I am planning on going on vacation soon for about a week and have never had my dogs boarded. Any way to ease the stress on them and me? My dogs are 11 and two years old. They have NEVER been away from us for over 8 hours!
2007-05-25 01:39:07 · 21 answers · asked by Lisa T (Stop BSL) 6 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Check your area for pet sitters that come to you. Often times companies offer a home pet sitting service where you can customize the routine and number of visits a day. Great option for dogs with severe separation anxiety or dogs new to being left alone. If this is not available try arranging with your kennel for a "test run" before you actually leave. Take the dogs tot he kennel for a day and pick them up in the evening. Sometimes you might find they have fun going on vacation too!
2007-05-25 07:49:34 · answer #1 · answered by Mandy 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If they are pals, ask that they be kenneled together.
A good kennel will require proof that all the animals are up to date on vaccinations before taking them in. They will also allow you to bring your pet's usual food and be more than happy to follow any special instructions regarding food or medication, (we write feeding instructions right on the lid of the container). You should also be allowed to leave any beds, blankets and toys for your pet.
Inspect the area where the animals are kept. It should be clean and smell fresh, not "kennelly" and it shouldn't reek of disinfectant, either. Cats should all have their own individual litter boxes and kennel or crate. Dogs should not be kenneled together unless they are from the same family and it's been requested by the owner. There shouldn't be feces lying around in the dog runs.
The proprietors should live on the premises and be available to the animals 24 hours a day, (in other words they don't go off to day jobs or lock up and leave at night). Your pet should come home smelling just as he did when he left your home and be free of parasites and fleas. I say that because some places will spray your pet with harsh disinfectant to cover up the conditions they've been kept in. The people there should be very concerned as to the security of your pet and have taken measures to keep them safely in, (such as double gating on the dog runs). They should also have a good relationship with a nearby vet and be willing to take your pet there should he fall ill or be injured. They will have you sign a release giving your permission for that.
I have to drive over an hour to get to the kennel I use, but it's well worth it for the peace of mind while I'm away.
2007-05-25 03:18:47 · answer #2 · answered by K 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have someone come and stay at my house while I am gone so that I don't have to board them. If this is not an option for you and a petsitter is not an option it is a good idea to tour the kennel where they will be staying and ask a lot of questions about the care they will be given. I used to work at a kennel in Charlotte NC that was wonderful. The pets had their toys and blankets put in with them and were fed what they ate at home. This place was the exception though. Do not board at a vet as they do not have the time to take care of boarders as the sick animals come first. Get references and check them out.
2007-05-25 02:27:59 · answer #3 · answered by nerakian 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How great it is that you're taking a vacation!!! You say the dogs have never been away from you for over 8 hours, so taking a vacation is a big deal for you! Your dogs will be fine at a reputable kennel. I would just say to take their favorite toys and maybe a shirt of yours so they have your scent with them (if that's allowed). You enjoy your vacation away from the dogs. They will be fine.
2007-05-25 01:52:39 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Least stressful: having the dogs stay at home and pay a pet sitting business to stay with them. Some will stay overnight, some will do several visits a day.
Next, try a dog day care that also does boarding. You can bring your dogs to the day care a few times so they learn you always come back for them. Then they are at least familiar with the place.
Bring their own bed or a blanket with familiar smells on it. Find a boarding place that is up with the latest techniques, one that uses D.A.P. (Dog Appeasing Pheromone) diffusers to help the dogs relax. soft music. Make sure you bring your own food for the dogs. If you pick a boarding place that refuses to use your bedding or food, find a new place.
At least, that's how we do it at our Dog Day Care and Boarding facility.
2007-05-25 01:50:11 · answer #5 · answered by renodogmom 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If that is the case, maybe you should just have a friend that they know come over and feed and water them. Boarding can be stressful on dogs, especially if they have seperation issues. If that is not an option maybe you should board them at your vet's office, assuming they have had to spend a day there before, so at least they will be somewhere somewhat familiar with people they have met before.
2007-05-25 01:54:08 · answer #6 · answered by New Dog Owner 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know the feeling. We had to do that when my mother-in-law died in 2004 and left them 21 days.
Find the best kennel in your area. I found a good one.
We took some of their own toys plus a blanket of theirs and let two of our three dogs stay together in a kennel which worked better for the nervous one. The staff (for a fee) took them out to an exercise pen for 1/2 hour per day, and had little to do as our dogs play together great.
Most of the stress was ours... our worries...
I was able to call the kennel daily to check on them and that helped.
For only a week, you have little that will bother your dogs. It's mostly you who will worry. Since they will be together, it won't be so stressful for them.
2007-05-25 01:46:18 · answer #7 · answered by Nedra E 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Look in the yellow pages for dog service agencies. Most offer dog sitting services so your pets won't ever have to leave home. They can also set up packages where they clean the yard and groom them while you are away. They are a bit more expensive than traditional kennels but worth every penny in my opinion.
2007-05-25 01:51:27 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check out your local kennels thoroughly. Some of them can be real "pits" but some are nice enough that I wouldn't mind staying there myself.
There's a great kennel near Champaign, IL - where the dogs are serenaded with soft music daily - and every dog gets to pick out his own blanket and toy. It's called "Amost Home."
Get references. Call them.
Get a good idea of services and fees. Ask questions if you don't understand.
Let Fido and Prescious take along a toy and blanket - one they're familiar with - but one that you don't care if they lost, either.
2007-05-25 01:54:06 · answer #9 · answered by Barbara B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
BIG PIECE OF ADVICE
Where ever they land up going, take them there BEFORE you pack. Believe me - when you pack they know something big is going on and they go nuts with anxiety. Boarding them first means it's just a trip in the car and you eliminate one stress they never need to go through, and they can have a positive experience going to the kennels instead of a fretful one.
2007-05-25 02:31:02 · answer #10 · answered by the_keys78 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