Boarding all of my pups for the first time! What should I expect?

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

I am currently deciding which boarding facility I'm going to take them to. I've decide on an indoor/outdoor run type of boarding where they will also have at least 3 times out in a fenced area weather permitting. Plus they will be able to go out to the play area together (but not with other dogs). One facility will give a discount if I put them all in one kennel or a suite (but more $). The other is a little better price, but they will be kenneled separately. I'm kind of on the fence which to choose. Both facilities are clean and come recommended.

My question is what should I expect from my dogs since they've never had to be boarded? In the past when I went on vacation I had someone come and watch my dogs - my MIL. She cannot do it this time around due to her knees and the size of Gracie (90 lbs). Gracie gets too excited around other people. :) She is super attached to my husband - as he is to her. He wants to FaceTime her. Haha!

What can I expect in the potty training area with Jade? She is 6 months now and doing super with her training needs. I know she will do what she needs to when she is there, but will I have to be super vigilant with her once we get her back home?

I'm afraid Barkley won't eat much as he never does when I leave.

It has been harder to decide which boarder to take them to than it was to decide which hotel to say at!

[Amy and Annabelle]

We will be boarding Annabelle for the first time when we go on a trip here soon. She has never been away from us for more than 2 or 3 hours once a month. She will have her own private room and run. She won't be with other dogs. She will get one on one time with a human 3 times a day for exercise and cuddles. I worry how she will do. She is so attached to us, and us her. I am afraid she will think we abandoned her. I also worry she will go back to the chewing habit she had her first year.

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

Oh. I hope not.

When I visited one of the boarding facilities, the dogs seemed happy enough especially the dogs in the suites. I even saw someone pick up their two dogs and they were racing to the door. :)

The only reason I'm leery about the suites is because there is no run. Though the rooms are bigger than the indoor part of the run - with the outdoor attached the dogs have more room. Plus, with Jade, I'm not sure she would be able to hold it given the room would be huge compared to her crate.

I'm just nervous about the whole idea of it - probably more than the dogs will be when they are there. ;)

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I would board them together, even if it is more money.   I think they will feel less abandoned.  I also would take them to the place before your vacation so they get to know it at least a little.  My concern is if they don't have an outdoor area, where will they relieve themselves - in the kennel?  I would also - if they let you, leave a shirt filled with your husband's scent for Gracie.

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

Both places have an outside area. But, the suite doesn't have a run. So, yeah, Jade might have accidents in there. But, maybe not if they are all 3 in there? Plus, they would get taken out at least 3 times per day.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

We board our boys at the same place where they go for Daycare and it has worked well for them.  I put them in suites right next to each other....but not the same suite.  They can see each other but I don't have to worry about Murph getting too rough with Guinness (there's almost 50 lbs difference).  If I didn't have that worry I would put them together.  We always bring their beds from home for them to sleep in.  At our boarding facility they go out at 9:00 PM and then they're in for the night until 6:00 AM.  During the day they're actually in the Daycare so they go in and out frequently.  I've been boarding them there since they were pups and never had any house breaking regression.  As for eating, I always leave a special "topper" for their food....even it it's just some treats that they can mix in with the kibble.  That is an enticement for them to eat.  You might ask if it would be possible for you to bring them to the facility for an hour or two first.  I think it helps if they learn that you left the there but you did come back to get them.  Good luck and try not to worry too much!

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

That is one concern. Barkely is 14 lbs compared to Jade at 36 right now and Gracie at 90. Gracie is actually pretty gentle with both of them. Which kind of suprises me as bratty of a pup as she was. ;) The one concern I have boarding them all in one suite is that Barkley likes alone time and goes to his crate often. It is small, so I'm thinking it could probably go to the boarding facility as well.
The runs are beside one another and they have panels to separate them so I don't think they would be able to see each other, but they would go out 3 times per day together. So many decisions!

Good advice about the topper. Barkely doesn't eat all of the time even when I'm home. He used to be able to just go to his bowl and eat when ever he wanted - then we got Bristow (a beagle Bassett mix) who was like a vacuum and if there was leftover food, he thought it was his. Awe. I miss that guy!

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

Could you arrange for Jade to be taken out more frequently, since she's younger and still can't hold it as long as Barkley and Gracie?

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

I'm going to ask. I'm sure they will "accommodate" me as the one replied to one of my questions. $$ ;)

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

Well, after visiting one of my two choices, I have to say you can't always believe the Internet.

I expect some odor from a kennel place, but this place was overwhelming from the office/grooming area! So far I have visited 3 places and only 1 of those is an option for us.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Is having someone stay at your home an option.  That is what we do.  We have a retired lady who does dog sitting to make extra money.  The boarding places in our area are not great either. Actually some are scary - and no one on call at night.  If you were here I would take them.  Good luck.

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

My husband says no to that.
Awe thanks!

[Amy and Annabelle]

Same here. We are both uncomfortable having someone come in while we are away. So that is not an option for us.