I Have To Kennel My Boys! Advice Needed!

[Mr Whippy]

Join our free community today.

Connect with other like-minded dog lovers!

Login or Register

Hi, despite owning dogs for the past 37 years I am now in the position where, due to family constraints (ie/. dogs that don't get on) I have to put my dogs in kennels rather than have them looked after by family. The kennels I've booked into were recommended by my trainer but then again they are a personal friend of theirs . I was a little unsure when I visited. The place is very clean and the dogs seemed happy but some of the cage mesh was corroded and there were broken bits that dogs could chew/catch themselves on.

I am going to leave them there for some test days - as in I leave them there in the moring and pick them up at tea time and then progress onto a few overnight stays before I actually have to leave them. Should I leave their normal collars on or should I invest in some safety collars? They will need martingales for walking anyway so would it be okay to do this or should I leave their normal collars on just in case a kennelhand tries to walk them on a safety collar? Sorry there's so many questions but I'm REALLY fretting at having to leave my babes in someone else's care. Any advice as to leaving dogs in kennels would be appreciated.

 

[Seraphina]

I would not leave my dogs anywhere that has corroded mesh, or where the exercise run is not directly from the kennel block = I would not want anybody to have my dogs in situation that a stranger had them on a leash in area that is not totally secure. If they slip their collar, the stranger may not be able to catch them. Do not forget that dogs left in kennels will act in a way that they never had a reason to act before. Many dogs' instinkt would tell them to get out of there and go home ASAP .

My first choice would be kennel that has experience with my breed, or at least related breeds. I would look for people with Whippets or at least sighthounds. I would prefer small kennel where the owner does all the work, rather kennels that employ dizzy teenagers who mostly do not have an idea. Then I would judge on the security of the kennel runs (no sharp bits and definitely with top), then security of the peripheral fencing. I would rather my dog not be allowed into an exercise run while there for few days, than getting out and lost or killed.

My daughter worked in boarding kennels while at high school and later university, and I have heard many horror stories.

By the way, i think somebody started a thread on recomended boarding kennels and it was put somewhere in FAQs

 

[Jillb]

Have you considered having a professional dog sitter stay in your home or look after your dogs in their home. I know the former can be pricey but it's not as expensive to have them stay with someone. You can get a list of sitters in your area who are registered with NARP (national association of registered petsitters) although you do have to pay for this list. You could also try your local vet, I know mine has a book where pet sitters advertise. There are also national companies that do it so you could search the internet.

I sympathise with your predicament, it's hard to trust anyone with your precious dogs, especially sighthounds that do have that added worry. That's why we haven't been away for 18 months (if you don't count the dog friendly week in Cornwall).

Good luck in finding the right care for your dogs. I hope to sort something out for myself sooner or later............

 

[~Sarah~]

Have you considered having a professional dog sitter stay in your home or look after your dogs in their home.  I know the former can be pricey but it's not as expensive to have them stay with someone.  You can get a list of sitters in your area who are registered with NARP (national association of registered petsitters) although you do have to pay for this list.  You could also try your local vet, I know mine has a book where pet sitters advertise.  There are also national companies that do it so you could search the internet.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

​

Good advice Jill. :thumbsup: I have a relative who boards dogs in her own home (in East Sussex). The dogs live in the house as part of the family (even allowed on their sofas) :huggles: and she has many dogs who return again and again. My two whippets stayed there recently while I went on holiday, so I would recommend this type of 'boarding' or alternatively have a dog sitter to stay in your home. I would worry about mine going into kennels when they are used to their home comforts. :- "

Good luck in your search. :luck: :luck:

 

[Janimal]

In 2006 we went abroad we left Oscar and Kobi in kennels for the first time.

I chose quite a small kennels where the owner breeds Akitas...we just turned up out of the blue and she wasnt at all hesitant about showing us around. I looked for cleanliness,...the kennels also had a heated floor and a large run attached to it, and there was no problems with dogs sharing or having their own beds and blankets. Also a large excercise run where they were taken on leads with lots of toys, and no youngsters working there either, she said she preferred just her and her husband doing the work as they could guarantee it would get done. :thumbsup:

Mine are on the BARF diet and she was willing to put all their food in the freezer and also supply fressh veggies in their diet each day. She asked me what treats the dogs liked...puff jerky, tripe sticks, biscuits..??

I think really you just got the feeling of someone and somewhere...and it felt right... :thumbsup: It was quite a small concern and only room for about 14 dogs which I preferred, and it wasnt too noisy either, and well away from any main roads.

We had just visited another kennels just before this one, and I was horrified...so noisy and lots of breeds....they could also see each other and also see the excercise pen. It just did not feel right...and I could smell dog urine really bad...there was just no way I would leave the dogs there and smartly left.

Good luck, Im sure you will find somewhere that feels just right for you and your dogs.. :thumbsup: :luck:

PS I left mine too for a couple of nights first to see how they got on,

and will do the same if I have to leave all three again.

 

[marier05]

Hi,

Im lucky enough to have a friend that stays nearby and who sees my dogs regularly that is happy to come stay at our house if we go away. If i didnt i would probably go to the local vet and as their advice. What would they do?

 

[hely]

i have left gypsy in kennels for 2 nights and although i was in a state about it, she was fine

we are leaving her there for a week next month while we go on holiday and although im notlooking forward to leaving her i know she will be fine, the lady is lovely and the kennels are warm and clean and have heating, she puts gypsys warm coat on her at night for me and makes sure she is covered up :huggles:

i weigh out her food and bag it up so i am sure she is getting the right amount :thumbsup:

 

[Seraphina]

Here is the link to boarding kennels info

kennels

 

[Mr Whippy]

Here is the link to boarding kennels info
kennels

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

​

Thanks Seraphina.