This weekend I took Shadow, my 3 1/2 year old German Shepherd to a Kennel resort while we were vacationing. This was the first time I have ever done this, as she usually stays w/ my parents, but they were also out of town.
When I got there, I wanted to view the facilities and the man wouldn't let me! He said that it upsets the other dogs for people to go back there. I also was going to have a friend check on her on Saturday, and the man said that he couldn't let her see my dog. I asked why and he said it confuses the dog and they won't allow it. I was crying the entire way to our vacation destination upset about this.
I got a couple recommendations from this place so I thought it would be okay, but all of this made me very uncomfortable and I just don't know if this is normal for those places or if I should never tak her there again! Besides that he was very rude on the phone.
Any info on this??
2006-10-23 08:35:24 · 18 answers · asked by ignitkrit 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Oh my gosh, this makes me want to cry right now. I knew it was fishy but two people I know take their dogs there (and are extreme dog lovers)! I shutter to think what kind of weekend she had.
My mom picked her up first thing this morning for me since I had to work and she said she wasn't acting herself.
I have to say though, that the man was in a hurry, he told me they had some place to be so perhaps he was just telling me no to get me out of there?? I'm trying to make myself feel better. :(
2006-10-23 08:54:36 · update #1
That is not normal. I have worked in boarding kennels and I have boarded my dogs in a variety of different kennels. I have NEVER been in a kennel where owners could not come in and see the facilities, many kennel owners are proud to show off their place. Yes, the other dogs will get riled up and barking but they do that when the staff goes in too, they will settle down when you leave.
2006-10-23 08:50:43 · answer #1 · answered by DaBasset - BYBs kill dogs 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you don't feel comfortible with this man's actions, then in no way should you allow your dog to stay there.
If the man really wanted your business at all, then he would have had no problem showing you the kennel when you asked him to.
My uncle runs a boarding kennel, and I've been there plenty of times when people have brought their dogs to him. He is never rude to them, especially since alot of them are bringing their dogs to him for the first time, and he understands that they might be a little bit upset about having to bring them there in the first place. And he is ALWAYS willing to let them look around inside the kennel before they leave their dog with him.
Its just what a good kennel owner would do. I mean, you shouldn't have to leave your dog with someone when you don't even get to see what is going on inside of their kennel. For all you know, the place could be completely filthy.
Another thing that worries me is that when you sent your friend to check on the dog, he gave you a completely bogus answer. If someone is sent to check on your dog for you, then the kennel owners have to allow it.
If you didn't feel comfortible with the way the kennel owner acted or treated you, then by no means should you feel obligated to take your dog back to him the next time you go on vacation. You could find a different kennel that will let you see the facilities, who's owner will actually be nice to you, or there is the other option of letting your dog stay home, and having a friend or family member stop by every so often through out the day to let him outside and to check his food and water.
2006-10-23 23:27:07 · answer #2 · answered by xxtorturedinnocentsxx 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've been working in kennels for almost 20 years. The experiance you had is NOT normal. If they wouldn't let you see the place before you boarded the dog there, you should have found a different kennel. Any good, decent kennel will let you inspect the place, even welcome it. As for them not letting your friend see the dog, well, some kennel owners do believe that it upsets the dog and confuses them. Does it really?? Thats a tough call. But it should be the owners decision as to whether the dog has visitors or not. Kennels have different policy's that vary from kennel to kennel. All the ones I've worked in were more then happy to have a dogs owner or friend visit during thier stay. They have always welcomes unscheduled inspections of the facilities as well. If they don't offer the oportunity for a prospective client to view where their dog is going to stay, then chances are they have something to hide.
