Need your advice about boarding, kennels, etc.

[Doug and Beth]

Haven't posted in a while and really need everyone's advice regarding boarding. A little history here...

We have a 7 month old Australian labradoodle which I have to same is damn near perfect, maybe we are bias! Non barker, mello, potty trained, etc.

Here is the issue we are taking the kids to Disney in April and we are petrified about leaving him in a kennel. We used to have a golden retriever and I maybe it was a coincidence but we left him in a kennel once for a week and the day we picked him up he had a massive seizure and continued for the remainder of his life and he never recovered.....and became a nightmare of a dog when in the past he was great.

We are deathly afraid to leave him and need some comforting advice and what do we look for in a kennel?

We are visiting one tomorrow that he would be in daycare all day and in a private room at night.

HELP!!!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

This is my biggest concern whenever we have to take a vacation. Is there a trusted friend or relative you could pay to stay at your house instead? Just a thought! Do you know anyone in your area that could recommend a kennel that they have used for their dogs? Good luck and I hope you get some great advice.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

 I am so sorry about the experience you had when you left your dog at a kennel. I can understand why you are so hesitant to do it again. I agree with Laurie that a trusted friend or relative would be great but I know that is not always a choice. How about a professional housesitter? That way he could be home in familiar surroundings.  We have not had to leave Tara alone yet but in the past we had someone stay at our home with our dogs and cats. Some pet sitters will stay overnight or just come to your home and feed/walk or whatever you want them to do with your dog and their hours with your pup can be flexible.  Could your groomer or vet recommend someone or, if need be, a kennel?

My concern with the kennel/daycare situation that your are considering is that your pup may be overwhelmed being exposed to a group of strange dogs ALL DAY for days in a row and never going home and having the stress of wondering where you are on top of it all. It would depend on your dog's temperament and the activity level he is accustomed to and if he enjoys the company of other dogs.

I would try searching on line for licensed/bonded pet sitters in your area and see if it a workable option for you. Good luck! I know how hard it is to leave our doodle babies behind!

[Katie, John & Parker pup]

We boarded Parker once at a kennel (spa as they called themselves) and I was very nervous about leaving him for the first time because he has separation anxiety (maybe I do too lol) but when I called to check on him they were like "Oh he's great...he's been in and out of the pools all day playing with a wheaton" Haha I was on vacation worrying about him and here he is lounging by a pool forgetting all about me! The place was kind of far so we eventually started looking for more options and my cousin recommended a teacher she had worked with that had retired and was looking to start a small dog sitting business. They are lovely and Parker was her first client. She and her husband adore Parker and call him their granddog. We feel comfortable taking him to their house and they have a fenced in yard and send us photo text updates and he just loves it there. We have a tiny apartment and were not comfortable having someone stay at our house so this  couple was perfect for us because they were personally recommended and they could safely and comfortably keep Parker at their house with them.

Is there a dog sitter you could find and meet and whatnot long before your trip so you feel comfortable with them and your baby? Even though we didn't have a negative experience with a kennel, I am still more comfortable with Parker having the one on one loving care he gets with the dog sitter so I understand your fears.

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

Can you hire someone to stay at your house? maybe a family member or close friend?  When I travel on business or short vacations my BF stays at my house.  I have the best dog sitter :)  I also have my BIL as back-up who is another awesome dog person and great dog sitter. This works best for me and the doodles, they do not have to stay at a strange place and they are better off staying in their own home.   Sasha or Oliver have never been board at a kennel so unfortunately I can't help you there.  When I had other dogs in the past I would board them at my vet's boarding facility.  I was confortable leaving them there because they were at the vet so if anything went wrong they had be best of care.   I also have great neighbors that if I needed them in a pinch they would care for my doodles.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I'm afraid of boarding too.  I have had two bad experiences in the past.  So far we have only left Riley for one night and my daughter came to stay.  She says she will happily do it again and for longer stretches if necessary.  I think you definitely need to find a petsitter.  I am also on the hunt for a plan B so we can plan  to go away in the future without worrying. Good luck with your search for the right person.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

This is why I suggest to new puppy owners to find a trusted dog sitter very early on.  Even if you don't need them for a while - leave your puppy over night once every 3 months or so to introduce them to the concept and so that they can get to know the sitter.  They will learn that if you leave - you come back.  So now what I'd suggest is ask your groomer if she knows someone who is a PROFESSIONAL dog sitter, ask at your vets office, the place where you buy your food.  Once you have a name(s) you can interview them over the phone, if they dog sit in their home (as ours does) - then you can visit them there.  My boys ADORE their sitter and love to stay with her.  IF you have a trusted family member or friend - just make sure that they really know how to care for a pet - I recently posted about someone dog sitting who left two dogs in a car while she ran into a store - only 1 dog was in the car when she returned.  You wouldn't want to come home to that scenario.  Good luck.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I send my guys to Daycare once a week, and they really seem to enjoy it.  This is also a Boarding Facility, so this is where they stay if we're away.  Because they know the place and the staff, they're comfortable there.  Before we started bringing them there we asked for references and talked to a lot of people, including our Vet who had other "patients" who attended this Daycare.  All dogs are screened to ensure they have good "manners", and the owner is a certified trainer who has also trained her staff.  They get to play all day and at night they go into adjoining "suites"....lots of room and they have their own beds and toys.  It has worked out well for us, and maybe there's a similar facility in your area.  If so, I would definitely suggest bringing your Doodle there for Daycare a few times first to see how it works out.  Good luck.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Jane, You both live in the same state. I don't know how close you are, but maybe you could PM the facility you use. Just a thought!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I didn't even notice this, Laurie.  Great idea.  They're only about 30 - 40 minutes away. 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I do what I can.....LOL!!!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Ditto to this. Peri goes to daycare once a week and we also use that facility when boarding is necessary (my parents keep my dogs if they are in town, I keep their terrier in return when we are not traveling at the same time).

If you go daycare route, start taking him once a week if at all possible for a while so he gets used to it.

[Christine & Shelby]

What a scary and sad story about your Golden Retriever.... I can understand your nerves!

I have a now 2 year old ALD.... and I have to board her 2-3 times a year... it's just the two of us!

I won't board her at her vet's office.  I want more for her than just a kennel to sleep in.  I looked around for a facility that focused on boarding, had lots of scheduled exercise breaks, play care as an option and was clean with good staff.  I toured, and like it a lot - they let me tour without an appointment - I just walked in, which was nice - got to see what it's really  like.   Her first boarding experience was a 1 night stay (which you might consider - helps them understand you'll come back) and a good test before some of her longer boarding stays (longest was 8 days).  I've had a great experience... but I know it's tough.  I've now been taking her there for boarding, play care and grooming - so all the staff know her and I in some ways feel like I am leaving her with friends.  I know she'll get great care.

Where are you located?  Maybe you can ask for recommendations from others in the area (by PM of course).   Good luck...