To be upset about the state my dog came back from kennels?

[ShatteredRose]

Put my lovely French bulldog into kennels reluctantly for two weeks. Normally he stays at his grandmas but she couldn't do it this time.

Anyway we got regular photo updates over the two weeks which was nice. First week he looked great, playing with the other dogs and looking full of health.

2nd week the photos became less and less and when we did get them, he didn't look the same. He was starting to look thin and had a depressed face.

When we picked him up the woman warned us before she went to get him that he'd dropped his weight a bit due to all the running around he'd been doing. When he came out his ribs and spine were showing (for a bulldog this is really not normal). I asked how his behaviour had been and she said good to start with but he had started being naughty in the 2nd week trying to dominate the other dogs so they'd split him from the little dogs and put him with the more dominant dogs.

When we got him home we noticed a cut on his leg and 3 patches of hair missing as if he'd been grabbed by another dog. He was also starving and ate anything that was offered to him (he's normally a picky eater). Since then he's been quite depressed and sleepy. Is no longer greeting people at the door and doesn't even react when someone knocks. He didn't even want to go out for a walk this morning which is highly unusual.

I can be very over protective of him so am aware I'm maybe over reacting? Or am I right to question the care he's had?

I’m just wondering how a French Bulldog looks depressed in a photo? Can you share a pic?

I’d get him to the vets ASAP.

And yes it does sound lovely me he was not treated well poor thing. I’d be livid. Do you have any recourse against the kennels?

Sound like

I don’t know any dog who isn’t depressed after two weeks in kennels.

Its normal for dogs to be subdued when they leave kennels, and some dont eat so they'll drop weight.
But they should be kenneled separately. He shouldnt have been left to fend for himself or come home with a cut.

I second the vets. No healthy dog loses weight through 'running around' in a kennel environment & had she noticed this why wasn't she increasing his food intake to compensate??? Sounds to me like they've done the obligatory 'first week fun' then left him in a kennel somewhere for the second.

Report them, please. There is absolutely nothing in your post that isn't worrying.

Please don’t send him back. He was maltreated one way or another. If he’s eating and drinking I’d hold off on the vet?

It will take time but he will perk back up again now he is back with his family. I certainly wouldn't use that kennels again! Home boarding is a much better option if you can't have a family member look after him.

I think it’s pretty common for pups to come home a bit depressed

I'd post two pics (week 1 and week 2) to compare but I can't work out how to do it.

This is why dog kennels aren’t great . Use a trusted sitter who can keep them in a home environment . I occasionally sit for people through Borrow My Doggy or Tailster as I can’t have a dog of my own full time - but often take dogs for 1-2 weeks - I work in a dog friendly office so is great . Many out there like me . All fully insured .

To deal with this current situation yes the vets is the first stop then making a formal complaint , if it isn’t dealt with appropriately report them to whatever bodies they are registered with and leave negative reviews online so others can be made aware

It's difficult because some dogs just don't take to the kennel environment, so wouldn't matter if they cared well for him or not.

I'd check with your vet - a cut could mean infection and I'd get any physical causes ruled out first.

yes, find different kennels. we went through a few that worked for our dog. she hated it and would be sad when she came back but sometimes needs must. It's about finding the right environment for your pet.

Ours hated the run free type kennels and was happier in her own stall just being taken for short walks by herself three times a day.

If you think the bite marks warrant a vets trip then go but otherwise if he is eating and drinking then I'd just leave it and give him a bit of time to settle back home again.

It is absolutely not normal for a dog of any breed to come out of a kennels subdued or having noticeably lost weight.

Go on your local council website and find the contact details for the licencing office (usually part of environmental health team) and report this to them with before and after photos if possible.

If a kennels has a problem with a dog deteriorating during a stay, they are required to contact the owner or a vet immediately as part of their licence to operate.

Also, if (as it appears) he has been attacked by another dog, don't send him to a home boarder as they will have several other dogs in close contact at the same time. It could really scare him.

First - vet check.

Second - some dogs don't do well in kennels. Mine don't and would come out with staring coats and lethargic.

Third - no more kennels. Find a good house sitter who'll bond with your dog.

Fourth - don't feel guilty, you weren't to know.

If the kennel owner was able to keep
In contact with you for photos then any concerns should also have been communicated. Be this behaviour, accident or injury, lack of eating. The fact they haven't told you this suggests to me something untoward

Our dog has always come out of kennels unhappy, he's been in expensive ones and cheap ones, there has been no difference in the state he comes home.He will be coughing (despite having the jab), drinking lots of water, panting and will refuse to give us eye contact.His fur will be matted but he's never had an injury.After a day or two though, he bounces back to normal.

It is quite a distressing experience for a dog, they hate being separated from their family and locked in a pen, anyone who tells you their dog loves going into kennels is kidding themselves.For me, it's just something I've had to do to enable us to go on holiday, it's only once every two years and he's only ever stayed a week at a time. However, this year he's stayed home alone with dog walker visits and this seems to have suited him better

I wouldn't worry to much about him looking depressed in photos or losing weight. Lots of dogs find kennels stressful, no matter how fantastic the place might be, it's a big change for them and it can put them off their food. However I would be fucking livid if my dog had been put with other dogs that were biting her. That is completely unacceptable. I would also worry if the depression went on for longer than a couple of days (it could be that he's tired rather than depressed as he might not have slept well there).

I agree that a vet visit is in order, and then maybe a complaint to the kennels. I also think a few good long walks might help lift his mood, walking is really good for their stress levels.

To attach photos to a post, just click on the paper clip logo and upload the pic you want from your photo library, same as when you're attaching a pic on an email.

Vet asap. See what the vet says but I would be in touch with the kennels to complain and warning other people all over social media if need be. They may have done it to others and will do so again, check reviews etc. Never use those kennels again.

My dog got depressed in kennels and lost a lot of weight when I picked him up, some cope better than others but it's a completely different environment for them. Probably better to use a sitter in future now you know he doesn't do well.