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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think kennels are a bit cruel?

105 replies

yoshithe · 31/03/2023 17:49

I don't think cruel in the sense that it's some kind of abusive thing to do but wasn't sure how else to word it. Our dog is 11 months old and DH really wants to go to New York for his birthday, so far we have taken our dog with us to UK getaways and did drive with him to the Netherlands.

We don't have any friends or family that would look after our dog for the time we are away, so it feels like our only option is kennels. I've seen dog boarding but I'm actually unsure if that's also difficult for a dog? Just being taken to a new home environment.

Kennels seem particularly sad though, aren't they enclosed in their "room" most of the time with only human interaction a couple times a day? He's obviously quite young still as well.

Personally, I don't really want to leave him, would rather do another suitable getaway that involves him, but DH really wants to go.

The title is less about me judging kennel use and more about hearing he's going to be perfectly okay if we put him in one!!

OP posts:

Konfetka · 31/03/2023 17:51

Watching, because I feel the same as you.

Hoppinggreen · 31/03/2023 17:51

Depends on the dog
It would be cruel for our dog, he is happy anywhere as long as someone he loves is there too. It’s the people not the place for him

timeforwotsits · 31/03/2023 17:52

Yabu because kennels aren’t the only option so if it’s not for you use the alternatives

EnthENd · 31/03/2023 17:53

Kennels seem particularly sad though, aren't they enclosed in their "room" most of the time with only human interaction a couple times a day?

That describes how our neighbours treat their dog anyway...

XenoBitch · 31/03/2023 17:54

It really depends on the dog, and also the kennels. Ask for recommendations on social media. Some rescues also double up as boarding kennels.
My dog hates them, and refuses to eat. She comes home looking skeletal.

TrombonesAreNotBones · 31/03/2023 17:54

I cannot speak for all kennels only the one I used, where the doggies were fussed and played with and gambolled in a secure play paddock with agility type equipment. Some one on one time, some playing in a big ole bunch time.

I would ask locally, on facebook, or NextDoor or similar who would [insert town name] people recommend.

DancingWithBroccoli · 31/03/2023 17:55

It depends on the kennel!

My dog goes to daycare once a week in a lovely lovely place that also has kennel facilities for overnight stays and holidays.

Dog has been for a few sleepovers there and loved it! He knows all the staff and lots of the regular dogs, and at Christmas he will be spending the week there as we are flying to see relatives.

The boarding rooms are really nice, with little TVs to keep the dogs in a familiar evening routine! In the day, all the dogs hang out, running around in the fields. If there's a pair of dogs that connect well in the day, they can stay in a room together at night to keep them company.

If I was you, I'd find somewhere that does daycare and short stays as well as long stays. That way, you can get your dog familiar with the staff and the environment, and give him a few trial nights here and there. You will absolutely know if he's happy or not, by seeing how he reacts when you take him back after a day there, or an overnight stay!

I know my dog loves his visits to our place because when we drive up the drive each week he's standing up in the car wagging his tail. As soon as I open the car door he's pulling to run in, and when the staff come to get him he runs up to them and licks them wagging his tail!

Not all kennels nowadays are like they used to be! It can be great fun for dogs 🐶🐕

Jonei · 31/03/2023 17:56

Depends on the dog and the kennels. I've used some kennels that have been amazing and dog was really pleased to go back. And others that are not so good.

Lyricallie · 31/03/2023 17:56

Depends on the kennels as well I think. We started ours at about 6/7 months so he would be used to it. He loves the woman who runs it. Doesn’t even give us a second glance anymore. I do live in the highlands so everyone is dog daft up here and this kennels came highly recommended. Has a big huge run and she asks if we’re happy to let him play with other dogs (her own) as it’s a working farm too. He’s probably been about 3 times now.

The3Ls · 31/03/2023 17:56

Cruel for my dog due to anxiety and was rescue but she loves boarding elsewhere. Has to be where no other dogs are but has a fabulous time being spoilt by a surrogate family. You get WhatsApp pictures lol. A home environment with people fussing her she isn't that bothered it's not us

goldenotter · 31/03/2023 17:57

you can get people that stay in your house and look after your pet for you, Trusted Housesitters I think it's called. Might be worth looking at. All legit.

TheObstinateHeadstrongGirl · 31/03/2023 17:57

Dogs are not humans. Perfectly fine to leave one in a kennel. Rather more cruel to have it cos art lay on a car on long drives TBH.

