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?

[Doris]

I think the second place would be better if it is clean and looks good.  I can't imagine only going out for potty 2 times a day.  Bodi is 6 and has always gone out about 4 times a day.  2-3 long walks and  just a quick run to the yard before bed.  I like that your dog will have access to the outside when ever needed.  I hope it works out for you.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

While I don't know all the details of what you describe as "various rules of behavior", if this were me, I would take her with me rather than board her in a scary place she isn't familiar with.  I would think that she would much rather be with you than be in one of these places she has not been before. Just my opinion.

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

Yes I agree with Lucy and Sophie's mom. My in- laws have two Yorkshire terriers, my bro in law has two, my cousin in law has one ( yes they are a Yorkies family) my parents have a Maltese, and they are all mini terrors! They all take their dogs arnd for holidays and visits. They bark at everything, eat from the table, not potty trained unles they are home, greedy, aggressive to kids. Zoe and Ben have both been exposed to them since around 4 months and it doesn't really affect them. Zoe will try to play with them and Ben ignores them. They never try to follow or behaves badly after they see them.

[Christine & Shelby]

I agree with the last two responses... I would always opt to take Shelby if I had the opportunity and only board if bringing her isn't an option or isn't fair to her (no time to spend with her). If she is doing well with her training... This will be a great opportunity to work with her - with distractions!

[Jen and Annie]

Hi there - I took Annie with us on vacation (where other dogs also were) when she was 4 1/2 months old, and she did beautifully...she brought her potty training and manners with her.  I think she would have a blast with 3 other dogs and all the people - I know Annie would.  I am personally not a fan of boarding, because the dogs can get stressed out (or sick), so when I do have to leave them home, I either take them to someones house or have someone come to my house, so that it's not so stressful.  For them, me being gone is stressful enough, and I just know it would affect them more if I was gone AND they were in a strange place.  Annie (for some reason) gets very anxious hearing multiple dogs barking, so I just know it would probably cause long term issues with her if I were to take her to a boarding kennel or the vet's office, hearing barking all day and having very little human interaction.  She LOVES people, so it would be awful for her to not to have people interaction .  All dogs are different of course, so this might not be an issue for Meg.  I bet if you brought her with you, she would surprise you with how little it will affect her...  BUT, if your only options are the two places, I would pick the second place.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Taking her might be fun, however it would change the focus of your visit into "dog" and that may not really be the best - only you know the answer to this. If you take her, I would think about bringing someone (like a babysitter) to be in charge of Meg while you just have the fun stuff with her - I have no idea about the financial aspect of this.  I would not use the vet to board - I would be concerned that sick dogs were there and Meg might catch something. This leaves the retired breeder, part time vet assistant which, if you like the place, sounds good.  I don't know where you got Meg, but I have read that people use their dog's breeder sometimes or hire someone to stay at their house for the dog as well as taking care of the house.

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

Nancy thank you for your input.  This is the first time the family will all be together since my daughter lost her husband last December and my focus needs to be on her.  I am seeing some great replies that open up some ideas for options that I like better and think there are maybe two I will work on.  Everyone is being so helpful.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Before I even got Luca I looked at a fancy Pet Spa place that did not, at that time, let the dogs out at all although the kennels were very large. It went against the grain for me that I would potty train my puppy and then he'd have to potty in a kennel when boarded. My dogs have only been boarded in someone's home, their trainer or her former assistant. This has worked very well for me. I did visit the assistant trainer's home with the dogs, which is about an hour from me, before they went there for the first time.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Judy, are you driving?  If so, stop in Ohio and bring her  here. I'll watch her.  No kennels here. If she needs a crate at night, I have them here too.

It is an idea.  If you are not driving, post in the Illinois Group-Looking for a sitter.  Many of us have watched other doodles and would be happy to help. It is an idea

P,S.- I just looked at a map. This may be a 2.5 hour, out of the way, route for you to take to NC. but she is welcome. We would have fun

Take her with you. 

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

Joanne, thank you so very much for the offer.  It really is too far out of the way but would have been a perfect solution.  Will be ever grateful for the offer.

 

[Julie and Charlie]

Take her with you, and spend some time working on good behaviors with distractions, if you can. Sometimes, though, I understand needing a break.

I had to travel when Charlie was barely 4 months old, and no boarding facility would take him, except the vet. I got him the biggest run possible, paid extra to give him unstructured time outside in their play area, and talked with the kennel manager. She assured me that he would be the first one out in the morning, and the last one out at night, and they worked to get him outside on a couple walks besides potty breaks. It wasn't idea, but it was the best I could do when my regular pet-sitter couldn't, two friends couldn't... the story was a perfect storm!

I don't think I'll board him again there, just because his current daycare also has boarding. They have a human that spends the night, and have multiple sleeping options for the dogs. They can also play all day. He's familiar with the staff and the dogs, and I trust them completely.

[Bonnie and Kona]

I would advise you to take her with you or get someone to stay in your home if at all possible. She will be most happy with you and second-most happy to be in familiar surroundings. We take our doodles to visit family where there have been two dogs of unknown origin, three Westies and a Golden Retriever. We've done it with pups and grown up dogs. All fare beautifully. I hope you feel more comfortable hearing that people do this all of the time and it has worked out really well. If you are concerned her training will be interfered with, I think it will set her back more to be left in a kennel with no training than if she goes with you and is corrected. Just a thought. hmmm?