My babies first stay in kennels.

twinklie

Just to set the scene...we have been waiting for our perfect baby for 3 years. We'd put off lots of things thinking...right this is the time we get her. But the time never came.

So we saved and saved and booked our big holiday to the USA over xmas. Only after it was all paid did we discover we were "expecting" a puppy...

Anyway, like I say she'll be 8 months at the time and she is pretty chilled out. We are going to take her in next weekend or the weekend after for a day time trial to make sure she knows we are defo coming back for her. And to check she's ok with it.

Is there anything else we can do to make it as painless as possible? This is the kennels my family have been using since I was a child (although the facilities are much better these days) - so I have every faith in them.

I do feel guilty but the lady at the kennels assures me that we are probably doing her a favour doing it while she's a puppy because if we have to do it when she's older for any reason then she'll be much more chilled out about it (in theory).

I do feel horrible though. I would never have booked the stupid trip if I'd have known.

zaksmum

twinklie wrote: »

Just to set the scene...we have been waiting for our perfect baby for 3 years. We'd put off lots of things thinking...right this is the time we get her. But the time never came.

So we saved and saved and booked our big holiday to the USA over xmas. Only after it was all paid did we discover we were "expecting" a puppy...

Anyway, like I say she'll be 8 months at the time and she is pretty chilled out. We are going to take her in next weekend or the weekend after for a day time trial to make sure she knows we are defo coming back for her. And to check she's ok with it.

Is there anything else we can do to make it as painless as possible? This is the kennels my family have been using since I was a child (although the facilities are much better these days) - so I have every faith in them.

I do feel guilty but the lady at the kennels assures me that we are probably doing her a favour doing it while she's a puppy because if we have to do it when she's older for any reason then she'll be much more chilled out about it (in theory).

I do feel horrible though. I would never have booked the stupid trip if I'd have known.

It's really upsetting isn't it? You just want to love and cuddle them and keep them safe and happy, and kennels feels like abandonment.

Is there no family member who can help out by taking her?

I usually get my son and daughter to mind our two dogs but if that wasn't possible I've looked at places where they take your dog into their own home. It doesn't cost much more than kennels and at least you don't go away with the mental image of your poor baby stuck in a cage, and don't have to worry about kennel cough.

If there's no other option then you're doing the right thing by using kennels you trust. Let your pup take in some of his favourite toys and an item of your clothing.

I'm sure she'll be fine though.

My husband gets a bit miffed with me - he says I'd rather sit on a freezing rainswept beach in Wales WITH my dogs than a glorious sunsoaked beack in Greece WITHOUT them...and he's right!!:)

twinklie

We do have family...but erm, none that we'd trust with her. I don't know anyone thats used somebody that takes them into their home either...so I think I do feel more secure using kennels where I know she'll be ok.

hethmar

We are the same. Me and OH havent been on hols together for many many years as we cant leave the boys in a kennel. We either take separate hols abroad or we take the dogs with us to cottages/hotels in this country. I dont think I could enjoy being away and wondering how they are

twinklie

Well all future holidays will involve the little monster....but I guess absence makes the heart grow fonder. I hope!!!

I do have concerns though about her sanity at the minute...she got spooked by a twig (????) and ran full tilt into a tree!!! She's a weirdo! Still...no harm done. I'm sleeping with her new teddy at the minute (she's not had it yet)...she's not grown out of suckling rope teddies. So hopefully that can go with her to the kennels. I also have her smelly blanket (washed I might add) on the sofa at the minute.

sarabe

We take a holiday very rarely because of the dogs.

We were however able to get away this year when family moved in to look after the dogs - one of the dogs had to go to kennels though as he isn't good around children.

I have to say that I worried about him far less than I did about the ones that were being looked after at home.

LibbyR26

My pup was about that age the first time I put him into kennels. I built it up gradually - put him in for one night the first time, then a weekend the following month and then for a week when I went on holiday. I was in tears when I left him but he wasn't in the least bit fazed.

Relying on family is fine, but there may be a time e.g some sort of emergency when they can't help out. By getting him used to kennel at an early age it keeps your options open.

The main thing is you have found good kennels that you are happy with.

Good luck with whatever you decide

BubblyMumbles

I feel your pain!

I'm going to have to put my boy in kennels early next year and it'll be the first time. He's just turned 2 and is a rescue dog, I am horrified at the thought of having to do this but have no choice. We're planning to do the same thing, build it up gradually, and I pray it'll be okay. He's a huge pupster, nearly 6 stone and very reactive to other dogs, we have to work very hard with him, but he's my baby!

I hope it all goes well! :-)

prosaver

couldn't you sleep in the kennel for a few days then sneak out and go on holiday and maybe you could leave a wax work of yourself and leave it there. the dog properly wont know- he just think your just in a mood with him.

minimad1970

We left our dog for the first time when he was this age. Rather than a kennels we used a local company where the dog stays in someone's house. I felt happier leaving him somewhere like this as he was just a baby. I'm sure he'll be fine in the kennels though.:)

lostinrates

Its also worth noting lots of breeders will have a pup, or grown dog they have bred, back for holidays. They are often really pleased to see its progress, and also if its a breed hat requires a particular clip/groom you might well get it back groomed...:)