To put our dog into a kennel for a few days?

[UberFestive]

DH is going away for a week with his friends early next year and I've just been invited to spend the weekend with a friend. I'll be taking our DD with me but can't take our dog as my friend is allergic. We'll be staying in her house and meeting up with others in the area that I haven't seen for a few years. DH had a strop when I mentioned it because I said that I will be putting our dog into kennels for 3 days. He's never been in kennels before but I don't see a problem with it. It's only 3 days and there's no one else I can ask to look after him. He'll be 15 months when he goes and is a very confident dog so I don't think leaving him will harm him. He said he won't go on his trip if I put our dog in a kennel.

When I asked him what will happen when we go on holiday ourselves in the summer because we had agreed that he will be put in kennels then he just said that "he'll be older then so it won't matter." I can't see how it's not ok to put him in for 3 days in March but it's ok for a week in July/August.

AIBU?

I know people who refused to put their dog in kennels as it was "cruel...". Then there was a family emergency, no sitter could take the dog and their dog HAD to go in kennels - without any trial days, etc.

We've always put our dogs into an excellent boarding kennels and we've done it gradually - a few hours in doggy daycare, then an overnight, and so on.

We've recently adopted a new rescue dog (previous one died earlier this year) and he will go through the same process.

I always try and find a dog sitter or home boarding but occasionally mine need to go into kennels - probably once or twice a year - they are fine.

If you DH is not happy with your dog going into kennels, I would suggest he finds an alternative solution and leave him to it.

Let him try kennels at least you'll know if he'll cope with the holiday. Check you have your vaccinations etc.

Our lovely little dog will be five months on Christmas Day and she’s in kennels for two nights right now. We want her to be used to it before she goes for a week or longer.

YANBU but perhaps faced with the reality of the situation your DH can't bear to put DDog in kennels. There are loads of other options - just google pet sitting and there should be many websites with local dog sitters who have the dog in their home. You can also get house sitters as well but that's generally double the price so £50 per night rather than £25.

We're very lucky as I joined borrowmydoggy and now have a lovely couple who come and stay in our house when we're away and look after Ddog there - at no cost apart from the extra dog walking as they are out during the day, but for that you do need to cultivate a relationship with the person and as no money exchanges hands it's obviously not a professional service.

I think 3 nights soonish is a great preparation for a longer stay - also good dog care for school holiday dates if that's when you are away will get snapped up so best to have it planned well in advance.