is it unfair to board a labrador puppy that I have had for 2 and a half months for 1 week at kennels?

Question

I am considering dog ownership for next year but have a 1 week holiday booked in june. I would like to get a puppy in early spring but am wondering wether it is cruel to board such a young animal. should I wait until the following year?

Answer 1

I wouldn't say it's cruel, but you might experience some behaviour problems after getting the dog from the kennel, Also make sure the dog has all of it's shots before boarding it at any kennel including heart worm and flea protection.
I have to conclude that if your asking the question, somewhere in the back of your mind you are thinking against it, if so go with that and get the dog after you come back from holidays.

Answer 2

If you have done all of your research on the kennel. then absolutely, It will make no difference in the bonding process. because if you get the pup in the spring it will be 8 weeks by the time holidays come around the puppy will be approx 4 months. by that time your bonds will have been established. the experience will be good for the socialization process. puppies need to earn their independance, this will give the puppy a good opportunity. I alway relate puppies to children, You have to get a babysitter when you want to go out. hence, we kennel our puppies in a safe environment when we need to be away from them for a period of time. By the way kenneling or crating is a good way to keep a puppy safe at home too. you would not let a toddler have unsupervised time alone. Neither should a puppy. for his safety and happiness crates work wonders.my dogs even relax in the their crates on their own when I am home. They love it is safe. so go ahead you are a responsible pet owner doing it the right way.

Answer 3

Basic Training of the Puppy - Read here https://tr.im/J27jk

The new puppy is certainly one of the most adorable and cuddly creatures that has ever been created. It is the most natural thing in the world to shower it with love and affection. However, at the same time it is important to realize that if you want to have a well trained adult dog, you need to begin the training process right away. The dog, like its related ancestor, the wolf, is a pack animal. One of the features of a pack is that it has a single dominant leader. Your new puppy is going to want that leader to be you, but if you do not assume that role from the very beginning, the puppy’s instincts will push him to become the leader.

The most important thing to remember about training the puppy during its first six months of life is that it must see you as the leader of the family pack. The essential thing is gaining the trust and the respect of the puppy from the beginning. You will not do this by allowing the puppy to do whatever it wants to do whenever it wants to do it. On the other hand, a certain amount of patience is required. Most people err in their early training by going to extremes one way or the other. Although you need to begin the basic training process at once, you can not expect your dog to do too much at first. Basic obedience training is fine and should include simple commands like sit, stay, and come. Remember that trying to teach the dog advanced obedience techniques when it is a puppy is much like trying to teach a five year old child algebra.

It is also important to restrain from cruel or abusive treatment of the puppy. You can not beat obedience into your dog, and it certainly is not going to engender feeling of respect and trust. House breaking is an area where this usually becomes a problem because of the anger that is triggered when the puppy fails and creates a mess inside the home. Although this issue must be addressed without anger, it most be addressed. If you allow the puppy to eliminate inside the house, it will continue to do so as an adult dog. The same thing is true of other destructive or dangerous behavior such as chewing and biting. Do not expect the puppy to grow out of it. You are going to need to train the puppy out of it, but you should do so firmly but with a sense of play and fun using positive reinforcement and lots of love and praise for good behavior.

Answer 4

Labrador Rescue East Anglia

Answer 5

The fact you are asking this question suggests to me that you will make a great pet owner. You're doing the right thing by thinking ahead.

BUT, a puppy does need a lot of attention, and a dog of any age will need time to bond with you first. From spring to June really isn't long enough.

You don't say, but I suspect you have your own good reasons for not getting the pup now. However, I can't see why you'd have to wait until the following year. Why not get the dog when you get back from holiday?

Contact the kennel club for advice on selecting a breeder and you'll be more likely to get a dog without genetic/behavioural problems. Their details can be found on www.thekennelclub.org.uk

Alternatively, why not consider rescue? There's dogs of all ages and breeds in rescue. There's also rescues that are specifically for labradors
(sorry to give so many - but I don't know where in uk you are from to give you the nearest):

Labrador Lifeline Trust
Anne Carter (Admin), Blandford Forum, Dorset. Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone], Email: [e-mail]
www.labrador-lifeline.co.uk

Labrador Rescue
Mrs A Latchford, Shenfield, Essex. Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail].

