What would be worse for my dog this Christmas, living in a kennel, or staying alone at home?

Question

if she stayed at home there would be someone to come and feed and walk her everyday, but other than that she would be alone

i think she feels more comfortable at home

Answer 1

I work in a kennel, but when I go out of town, I leave my dogs at home. Dogs are more suspectible to kennel cough, stress colitis, etc at a kennel - it is often far more stressful on them and the attention they generally get is not that much since the holidays mean the kennel is packed with other pets. I leave my dogs at home and give them a variety of toys to help with boredom. I have someone come over 3 times a day. They rotate the toys, feed them, take them out and play catch with them. The cost is generally less than kenneling.

Answer 2

PetSmart has some great hotels which includes play time and lots of stimulation for your dog. I am sure there are other Pet Hotels, but this being a chain store, they have a high quality of care and lots of checks and balances on quality maintenance. I have know of kennels where they show people a great kennel and then move the dogs to a crowded kennel. PetSmart does not do that.
Staying at home the dog may get really anxious when you are gone for a time and I would be more worried about the dog getting out or about what would happen if something happened that prevented the person who is supposed to walk the dog from coming one day. Also if the dog somehow got injured and no one was there, i wouldn't want to worry about that sort of thing happening.
My Vet's office has a Vet Tech I trust that boards animals. It is all about who you trust and if someone will be around in case of emergency.
http://www.petsmart.com/PETsHOTEL/

Answer 3

If it is an older dog staying home should be fine, as long as someone comes in three or more times a day. A puppy would need to be in the kennel. They cant hold it as long and the other dogs noises will at least help it not feel so alone.

Answer 4

If someone comes to feed her and walk her everyday, she would probably be more happy staying in her own home. But this is going to depend on the age of the dog, too. If it's a pup, that's expecting too much. Pups can be very destructive little creatures when left on their own, with no one there to discipline or train them. A pup would probably be better in a kennel. An adult dog doesn't have the same issues, and would probably do better staying at home.

Answer 5

If this dog has anxiety issues re being left alone, then she needs to go to a home where there is somebody around pretty much all the time. In other words, you'd be looking at an uphill battle with her, if you want to be leaving her too, and you most likely won't win if she's already traumatised. There will be other Staffies (LOADS of them) who are going to be more suitable for you. Just as there should be a more suitable family for this poor girl to be honest. It is possible to get a dog used to staying at home on their own however but for me, no dog should be left longer than 4 hours, without the opportunity at least to empty. And this Staffie sounds like a prime example of why I feel as I do!!!

Answer 6

IMO, unless you can afford some type of doggie spa, where she'd get not only food, but lots of attention, I think she's better off staying at home.

I think that kennels are not very exciting, and can be very stressful for the dog. Yes, there may be more people there during the day, but there are no guarantees that those people will be giving their attention to your dog.

Do you know anyone who would be willing to spend a night or two with your dog while you're gone? I know that when I slept on my brother's couch, his dog was much more comfortable and relaxed, just knowing I was there.

Answer 7

I would leave her at home cause i have had a very bad experiance at a kennel one time and would never put my dogs through that agian i would never suggest to any one to kennel their dogs cause well i will just tell you what happen to one of my dogs at a kennel one time,,, I had to kennel him for one month cause we were in the middle of moving to one state to another and when i went and got my boy he was emasiated very skinny looked like they for got to feed him and then he was very skiddesh from that point on,,, to where we had to put him down cause he would bite me and go and try to attack my kids,,, when we took him to the vet to have him put down he bit a nurse to where she had to have stitches,,, i feel that they were very mean to my dog very abusive, and very negletful we tried everything by a several professional trainers and nothing worked with him after he came home from the kennel so if i was you i would let your dog stay home and have someone come over and feed and take her out,,, i hope this helps and good luck with your decition and have a merry Christmas

Answer 8

if you are absolutely sure someone will be there more than once daily to feed and walk the dog it's better to not take them from the home, but if not at least you know they will be taken care of daily at the kennel and wont be lonely, it does scare them when they leave home and are around alot of loud animals, the kennels are over crowded during holidays.

Answer 9

how long will she be at home alone? It would be 10 times better for her to be at home, dogs are comfortable at home, than a strange kennel with lots of other dogs and people who dont really care about them. Where would you rather be?... in your home alone or in a strangers house?

Answer 10

I would leave my dog at home. Going to the kennel is so stressful on them, plus with all the animals there for the holidays the staff won't have much extra time to spend with your pet. Plus she'll be in her home and you'll have someone stop by to walk and care for her (she'll probley get more attention that way too.)