Boarding Dilemma for Meg

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

We are planning to have New Years with the kids and are all meeting in NC.  In total 13 people and 3 other dogs (various rules of behaviour).  Since Meg is only going to be 7 1/2 months old at that time and currently doing very well on commands and rules I think it is going to be stressful for her with all the confusion so in my heart I feel it is best to board her for a few days.

Our vet's office boards so I asked to look at the facility for it and they have very nice and clean areas for it, BUT, the kennels are probably 4X8 and then they walk them twice a day (I don't know for how long) and I worry about her stress for having to use her kennel for going potty which goes against her common sense.

I talked to a lady yesterday that has kennels that size with a doggie door that lets her out into an outside run of 4X12 and then she has a large fenced area that she takes them out to play in each day.  Her part time job is at a vet's office and she is a retired breeder of Sharpei's for showing.  I am assuming she knows what she is doing but we are driving over there today to take a look and taking Meg to see how she does with this ladie's own dogs. Then we can make up our mind.

So looking for opinions...If the second place is nice I think I lean that way for her interaction with other dogs, ability to get out to go potty where she is suppose to and having a bit more room.  What do you all think?

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

Hi Judy.  I have a puppy, too, who is close to Meg's age.  We're taking her with us on a five-hour drive to my sister's place for Thanksgiving.  Travelling with us in the car, will be my husband, our second dog, Wally, our daughter, and her dog, Monty.  At my sister's house on Thanksgiving day, there will be at least one, and maybe three additional dogs.  As someone earlier mentioned, I am going to use the opportunity to practice Charlotte's obedience commands with what will surely be lots of distractions.  The other dogs are pretty well-behaved.

When we go out of town and it's not possible to bring the dogs, we have them stay at the home of one of the technicians at our vet's office.  When she is at work, her husband is home with the dogs.  They LOVE it there so much that we have come to refer to her house as Camp Mary!  They stay in her house with her dogs and they have play time outside in her fenced-in yard.  

So, if taking Meg with you is not an attractive option, it might be a good opportunity to get her used to staying at someone's house.  With your option #2 lady, would Meg be kept in the the kennel and fenced area all day or would she spend time in the lady's home?  Also, I'd want to be sure that the area where she'd be kenneled is not too cold and that she has a comfy place to sleep.

[Patty, Jesse & Bodee]

'Feeling your stress, Meg.  Been there.  My two cents, added to advice already given, would be to keep your eyes and ears open for more options.  You never know who comes along with a super great recommendation.  Given the two choices you present, I'd definitely lean toward #2 (but only) if your gut tells you she's good.  But to that I'd add, I'd take puppy over for a full day of boarding (no over-night); then a week later do a one full day plus over-night, before leaving for several days.  I've always done that with my dogs, as it minimizes their initial stress... easing them into the experience of knowing you "do" return.  Meantime, eases 'your mind' to have a preview of how it well it is/isn't working.  Yes, there's the cost involved... but some costs are so worth it!  Good luck....  

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

My Vet also does boarding, but I don't leave the Doods there because they're in fairly small crates with only three walks a day (and I'm guessing they're pretty short).  I board them at the Daycare where they go regularly.  They have "suites" which are really large (bathroom sized) "kennels" and they are right next to each other.  We bring their beds and their antlers.  They get to play all day with their "Daycare buddies" so I know they're pretty exhausted at night.  The second facility that you describe with large kennels that access the outside and other dogs to play with sounds a lot like my boarding facility.  I'd go with that option.

[Ronna, Murphy & Wilson]

Where are you going in NC?  I live in Raleigh and she is welcome to stay here.  Murphy will teach her all the great things he knows and Wilson will teach her how to get out of doing all the great things Murphy does :)

[F, Calla & Luca]

One of the things I worry about on Thanksgiving is that someone will let a dog(s) out inadvertently and my cousins' yard is not fenced. I also worry about someone stepping/tripping on a dog in a crowded house. And of course, about the dogs getting food that they should not. So instead of relaxing I would worry about supervising the dogs. It's easier for me to go a bit later, feed the dogs a bit earlier and to know they are home safe.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

True!   Good idea.  Look what happened to me in  NY. Too much can happen when a lot of people are involved. Add a strange location, with a rescue pup, and it could be a problem.

Both Ronna and I have offered her to come to our houses. It may be an idea. Or, maybe someone in Illinois may Doodle Sit for her. I would post a Dog Sitter Needed in the Illinois group also.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Those are very kind offers.