kennel.

Have you discussed with them what they will do if your dogs do not eat? Some kennles tube feed....

You know that was what I was thinking about. Small dogs becoming 'unpotty-trained' or having some major set backs in that issues.

Or getting sick. TRUSTED friends and relatives are still my first choice. Of course you can't leave them with someone that isn't good with animals or that is irresponsible or that won't follow your rules of the house.

I also know a few vets that do boarding. I know people are thinking, how could it be safer than at a vet office? Safe? Yes. Well cared for? Depends.

They are housed, and they are 'safe' but I don't think they get out too much at all. May as well leave them in a 12x12 kennel with an auto waterer and feeder and a Dog house.

PerfectPom

Posted 4/28/2008 5:48:59 PM

Active: 04-04-2007
Posts: 890

I am still on the fence with this one so I'm taking mine with me on our upcoming vacation. I think it depends on the kennel you're leaving them with so a tour and lots of questions are important. We boarded our Golden a few times and although he was safe I wasn't crazy about the places for some of the reasons Mao listed.

I don't know about pet sitting either as the ones who provide service for my area only come twice a day normally and I don't see how that would work either. For my small dogs I may in the future consider boarding them at more upscale places but only after checking them out. I like how the PetSmart Hotels sound like they conduct business if you read some reviews, but there are none in my area.

Not everyone has a friend or relative that can take on the responsibility. I guess I would naturally worry more with small dogs as they are more fragile.

suebgone

Posted 4/28/2008 6:22:40 PM

Active: 01-10-2006
Posts: 3359

any reputable boarding kennel has a pre-admission form that lists all pertinent health, medical & emergency information.

when you tour you will certainly be able to ascertain many of the other objections raised.

perhaps this will give you an idea

this used to be the Amercian Boarding Kennel Assoc but now encompasses more businesses

http://www.petcareservices.org/index.cfm?0

moggie

Posted 4/28/2008 6:53:53 PM

Active: 09-01-2005
Posts: 410

why dont you check with some of your friends and neighbors and see if they have had to board their pets somewhere while gone..if so...where and what their experiences were. you can also check with your veterinarian to see if they board or can reccommeend a boarding kennell. check with the bbb for complaints. once you are satisfied with your choices..put your mind at rest and go have a great time!! they will be fine!! you are only a phone call away!!!

fings1

Posted 5/1/2008 9:54:24 AM

Active: 05-01-2008
Posts: 4

If you don't want to board them you could check on some of the pet sitting services available in your area. Here in Atlanta there are a ton of pet sitting places, some stay overnight some just stop in. Obviously references are key if someone is coming into your house. We never could have used someone who just stopped in because we wouldn't of have had a house left. It really wasn't until recently that I've seen the pet sitting with overnight services. However, now one of our dogs is 16 (the other is 8) and he needs quite a bit of assistance so it would be to hard for someone to come in and care for him. My vet also boards and they've always been great. I ALWAYS make sure that I board both the dogs together, in one condo. Knowing they are together makes me feel much better and gives them comfort as well.