Do you use kennels?

[Imsosorryalan]

We were going to, however the last time my dog came back after a day visit, she stank so much of urine, I had to bath her twice! I'm so not impressed. Is this normal? i did expect a bit of mud etc but not so much pee, that her paws were red!

[Lonecatwithkitten]

No this is normal at all. I do use kennels and I was also a quarantine vet for 10years. The dogs are normally as clean as they are at home and if they get dirty they were bathed.

[Pagwatch]

No, not normal.

Our dogs come back from kennels sleek and glossy from the good food and excercise and I always feel inferior.

The first kennels we checked out seemed alright when we checked them out but big dog came home really sad so we looked again.
Our vet had a couple he knew of and we checked those out and found a good one.

[LtEveDallas]

I don't, and wouldn't, but then I am in a very lucky position that I have a crazy dog lady friend who happily takes MuttDog in whenever I ask - Mutt enjoys her 'holidays'

When we move next year we will need to find an alternative so I've been looking at 'doggy daycare' type places that with 'kennel' dogs in the house with them IYSWIM.

In fact, I was considering setting this type of business up myself. Haven't entirely given up on the idea...

[hennipenni]

No, we use a dog sitter. He gets free run of all downstairs and the garden with the other dogs (maximum of 3 at any one time) during the day and has 3 walks a day - one of which is a walk in the locals huge woods or country park. He sleeps in the hall at night on his own. He's thoroughly spoilt whilst there and last time they ended up hand feeding him his tea as he's not a good eater and they were worried about him losing weight. (At home he either eats it himself or he starves!)

[SunnyL]

We've got a lovely kennels near us that have a big orchard which the dogs run around all day. Also my mum and sister also use the same kennels for their dogs so its like a big sleepover party for the dogs when they all go together.

The dogs come back all fit and healthy with glossy coats. They definately dont stink of wee. I'd say your kennels werent cleaning the kennels out or lacked drainage. Actually i couldnt imagine anthing more mortifying for my dog than feeling like she had to wee in her own bed space. Perhaps the dogs werent being let out?

[Scuttlebutter]

Kennels are licensed by your local Council - I'd report your concerns to them - this sounds quite worrying.

Ours have a distinctive "kennel" smell when they return but are beautifully clean and the kennel also washes their duvet so they come home with lovely fluffy bedding.

[topbannana]

Yes occasionally. One of our dogs was unable to have the kennel cough vaccine and one was a Rottweiler so we were limited as to who would take them
Having said that the kennels we use is clean, the staff are lovely and the dogs come back bathed and happy. Ideally we take them away with us but sometimes it is not practical. They trot in happily enough so I figure it can't be so bad.
My one tip though would be not to look in your rear view mirror as you drive off- your dog will be sat mournfully watching your departure and you will be wracked with guilt

[HoneyDragon]

Eve. Are you totally leaving the area? We have two EXCELLENT dog sitters near me. One in particular happily embraces dogs with issues too

My mum and dad have Hullygully, as they lost there dog last year. She stays and has a fine old time, and my mum and dad remember why they don't want another dog

[Imsosorryalan]

Hmm time to look for another kennel then! She couldn't go into a dog sitters home as she is fear and dog aggresive! Also, no family close by to take her in.

[HoneyDragon]

Some dog sitters can manage this, often better than kennels. it's worth asking for local recommendations then calling.

[HoneyDragon]

I hate leaving my dog, I miss her terribly

[hennipenni]

The main reason we use a dog sitter is because our dog is very very nervous although not aggressive as such. The dog sitter is aware of this and handles him well.

[mumofthemonsters808]

My dog goes in kennels when we go abroad (only once every other year)and yes he comes out smelling more doggy than usual. The kennels are clean and the owner is lovely, she also takes my guinea pigs for free. I can't say he likes it because he hates being separated from his family but needs must. He would much rather we went to Scotland every year so that he could come. It is a horrible feeling dropping him off and he is at the back of my mind , nothing compares to the welcome we receive when we pick him up.

[ChickensHaveNoEyebrows]

I use kennels now, after using a very good home boarder for a year. I switched because my dog is actually less stressed in kennels as he can hear the other dogs but they can't get at him. He is fear aggressive, unfortunately. I am very happy with our kennels. He is walked 3 times a day, and has some play time in a paddock. The kennels are manned 24/7, heated and spotlessly clean. It's worth finding a really good facility in case of emergencies, ime.

[moosemama]

We use kennels and have been taking our dogs there since the 90s, with a break of a few years when we moved away for a while.

They always come back happy, fit, healthy and beautifully groomed. Mine are only ever in for a weekend maximum, but if they're in for longer they get regular baths.

During the period we lived away we had a large-breed, fear aggressive dog. We found an excellent kennels with a very knowledgeable owner who was willing to take time getting to know him and then board him in one of their isolation blocks, out of sight of the other dogs. Only the owner and his grown up daughter handled him and both were very experienced dog trainers. He loved it there and was always very well taken care of.

If you really do need to leave him, it may be worth calling an visiting lots of kennels and having a thorough discussion with the owners to see if you can find a similar sort of set-up.

We went on personal recommendation to find the kennels we used, but prior to that wouldn't have boarded our dogs with any of the kennels we spoke to - and we spoke to lots. It can take a long time to find the right kennels for your dog and cultivate a good relationship with them, but when you do it's worth all the effort.

[TheCunnyFunt]

I have used kennels, once and for one night only. The place has really high recommendations so sent my dog there and he was absolutely fine! My only complaint would be that it was bloody freezing in the kennel block he was in, it was just a barn with breezeblock pens built inside. May not be a problem for most dogs but I have a Greyhound, very thin skin and fur. I was glad I decided to send his housecoat with him!

This place has just opened near us and I'm dying to try them out!