Kennel or Home?

[bbeahl]

I was just wondering what everyone else does with their dogs when they will be gone for just 24 hours. When we have a weekend trip Joe goes to a wonderful family owned kennel on a farm but it seems as if I can't do anything without worrying about him. If you all go away for just a short while do you board for 1 day or is it okay to leave them at home and pray your house isn't destroyed when you get back? I have skipped out on a lot of things because I don't want to have to worry about my babe.

Thanks.

 

[Hobart Ave.]

I've never kenneled my dogs, nor would I ever (just my opinion). I work for a pet sitting service and have heard horror stories and seen the after effects of dogs being in kennels. When I can't take my dogs with me I have various family members who welcome them into their homes. Anyway, in my business we have quite a few client's who skip town for just a day or a couple of days and have us come anywhere from 3 to 5 times a day to feed, walk, and play with their pups. I think the best situation would be if you could get a reliable person to come feed and let your dog out a few times a day.

 

[dixiesdad]

The kennel I use is at my vets. My dog loves to go there. Even when we drive by the vets she gets excited and wants to go there. Everyone there is soooooooooooooo great. I had to use a different kennel a couple of weeks ago because of an unplanned travel and my dog did not like it there. I do not think they mistreated my dog but it was like a super kennel so she did not get as much attention as she is used to and I do not think she slept well with all the other dogs there. I could tell Dixie was a little irritated at me for dropping her off there, she was not as playful until a day later. Like I said if you find a good one it seems your dog will let you know.

 

[bradybunch]

I would not kennel my boy. I worked with a girl who had gone to the beach and put her dog in a local kennel (one that had been in business for 15 years). Her dog got really sick soon after they got back and it turned out she had Pneumonia. They were able to give her antibotics and save her, but it had caused some damage to her brain. A few months later Precious got sick again and unfortunately they could not save her this time. I felt so bad for my friend, she cried everyday for at least a month, she felt so guilty and blamed herself. Although if I had no other choice I would definately use the one at my vet, just because it is really clean and someone is there 24 hours a day with them.

 

[gtntuf]

Our dogs go to stay with their nanna and poppy if we're going to be gone for longer than a work day. I'd have a hard time sending them to a kennel because I know how spoiled rotten they both are.

 

[Net45582]

Leaving a dog alone for 24 hours isn't an option to me. If there isn't a family member,house sitter or kennel available I don't go.

 

[Mom2Leah]

The kennel I use is at my vets. My dog loves to go there. Even when we drive by the vets she gets excited and wants to go there. Everyone there is soooooooooooooo great. .

Same here, our vet in FL is where Leah was boarded a couple of times for weekend trips, she didn't even look back when we got there and would literally drag the workers back to the kennel area!

 

[library dog]

When I go out of town the pup (Arthur) stays home.

I have a friend who is a plumber & he stops by the house between jobs several times during the day. He takes care of food & water.

Then my nephew who lives down the street picks him up after work for a long walk - they usually go for an hour or so. When he brings Arthur back he checks on his water & toy supply. Karlos, the nephew, enjoys the walks - he takes him through the women's college campus up the street.

Arthur has a bed on the back screened-in porch where he sleeps at night if I am not there - he has to have his teddy bears if he sleeps alone.

 

[StellaBee]

It really depends on the dog on whether you could leave the dog home alone. What's the longest time you've left the dog at home? Mine can't make it past the 4 hour marker :D She has a dog-walker. If I'm gone a day, I usually am able to rely on friends, but if it's more than a day or two, I'll kennel her. There are a ton of kennel horror stories, but clearly these things don't happen to a majority of dogs that get kenneled. It's important to be smart and ask a lot of questions. Take a tour of where you anticipate kenneling your dog, so as to be sure he/she will be in a clean/safe environment. Good luck!

 

[Morgan3]

We will be going away soon

and it will be Scooter's first time in a kennel. It is at my vets and my old boxer Doc loved it there, I never had a problem at all.
We were going to have my stepdad house sit Scooter and the cats, but I am afraid that Scooter will just be a handful for him (stepdad is 70). I will worry about Scootz slipping out the front door or something else horrible happening to him while we are away.

At the kennel, I know he will be given lots of attention and he will be safe. Knowing he will be taken care of and safe will allow me to enjoy my vacation, although I am sure I will be missing Scooty more than imaginable...:(