Labrador Rescue Kent
Mrs M Hinks, Cranbrook Kent. Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Mrs C Malkinson, Chatham, Kent Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
www.labrescuekent.freeuk.com

Labrador Rescue North West
Mrs G Fryer, Blackburn, Lancs. Tel: [phone].
Email: [e-mail]
www.helpalabrador.co.uk

Labrador Rescue - Scotland
Miss V. Salmon, Cupar, Fife. Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Labrador Rescue South East and Central
Mindy Randell (Co-ordinator) Hants, Surrey, Sussex Bucks, Berks,
Middx & S.London Tel: [phone]
June & David Cooper (Co-ordinators) E. London, East Anglia, Essex,
Lincolnshire & Kent Tel: [phone]
Alison Floyd (Co-ordinator) Herts, N. London, Beds, Essex &
Cambridgeshire Tel: [phone]
Sue Ellett (Co-ordinator) Bucks, Milton Keynes, Northamptonshire
Tel: [phone]
Christine Bayliss (Co-ordinator) Leics, Derbyshire, Rutland &
Midlands. Tel: [phone]
Fiona Miller (Co-ordinator) Part Oxon, Bucks, Berks Tel: [phone]

Labrador Retriever Rescue Southern England
Jean & Peter Henman (Co-ordinators) Sussex Tel: [phone]
Sue Birmingham (Co-ordinator) Surrey Tel: [phone]
Tracy Lister (Co-ordinator) Kent Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Labrador Rescue Trust
Mrs Belinda Filmer (Regional Co-ordinator), Cheltenham. Tel: [phone]
Mrs Sheila Pratt (Area Co-ordinator), Somerset. Tel: [phone]
Mrs Sheridan Stern (Area Co-ordinator), Cornwall. Tel: [phone]
Miss Linda Edwards (Area Co-ordinator), Devon. Tel: [phone]
Mr and Mrs Bryan and Gloria Jones (Area Co-ordinator), Dorset. Tel: [phone]
Mrs Christine Warman (Area Co-ordinator), Wiltshire. Tel: [phone]
www.labrador-rescue.com Email: [e-mail]

Labrador Welfare
Mrs K Davis (Chairman), Goole, North Humberside. Tel: [phone]
Miss J Roberts (Secretary), Sheffield, S Yorks. Tel: [phone]

Midland Counties Labrador Retriever Club Rescue
Mr H Cook, Nottingham, Notts. Tel: [phone]

North West Labrador Retriever Club Rescue
Mrs P Balshaw (Co-ordinator), Blackpool, Lancs. Tel: [phone]
Mrs M Wilkinson, Chorley, Lancs. Tel: [phone]

Answer 6

No it's not cruel. We bought a 8 week old puppy in mid June, and boarded it in mid July. It was fine. Make sure you check out the kennel first and make sure the puppy has its kennel cough vaccine cuz most kennels won't board without it.

Answer 7

As long as you pick the best kennel around he should have a lovely time. I would check out the kennels in your area now and maybe again in a month or twos time if your happy get a pup in spring if not wait til after holiday. :-) that way you ll be reassured he will be in safe hands either way.

Answer 8

I am never in favor of boarding at a kennel. There are other options - you could hire a friend to stay at your house to care for the pup, you could hire a professional pet siter to stay over or some pet sitters will care for the dog in their own homes. There are some boarding places that are run more like a "home" atmosphere rather than putting a dog in a cage all day, where they are subjected to the sounds and stares of other dogs which frighten many dogs.

Answer 9

Its always hard to leave a pet I had to leave my dalmation when I went to get married out of state I think we both cried but.. if you don't have somebody to leave him with a kennel is better than having somebody stop by they at least get outside fed and watered regularly and are safe find a frind who can recommend a good kennal go and check it out during the day while there are people there make sure they have indoor/outdoor kennels and take dogs for walks or check their policy on those kinds of things and feeding schedules if you find a good one it will make both of you more at ease during your seperation

Answer 10

I wouldn't say unfair per say. But a puppy that young is still in training mode. I suggest getting the puppy after your vacation so you can get it properly trained before you put it in a kennel