To those who have used boarding

[khousman]

Jesse and I have to fly to Texas to see a doctor and will be gone for 2 nights. I am terrified to board our dogs. They have never been crate trained and they've had me at home with them. Will they do ok? Has it been stressful on your dogs? Is there anything that I should know beforehand? Thank you!

Kristi

 

[luvfritz]

Is there any way now you can bring your dogs to the kennel for a couple of hours, leave them, then come back for them? I read somewhere that dogs have no "human concept of time," so a 2 night stay will just feel like one heck of a long day. It is so much better they have each other. The kennel stay sounds like the time they would spend at the vets if they had to have sugery. I too am home full time with my "never crated" dogs. I have left Fritzi on occasion for her medical emergencies for a couple of overnights and she did fine. The kennel folks are usually very good visiting with the dogs during their stay. It was harder on me..being away from her...:( IMO they will be fine.

Barb

 

[Thomas Liggin]

Have you considered a house sitter? Check out the forums, you will find one about people who are willing to sit Boxers, or take them into their homes for a few days. Of course, you might be expected to reciprocate and return the favor.

However, it might be better than putting them in a kennel. A friend of mine has a Golden Retriever. The dog is really calm and laid back. The dog had to be put in a kennel for a few days.

It tried to chew its way out through the chain link cage and wore its canine teeth to nubs. I don't know why the kennel allowed it, but it did happen. The Golden had never been crated, and it panicked.

Barb's suggestion of testing them for a couple of hours is a good idea. Some kennels have 24 hour supervision, some don't. A lot can happen overnight while they are unattended, and none of it is good.

We've always had someone we trust "sit" our house including pets when we go away. It doesn't cost us much more than it would to kennel our dog(s), and they aren't alone at night.

They tend to mope and miss us for the first day or so, but they soon adjust because they are at home.

If you do end up kennelling them, be sure to check out the faciilities and the staff. I've put Indy in daycare, but would be reluctant to kennel him.

If the two can share the same kennel, it will help to relieve some of their stress.


Tom

 

[Sherry]

Here's What I do

I am very fortunate that my vet has a great boarding facility with indoor & outdoor access. They also have several very large kennels and I put my three together. It's not like being at home and not crated, but they're all together and feel so much happier. I have no problem with them losing weight or not eating while we're gone. It really helps.

But make sure if you choose a kennel that you can visit it at basically anytime. If they try to tell you you need an appointment, don't go for that kennel. You should be able to stop by anytime they're open and get a tour. Steer very clear of anything else.

Good luck, you're babies will be ok.

Sherry

Taz, Maggie & Seger's Mom

 

[SammynDqtz]

I've had to board my boxer before, and he really doesn't like it. He gets very stressed out there. He normally comes home sick, with an upset tummy and the runs. I don't wanna have to leave him there again. But if you must, maybe you could leave your dog with his favorite toy, and the food he is use to eating. Good luck. Hope all goes well.

 

[khousman]

We are planning on using our vet's office which I trust a lot. I am just a little worried about them being away from home for so long. I'm probably just worried about nothing. I would like to test them out there, but the vets office is about 40 minutes away from here and I don't have a car. We use a local vet for emergencies(luckily haven't had any). Dylan has been at the vets for an extended time when she had her ears cropped, but didn't stay overnight. I'm more worried about Willow. She's the barker and I don't want her barking non-stop for 2 days. I'm sure I'll start to feel better about it soon. Thank you!

Kristi

 

[VTbxrFan]

The most important consideration about a boarding your dogs is the facility they will be in. Some are great, some are horrible, most are in between. I personally prefer larger boarding kennels where that's a primary focus instead of boarding at smaller vets where they have a few runs and it's kind of an afterthought. (I trust my vet and know that Dallas would be safe if I boarded him there -- I just don't think he would get as much personal attention). The kennel I use is associated with a vet so emergency care is always available, but the two are run separately. There is a separate, full staff dedicated to the boarded dogs. The kennel provides raised sleeping cots, it's indoors with heat/air conditioning, dogs are walked several times a day, they will feed your own food (extra fee, but that's typical). In addition to the routine care, which is pretty good, they also allow you to purchase "extras" -- play time, swimming in the pool, nature walks, etc. These extras give your dog one-on-one time with a staff member.

Of course our dogs would rather be at home with us, but that's not always possible. A good boarding kennel is a great option -- just shop carefully.

 

[avts1977]

I've always been very pleased with the kennels I use for boarding. I usually just use kennels and not the vets, although I have had one vet in the past that I loved and boarded Cheyenne with.

I've always gone ahead of time to check out the facilities - just dropped by, never made an appointment. Usually I'd take along a copy of their vaccinations, because if I liked them I'd have them go ahead and put everything into their computer without the dogs around (gets a little hectic then!)

Cheyenne usually likes to board and does really well (she got a Pet of the Week award once!). Since we got Winston, we kennel them in the same kennel (we ask to feed them separately or else Cheyenne will eat all Winston's food). We also pay to have them go on the long nature walks or play in the pools - whatever is in season. We bag their food separately by dog and by day. And definitely have them bathed or groomed before you pick them up - otherwise they smell like dirty dog!

We take their beds and a couple of toys that are fun to play with together - never bones because they can get snippy with each other and I don't want to provoke a fight when no one is around. Usually already-ripped apart toys that no longer have the squeak but are fun to tug and throw around.

I've found that they usually enjoy themselves - the one we use now has a girl that LOVES boxers and she will bring them out and keep them in the front/office part with her when she's working. They usually sleep like logs for a couple of days when they get back.

 

[apoor]

boarding

We haven't had to board our boxer yet, but we take him for "day care" sometimes to a place that also has boarding.

You could see if there is a doggy day care near you because all the dogs play together all day under the supervision of trainers (the people at ours are great!) and by the end of the day they are so wiped out, your dogs would probably just get a good nights sleep and be ready to play again the next day.

I think that it is so much better than them spending the whole time in a crate and only being taken out for walks.

 

[diego's heart]

I'm also PRO-doggy day care that also boards or takes-in pets. If there isn't anyone you trust to stay at your house, or will take in your dogs, this is the way to go IMHO, especially since your babies are not crated. The reciprocal babysitting is another option.

Our community pet store has referrals, as well as area trainers.

My situation is different because... 1) Diego's crated... 2) If boarded, he's at a kennel-free boarder :D... 3) I have a good friend that has 5 dogs (2 boxers, 2 bulldogs, 1 dobie) he stays with and is crated part of the day.

Good Luck... and hope the doctor's appointment goes well for you! ~ Lisa

P.S. Saw one of your furkids in the Dog Fancy magazine this weekend - very cute :p!