To kennel or not

[Lasttimebaby]

I have just found out that my Sil and her dh and 3 children are coming home for xmas. They are going to spend 5 nights with us. Whilst looking forward to this I'm worried about my dog. He likes to be part of the family but loves to be in the middle of any excitement. My Sil gets cross with him for jumping on her and for sniffing around the children. Anyway I was thinking I might bring him to the boarding kennels while they are here. Wwyd ?

[basildonbond]

Does it have to be kennels? Ddog has gone to stay with our Dogwalker if we've needed boarding for him - much less stressful for him to be in a home environment with someone he knows

[Lasttimebaby]

Don't really have anyone for him to stay with. He goes to kennels when we go on hols and he seems alright. I just feel it's mean to him to put him in when we are at home. He sleeps in the hallway so would not be able to leave him there with visitors or in the kitchen if Sil getting up with baby during the night.
The thing is if they all stopped fussing about him and actually ignored him he would get used to them very quickly and not bother them. Think Sil is also a bit eeeesww dog in the house - unhygienic .

[BiancaDelRio]

There's no way I'd put my dog in kennels over Christmas because of an over-reacting family member.

Tell your sister that the dog is part of the family and she has to put up with him if she wants to visit.

Also you could pick up a second hand crate on eBay and use it just for that period? My family visited recently and our crate was brilliant for allowing our dog to chill out and stop her from leaping on everyone and licking them to death .

[sweetkitty]

No I wouldn't kennel my dog for anyone sorry she's part of our family and part of her Christmas. If your SIL feels dogs are unhygienic there's always hotels.

[ArkhamOffett]

I would kennel in a familiar place for Christmas and did for a couple of years when our dog was young and there was a lot of coming and going, family parties and long periods where she would be left alone. Missed her like hell when we were at home though, so make other arrangements now she is older and calmer.

However, I would not do so for a visitor who just found her an inconvenience/didn't like dogs etc. That visitor would have to find alternative accomodation.

[chelsbells]

Not a chance would I put DDog in kennels over Christmas to please a family member, no matter how far they have travelled - if she's that bothered she can choose to use a hotel instead of staying with you and DDog

Over a period of 5 days the dog should become less interested in them as the days go on, ours is always initially excited but then goes about his normal business!

But as pp have suggested, maybe a crate for nighttime and calmtime?

[Lasttimebaby]

I like the crate idea. Bianca that's the problem , our dog will lick people to death too and I can understand some people wouldn't like that. Sil doesn't really say any bring I can just sense it and we do enjoy our time together , the 2 famililies. I don't really want to kennel the dog. I might get a crate and try it out beforehand to see how it work. Good excuse to have lots of long walks over Xmas and tire him out.

[KiwiJude]

What chelsbells said. I'd definitely keep the pooch at home and educate SIL and family and possibly the dog (how old is he?). Crate for night time is a good idea but don't use it as a timeout place otherwise your dog is going to see the bedroom as punishment.