To think kennels are a bit cruel?

[yoshithe]

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!!

I wouldn't use one but it depends on the dog. Look for a boarding house or dog sitter instead.

Can you not ask around people might know a nice family to have him for you. I love dogs but I like holidays so we look after people’s dogs whilst they are away, we don’t charge as we love having a dog around, we let them on sofas and upstairs my DH even carries a 14year old huge golden retriever up to bed every night nearly putting his back out when it stays with us. I think it is much nicer option for dogs to go into peoples homes and gets to know the family as a second family. The only problem is I think sometimes we are too soft as they don’t want to go home.

I've heard of home boarders using shock collars on dogs in their care, or generally not taking good care of your dog. I don't believe home boarding is automatically a better option.

Ours goes to a kennel and loves seeing the owners, goes in and out with tail wagging. As long as you check the kennels out instead of assuming 'kennels = cruel' then it's fine.

Different options suit different dogs. That doesn't mean kennels are cruel.

My beagle would absolutely hate a kennel environment - he's very people-orientated and hates being alone, but I know plenty of dogs who run in without a backwards glance when they're dropped off.

You could look into home-boarding (your dog going to stay with a licensed boarder in their home) or a sitter who comes to your home and stays with your dog in their own environment, but both options are considerably pricier than kennels as you're getting a more personalised service.

I personally offer dog-sitting in people's homes and it costs a minimum of £50 per night. Our local kennels charges £15 (plus extra for other dogs if they can share) and home boarders are around £35 per dog.

I recently used someone from rover.com, she took great care of my dog in her family home and sent picture updates every day while we were away

My dog would be miserable. When we are away he stay with his doggy daycare. He sleeps on the sofa in her living room. She let's the needy dogs in her bedroom to sleep!

The one time I tried kennels (because our usual dog sitter was unavailable) my dog he was so scared they called us to come get him. Thank god we booked a trial night before we actually went away.

Why don’t you see if any local dog walkers offer boarding? Then you can pay for regular walks where they get to know each other before he stays over and will be more like staying with friends or family.

Just use a dog sitter. I wouldn't give up the trip.

My dog used to go to the kennel at his vet and absolutely loved it. He was always happy to go there and gave lots of kisses to staff when we were leaving. You just have to find the right one, some are awful.

Can you look into house sitting? So someone will stay at your house maybe even a friend who you can pay etc. but you’re right about kennels I’d never send my dogs to kennels I don’t know how I’d relax on holiday!

@Delatron where is that, it sounds perfect for my dog who also wouldn't suit boarding for similar reasons.

It depends on the kennels. One of the ones we used was so beloved by our dog that on arrival she would drag us in, and when we came to collect her she sometimes had to be persuaded to leave. She absolutely adored the woman who owned it.

She was an only dog and seemed to thoroughly enjoy the company of other dogs in the kennels. The owner had a gift for sorting them into "friend groups" for an offlead runaround and playtime in a safe enclosed paddock. They also got taken for walks on lead (with pals).

Find a good kennels by recommendation, and always VISIT it by appointment for a look round BEFORE your holiday. A good kennel will be pleased to show it off to prospective customers Don't use any that refuse a look-round.

My two are giant breed and love to be around people all the time. I send them to a doggy hotel when I go away, they absolutely love it.
They get spoilt rotten, their needs are catered for and they get cuddled to death.
You need to find a place that's suitable for their needs, even if it's somewhere out of your area.
Take your time, make enquiries, read reviews and go to have a look for yourself.
If they say it's not possible to go and have a look, then avoid.
Also look at their policy on vaccinations and ask to see their kennel cough certificate. If they haven't got one then again, avoid.
Mine also go to doggy daycare a couple of times a week too, which they also love.
It's not cruel as long as you do your research and make sure that the place is suitable for your dog.

I feel the same. Dogs don't understand that their owners are coming back and that the kennel situation is only temporary - no matter how nice it is. But maybe it also depends on the dog. I know our girl would hate it.

Kennels are cruel.
I worked in several as a late teen. Some are downright neglectful (customers paying for 2x daily walks and that not happening, medication not being administered etc) but even those that provide basic care - most dogs are utterly miserable, unsurprisingly.

Home boarding is ok, provided you inspect well

It depends on the kennels. We had a recommendation from a close friend for kennels for my first dog and never again. He hadn't been brushed for two weeks, despite obviously being in heavy moult, stank, was depressed and a few days later passed huge lumps of a blue rubber ball.

Our dog goes to a home from home dog boarder. She absolutely loves it! Gets to nap on the sofa, play with her friends.

That's horrific. Did you report them?

It was thirty years ago and I was so horrified by the condition of my dog that I didn't think to. I know not all kennels are like that, and like other posters I worked in a few in my younger days, but never again.

I am pretty sure the one my mum's dog went to was neglectful. She was sent there with some toys and her own blanket as comfort. Both came back in the same position in the bag (so not used). For weeks after she came home, she was scared of your shadow. If you raised a hand, she would run off, shaking. She came back a different dog. She never went into kennels again.

Depends on the dog and what it's used to. It would absolutely not be right for our dog who is used to being around people all the time and sleeps on the sofa most of the day. Shes used to company and soft furnishings!

We use a dog sitter when we go away, the kind that have her stay in their home. When we went away at half term we got daily photos of her cuddling in their bed. Definitely the way to go for us.

My dog loves her kennels. She knows when she's going as she can see us getting her travel crate and gets very excited. It's down to the individual dog and individual kennels. Go take a look at some and meet the owners.

Every single dog owner I know refuses to put their dog in kennels. I imagine it would be quite distressing and confusing for a dog to leave its family home and be put in kennels. I've never had dogs though. I could never put my cat in a cattery! I think he'd have a nervous breakdown.

Oh, but I would go on recommendations only. We previously left her with someone and heard from their neighbours that there was a dogbarking hysterically all day in a garden nearby the exact week she was there. We will never know for sure that it was her, but we seriously suspect they shut her in the garden while they went out for the day. Now we only go with licenced, reputable home boarding dog sitters.

Kennels are cruel.

Some of them might be but not all. The one we use is excellent. It’s a bit like choosing a care home, you have to know what you’re looking for. A dog will very soon let you know if it’s a good one or not.