Kennel dilemma

[curvybird]

I have two Jack Russells, and am soon going abroad for a week. They have been in kennels once before and I hated leaving them. My question is, what do you think about me leaving them at home and 3 separate relatives visiting them daily for walks, cuddles,feeding and company etc ? I'm so torn,it's making me want to cancel the holiday

[20SilkCut]

Could one of your relatives move into your house whilst you are away...that would seem to be the best option, if its possible. The dogs get to stay in their own place , and with company!

[tamborine]

Excellent idea if they can't take dogs into their own homes. Am caring for an alsation as the owner (vet nurse) is on holiday.

[carmalee]

totally agree with Silk Cut - I wouldn't be happy to leave two dogs alone in a house overnight which is presumeably what would happen. Just for a week couldn't each relative/friend stay over every third night or something?

[wolf63]

You might have hated leaving them in the kennels but what about the dogs? My last dog loved going to the kennels - new smells, different people and he liked the owner and her staff.

You know your dogs - will they be okay with people visiting them? Will they get bored and destroy your house?

Do you trust your relatives to care for the dogs properly?

I wish you well with your decision making.

[welshlibranr]

I think the best scenario would be if someone they know could stay at your home with them, but failing that, if family members are willing to visit regulary throughout the day, then they should be fine, probably more stable for them than going to kennels..........

[lankeela]

Having just spent the last almost three months running a friend's kennels, I cannot for the life of me understand why people are so reluctant to leave their dogs. They have company, they are regularly exercised, they are well fed and the people who run kennels do so because they love dogs - it doesn't matter if they bark, or chew their beds up they have a whale of a time. Its the owners who suffer, when they really have no need to in 999 out of 1000 cases. I have probably only every encountered 1 dog who really did not like being kenneled in over 30 years of doing kennel work. They are safe, secure, with people who know about dogs and most importantly know if something is wrong and they need a vet - can you guarantee that visiting relatives would? What if they escaped when the relatives opened the door? Would they be able to catch them if they took off? I know I would far rather know mine were safe and secure. Yes, I hate leaving mine too, but I know they are fine!

[woofgang]

I hate leaving mine so I don't...simple as that. I think it depends on the dogs, their characteristics and what they are used to. When you get a dog, if you intend to kennel it then you need to teach it to accept it and be happy there. I have known more than just one dog who was unhappy in kennels, different kennels, different dogs, different owners, different circs. Only one dog was mine, he went into quarantine and was very unhappy indeed.
I would be very concerned about dogs being home alone overnight, also what would happen if cares had an emergency and couldn't visit as planned. Could none of them move in with your dogs?

[LoftyLottie]

I certainly wouldn't leave my present dog in kennels. She is far too sensitive and really doesn't like other dogs - She is not aggressive with other dogs just simply not interested, and I know her well enough to know she would be totally devastated and unhappy.

Not all dogs are the same. Some dogs might well love kennels, but I know of very, vay many who don't. Just because the people that run kennels know all about dogs, etc. does not mean that they know individual dogs well.

I feel the same about nurseries and children!

I had a dog years ago who I happily left in kennels. He had a whale of a time and loved the walks with all the other dogs. My existing dog would simply hate it

Curvybird. Have you someone who would move in with your dogs for a week?

I am lucky in that my dog goes to live with my son when we go away, but for the most part we go on holidays where she can come too. I miss her if she is not there.

[Brinjal]

A house sitter dog sitter is the best option. Dogs are comfotable at home and your house is looked after all so.

[Dee Sa]

we leave our two dogs at marvelous kennels at Third Bridge,Haddenham,Cambs, not too far from Stansted airport yes it takes us an hour and a half to get there but we go for a month and couldnt bare to leave them in a small cage as some kennels do.Whilst there they have piped music, a tv in their room which goes on for the soaps, proper rubber floor and a camp bed, their run lets them see the other dogs if they want to and there is a fenced field at the back of their kennel which they have to run free. I can leave them with complete peace of mind and when I come to collect them the owner will tell me something about my dogs that I din not know proving to me that he has spent time with them.
I have tried to find something nearer but have been shocked at some of the kennels I was shown.