going on trip and worried about stay in kennel

[emillinium]

Hello,
I am going to Washington for a week at the end of July and am very nervous about leaving Chase in the kennel. She has never been to the kennel and I am worried it could have a bad effect on her. The only other option is to leave her with my roommate but then I would be worried sick that something might happen to her here with my roommate. Does anyone have any advice on this issue, have you seen ill effects on your dog by staying in the kennel?

[Mochasmom]

My Mom won't have any dog in her house so every time I have to go to her place Mocha gets kenneled and she has never been different in any way once home.

As long as you did your research and feel comfortable with the kennel and how it is run I wouldn't worry.

[RottieMom51503]

Emily, I have never had to leave mine in a kennel. I've been forunate enough that my Dad likes to babysit them when I can't take them. I will say though I was scared to death that Daphne would escape when I left her and called my Dad constantly checking up on them. It all turned out okay and it always has but I still worry about her quite a bit when I leave her. I recently went to Daytona Florida for the Nascar race over the fourth of July weekend and I called my Dad 14 times in a three day period according to my cell phone bill. I think you will be worried requardless who the dogs stays with, that's normal when you care about your dog.

[targonrotts]

check out the kennel.see what policy they have.visit the actual runs.how do the other dogs look?
kennels have good and bad.lately, in miami, we have outbreaks of kennel cough big time.we are recommending you booster your bordatella vaccine and any due vaccine, 1 week prior to your boarding date,at least.
if you can find the option of a house sitter or someone who cares for a few dogs at their house, that can be a better option.
take your food when you board.some dogs tend to lose weight in boarding because they are not on their usual diet,stress,etc.
just make sure you are comfortable with what you see at the kennel and enjoy your trip!

[cuppacoffee]

Hi, I just wanted to let you know that I have a dog with separation anxiety and we had to leave him in a kennel for a little less than a week about 2-3 months after we got him (he's almost 5) It must have been hard for him, but we didn't have any other options. He slept for almost two days straight when he came home, but I'm pretty sure no damage was done. In fact, it might have been good for him to realize that sometimes people leave for a while, but they still come back.
Kate

PS Make sure you ask them to wash your dog before you pick him up! We opted out and he was just FILTHY!

[observer]

I've had to kennel (well, we call it "camp" -- it sounds better! ) both the Rotties I have had, at one time or another. No lasting ill effects. As others have said, check things out carefully, bring something familiar such as a blanket or toys, and everything should be OK. My Missy has been boarded at the vet's several times... she LOVES to go there, and they spoil her rotten.

Now, Missy stays at a friend's house when I have to leave town. He has a Rottie too, so it is like a "slumber party" over there.... Missy sleeps a lot when she gets home, too... she is too busy keeping "her dog" awake over there! But, they get along great, it saves me money, and it gives me real peace of mind that she is well cared for and hardly has time to miss me!

[StephanieandToby]

I have taken up housesitting for some people who have had negative experiences with a bad kennel. There was on Flat-Coated Retriever who tore up his whole nose on the wire of his kennel. Another dog got in a fight when "let loose".
Now these folks are willing to pay extra to have their dog stay at home.
However....even though I make MY living at it...I would not be able to keep my Rottweiler with a housesitter unless I knew that person was absolutely professional and trustworthy.I haven't even been able to hire somebody because when I try...they have all let me (or the dogs)down in some way or another.
If I had to do it all over again, I would get my dog accustomed to being kenneled...It takes a real "dog person" to be a pet-sitter and they are far and few between.
Yup. Find a kennel with a good reputation and let the professional animal handlers deal with your dog.
Just my own thoughts.......

[livertw]

Daisy stays in a kennel a couple times a year for 4 or 5 days each time. It costs about $25 a day. The inside rooms and runs are very spacious. She shows no ill effects whatsoever other than one time when she STANK from rolling in something. She is happy and waggy when I take her and happy and waggy and tired when I pick her up. She is a pretty laid-back non-nervous dog in general. The kennel we go to specializes in large dogs, so I am confident about the people who are handling her. I would not leave her with a dogsitter or friend. The only really nice dogsitter I know only cares for dogs under about 40 pounds. She just isn't confident with big dogs, and I appreciate her saying so. I am happy knowing that Daisy is professionally exercised, confined, fed and observed. Hope this helps with your concern about leaving your furbaby.

[groupieindenial]

I used to to the "dog sitting" in their home thing. I think it was good for him when he was a pup, because he used to get really upset when I left him. He started marking like crazy and I think she handled it very poorly, and DIDN'T do as I told her. Now when I leave him at the kennels its a "big adventure" for him. He doesn't even care I'm leaving, and doesn't act different when I pick him up anymore. I like the kennel I finally found, cuz it had A/C indoor runs, access to outdoor runs, with shelter. I was worried that I'd get a barky dog back after kenneling him, but they said he didn't get barking along with the other dogs at all on his stay. (wiked!) THe place I'm sticking with isn't hte "newest" kennel, but the facilities are right, they have extense experience 30 years, family owned and run on thier property. THey liked him so much, they kept him out with them as they cleaned the runs.

I'm glad I don't have to worry that he'll get into a mixup with another dog. I don't have to worry about them handling/diciplining him cuz he won't have interactions with other dogs. (he can be a bully).

[SABELLESMOM]

Well if kenneling or your roomate are your only options, and you feel uncomfortable about the roomate...your decision is simple. Find a good kennel. Then relax and enjoy your trip to Washington. You have a phone. Call daily and check how she's doing. There are worse things that happen to dogs than being left at a kennel for vacation. She'll get over it, and be wriggling her entire body with excitement when you get back. Stop torturing yourself.

[scooterjohansen]

great suggestion we learned years ago was to take the animal to the kennel for an overnight stay and then come back the next day. This way the animal knows you are coming back and the extended stay will be like a fleeting moment in time for puppy. A good kennel will cater for your needs. House sitter is better if you can get one. It is very hard to find someone to look after a large animal let alone find someone who you trust. At least at the kennel they are in the business and see it all. just 2 cents worth BTW love Washington :)

[Lil Cedar]

If you wanted to try the in-home pet sitter....here's how a friend of mine located a sitter, type your zip code in the upper left of the page:

http://www.petsitters.org/