Dilemma

[Slightlyannoyed]

DH is off on a 4 week jolly from January.

I've been ill for a few months with a virus that comes and goes. Very frustrating.
Also have cracked ribs and dodgy ankle at mo.

DH wants to put dog in kennels. Im refusing, because he's getting older, has had health issues this year and I think to suddenly upend him into kennels after 5 years would be asking too much.

Even if I am ill, he will still be at home, still get more 'out' time than in kennels and he will be settled.

Hes a GSD and quite a handful, so I don't trust anyone to walk him. For their sake, and mine.

DH, Dsis are on side of kennels. Dbro says totally unfair.

Half of me would love the freedom from the responsibility. The other half thinks I just can't do it to him, even if it delays my recovery.

Thoughts?

I should add, I take the view he is my responsibility so I need to honour that. He comes first.

Unfair. If your dog isn't used to kennels he will feel abandoned

Thank you whiterose, that was also part of my argument.

He was used to kennels , but not now.

I can't do it to him.

DH and Dsis argument is I should come first and rest and heal.
My argument is....not at expense of dog.

Don’t do it to him. It’s not fair if he isn’t used to the kennels

I have a gsd and understand exactly how they can be.

No I wouldn't put him in kennels. Unless a dog is happy and used to kennels I don't use them because I have seen in the past how stressed our family dogs have been in them.

Whilst you said you don't trust anyone to walk him could you pay for a dog walker to home visit to entertain and play with him for an hour in the garden.

I would otherwise invest in things to occupy him in the home so you get a bit more time to rest.

I wouldn't want to put DDog in kennels, but obviously he will need some exercise.

I don't know what you mean when you say he's a bit of a handful - could be anything from "pulls on the lead a bit" to "horrendously reactive". Someone would have to walk him in kennels anyway. Do you think someone who does solo dog walking could manage your dog?

Definitely keep him at home , reduced walks / no walks won’t hurt him if you entertain him at home and in the garden , he will soon adjust in the same way as a dog that is injured and needs to rest adjusts .

Don't put him in kennels.
Do compromise by getting a dog walker to take him for a daily solo walk.
You and the dog walker should both do some intensive training to stop him being such a handful.
It is quite unreasonable for such a large dog to be out of control.
I understand your family's concerns, reach a compromise that benefits the dog.

How about organising doggy daycare or a dog walker? You say you don't trust anybody to walk him but if you put him in kennels then you're trusting somebody to walk and care for him full time. I'm definitely against kennels, if you have to make alternative provision could you find somebody who does it in their own home? At least he'd be more comfortable.

My dog would definitely be happier at home with me than in kennels, even with less walks. She's scared of strangers and reactive so I would have similar concerns to you. There are plenty of indoor enrichment activities you can do that will help tire him out, lots of ideas on line. Are there any private hire secure fields locally to you that you could drive to and just let him run round off lead?

Could someone drive you both and let him have a run in a secure space?

I wouldn't kennel him.

There must be other things you can do to keep him amused, teach him things?? Is he ball obsessed?

IME they adapt pretty quickly to a more sedentary life if you can keep their minds busy, one of mine had major back surgery and had to go from miles of walking and running after his beloved ball to 5 minutes per day of on lead strolling.

My dog is a bit of a handful but I've a Dogwalker that takes him out & knows where's quiet to walk him & has taken to a secure field but that could be costly daily. It can take time to find right one with experience of not just easy dogs.

My previous walker came & played with them in garden as I had 3-4 it was a more affordable option. My walker also does dog taxi so takes them to hydrotherapy.

Some kennels also do day boarding, a daycare setup can be too social for some dogs.

I agree don't kennel him, but as a responsible dog owner you need to put some sort of plans in place for him to be exercised regularly during those 4 weeks.

There must be a third way. Can you get going to training classes with him now to make him easier to walk? Investigate doggy daycare and dog walker options? Even having a dog walker come in once or twice a week to give him an energetic play in the garden could be a thing. Or home pet sitting, where he goes to stay in somebody's home.

I wouldnt put him in kennels either, but I'd also do your best to try to not put back your recovery. I've been in your shoes, it's important to look after yourself too.

Can you find a dog walker that does one on one walks? If you’re wanting him at home I can’t see why it’s anyone else’s place to tell you to kennel him.

IME they adapt pretty quickly to a more sedentary life if you can keep their minds busy

This. Some dogs have to go from raring fit to crated for weeks and only allowed out on a lead for a wee if they get injured.

You know your dog - but I'd suspect he would adapt to life without walks for a month. Smaller meals and things like stuffed frozen kongs and trick training (can be done with your sitting on the sofa with a clicker and treats) to give him mental exercise.

Could he manage with day care? Then he’s still home with you, but you get a rest and he’s tired out so you may not have to walk him - win win

Or have dh invest some time training him for walks so he can go to a dog walker or a little doggy hotel even for a few hours or a night to help you get rest and recover

When you say you don’t trust anyone to walk him except you
Does that mean not even dh? Because it sounds like you’re making a bit of a rod for your own back too.
I mean I get not just any random person
But dh
Or a professional licensed dog walker surely with a bit of practice and training (even if only eventually?? Not just for jan) would help you out?

Thanks everyone for the feedback.
I will exercise him. He likes his walks and I'll just take it slowly.
He's never out of control with me and DH, but we know him well and are able to read his body language. That's something a stranger couldn't do.

My Dbro is experienced with big dogs and I wouldn't even let him walk the dog without supervision, so may as well do it myself.

I'm so relieved that everyone agrees he should stay home. It's made me feel vindicated that Ive stood my ground and wasn't just being over sensitive.

He's not a playful dog, but very affectionate.
And he likes his routine!,

So, as long as I can stick to his routine and rest between times, we will be ok.