I think I may be being a bit silly but I cant help it. I want to go away for a weekend but would feel terrible putting my dog into the kennels.

[loopylou6]

I've had him since he was 4 weeks old (hes nearly 3) and hes never been away from us at all.

Thing is we'd love a weekend away but I couldn't imagine taking him and leaving him in a strange place and him thinking that we're never coming back :(
I'm aware I sound ridiculous and feel free to tell me so.

I can't even leave him with family coz he's a very large dog and they wouldn't cope with him.

Suggestions? :)

We either take our dog with us (loads of places take dogs - hotels/cottages/canal boats even!) or else we use Barking Mad. They are a national franchise, they are indeed expensive - we first used them in an emergency when the granny who used to have our dog for the holidays broke her arm (and she's way too old now). He always goes to the same place; they pick up and deliver back, the dog isn't exactly pleased when he sees their car (apparently some dogs are, to their owner's chagrin!) but he doesn't resist getting in or get upset at all.

I used to leave our dog with PILs, when we went away but had to stop as they are getting a bit old.

I did not want to use kennels but decided to have a look. I asked my vet for recommendations and was pleasantly surprised.

I chose one which was clean, smelled good, took them out for play and exercise and where they could socialise with other dogs.

She did look very sorry for herself when I left her the first time, but she is always healthy and happy when I collect her. She now wags her tail when we arrive at there. The staff know her and understand she needs extra bedding as she likes to snuggle underneath it.

As well as looking for a dog sitter I would get some recommendations for good kennels and go and have a look.

Good Luck

My two dogs are rescue mutts, abused terribly (one of them) and abandoned ( the other one) they have terrible separation anxiety normally, if they are in the car and I go to pay for petrol they sob and whine. They are pathetic, they truly are.
But they love kennels. They bound in and greet their kennel person with massive grins, and they always look fab when I collect them.
So don't worry, he will be fine!

Agree entirely with ScuttleButter. Have just looked at where you are - too far from me or I'd have offered to take him myself. :) (Unless of course you're thinking of coming south for your weekend away).

Puppy hotels and puppy sitters aer a good option. We use a good kennels and ou dogs seem to love it though, although we do have two and they share a kennel, so they're not lonely. I tried 3 kennels before setling on this one longterm -the others were fine too, but at this one my dogs go bananas with glee on arrival. Worth a try before writing them off I think. You need the freedom to go away occasionally sans pooch, 3 years is a loooong time!

Def try Barking Mad. They might be a bit dearer than some pet sitters, but you are sure of one to one car (and not lots of dogs squeezed into one little house), plus they transport the dog to and fro, plus they are very reliable and professional which is not always the case when people are doing it as a sideline.

Wow thanks for all the replies and the lovely offers from people who would of helped had we been nearer :)
its not that I'm worried that he wouldnt be properly cared for in kennels etc, its just the thought of looking into his lovely brown eyes and worrying that he thinks he's never gonna see us again < sob >

I think I need to give my head a wobble

IMO petsitters are really for cats, gerbils... even stick insects (we love ours) but NOT dogs. A cat thinks he has finally been given the house he deserves when you go away; a dog needs company and love.

Agree about asking vets for recommendations; Sister is a Head Nurse at one and always forthcoming with opinions .

Parents ahd a badly abused dog who hated being alone- loved kennels. There's always someone about and other dogs at a kennel.

Mind you, I quite like the idea of taking him to a kennel for a day and making it fun, maybe I could also disappear for an hour or two, then he would see that I come back?

PMSL @ "give my head a wobble". :o

Ahhhhh I'm against like-minded folk on this thread!

against = amongst

Soz - long day.

Oh Im so glad you posted this, I am in exactly the same boat!

We've had our rescue staffie for 5 years and part of the reason (apart from being skint!) that we haven't gone away that much is because of her. She was rehomed several times before she came to us and had terrible separation anxiety, so the thought of taking her to kennels for a week and looking at her little face thinking she's being abandoned again just breaks my heart...but I do need a bloody holiday

Sending her to a pet sitter isn't really an option either as I can't take the risk with other dogs - she can get far too over excited but doesn't like it when they are the same back which can end up in a bit of a scuffle. Or she can be totally the other way and completely laid back. In fact she can be a pain in the arse. But she is so loving, and I'd hate to traumatised her by putting her back into kennels. She even sleeps in our room at night as she cries if you leave her on her own. Sob!

Anyway, sorry for rambling on, just wanted to say I have no advice but I understand exactly how you feel!

Aaarrrgghh traumatise not traumatised!

Id not leave my dog or put him him kennels, just like I wouldn't leave a child. Unless someone could stay in my house the whole weekend I'd not go away and leave him. Mine is 4 years old.

Loopy louI have pmd you re a dog boarding service in your area'Dogs on hols' Tel;07711 164500 HTH.