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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Dog Kennels

36 replies

crabby1963 · 18/05/2019 21:42

To not put our dog in kennels for two weeks so we can go on holiday? We agreed before we got the dog that we would have to make sacrifices, including only having holidays in the UK (dog friendly venues). My DP is saying I am selfish as our DD will miss out on a holiday in the sun. AIBU?

OP posts:
Bunnybigears · 18/05/2019 21:51

It depends on the dog. Our last rescue dog came straight from her previous families home where she had been used to a trip to kennels a few times a year so we used the same kennels and carried on with our abroad holidays. Our current rescue dog was rescued for an awful kill shelter in Romania where he had to fight other dogs for food and had no shelter from the elements and has the scars to prove it I would never ever put him in kennels. We have had UK dog friendly holidays so far but we have a special event coming up which will see us out of the country for 5 days. He will be going to a home boarder who looks after dogs in her own home. She understands his background and we will be meeting up for walks, visiting her home in the run up to him staying over.
If your dog has never been in kennels I would say a family member or home boarding would be kinder for the dog.

Bluebuttercup · 18/05/2019 21:53

What about dog boarder who will look after them in their own home? Might be able to find them on local Facebook pages and they willing need to be insured and licensed (as well as have a trial meet and greet and read reviews to make sure you are happy). I know there is a page of them in my local area.

Failing that, is there a friend or a family member who could dog sit?

Saying that there is absolutely nothing wrong with holidays in the UK!

I'm just not sure if you would be able to never go on a holiday abroad longer-term?! You are not selfish but I wouldn't say he is in the wrong either. You might need to find a solution that you are both happy with.

Booboostwo · 18/05/2019 21:53

I’d never put my dog in kennels but we do get a house sitter in (works out cheaper for us because we have a lot of animals). Some people board dogs in their home rather than traditional kennels, could that be an option for you? Or would Borrow My Dog work for this kind of thing?

SilviaSalmon · 18/05/2019 21:54

Can you find a home border? There is no way I would leave my dog in kennels as she would be confused and miserable, but a home where she goes for ad hoc daycare and knows and loves the people is very different.

Cryalot2 · 18/05/2019 21:54

This is difficult as I am a dog lover and equally love my holiday abroad.
Whoes idea was it to get the dog? And who owns it? Is it a big dog or small breed?
Is there anyone who would look after the dog for you to save kennels.
Not sure my little house dog could cope with some of the kennels . Other family who live at home looked after her when we were away recently.
Hope you get sorted.

Topseyt · 18/05/2019 21:58

I've occasionally put our two dogs in kennels. I don't like doing it, and the night before we travel feels awful without them. I also always worry that they don't understand what is happening and might feel abandoned, although they have always seemed OK and we have always enjoyed the holidays in the end.

They are old dogs now though, a nearly 15 year old labrador and a 13 year old cocker spaniel. So I have now said that I won't be putting them in kennels again, just in case their time comes while they are in there, as that would be awful.

If your dog is young then you may have to consider doing it out of fairness to your family.

IDontDrinkTea · 18/05/2019 21:59

Get your dog a passport and take the dog with you. You can take the dog in the eurotunnel or on most ferrys. My dog has been to Paris, we’ve been to a variety of lovely places on the French coast and we’ve even been to Spain. A lot of hotels are dog friendly now, and if you’re somewhere with sunshine it’s not an issue to eat outside.

Pipandmum · 18/05/2019 22:07

I have two dogs and put them in kennels once a year. They stay together and get walks - the kennels are in the countryside. They can also take my rabbits (or just about any pet). It’s not a problem and while I’m sure the dogs would prefer to be home and may miss us the kennels are known to them. They’re dogs after all.

BlackcurrantJamontoast · 18/05/2019 22:11

My last dog loved the kennels and used to leap out of the car. She just loved being with other dogs 24/7.

My new dog hasn't been yet but I sense wouldn't like it as much as they are not a dog loving dog. They are a much smaller dog and so people are very willing to welcome her into their houses.

Original poster
crabby1963 · 18/05/2019 22:13

Thanks for the replies. Our dog is 15 months old. He’s very friendly but I can’t imagine him coping in kennels with lots of other dogs. I have suggested to DP that we could get someone reliable to stay in our house but he has refused to even discuss it! I am going to look at local home boarders. I can’t stand the thought of him being confused and upset if we leave him!

