To not want to use dog boarding kennel again?

[Lis1992]

So we used a boarding place that was recommended to us. I had been researching for ages and because we got a recommendation from a dog trainer and walker and reviews etc were good we used it. Now the thing is I got dog back last week, healthy and in good condition. I’ve no complaints in that respect so that is why I’m wondering AIBU to be fussy about this. My dog came back as clean as he went in and I can’t help why he isn’t a bit muckier after the walks and runs he was scheduled to get. They were supposed to be given enrichment activities each day also like snuffle mats etc. I asked could we get a photo of him taken during his stay as it would be lovely to have in the collection. ( It is his first time away from us and he is into everything - he’s a two year old very active, wheaten terrier) . The man told us he would do this and when I collected him he said I didn’t get that photo- I never bother bringing my phone out to the kennel.

I just said it’s fine as what could I say. By the way, I had offered to pay for him taking a quick photo even just of him in his kennel, or out for a run, to have for the collection! So I didn’t feel it was an excessive demand.

My other gripe is that the teddy I gave him and his frisbee were clean. (We had just washed the teddy so it was sent clean) Now , I know he might still have been given them and didn’t play with them, but it’s almost like they weren’t given to him.

another thing is, I gave him extra biscuits and treats- he gets one to two mini biscuits of a high quality each night before bed. they’re both huge packets and I got none back. Maybe just that they’re so busy, they didn’t think of it? Again, not sure if that means anything. Finally, when collecting I asked how he got
on- I got a quick , ‘fine yeah’ and told
the amount I owed immediately after. I still have a tip. And he did seem well looked after so AIBU? My partner said because he came back in great condition, that we should use again. I have these niggling doubts because of what I said above though!

Don't take anything to a kennels (bar dog and his collar/lead/harness) that you expect back.

Beds/blankets teddies etc unlikely to be used as they end up trashed and filthy or lost and people complain, safer to stash them in a room and hand them back at teh end.

Treats, may or may not be used if your dog has no allergies - if they DO have allergies/medication I would expect them to be used, but I'd also expect to clear this before booking.

If your dog has come back happy, clean, the right weight, not injured, not loaded with fleas or coughing then they've done a decent job of it.

I worked in a few kennels when I was younger and although the dogs were looked after it was just a job for the owners.

They see hundreds of dogs a year and it was a case of walk the dogs in the morning, clean them out, dinner at 11, walk at 4 then locked up from 5.30 until 8 the next day. They did have a wander around every now and then to clear up any dirty kennels.

Own beds and toys were rarely put in with the dogs because so many of them got chewed or dirty (landing in poo not regular dirt) as space is limited in the kennel.
The treats would either be left in the kitchen or pegged to the kennel door.

I'm a massive dog lover and I knew that on my days they would get decent walks and lots of fuss but the owners tended to have them out to let them toilet then straight back in.
I'd also share out treats, I couldn't rustle a packet and give a treat to only one dog while others with no treats watched me.

The dogs were safe, fed and clean but there's no way I'd ever board any of mine.

Go with your instincts, I would never put my dog in kennels again they are hideous places .

Be careful when choosing a sitter or boarder. Our neighbour takes in dogs, as well as having her own and runs an unofficial cat rescue. House is smelly and dirty inside. She is absolutely vile to the animals. Swears and shouts at them, grabs them roughly by the collar, they frequently escape up the lane, she never exercises them. She puts on an 'animal lover' act in front of the owners, claiming how much she cares - the voice changes as soon as they've gone. I think she's actually an animal hoarder and abuser unfortunately - absolutely evil. It seems RSPCA not interested unless there's proof they've been hurt deliberately or if they're malnourished. She feeds them, but that's it. The shouting and abuse outdoors makes me wonder what happens indoors.

Like everything else they vary. Ours is excellent.

I would never use a kennel. There's one near the park we walk in, and the dogs just bark all day. My DD is at a home boarder ATM. I'm paying £35 per 24 hours (E.Mids). DD gets 2 hour long group walks a day - which she loves, and is sleeping on the bed with the lady and her dog. It's the first time I've had to do this as previously she's been to my DS. She's a clingy dog and has cried at night at my DS's house - (she's not allowed upstairs there, but sleeps in a crate downstairs at home no problems). We previously tried a different sitter who cba with her being clingy. I did 2 'sleepovers' for her to see how she got on, and when she cried at night, the lady slept on the sofa with her 😬but is now upstairs - seems like this lady will do anything to keep them happy. I'm getting 2-4 videos a day of her playing and pics of her relaxing. It's not cheap but worth every penny. I'd try another option, you'll know when it's the right one in my view.

I charge between £15 and £50 a day. £50 is for staying over at other peoples houses looking after all their animals and staying with them day and night. If they come to my house I only have one at a time and they are literally treated as one of my own. I also do ‘home at home’ care which works well for settled dogs and esp well for cats. They get up to four visits a day for play, feeding, toileting etc. I only take on one or two clients at a time as I see it as helping rather than a business. There are a lot of us who do it for the love of animals and not just to make money. The trick is finding someone who can trust, who your pet responds positively too and sticking with them. Most of my clients are repeat customers so their pets know me and I know their routine. Makes it much nicer for me and them.
I have worked in kennels in past and while the Animals were kept fed, clean and toileted that was it.. no time for cuddles or keeping them in their own routine. And it can be v v noisy.

Get the biscuits back!

You should have sent a few in a bag, not the whole packs.

I wouldn't out my dog in a kennel. I pay for her to stay with a sitter she knows and has that family environment with (she even sleeps on their bed). £30 a day and worth every penny. I don't think she would get the love and attention in an environment with multiple dogs and you never know what might happen between them if they don't 'like' each other.