Dog boarding kennels

[HayleyMarie]

Tell me about dog kennels.

I am slightly stressing on what to do with Panzer when Tyler and I go on our honeymoon for two weeks in August.

He can be a lot of dog to handle so I don't really trust just leaving him with anyone.

And kennels slightly freak me out because I have issues with them maybe not handling him properly.

 

[amberdyan]

The big thing for me was a place that I could totally tour the facilities. The place that we take Hugo is also his daycare, so I know them, they know Hugo and he loves them. When I toured the facility the first time that showed me everything and I was really pleased with their procedures for safety and the way they handled dogs. Also, the fact that Hugo practically flings himself into their arms each time he gets dropped off really says to me that he enjoys his time there.

He hasn't stayed overnight yet and I'm sure I'll be nervous when he does, but I'm so so much more comfortable now that I have a sort of working relationship with the people who work there.

 

[joce]

Just look into them. And remember things can happen anywhere or even if someone pet sit. I think personally a kennel may be safer if it has a good rep.


I used to see pets run away from them all the time here. Been a while so maybe they got outer fences or shut down. When I was younger a babysitter kennelled her dog and to save time the employees cleaned two cages at once. One being a big shepherd and one being her small rat terrier. One snap and her dog was dead. Same thing happened to a friends dog in high school.

I would just want a place where they had some on leash walks and stayed in the kennel. Safe there. Seems where the problems happen is where they go on outside walks of the facility and dog parks and try to make it seem like they are not at a kennel. Sounds good but that's where fights also happen and god knows what else. I will admit with my animals I like being the one in control. You get people who think they can make any dogs get along or make any dog listen off leash etc.

Find a place that fits what you want be it a home like situation or not.

 

[monkeys23]

Definitely be really careful. All I'm going to say is that even with doing all the right research and etc. after one time I was forced to resort to boarding my dogs for a trip my mom and I took two years and change ago, I will never board my dogs again at a boarding kennel if I can help it. It was a swank set up that sounded and looked great too, awesome reviews, awesome reputation... just some dogs probably should not be boarded by pet boarding facilities.

If I ever have to board my dogs again it will be at my vet. They are awesome.

Luckily I have a couple different friends I completely trust with them. Or my mom, which is nice 'cause they go to work with her.

We're taking them with us on our honeymoon, but then we're just camping so there's that.

 

[HayleyMarie]

Thanks guys

I am just so Leary, and like you Joce, I like being in control of my dogs. Especially when it comes to Panzer. He can be a lot of dog to handle. Teagan won't be staying at a kennel as my parents live close by and she would not make a good kennel candidate.

I am just worried Pan wont get enough exercise and human stimulation and just will be darn miserable.

I also have issues with getting Pan vaccinated, just to stay in a kennel. since I do limited vaccination and titre. GRR!!!

Pan also has some what dog issues. He has no issue what so ever putting another dog in his place, and a boarding kennel needs to understand that and not think its something they can fix, especially if its a training kennel as well.

I guess I have to weigh my options, at this point I don't trust any one to take him. I am hoping if I do put him in a kennel, my parents can take him out once in a while and do stuff with him. Unfortunately I don't think they could take him the full two weeks as their bouvier and Pan do not get along. And they do not have a fenced yard, and Pans intact.

AHHH Im stressing. At least I still have about 6 months, well not really.. to figure it out.

 

[HayleyMarie]

GAH!!!

And most kennels still do the whole Alpha/dominance training.

This is the only kennel that I seem to like, somewhat. But they still do the alpha training grr

http://eekennels.com/?page_id=12

Do you guys see any other red flags??

 

[Maxy24]

Are you planning on having him interact with other dogs during his stay or be kept an individual? If he's an individual then unless he has a bad jumping or mouthing problem I don't see why they'd attempt to do any "training" with him. As a group dog I could see that becoming a problem though.

 

[DJEtzel]

Personally, I will never board my dogs or leave them with sitters that I don't know personally or small scale with really good references.

I have made friends from work in various dog places that are good sitters, and I have a good breeder friend who also runs a boarding kennel. I took Patton there for a long weekend and trusted her judgment as far as play with other dogs was concerned. Meagan has watched Patton and I trusted her judgment for taking him to the daycare where she works, etc.

Do you have any acquaintances from dog classes, local dog groups, etc. that could recommend someone to you? Maybe having a daycare or kennel worker come stay in your home would be a better option where you know it is one person handling the dogs, not numerous people doing different things that you don't know about?

The only way I would ever board my dogs in an unfamiliar location would be if there were web cams and I planned on watching, and had a back up in case things didn't work. Kennels can vary so much, and are only as good as the people working in them, no matter how they appear on the outside.

 

[Elrohwen]

I would expect any kennel to not let him interact with other dogs at all. The place I boarded Watson didn't let dogs interact at all unless they came in together, and when they found out he was intact they were even more careful. They did have outdoor exercise areas where the staff would play with the dogs, but it was strictly one dog at a time. I wouldn't board anywhere that would let my dog interact with others without my permission.

I would also expect any kennel to not do any training unless requested. Watson stayed at a training kennel for a day, but they didn't train him because I didn't pay for it or request it. Boarding and board+train are separate businesses.

Have you asked around? Do you work with any local trainers who board dogs? Sometimes they don't have a specific boarding business, but have the expertise and the set up to take on a few dogs at a time.

