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Petsitters/ kennels - how do you ever really know what they're like?

7 replies

musicposy · 12/04/2011 18:41

We're going away for a week in the summer and I've been looking for somewhere to have my younger dog. The dog training place we go to (which I've always found excellent) also does a pet sitting/ dog walking service. I thought I would use them because we've found them really good at the training classes and I have a lot of trust in the trainer.

Then today I heard something which truly shocked me. I was walking our dog with a friend who has just got a rescue dog. We were talking about classes and about holiday care/ kennels. I had recommended our dog trainers but she said she couldn't possibly use them. When I asked why not, she said her friend had employed them for dog walking (and also gone to training and agility classes there). One day she had been at home from work and popped to the shops round the corner. She was gone 5 minutes. When she got back the dog walker had been and left a note saying dog had had a lovely hour long walk, done x, y and z etc. All completely untrue as she'd only been gone a few minutes! They raised the roof and got a huge apology, flowers, dog gifts etc but the walker (same lady who runs our class and seems really genuine) couldn't give a reason why she'd done it or what had come over her (admitted pretending to walk the dog).

I feel I've lost trust in them a bit and not sure now where to look for for Poppy for the summer. I've had a couple of places recommended but the trouble is, dogs can't talk, so how do you really ever know how they've been treated? I'm sure people just recommend (as we did) because the people seem nice and genuine - but how do you know if your animal is just ignored once your back is turned? or badly treated? For all these people knew, their dog could have been going on these pretend walks for months. Confused

I'm wondering whether to try and press gang and offer to pay friends or family rather than hand her over to what in essence are strangers. We don't have anyone who springs to mind - my parents have our older dog but they find Poppy too boisterous. Sad

I'd be interested to hear the thoughts of all the wonderful experienced doggie people on here as I was really pretty shocked and am not sure what to make of it.

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gegs73 · 12/04/2011 18:47

Thats awful. I am a dog walker and would never do that! I just think you have to go on recommendations as much as you can, speak to the person you are going to employ and maybe ask a neighbour to keep an eye out at the sort of time they will arrive to make sure they are doing what they say they are doing. Also ask them to text you if there are any problems and to sit with the dog for your full hour if for eg some reason they don't want to walk. I've also had people tell me that they have a dog cam set up I guess to check I do what I say I will do. Maybe you could try that. I really think you have had a very bad experience but not everyone is like that.

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WhereTheWildThingsWere · 12/04/2011 19:43

Cor blimey that is terrible!

I think word of mouth is best if you can. Fwiw I have just found out that it works both ways, I have just started to do some boarding and currently have a dog with me whose owners told me all kind of misleading things to make him sound like a much easier dog than he is. Very frustrating to be told the reality when I went to pick him up and they are boarding a flight to Miami in a few hoursAngry.

Sorry that was a bit off topic really, I am just very pissed off.

I would be working hard on anyone you know who might have her. In 13 years I have only ever left dogs with my family or their breeder.

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Toughasoldboots · 12/04/2011 20:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Scuttlebutter · 12/04/2011 20:26

If it helps, all boarding kennels are licensed by the local authority. You should check their licence is valid and up to date. Under FOI you have the right to see any inspection reports, correspondence etc. I have found this very useful and insightful in the past, for a range of reasons. You might find it useful to have a chat with the Animal Welfare officer in the dept that does the inspections. Some can be very helpful.

I would also consider asking your vet for a recommendation, or other dog walkers/owners. Sometimes breed owners clubs/forums can be very useful, especially if your breed of dog has specific requirements. The kennel we used is very comfortable with greyhounds, and had the heat lamps ready when our three had a short stay there!

In our local authority area, the Council licences home boarders so again you could check on the licence conditions, inspection reports and so on.

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MoaningMinn · 13/04/2011 01:07

We put our Ridgeback bitch in Kennels for a week 2 yrs ago. Never again. When my husband collected her she came out cowering on the lead Angry . (Local kennels with good reviews)
We now go on holiday with dogs to Dorset so everyone's happy Smile

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musicposy · 13/04/2011 23:40

It's making me rethink a bit, tbh. I was so sure this place I was going to use would be fine. It is a problem - I'd love to find somewhere I knew I could trust.

I'm thinking we might take the tent up to Scotland instead, then the dogs can come with us and it will be lovely all round.

Has anyone taken dogs abroad for holidays? We usually drive and get an apartment or something, so it wouldn't be out of the question. Just that I think for this year we're too late as there's a 6 month clause.

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doggydaft · 14/04/2011 16:15

I use a kennels recommended by my very lovely vet. The dogs go at least 2 or 3 times a year.
They go in wagging their tails and come out wagging them as well.
The girls are lovely and crucially I have "dropped in" a couple of times before they first went and it has never been a bother to look round/speak to kennel staff.
The downside is they are always busy, a bit more expensive than some other places and you really need to book months in advance as they are so popular but well worth it for the peace of mind.
Although now we are established clients we can use the "emergency kennel" if we ever need to, which gives me peace of mind if for any reason we had to go away at short notice. (they apparantly always have a couple of spaces for urgent short notice clients but only for dogs they know well as sometimes they are boarded in the kennel owners home)
Personal recommendation, visits by you then a short "trial" stay is what I would recommend.
The bottom line I suppose is I trust them and my dogs condition/manner has never given me any reason not to. My ESS in particular is quite nervous/skittish and would not go willingly with anyone she didn't like.

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