So some of you may or may not know - I am getting married in November. The initial plan for dog care involved my old manager from the dogs home who now runs a small rescue of her own and home boarding, having Penny for the night before and the night of the wedding. Then we would pick her up and have her home with us for one night before taking her to my mum who will be looking after her while we are on honeymoon. I messaged my old manager today to see if it was still ok to book her in, and she said that unfortunately she has now booked to go away that weekend so is unable to have her! Disaster! My fault really I suppose as I should have told her the dates when I initially contacted her a couple of months ago to see if she still did boarding. So now we have to look at putting Penny into kennels for those two nights and I'm absolutely gutted. I actually almost cried when I found out she couldn't go to home boarding anymore as I can't bear the thought of her in a kennel, I know she'll hate it and it really upsets me to think of her being there. I think my opinions on boarding kennels are coloured by having worked in rescue kennels for so many years and knowing the state some of the dogs get themselves into through kennel stress. I'm so scared it's going to traumatise her and make her behaviour problems worse, but we don't have any other options. I don't want her going into home boarding with anyone else as they will have other dogs there and I don't trust her or them to know what is and isn't acceptable behaviour. I trust my old manager because I worked with her, with dogs, for five years and I know she knows how to handle any situation that might arise. She also has the facilities to keep all the dogs seperate if necessary. I spent the afternoon at work looking at some local boarding kennels near me and I've found a handful that I would consider checking out. I'm so annoyed though that it's come to this now. I know it's only going to be for two nights but I just can't stand the thought of Penny in a kennel, though I know it's something that's got to happen. I'm wondering if it's best to book her in for one night a couple of times before wedding, to see how she copes and so she can get semi used to it... But I don't know if that will be worse, because if she hates it then it's going to tear me up even more knowing that we have to put her in again... Is it better to just put her in for the wedding and then she never has to go in again after that?
Re: Gutted Lauren, sorry to hear about your predicament. A lot of home boarding places don't have other dogs....some people prefer to only have one at a time. Might be worth looking into a bit more??
Re: Gutted So sorry Lauren this is a pain when you really don't need it. I know in our area we have pet sitters that will stay in your home would that be a possibility? x
Re: Gutted It isn't peak holiday time in November so you should have no difficulty finding somewhere good for Penny. Some dog walkers also look after dogs in their own homes. You still have three months to find something good in. There are so many balls to keep in the air when you are getting married it is not surprising if you drop one.
Re: Gutted Lauren it would be no problem at all to have her here! Completely understand if you would rather sort out another home boarder, but she would be more than welcome here if you can't find anything else
Re: Gutted I hope you don't mind me adding my tuppence worth. I worked in my local boarding kennels for five years. I left about ten years ago. It's the same lady who owns it. Now I am self employed and I work for someone who owns boarding kennels. I have kept in touch with one of the young kennel maids who now works in another boarding kennel. Now , my problem would be what kennel would I put my dogs into. I now have a choice of three. Every one of those kennels are well run, clean and have the most wonderful staff. The training classes I used to attend was held on land owned by a home boarding, doggy daycare, ( nothing was doubled gated it was the first thing I noticed) Under no circumstances would my dogs be mixing with any one elses dogs. My friend who for the last three years paid a fortune to put her two dogs into this doggy day care, and has been asked not to bring her dogs back. Why? Her labrador bit another dog. So some poor dog got bitten and my friend is left feeling gutted that her dog did this to another dog. The kennels I worked I only remember a couple of dogs that were stressed for the first day or two, the rest coped fine. We never had a dog refuse food, or get a lead put on for walkies. ( a private well fenced area was used for walking the dogs, they were walked individually on leads.) Everything was double gated and I mean everything. There was a radio with classic fm in every kennel block. There was heaters for the winter. Can I add when you would be needing to put Penny into kennels as someone else said the kennels will be quiter. So less noise for Penny but a higher chance of more human attention. I don't know what a rescue kennels are like, but in the time I worked in boarding kennels we had more regular clients bring a dog in pulling on the lead to get through the gate than the amount that was stressed. I only write this because I read and hear people's opinions on kennels and most of it is not true. I hope if you do have to choose boarding kennels that they are not all bad and this may help to put your mind at ease.
Re: Gutted We had to put Bess in kennels last month for a few days. Previously she had only been in home boarding where she and the owners dog were good friends but as Bess was lame it was either kennels or cancel our break. Bess was fine in the kennels eating her food etc and showed no sign of stress. If needed you have plenty of time to visit kennels in your area. If she hasn't already had it I would get her kennel cough done now so it will be one less thing to worry about. Good luck. Alice
Re: Gutted You don't know Penny hates kennels. There are things you can do to get her used to it - the more she knows the people looking after her, the better. A few visits in advance, so she knows you come back (even if you just leave her 20 minutes). I do agree with Cupcase, you can find good kennels. And really, a dog should be able to spend two nights in a (good, trustworthy, well run, small) kennels and cope. You never know when circumstances might oblige you to have to leave her in kennels. I'd sort it out in advance of your wedding, so on the day you can relax knowing Penny is fine. You don't need to be worried about the dog on your wedding day. A short overnight if you can manage it. [quote author=Beanwood link=topic=7337.msg101703#msg101703 date=1408039091] Lauren it would be no problem at all to have her here! Completely understand if you would rather sort out another home boarder, but she would be more than welcome here if you can't find anything else [/quote] That's so kind of Kate!