 

[protodog]

I'm the trainer at a boarding kennel and can maybe help you figure out how to find a place you'll be happy with. For starters, I don't train dogs unless their owners are paying me to do so. I don't do board and train the way some kennels do (just private lessons because board and train is stupid), but I can't imagine a trainer deciding to train your dog for free, so I doubt you'll need to worry about a trainer deciding to Cesar Milan your dog. Also, I'm a clicker trainer; not every trainer who works for a kennel equates strangling with training.

I suggest you visit a kennel that offers tours and spend some time looking around the place and talking to the employees. You do want to make sure they won't put your dog with other dogs, but for the most part, you'll get more mileage talking to the employees about their own dogs than you will grilling them about kennel procedures. How they talk about their own dogs will tell you a great deal about how they're going to treat your dog. And if the employees don't have dogs of their own, I'd be concerned.

The kennel where I work will take a titer test instead of a DHPP shot. If you don't want to do the vax, I'd ask about titers. We also accept three year shots for both the DHPP and rabies, not just the one year. Proof of bordetella is a state law, so nobody can get out of that one.

You can also ask the employees about doing a meet and greet with your dog before he boards there. We sometimes have new clients want to bring their dogs in ahead of time to meet the staff, and we're always happy to accommodate them.

 

[Stingr69]

I am sympathetic to your situation. It would be incredibly difficult for me to trust anyone with my babies. Too easy for an "accident" to happen. I could not have any fun on the trip for all the worry.

Have you given any thought to a dog friendly honeymoon? Bring them along.

For me, I might consider leaving them with one of my breeders. One of them is within reasonable driving distance. She has made it clear to me that she is ready to do it any time. She seems to be even more anal about her babies safety than I am. Anyone else would be a big leap of faith.

Hope you find something that works for everyone involved.

 

[meepitsmeagan]

If I were to ever need to board my dogs, and had a dog like that I would board at a vet office where they do leash walks. No interaction with other dogs, no need for corrections, ect. I think that would be your best bet.

 

[HayleyMarie]

Thanks guys,

Unfortunately I can't leave him at home. As we are getting married in Edmonton, where my parents Are then heading straight to Alaska. So I would prefer to leave my dogs close to my parents incase something goes wrong, plus they will be taking Teagan.

I'm hoping my parent will take him out of the kennel during the weekend and days that they Are not working or even just take him out for a walk outside of the kennel after work.

This is so stressful. Way more stressful then planning a bloody wedding.

 

[stardogs]

I board my dogs periodically. I screen the kennels before using them, but have had no issues what so ever. Until we had the 6' privacy fence installed in our backyard, I wouldn't have trusted a house sitter to watch the dogs since I do have a few escape artists in my pack.

Things I look for:
- at least two layers of fencing/doors between the normal dog areas and being loose.
- Kennels with toppers available
- Dogs only play with those from the same household
- Dogs out of kennel at least 1x daily
- Access to outside run at least 4x/day
- Exercise areas are gravel or grass
- Will feed my food
- Will use treat dispensing toys I provide
- No extra charge for walks, playtime, etc.
- Comfortable handling intact dogs

I also ask the staff what they do with hard to handle dogs, dogs that bark, etc. I won't board somewhere where they say they use bark collars on barkers or they swear they never have any hard to handle dogs.

I like to see a 1 human to 10 dogs or less ratio as well.

 

[stardogs]

oops, double post.

 

[*blackrose]

I'd definitely tour any facility and ask questions. Go in, see the set up, ask how they handle the dogs, talk with them and get a feel for everything.

I would expect any boarding facility to be like basically Stardogs' list. I also wouldn't want a high volume kennel. My clinic offers deluxe boarding and the max capacity is maybe 25. (And by deluxe, I mean 10x10 suites with beds and TVs lol) Normally there are only 3-8 dogs. It is so much less stressful on the dogs that way. And even when were completely booked, the layout is so nice because the dogs have very limited opportunity to interact through the fencing when walking by and they can't at all when im their runs.

 

[stardogs]

Did a little google searching for you since you sounded overwhelmed. What about looking into these options? None of them offer training.

http://www.countrykennelsbnb.com/
http://www.edmontonkennelservices.com/index.php
http://www.theranchkennels.ca/ (this one specifically says they accept 3 year distemper/parvo!)
http://www.betterthanhome.ca/
http://www.prairierosekennels.com (this one says that bordetella is optional)

 

[HayleyMarie]

Did a little google searching for you since you sounded overwhelmed. What about looking into these options? None of them offer training.

http://www.countrykennelsbnb.com/
http://www.edmontonkennelservices.com/index.php
http://www.theranchkennels.ca/ (this one specifically says they accept 3 year distemper/parvo!)
http://www.betterthanhome.ca/
http://www.prairierosekennels.com (this one says that bordetella is optional)

Pm goodness thanks erin. I will defiantly check them all out

 

[stardogs]

No problem! I have no idea how close they will be, but I figure I drive 45 minutes to my fav kennel, so for the right one you might be willing to do the same.

 

[Sweet72947]

One thing you should ask yourself, since Panzer is a guardian breed, is will he let the staff touch him after he's put in the cage? Some dogs become fearful in a new environment and they become what we call "cage aggressive", which can be difficult to handle even in tiny dogs. Since Panzer's breed isn't the type to love all strangers, it's something you need to think about. Maybe do a trial run to see how he handles kenneling.

We have one Boerboel who boards where I work, he boards with a German Shepherd. He's very sweet and we have no issues with him, except that he's so strong on leash that I make the guys walk him.