2006-10-23 08:51:01 · answer #3 · answered by jw349 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. That is absolutely not normal. You should always be allowed to see the facilities where you are leaving your pet in someone else's care. The place my husband and I like let us go back to see where our babies will be kept, they let us meet the caretakers, they let us bring personal items and treats, and they tell funny stories about my pets when I get back to pick them up. (They let me go back there to get them as well!) As a matter of fact, on a two week trip, we called to check on our babies and they were very polite. Places like this are not cheap. I assume your baby was fine when you got her back, but NO this is absolutely not normal and I would not use this place again. Tell everyone that recommended it to you that it seemed fishy. All of this would make me worry that the place wasn't clean or that something was going on back there. There is no excuse for this. While you don't have a financial complaint and can't really make a case to the better business bureau (except maybe on grounds of poor customer service - which is worth a try), you could write an editorial for your local paper so that other people won't use this business either. You are the customer, the consumer, and the mommy of that pet. You are paying a lot of money and deserve to see where and who is taking care of your sweetums while you are out of town. Dump this place and do some research on somewhere else. GL
2006-10-23 08:42:21 · answer #4 · answered by ? 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If a boarding facility won't let you, the dog's owner, look at their accommodations, it's usually an indication that something is wrong, unless the dogs are allowed to roam around free in a common area (as they are in our shelter facility). We don't let people in the room with the dogs for safety reasons, but people can still LOOK in through different observation windows to see what the place looks like inside.
When we take in boarding dogs, we don't allow "friends" to see the dogs at all unless we have written permission from the owner to allow that. Again, this is to keep the dogs safe.
Yes, the introduction of "strangers" into the boarding area may be "stressful" for the dogs, but only minimally so. You're not in there long enough to really make much of an impact on the dogs. And if you're looking through a window or a doorway, you're even less of a stressor on the dogs.
It sounds, from your description, that the boarding facility you're talking about is "hiding" something -- I submit they may have substandard accommodations for your pets and are worried about being reported to Animal Control and the Health Department. Otherwise, they'd let you see the area where your dog is going to stay (even if it's just from a window or doorway).
Your "gut", and your friend's "gut", both seem to be telling you that this is an unsafe place for your dog. Trust that instinct. Don't' take your dog there again... and report your concerns to Animal Control.
2006-10-23 08:47:06 · answer #5 · answered by Fetch 11 Humane Society 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No not normal at all. My husband and I have talked about opening a boarding section sometime in the future and we would never not let anyone come in when ever they wanted. We do own a kennel where we sell dogs now and on average people who come to look at our puppies are here for an hour or more. When ever someone comes and just wants to get a puppies and go we won't sell to them. We don't work that way. To me doggie care is just like kiddie care. you don't take your kids to day care if they don't have an open door policy, some with dogs. I'm sorry this happened to you and I hope you dog came back to you ok.
2006-10-23 08:47:52 · answer #6 · answered by wiazardofoz 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ABSOLUTELY NOT !!!
If you can't view the facilities, or allow your friend to check on the dog, there's a problem.
Change kennels.
I board dogs, and I allow people to see everything that's going on, and it's good for the dogs to have someone that they know come visit them.
It would appear that the kennel is hiding something or knows that there is reason to question their practices.
Usually kennels that do this keep the dogs crated for their whole stay. It causes the dogs to become withdrawn and listless when they return home. He probably wasn't allowed any exercise for the whole weekend. I wouldn't use them again. I would also mention this to your friends that DO use them.
2006-10-23 08:56:43 · answer #7 · answered by andi b 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There was no good reason for him to refuse to let you see his kennel. The kennel I use gave me a tour of the entire place, dogs barking at us the entire time. If they won't let me see the kennel, I won't let them care for my dog. What you are describing is abnormal and would worry me. I would never take your dog there again. There are far more friendlier kennels who will take the time to show you their place. Go to them.
I assume you're home and got your dog back? How was she after the experience? Acting any different? Look any different? If yes to any of these questions I could call you're states animal welfare department and complain. If she's fins otherwise, I'd just never recommend this kennel and warn people off as well.
On a side note, I have a chow/sheltie mix (female) I named Shadow! ;)
2006-10-23 08:46:59 · answer #8 · answered by nokhada5 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not normal at all... you have the right to view where your dog is going to be staying. People visiting confusing the dog is a LOAD OF RUBBISH! Don't take her there again, find somewhere that will let you view their premises and have nice manners. You have the right to give a place the thumbs up. And i would spread the word about the treatment you received.
2006-10-23 08:43:11 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
follow your instincts, if your uncomfortable then your dog will be to.
any good kennel should show you around and not question anything. next time if they won't show you where your dog is going to be, or even allowed to see her then don't go back. for some reason they're hiding something which doesn't sound good.
another solution is to try a dog sitter, your dog won't have to leave home.
2006-10-23 09:31:35 · answer #10 · answered by caesarsmom2 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