Would you use a dog boarding kennel?

eyelinerprincess

Mine goes to a kennel when all of us are away for a few days (not very often since we don't go on holiday together anymore, but will at cousin's wedding). He loves it, and he gets all excited when he gets there. He loves coming home, of course, after two weeks he misses his mummy, but no complaints apart from the fact he hates the stuff they put up his nose at the vet before he goes.

Kimberley

f1re_cr4cker wrote: »

that an interesting thought, do you have any idea of how much they charge?

£15 per day

heatherw_01

I have used kennels a few times when I have been on holiday. I hate leaving my dog but she seems to be fine there.

I haven't left her for more than 2 weeks and probably wouldn't leave her more than that.

snipzychick

My eldest dog has been in kennels a few times, but came out thin, tired and hoarse. Both my dogs now go to a pet sitter instead.
My dh has since set up his own dog walking and pet sitting business from home. We care for dogs whilst their owners are on hols sometimes for up to a month at a time. We just treat them as part of our family and they live in the house with us and go out walking at least 3hours a day often more.

Sunny2

We used a kennel once for 3 days and when we returned our dog ignored us for a week! She was completely miserable. So now that the menagerie has grown to include another dog, two cats and 5 chickens we have house sitters (usually friends or family); if we can't find a mate we use a house sitter, which I think probably works out cheaper than kennels.

Ruffles_2

nooksky wrote: »

We are fully booked most of the year as lots of people like using us instead of being stuck in a kennel for all that time.

There may be some kennels that just 'stick a dog in a kennel' but there are plenty that play with, walk, treat and love their customers dogs as much as their own.

eta. If you do use a pet sitter, please make sure they are licenced (by the local council) and they have insurance in place to cover your pet whilst in their care.

merlinormartin

Personally i dont use "dog kennels" any more mainly because both times we have used them our dog became ill after returning home ... obviously not all kennels will cause illness but we decided not to take the risk, we now arrange for family members/friends to look after him while we are away.

janthemum

I wouldnt use dog kennels any more. Used them many years ago and our dogs came back in a really bad way. Un cared for smelt of urine etc and blankets we sent to remind them of home were completely sioled with faeces and urine. Would never use them again.

With my five year old dog i have now i havnt left him ever for more than 4 hours. Will not go on holiday unless he comes as well. hes one of the family.

Tigsteroonie

Normally MIL comes up to house-sit for us (we have one dog & multiple cats), she is very obliging about spending her holidays in picturesque Scotland!

However, we did have to leave them all for about 4 weeks last year - the cats stayed in the house (cat flap) with twice-daily feeding by a neighbour; the dog went away to Kennels for the first time since we rescued him 8 years ago. The kennels were brilliant and he came back looking like he'd been at a health spa!

jackomdj

Back in 2000 when we moved from Cornwall to Wiltshire we stayed at a friends in the week in Wiltshire & went back to Cornwall at the weekend for 2 months. During this time our dog went to the kennels on a Sunday eve & was picked back up on Friday by my Sister. Every Sunday when we arrived to drop him off he would get so excited!

We have tried 3 kennels since we moved & we are happy with the one he now goes to, but he does not get excited like he used to. The lady loves him, but he is older now & just likes the quiet life at home!

Nicky