To think dog boarders are like hens teeth?

[busybumblewasp]

So a friend let us down last minute to dog sit in their own home. We will be having work done so can’t use a boarder in our own home this time.
I appreciate its really late notice, but I’ve tried 15 dog boarders in the 5 miles surrounding me and every single one is full.
Are boarding kennels really that bad? She’s a 10 month old puppy so would rather she didn’t have to go into kennels.
Will she hate being stuck in a kennel for a few days?

Yes, sorry, but yes. And I know that is not helpful. Just ask every dog walker that you meet for any more suggestions. You never know, someone might take her "unofficially".

Boarding kennels aren't that bad. My dog loves his kennels, can't wait to get in!
Go to one you can look all around, talk to staff. Ask about feeding, exercise, what time they are shut in at night etc. How are the kennels located/separated etc

A few days should be fine.

You never know, someone might take her "unofficially". Terrible advice.

What breed is she? We have 4 ddogs! Always space for another!!

I’m not sure if I’m being paranoid, or if it’s the words “spaniel” and “puppy” that put people off. She’s really good though!
Believe it or not we have 4 sets of people that regularly dog sit or dog walk her, but none of them can do when we need.
Wish I hadn’t relied on a friend and just booked her in with a professional months ago.

Oo spaniel you say??

My 10.month old puppy went to kennels and will go again this summer.

Could try borrow my doggy see if anyone able to take her

Have you tried asking at your local vets? They sometimes have advertisements on their walls.

Absolute nightmare covering dog care and I have also a cat who needs feeding. Holidays get very expensive and difficult to organise.

I've used a franchise called Barking Mad for my dog so they might be worth a try.

Gosh, I'd have taken her. I have no other dogs, however.

I'm a host for Barking Mad and we take all breeds of dog including puppies, we can also take them at short notice if not already booked - this is our busiest time off year. Why not give your local franchise a call?

I’ve got a few numbers from friends so I’m trying them now!
This is so bloody stressful!

Whether kennels are that bad depends on the dog.

Mine used to come back with diarrhoea (from stress) and the kennel would tell me she was happy, constantly doing something, running about.
They thought that was normal because she is an active working breed.
Unfortunately my dog is actually supremely lazy and chilled out so I knew straightaway she was deeply distressed.
I haven't taken her since.

She LOVED the boarder.
She goes wild with excitement when she sees the boarder, I got sent so many pictures of her looking so happy but I don't feel comfortable leaving her in their care again after seeing some questionable, potentially dangerous behaviour being allowed by the dogs there.

Her boarder is booked up very quickly too.

Download the dog buddy app and message loads in your area. Should be able to find someone at short notice there and Ime most reply within an hour or 2.

have you looked at holidays 4 dogs? they have loads in my area but we booked for this august back in September last year to get the one that we know can handle DDogs medication. They will only board one dog (or more than one from one family) at a time so you do have to book in advance.

Depends on the kennel and the dog, I use a lovely one that walks them twice a day and they get to run around in a paddock with the owner too. Ask on a local Facebook group for recommended kennels, if you end up doing that.

I booked my home border for July back in January!
Avoid Barking Mad as they have a bizarre system whereby you will actually have no idea where your dog has gone or who they are with. They are also more expensive than most
Ask on local dog groups on FB or on a national breed group, someone might have a recommendation

These things need booking in advance.

Kennels are the same, all the really good ones will have been booked up months ago - so whilst you'll possibly find one, its almost certainly one of the worst ones.

I'd change plans and take pup with me rather than leave them in a poor kennel.

Kennels should be fine. Our local ones are lovely and the dogs have loads of outdoor space and get plenty of enrichment - it's attached to a rescue/adoption centre too.

Time of year I'd imagine, I booked my cat and dog in for the summer months ago because I left it too late last year and really struggled to get the cat sorted

I second holidays4dogs. We have had excellent experiences with them.

Have name changed for this because it will out me to anyone who knows me.

I own a kennels and some are brilliant and some are not in all honesty. One thing is definite, if you can find a kennels that has a space between now and the end of August for anything more than an odd couple of days, avoid them like the plague, they are not getting many repeat customers and there will be a reason!

Regarding home boarders, it is illegal for anyone to board dogs for money without a licence from the local council, including in their own home. You can get a list of licenced boarders from your council. Again though, if they have space at this time of year, there is a reason. Also, if your dog is under 12 months old, they will not want to take you as they are not allowed to take any other dogs at the same time as a puppy

My dogs love their kennel visits. Don't get me wrong they love coming home too but they happily go off with the kennel staff and don't look back at me. I put them in for a weekend around 6months old so they experienced it young. I pick my kennels carefully but they are always happy to go in.

If they ever were not happy I would of looked for another kennel

Avoid Barking Mad!!!!!!