Yayyayitsaholiholiday · 31/03/2023 17:59

I would never use a kennel again. Did once for my previous dog and deeply regret it. He was very unhappy there and didn’t poo for 4 days.

I’d use a home boarder - the dogs are generally much happier in a home environment if this is what they are used to, plus they have human company all day.

Dogs running together all day in a big pack is generally not a good thing!

Username917778 · 31/03/2023 17:59

I would never leave my dog in a kennel. Ask locally for a home boarder that you can build up leaving your pup with slowly. A day first then one night and build up to you going away for longer.

C1N1C · 31/03/2023 18:00

I'd imagine it's worse for cats... they're so clean and not as social as dogs. Their worst nightmare is a new environment, lots of other people and cats around, and no owner.

Our neighbour's dog can't wait to see the other dogs and get pampered at the kennel!

Landndialamrhf · 31/03/2023 18:04

Could you look into some other options besides kennels?
Doggy hotels and pet sitters also exist
some walkers will also take your dog in for a few days for boarding, if your dog knows them and you trust them already that could work.
They’ll probably be expensive but if it means you can go and know he’s ok then it may be worth it for you. As with anything there are good ones and bad ones.
my dogs would be heart broken if we put them in kennels, it’s not the right environment for them, but that doesn’t mean all dogs would be.

Theluggage15 · 31/03/2023 18:04

The kennels we use are £33 per day but during the day they are taken for a walk they also have a field which is fenced into various areas and they are outside for much of the day. They have a big indoor play area if weather is too appalling. It’s like daycare with sleeping over. Both our last dog and current dog love these kennels. I wouldn’t want to use the ones where they are stuck in kennels most of the day. Just wouldn’t suit.

bedtimestories · 31/03/2023 18:04

I'm a home boarder. We have a process that we follow to ensure they settle. We meet you and pooch, then pooch comes for a sleepover. We do it even slower if a pooch (or mum/dad) need more time to adjust. All dogs I look after are very happy when they arrive, they know they are coming to play with other dogs, go on different adventures and have lots of hugs and love from me and my family and they know they are going home again. If you do decide to use a home boarder please use a licensed one. I have a license, insurance, DBS check and a ofqual level 3 qualification in dog care and handling

verdantverdure · 31/03/2023 18:04

People I know have someone come and stay with the dog or the dog stays with the dog walker or boarder that they already know.

We have someone nice stay the night with our cats.

Original poster

yoshithe · 31/03/2023 18:09

To the person who said car rides are far crueler. I can't see why to be honest, sits with one of us in the back and has very frequent stops for bathroom and running around. No different to sleeping on the sofa at home for a bit

OP posts:

XenoBitch · 31/03/2023 18:09

TheObstinateHeadstrongGirl · 31/03/2023 17:57

Dogs are not humans. Perfectly fine to leave one in a kennel. Rather more cruel to have it cos art lay on a car on long drives TBH.

No one is saying they are human, but some dogs do not do well in kennels and will refuse to eat, or as a PP said, not have a poo for several days.

People taking dogs on long drives tend to stop for comfort breaks.

Titsywoo · 31/03/2023 18:35

I would never use one again - they seem a bit traumatic. But the dogs we have always had are not sociable with other dogs so they just hide away in their kennel.

QuintanaRoo · 31/03/2023 18:38

I wouldn’t put my dog in a kennels. I bought a caravan so I can have UK based dog friendly holidays. She has stayed with her dog walker occasionally for overnight stays but she’s known the dog walker for ever and loves her.

AndrexPuppy · 31/03/2023 18:45

We are at home with our dog all the time and he isn’t used to a kennel environment, so it wouldn’t suit him at all. He has done home boarding with a very lovely, very homely set up and enjoyed it but the lady who runs it is enormously booked up because she only has one dog boarding at a time (alongside her own pet dog). We now have a pet sitter come in who ‘lives in’ for the duration. It’s not much more expensive than sending the dog out and it means that we don’t have to rely on friends for the other pets, plus the house is lived in. She is insured, DBS clear and has a list of regular clients who keep coming back because she is so trustworthy.

Paddingtonthebear · 31/03/2023 18:46

Probably depends on the dog, those that have been to kennels regularly from a young age and are used to it are fine. Our dog would hate it, so we use a home boarder. They are wonderful, they look after her in their home, are with her all day and treat her as if she was their own dog. But she still takes a good while to get back to her normal self when we come back.

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