Make me feel better!

[Lawranced]

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So... I booked a 40th birthday surprise trip to Rome for my wife, got everything sorted, found Dog boarding etc but... went to visit the people today for the 2nd time and my dog was a complete menace... the people now saying (2 weeks before trip) dog needs training (recall) before they are prepared to have him. What do I do? 15 month Fox Red Lab.

 

[JudyN]

I understand that the last thing they want is your dog legging it, but another option would be for them to keep him on lead and exercise him in other ways (e.g. in a dog enclosure or garden). In what other ways was he a menace?

Also, are these people professional boarders? Would he be kept as part of a household, or in a kennel & run? And how comfortable did the dog seem with them? Has he ever stayed with anyone else for a period of time?

You need to honestly assess whether he would be happy staying with people he doesn't know, or if he could be really stressed throughout (which won't help his behaviour). Personally, if I was concerned I would cancel the holiday rather than risk returning to a stressed-out mess of a dog.

Bear in mind that there are doubtless people out there who would agree to board him, but they aren't necessarily the sort of people you would want looking after your dog - you would need to do a lot of due diligence.

 

[Lawranced]

OK, perhaps 'menace' was a bit strong but he got in their pond and we (5) of us couldn't get him back on a lead for about 20mins, we took him for a walk and let him off the lead and struggled to get him back on again. I guess I'm thinking rather than risk any issues is it better to put him the kennels. It would be 4 nights. This couple have had my mother in laws dog several times, samd breed just older with no problems

 

[JudyN]

It would definitely be worth working on his recall - not enough time to get results before you go away, but with a view to the future - it is the most important command in your arsenal. We have an article on recall here: Recall

 

[Flobo]

Having worked in boarding kennels and been a home boarder, I can echo what Judy has already said. The people who were going to look after him really should of insisted on meeting you and your dog more than a couple of times BEFORE agreeing to board him(regardless of looking after your mother in laws dog), if the meetings went well it should then progress to a trial half day stay/day stay, then a trial overnight. Then all being well, talk about bookings. This is for future reference of course, them agreeing to board your dog without these trials, imo, was wrong of them, as now you're in the position of them changing their minds.

A good home boarder will do all these steps for two reasons, one they want the dog to be happy and comfortable during their stay and also as the home boarder you want to be confident and have a stress free experience also! Building a rapport and learning as much as possible about your potential new boarder is so important. If they don't take details and ask you loads of questions about your dog, walk away.

If they do allow him to stay, will you now just be worrying about him the whole time you're away?

If you choose kennels, also do due diligence, go and look around and ask if you can do a trial day stay and then an overnight maybe, before you book in, though I do understand in this instance time is unfortunately not on your side! The positive side of kennels(hopefully) is that your dog should be safe and with people that work with and understand dogs, especially if they are new to the kennel experience. And at least his first stay is relatively short if you're only away 4 nights.

Goodluck!!