OP posts:
babysharkah · 18/05/2019 22:15

Mine would never cope in kennels, he goes to a home boarder or we drive to Europe.

freddiethegreat · 18/05/2019 22:22

My dogs have always gone to kennels. When my old boy got to about 11 though, it was obvious that his home comforts (such as sofas and heating) were beginning to be extremely important to him so for the last 3 years of his life I used a home boarder who appreciated his need to potter in comfort. My young dog went to the boarder with him once, but now the old dog has left us, the young dog goes to daycare at the kennels and is clearly so happy to be there that he will go there to board next time.

Babyroobs · 18/05/2019 22:24

I would never put my dog in kennels , there are plenty of home boarders around and we have him booked in with one in October but I still feel nervous even about this,.

Absolutepowercorrupts · 18/05/2019 22:25

Would it be possible for you to put your dog in for a night or two? Just to test their reaction. We have two dogs that stay in our local kennels regularly. They love going there, they get taken for 5/6 mile walks twice a day and that's far more than they get at home with us. In fact the older one is really pissed off when we bring him home!

Celebelly · 18/05/2019 22:27

I think it is a bit limiting to never go abroad for the duration of your dog's life. Agree about looking into home boarders or home sitters who can stay in your home and look after your dog - we are lucky as my parents look after our dog when we go away, but we are all going on a big family holiday abroad next year so both my dog and their dog will have to either go into kennels or go to a home boarder for 10 days. Some kennels are much more homey than others, so it's worth looking for 'dog hotels' or 'luxury kennels' if you want something a bit less basic.

Confusedbeetle · 18/05/2019 22:27

There are plenty of dog home boarders, much nice r than kennels

twoheaped · 18/05/2019 22:32

I own a kennels. It is small, purpose built, set in beautiful countryside and the dogs love coming here. They really do.
There are decent kennels out there. We have owners that travel 35 miles to us because they know we do everything to make the dogs stay stress free and enjoyable.

It may surprise some but rescue dogs that have been in kennels cope really, really well. They just seem to know the score.

You may well struggle to find a home boarder for this year, most round my way are booked up. They send people my way, we have a fantastic reputation and actually kennel more than one home boarder's dogs as they won't trust another home boarder bizarrely.

If you do go for home boarding, please please ensure they are licensed.

Celebelly · 18/05/2019 22:35

For some reason I find the thought of a good kennels a lot more reassuring than a home boarder, possibly because I think the risks in an unfamiliar home setting (being near a road, insecure garden, food/medication being left out, walks alongside roads, dogs fighting with each other if there are more than one sharing the space) are greater than in a kennel, and I think I would choose safety over increased comfort. Some kennels even have webcams so you can check in any time Smile

Cherrysoup · 18/05/2019 22:37

My friend has them in her house and they’re part of the family. Probably a lot nicer than most kennels.

We use a gundog club lady who has stock fenced land, the dogs are kept separately from other dogs and are taken to her field and exercised like we exercise them. It’s expensive but worth it, they’re locked in, safe and she knows them. It’s something we take into consideration for holiday costs.

MyKingdomForACaramel · 18/05/2019 22:40

When I was a kid our dog always went to kennels and he absolutely loved it (he was a King Charles spaniel and adored being around other dogs).
As an adult my dogs have always gone to stay with my parents - and appreciate I’m lucky that I have that option.
it so depends on your dog, but if it were me I would potentially go down the “house sitting” type route.

Original poster
crabby1963 · 18/05/2019 22:54

Thanks. I have looked at some home boarders in the local area, will contact them on Monday. I like the idea of a ‘sleepover ‘ to see how the dog gets on!

OP posts:
Original poster
crabby1963 · 18/05/2019 22:56

Two heaped. Where are you based? We are in SE London

OP posts:
RedHelenB · 18/05/2019 23:02

They can feel more abandoned at home without you around for a week or two.

fishoutofwine · 18/05/2019 23:05

also some home boarders are lovely - I remember speaking to one (I had a wedding to go to and wanted jist one night for him). She asked where he usually slept etc, and when I said on my bed she replied - oh lovely he can sleep on ours then

twoheaped · 18/05/2019 23:10

Sadly Crabby, I am in the North West.
I would gladly have shown you round.

If you are on a local FB page, ask for recommendations for boarders/kennels on there. It will give you a good starting point of where to look.