Re: Gutted Oh Lauren I would have offered to have her too....Kate is a Fairy Dogmother! You've got time to find a solution and you've had some alternatives suggested you are just feeling dropped on now.....sorry you've had this curve ball x
Re: Gutted I think you can trust Benson to look after Penny! If for any reason that doesn't work out (or for future reference), I can REALLY recommend the home boarding and day care that we use - I know it is not immediately next door to you, but it's only about 10 minutes from the Severn Bridge. Pongo simply adores it. Rosie
Re: Gutted Lauren have a look at this ...it's a Facebook page Holidays4dogs,I don't know anything about them bit might be worth a look x
Re: Gutted Ok - I've found 4 boarding kennels that I like the sound of and seem like nice places from their websites, so I have emailed to enquire about availability and going to visit them. 1. Sunny View, Siston Hill, Warmley (Bristol or South Gloucestershire, not sure which)- this one is actually really near Penny's breeder! 2. Rock House, Coalpit Heath (think this one is classed as South Gloucestershire, but could be Bristol) 3. Latchets, Chewton Keynsham, Bristol - have heard one bad review from a friend and one glowing review from another friend 4. Overhill Kennels, Whitchurch, Bristol - only ten minutes from my house and have a big reputation as they breed, show and do quarantine and export/import etc. How do I choose?? Lol I think I know what I'm looking for when I go to visit but those of you who have used boarding kennels before - can you recommend anything to look for/questions to ask etc?
Re: Gutted The things I valued when Charlie was in kennels: Spacious kennels and good quality bedding He had his own locker with toys and treat allowances from home A small number of kennels and other dogs That the place was "homely" Charlie got walks, cuddles and play time, and human interaction - this was planned and I knew what he would have in advance A member of staff slept close to the dogs overnight There was a duty vet (obviously not relevant outside a rehabilitation kennels) A full record available to me of his activities and the attention he got No direct contact with other dogs All staff believed in positive reinforcement training and in handling dogs gently The things I ended up not liking were: Slippery floors, which had to be covered up (in fairness that's the same at home) - relevant for Penny too. Dogs in close proximity that whined and barked constantly (not sure what could be done though) The place was over heated for Chalie (but not for other thinner coated dogs)
Re: Gutted Only thing I can suggest is .meeting the people actually looking after the dogs and getting a chance to speak to them. And finding out what the daily routine is. You may know that Sophie works at a kennels, and she started working there when she was 13. She has been there for 2 years now and will be left to do the work sometimes on her own. Now, as much as I love her to bits and she is obsessed with dogs - she also has a knack with them which is admired by the obedience trainer owner - are you happy with teenagers looking after your dog?? There was a kennel near us who was shut down due to poor practices which included the use of several teenage helpers who weren't at all supervised for large parts of the day. Its isn't always the person you meet or shows you around that is doing the looking after and caring of your dogs. Worse than finding childcare : :
Re: Gutted Thanks Julie, that's really helpful! Think I'll copy down some of the things on your list there! One place has already got back to me saying they have availability on the dates I asked about and to pop in anytime for a visit, no appointment required. So that gives me a good vibe as if I turn up unannounced at least I know they haven't cleaned and tidied up ready for an appointment! Lol!
Re: Gutted [quote author=drjs@5 link=topic=7337.msg105154#msg105154 date=1409156046] Only thing I can suggest is .meeting the people actually looking after the dogs and getting a chance to speak to them. And finding out what the daily routine is. You may know that Sophie works at a kennels, and she started working there when she was 13. She has been there for 2 years now and will be left to do the work sometimes on her own. Now, as much as I love her to bits and she is obsessed with dogs - she also has a knack with them which is admired by the obedience trainer owner - are you happy with teenagers looking after your dog?? There was a kennel near us who was shut down due to poor practices which included the use of several teenage helpers who weren't at all supervised for large parts of the day. Its isn't always the person you meet or shows you around that is doing the looking after and caring of your dogs. Worse than finding childcare : : [/quote] Thanks Jacqui, think I was posting my reply at the same time as yours! Yes actually that would make me uncomfortable having young teenagers looking after my dog... If it's just the cleaning and feeding and they have some experience that's not so bad in my books, but exercising I'm not so sure about so that will be something I check in to. I know that in both of the rescue kennels I worked at any volunteers had to be 18 to be able to walk dogs unaccompanied due to the terms and conditions of the kennel insurance/licensing agreement. I'm not sure if that is specific to rescue only though or if it's different if it's a boarding establishment. Definitely something to check on!
Re: Gutted [quote author=Penny+Me link=topic=7337.msg105155#msg105155 date=1409156138] Thanks Julie, that's really helpful! Think I'll copy down some of the things on your list there! One place has already got back to me saying they have availability on the dates I asked about and to pop in anytime for a visit, no appointment required. So that gives me a good vibe as if I turn up unannounced at least I know they haven't cleaned and tidied up ready for an appointment! Lol! [/quote] No appointment required. Don't they have a routine? Things I would look for. Double gated. When you visit the kennels make sure who ever is working or showing you around that they close every gate every time. How high are the walls between kennels. Some older kennels may still have wire mesh half way up the wall. So brick bottom half and mesh top. Ok for a small yorkie. No good for a labrador. They're terrorising dog next door or vice versa. As for teenagers, ask to visit on a weekend , you have a better chance of meeting them. When I started in the kennels, everyone was years younger than me, I was in my late 30s, all of them started as teenagers. We had a teenager that helped out at weekends. I would have no issues leaving my dogs with any of them. I know the owners of two kennels and both of them don't take holidays. They go away for a day or two at most. A member of their family and an adult member of staff is available while their gone. They never go during school holidays. You worked in kennels, use your instincts.
