I am interested to know what others on this website do for dog boarding when they go away for vacation etc.
Where I live there are just two kinds of dog boarding:
1) Dogs stay in small kennel ALONE with indoor/outdoor run.
2) Dogs spend day outside with other ("dog friendly")dogs, then eat/sleep inside alone.
My dogs have stayed in both types of kennels, but I am beginning to think twice about my one guy staying in kennel #2 as he isn't so "dog friendly" anymore. Probably from being put in these types of kennels twice a year.
What do you guys do? Any comments?

i leave him at home and either have someone come live with him in the house, or someone come to the house to feed and walk him four times a day. i don't care for kennels and neither does my dog.

Personally, I take my dogs with me. If they aren't welcome, then neither am I. I visit my girlfriend and my uncle alot and I have kennels set up at both places, in both states. If I HAVE to kennel them when Im on vacation, I take them to the town Im going to and kennel them there where I can personally check on them every day. I have only had to do that once (for a 2 day stay) but thats what I did. Not sure if this helps you or not. I just dont like strangers messing with my dogs and would rather not go if thats the only option I have.

I work at a boarding kennel. The only time I leave is to go train somewhere.

I have had people go so far as to ask if they can volenteer once a week to see whats up. There are good people out there running kennels. Don't necessarily look for the "people person". I have found that my best employees really don't deal with the public well. They are great with the dogs though, and that is all I care about.

I have kennels at both of my homes, so for me I have family take care of the dogs twice a day while we are away. If I'm gone longer than a week or so, my brother has the same set-up and my dogs will be in his kennel.


That isn't always possible, so I'd opt for the type of kennel facility where your dogs are housed in large private runs and stay in them. Request that they have zero contact with other dogs while at the boarding kennel.

I much prefer the dog to sit around bored in a kennel for a week than mixing with other dogs under poor supervision for "exercise".

We kenneled our Rott and Cairn Terrier last year so my wife and I could go to a K9 competition…. We insisted that they share a run so they could keep each other company and even paid $5 extra a day each dog for “play time” with one of the employees.

The place we boarded at was $55 a night for both dogs… worth every penny and it’s the only place we would ever go. We know our dogs were treated extremely well.

I’ve never boarded my work dog…. I’d worry about the staff. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I agree with VanCamp. Opt for your dogs to stay in a private kennel. I am speaking as someone who has worked at two large scale kennels in my area. I like the walk or play time options that most kennels (at least in my area) offer. I do not care for the group play times unless the supervising person is someone with some dog savvy. I have found that most workers at these kennels are high-school, or just graduated kids. Most of them know nothing about dog behavior and cannot really help if a problem occurs. At the last place I worked I was the only one with any practical knowledge about behavior or training--the owner was a master groomer and did not ever supervise the day-care or boarding dogs.

Jamie

I have kenneled my dogs, and have had them cared for in my home. I have also worked at a vet's office, and seen what can happen in otherwise get along great dogs.
At the vet's office, we had three dogs come in, two mixes and a beagle (older, sweet dog). They were all three kept, (via the owners request) in the same run. Now, the run was indoor only and not very large. I came in one morning and saw the beagle under anesthesia with gaping holes all over his body- his sinuses were exposed. The other two "turned" on him and almost killed him The vet was non-plussed and I was horrified. That dog was in pain for weeks. It was really horrible.
Okay, for me, I once had a girl I know stay at my house when I was away. I gave her the rules. She broke them all (had parties, made huges messes, you name it). Not again.

Once I boarded my two dogs at a vet's office. My Boxer came home so exhausted, he could NOT move for a day. If you know Boxers, you KNOW this is NOT normal. Not again.

Then, the best answer, is I have my sister come and take care of my dogs for me- it is good because a) I know and trust her b) The dogs know her c) The dogs are much happier at home.

So, that is what I would do, have the dogs taken care of by someone you know and trust.

Julie

Scott
I agree with Ian. I have left my dogs with someone who does boarding, with very good results, but still prefer to take my guys with me. I am leaving to go out of town this afternoon and my wife made sure that she found a pet friendly hotel. Luckily we will be able to spend a good bit of time with them. I just like having them with me. If and when we go on a vacation I will try to find a private kennel and make sure that I check them out before hand.
Good Luck
Terry

I only Board my Mal with a private Vet that my trainer uses. He does lessons there and offers in kennel training. The vet staff is trained very well and the actual Vet inspects the boarders at least twice a week.

I would suggest private premises with indoor and outdoor facilities. Alone with no interaction. Also if the kennel has a good trainer or you have a trainer with a good kennel . . .


EwS