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!

[Mary ann & Lincoln]

did you check with petvacay.com?  there maybe someone in your area that will take them in their home.  It maybe an issue since they are so big, but worth a shot.  I would look at places that offer day care and boarding- they seem to be more reliable, since the day care pups are a good recommendation.    

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

I will check see what I come up with.

The only issue with daycare is that we visited a pet daycare/grooming/boarding place when Gracie was younger and I thought it might be good to drop her off while I grocery shop. Well, one of the male pups (a doodle even) was humping other dogs. No one did anything about it - just kind of laughed it off. We were getting a tour.
I don't want any of my pups defiled by strangers. ;)

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

Dog vacay did not have anyone in my area. But, rover.com did. I emaile one of the people! Cross your fingers this works out as I think it would be the best option!

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

Well, that sounded like a good deal, but basically would cost me almost double the boarding facility. There was a small discount for multiple dogs, but it still was too much. Although, I love my pooches, I feel the boarding facility will be fine.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

We just moved to a new state in October and lost our beloved pet sitter. I used DogVacay to find a dog sitter in our area and had her stay at our house when we went on vacation. She did a fabulous job and we had very good luck doing it this way. I have had her back several times. We did do an overnight visit as a trail run. Just a thought. Some of the dog sitters also watch the dogs in their homes, if you are uncomfortable with having them come to your house.

[Christy&Riley]

good thing you visited. We were horrified at one place where the dogs were encouraged to potty in their runs. I hear that can really confuse them. One other thing we learned the hard way...Riley wasn't used to playing on the pebbles at the kennels. She came home from one place limping. I looked at her paws and they were raw in between the pads. The place was huge and no one noticed. I compared it to a private school kid going to a large AAA high school. Never went back there. I personally feel better with the places that have someone onsite all night.

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

Yeah. I wouldn't take them there if I didn't visit, but I was impressed by their website. So very taken back by the condition and smells.

[Joani, Skadi & Elli]

Even though I have been boarding my girl Skadi since she was little, she is 5 1/2 now...and Elli who we adopted January 2015, she is 7...I feel "guilty" and for the first few hours of leaving them I go through the "separation" blues.  However, I have to get away and enjoy life too...in fact, when I come back to this earth...I'm coming back as a spoiled dog!  

My dogs are boarded at their daycare ranch so they are familiar with all the smells, the routine, and the people.  With Elli, I felt really really guilty the first time I boarded her because we had just taken her in and 3 weeks later we had to leave her for a week.  Since then I have boarded her another 3 times.  Both of them are absolutely fine when they come home. Sometimes a little stinkier, because they do doggie day care every day while they are boarded.  They are crated next to each other so I'm thinking that helps.  

I know some dogs cannot tolerate being boarded so I hope all goes well and you find a great place that will take care of your kids.

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

Awe. Well it's good to know that I'm not alone in the guilt of leaving them. I hope it all goes well too and I think they will do fine. Thanks for the reassurance!