Arthur scared at kennels!

[alice's mommy]

Okay, so this morning I brought Arthur to the boarding kennel for the first time ever. After I had him all registered, I brought him down to the kennels section. As we started getting closer, Arthur could hear the barking and looked scared! Arthur has NEVER exhibited fear before, but something in the barking really scared him! He had his stub tucked down between his legs (if he could), he walked with a very much lowered body posture, he had his ears all the way back, flat against his head and was very hesitant about going in. Does he know something I don't!?

The kennels were very clean, with a long outside run attached to each section. When he's in the inside section, he can't see the dogs beside him, but boy can he hear them! There're two large labs in together in the next "room".

I put his blankets/toys in his room with him and brought him in there myself. I didn't say mushy good-byes, but BOY was he watching me like a hawk when that door closed! I have also brought his own food for while he's there.

I feel just sick, knowing he was scared. Should I have not left him!?

[Shelby427]

I'm sure he'll be fine. Once people leave the kennel area, it gets quieter. They are just excited to see a new person/dog come in! I just boarded Hudson a few weeks ago, he wasn't scared, but the dogs were barking up a storm when we walked by....we were assured that when we left, they all calm down.

Are you able to call daily to check up on him? I did and the people there called me as well to give updates.

[alice's mommy]

I'll be calling every day, for sure! I know I'm probably emoting human feelings on him, but I worried because he was sooo scared and I'd hate for him to feel abandoned. Ugh.

[stale]

you didn't have a chance to test run first, i guess.

advice to anyone else - test run the closest kennels to you, since it might come up. it helps teach the dog that there's nothing evil, just stimulating. and that you will come back.

i wouldn't worry - your pup will be tired from overstimulation when you go back for him, and so completely overjoyed at your return that you might feel like a god. (after all, you are one to them...)

i'm guessing the slouching and whatnot was from the stimulation, and trying to sort all the various barks out at once. given that the animals around him would be sounding excited, happy, upset, lonely, hungry, etc, there's a lot of stimulus for a dog to take in. specially if this is his first time in a place like that.

and no, you're not anthropomorphising too much, rotties are prone to abandonment issues. when you come back, he's going to be a suck for a little bit.

take care, eh?

and watch for your pup's face when you go back in -he's going to light up to see you, i promise.

[RezzRatt]

The poor baby! I would have been in tears leaving him. I'd be calling them to make sure he is adjusting ok and hopefully he'll make a friend or two. Kinda like a childs first trip to Summer Camp.

[Janus'sMom]

I know the first time I boarded my Lab mix in a kennel she was fine while i was there and holding her leash, but the second the kennel hand took her leash she became very fearful and wouldn't follow him. They wouldn't let me bring her in to her kennel or let her have her blanket and stuffy or even her bone that I had in her bag. They said "we provide all that" so I don't know what she had other than her personal three one hr walks in their field. When I went to pick her up after 3 days of being there, they told me she had adjusted fine and wasn't scared after an hour of laying in her kennel and hanging out. And as a matter of fact when I went to pick her up she was on her way back in from her last walk. Her tail was high, her ears pricked forward, and a bounce in her step, just like if I was the one walking her. And the second she saw me, she pulled so hard on the leash that the snap broke off and she tackled me and licked me up with her usual " HI MOM!!! YOU'VE BEEN GONE TOO LONG!!!" Ever since then I had her boarded 2 other times and she loved it (but she loved my coming back to get her even more).

So if they truely are a good boarding kennel, I wouldn't worry. And since they let your dog have his own blanket and stuff, that'll make him feel better and adjust faster (in my opinion).

[moz205]

I know that feeling also. The first time I left him I was crying so hard coming home that I nearly had an accident- my head was elsewhere and it was hard to see through the tears. It was so emotional and every day I called. I nearly cancelled our family trip over him. I did find a fabulous kennel and he did so well there. He was happy to see me of course but being that he actually gained a few pounds, I got more comfortable when I did need to leave him.

[brunie's mom]

Awww...I know how you feel. Honestly he will be fine.
The dogs all barked because someone new came into the kennel area...and it is scarey to hear that .

I had a couple of new dogs come to board for March Break...and they had a rough couple of first hours, but now have settled in well.

As long as he has his blankie and his own food....he will feel better.

Phone a couple of times, but don't pester them every day for a report. They are probably busy and would much rather spend their time taking care of your dog, instead of talking on the phone.

Too bad you are so far away. Arthur would have had a blast here.


Gina

[lgslgs]

They have a lot to figure out on their first boarding, so it's not suprising your boy is uncertain and being timid as he goes in.

The second boarding is often very different since they know what to expect and have a feel for the routine, which includes you coming back.

We used to speculate that the dogs stayed up late at night telling each other ghost stories, including one called "the owner that never came back". By the second boarding, the dog knows enough that he gets to be one of the ones who's telling the ghost stories to the newbie boarders. :)

Lynda

[Sasha's Mom]

Originally Posted by brunie's mom

Awww...I know how you feel. Honestly he will be fine.
The dogs all barked because someone new came into the kennel area...and it is scarey to hear that .

I had a couple of new dogs come to board for March Break...and they had a rough couple of first hours, but now have settled in well.

As long as he has his blankie and his own food....he will feel better.

Phone a couple of times, but don't pester them every day for a report. They are probably busy and would much rather spend their time taking care of your dog, instead of talking on the phone.

Too bad you are so far away. Arthur would have had a blast here.


Gina

Do you run a boarding kennel?

[brunie's mom]

Yes...it's just for up to 10 dogs. They get alot of attention, playing and walks.

Gina

[DarinBongo]

Anyone know anything good/bad about the Petsmart Pet Hotel? Looks awesome on TV and the front of it in person at my local store.

[alice's mommy]

brunie's mom: where are you in Ontario? No where near Thunder Bay, eh? Poop!

Thank you all for the support! I did feel like cancelling my trip, but I'm off to visit the hubby in our soon-to-be-new-town to find a house for us to move into.

I certainly do hope Arthur seems happy when I come back! I'd hate for him to be depressed.

[jlaack]

Just another reason why I always recommend a dry run before leaving for out of town. It gives your dog a chance to adapt with the environment so that when you do leave the dog doesn't have to adjust to a new environment and not having his people. If the dog has shorter positive experiences prior to really being kenneled the actually kenneling will probably be a lot less stressful. I know you posted about having to kennel elsewhere and I recommended doing the above to you. For some dogs this can make a world of difference.

[Sasha's Mom]

Gina, if we lived closer to Ontario, I would definetely know where to board Sasha when that time comes...

So far we have been able to take her everywhere, but with an upcoming trip to Europe this summer, I'm dreading the thought of boarding her...even though I know with the right kennel, the only ones who are suffering are the humans!

Alice's Mommy, I'm sure Arthur is just fine. He's much better off being taken care of by dog savvy people in a clean and safe place, than worrying about a family member, etc, who's NOT used to dogs take care of him... so relax, he's probably enjoying his doggie vacation.