Boarding My Puppy

[RoxiesMama]

I have a 9 week old puppy that I will need to board every two to three weeks when I go to visit my parents as they will not allow her in their house. I knew this when I bought Roxie. Today I visited the kennel that I thought would be the best and was thoroughly surprised and traumatized by what I saw. Roxie is my first puppy and I've never been to a kennel before so maybe this is all "normal" and I am making things bigger than what they are. There were at least 50 dogs in there all barking and this is "normal" as weekends are their busiest times, as I would expect. It looked like total chaos! Roxie wasn't shaking but I could tell she was scared by all the noise. They had no other little puppies; just dogs.

My husband told me that I'm going to have to get over this because we can't take her with us and that "she is just a dog. She doesn't have feelings." I know they don't have human emotions, but I know she didn't like it in there any more than I did. Is this normal for a kennel and am I making more out of this than there needs to be? Do I need to get over this and just let her get used to it? Is a 10-11 week old puppy too young to be boarded?

Any advice you all have would be appreciated. Thanks!

RoxiesMama

[trackermom]

It is completely normal when a visitor walks into a kennel for the general population to start barking and making a rukus. It is how things are when others are not present that say the most. When you drive up to the kennel is it constant barking or is it just the first few dogs that spotted you from the yard barking? As for their being no other puppies, How is the kennel set up? Do the dogs interact or do they have seperate yard and walk time?
There are many important things to look at when visiting a kennel and the barking when you are walking through is the least of the issue. Check out www.abka.com on their main page is a link of how to select a pet care facility.

[Cherry Heart]

You didn't say how long she would be boarded. Is it just from Friday to Sunday night? I wouldn't stat boarding her untill she has had all her shots, there is something that just doesn't feel right about a puppy around that many dogs that rotate in and out.

We will be boarding Arwen in October and we are leaving her at a "Doggy Daycare" type place for 9 days. It is more expensive then a kennel ($35 dollars a day vs. 15) but we just can't leave her in a small kennel for that amount of time. She will have 4 private walks a day, her own food, interaction with other dogs (based on her personality and how many dogs we say she can be with at one time). Maybe this could be an option untill your puppy is a bit older as there would be more human contact.

[mawilli]

I board my dogs at my vets. You mite try yours.

[rencook]

I work at a kennel, so I can tell you firsthand-TOTALLY normal. When "new" people come into a kennel situation, all the dogs start barking and acting nutty. But on a whole they usually are quiet and settle down rather easy. Except during feeding time:)
A couple things to look for, 1. smell, a kennel IS going to smell "doggy", but it should not smell like urine or feces. Sometime accidents happen, but a good kennel makes sure we are always checking for messes. 2. Cleanliness-the floors and wall and kennel runs should be clean-we mop/scrub kennels at least 2X per day-sometimes more. 3. Do the dogs always have access to fresh water-look at the water bowls, its a great clue as to how attentive the staff is-water bowls should always have clean water-and be kept full. Most dogs do stress a little while they're boarded, and when dogs are stressed-they drink more, so we refill as needed and clean their bowls every day.
Also, how often are the dogs let out-are they indorr/outdoor kennels??
Do they have a vet they use in case of emergiencies-also, do they have a isolation room in case a dog gets sick?
Definintly check out the ABKA website-they have a ton of good information.
Good Luck!

[anni's.mom]

roxiesmama,

try bed and bone up near buffalo, or downtown dogs. if you're still not comfortable, give a call to the girls over at urbanimal -- i'm guessing they'll be able to direct you to good boarding facilities or trustworthy pet sitters in and around minneapolis. PM me if i can help.

[Rubyhead]

In your posting you mentioned you will need to board the puppie every two to three weeks when you visit your folks, but you didn't mention how long the puppy will be boarded.
I board my dogs regularly but I didn't start boarding them until they were 5 mo.
9 weeks seem kinda young to me and if it were my puppy and I had no choice but to board, I'd first look to my vet to help me out.
You don't want to put the pup into a situation which is totally overwheming and ulitmately harmful to it's psyche.
Maybe since the pup is so young and if you don't have to board in a kennel perhaps you could request accomodations in the 'cat room'. Much more quiet and mellow in there. Just a thought :-) Good luck

[fostermom]

Try National Association of Professional Pet Sitters Home Page
Also, check your local yellow pages...you might be able to find a petsitter who boards at their own home which I would think would be less traumatic for your puppy.

[RoxiesMama]

We would only be boarding her on weekends, Friday afternoon until Sunday afternoon, but I love the "cat room" idea! Our vet office does not do boarding or that would definetely be my first choice. Do other vets take your pets if you don't vet with them? Probably not. I also feel that she is so young and that it would be traumatic to her. I will check on that "cat room" idea. We have two cats here and she has had no interest in them so far and they just keep their distance from her! Thanks for the idea.

RoxiesMama

[Mavides]

If you're going to be boarding her so often and at such a young age, I would look into finding someone to take care of her in their home. A good place to check would be your local Rottweiler club (if you have one...check with AKC). You shouldn't have too much trouble finding someone that would like to get a "puppy fix" for a weekend here and there...and if you get someone that is experienced with Rotts and perhaps has other Rotts in their home, you'll be giving her socialization and maybe even a little bit of training too! Best of luck!

[observer]

I agree with the suggestions for home boarding, especially for such a young puppy. When I used to have to board Missy, (an older Rottie who now gets to stay with a friend when I leave town), I boarded with my vet except for one time when they did not have room.

That time, I boarded with a very reputable kennel attached to a vet hospital. It was noisy, like you describe, when I visited, but otherwise seemed fine. I paid for extra service so she could have playtime outside, etc. She clearly didn't like it....when they brought her out when I came to pick her up she hit the floor when she saw me like she had done something REALLY wrong to make me leave her there.... never again.

[spoiledbabies3]

I don't board outside of my home...I have a reliable petsitter that watches all of mine. She even spends the night in my home. I pay extra for these services, but well worth it. My gang is never stressed out when I return home and they are well taken care of...see if there is someone in the area that might be able to provide this type of service for you. I know when Deja was 4 months old, I had to travel for a weekend and my sitter came in every 2-3 hours to let her outside on top of feedings and staying the night. Good luck in your search!

[observer]

That's right, Arlene -- nothing like home care, in your home or theirs. Last time I left Missy with my friend who watches her for me, when I went to leave his house all of her 90 pounds was across his lap on the couch. His Rottie loves me (and her) too, so it all works out.

And, RoxiesMama, as you already know, your husband is wrong. She does have feelings. And, particularly at this young age, she doesn't need to be in stressful living conditions that can be avoided.

[Ayoka]

The Kennell I take Bear to requires proof that your dog is UTD on their shots and while I understand that this doesn't totally eliminate the risk that dogs could contract a disease, it certainly eliminates someof the risk. I can't imagine that they would even consider a dog so young where Bear goes because most don't have all their shots by then.

BUT

Here's a thought...is your breeder close by?

Perhaps he or she would consider helping you out by taking the pup for free or even a modest fee, at least until she is older or can get her shots at the very least.

[ecburt]

Just a thought, I would hesitate to board at a vet office since this breed is prone to parvo...my sister boarded her dobie pup and was not told there was another pup being treated for parvo in the same facility!! DUH! Almost lost her..and many vet bills later...just food for thought...