Dogs in boarding kennels

[Imsosorryalan]

How do you're get on if you put them into boarding kennels? Do they love or hate it?
Alan dog may have to go into kennels when we go on holiday. They are very nice and MIL always speaks highly of them.

Wll it help Alan dogs fear of dogs or make it worse?

Ours is great - they do not socialise the dogs at all - so no chance of being afraid, or fighting... or cross infection/infestation with any nasties.. they walk them often (5 times a day - which is 3 more than he gets at home!) and he bounds up when we arrive to drop him off on his holidays......

a big difference from when we "home boarded" him with a family who also had other dogs and he came home with a skin infection, a bite and was petrified of us and of other dogs for a couple of days - happened both times we left him there... much prefer the "institutionalised" kennels - for his safety...

We introduced kennels slowly - one day-only boarding, then one night, then a weekend, then a week....

Firstly, they are licensed and inspected by local Council, so you have the right to see and read inspection reports and any correspondence relating to it. Google is useful for seeing any reviews or feedback - I google the kennel name, the owner's name and the phone number separately - that way a good chance of picking anything up.

Website can also be very helpful - do they explain procedures, tell you about how dogs are looked after, introduce their staff? One of our favourite kennels offers a free day's stay to new visitors - great way to ensure dog helps to adjust. Will they happily let you visit and have a tour? Do they offer a range of foods? Will they give meds if your dog takes them? Are kennels heated? (especially important in winter, if your dog is elderly or a skinny sighthound). Are there particular activities that they will provide for their guests e.g. agility, training etc on request?

Non dog related but important customer care - do they take card payments? What are their opening hours like on weekends? We had to reluctantly stop using one as their Sunday hours were pants. Do they offer grooming/a bath (can be v useful)? Do they offer a daily text service to let you know how your darling is getting on? Yes, I am the PFD owner from hell.

We've just stopped all going on holiday together , can't bear the thought of entrusting him to someone else. Fortunately my children are older and not that bothered and I never liked holidays anyway .

Well Alan dog is back home, apparently she loved it and was running around OFF lead in their paddock with other dogs!!

Do I believe them? She hates other dogs and normally would rather avoid them or fight them. But this is on lead with me. The kennel guy said they are sometimes totally different when the owners aren't around!?

So, Alan dog have you been pretending to hate dogs all this time? Hmmmm...

Sorry, forgot to mention, she went in today for a test run... That makes more sense now