What actually happens when you drop your dog at kennels? Take me through step by step please!

[Uydjo]

I am so worried about leaving my dog in kennels this week for a trial night. We already did a trial afternoon where I left her in the kennels. I took her in to the kennel and then said goodbye and shut her in which was horrible. The kennel lady said after I had gone she went in to see her and she was fine but pawed at the door wondering where I went.

I think they took her out to throw a ball for her for a bit before putting her back in kennel before I collected her.

I am worried that now she knows this is the place I take her and leave her she won’t want to get out the car. Or go in to the kennel. Do people give them a treat at this point to ease the hand over?

do you give the kennel people chews or anything for them to give later on at bedtime ? I think I am expected to provide her food , so I assume chews I am also to provide. They do have little biscuity treats they give the dogs

I've left my ddog in kennels twice now (just for 2 nights) when our dog boarder was fully booked. Each time the kennels have come out to my car and taken ddog for a walk immediately. I don't get a backward glance from ddog! Although kennels do provide food I send her with own food and a toy and the cushion insert from her bed - a little bit of home for her. Maybe suggest that they take ddog from you outside rather than you taking her into the kennel and leaving her there?

Thanks. I thought taking her for a walk seemed better too. I wasn’t sure what was normal

My dog goes in Kennels about three times a year for one to 2 weeks at a time. He’s been doing this since he was quite young so he’s used to it. He actually jumps out the car and runs off with the member of staff, not even a backward glance at me now which is reassuring.

I personally wouldn’t be the one to shut her in the kennel, I would asked to go to the playing area, play with her a bit and then leave her playing with the staff and exit. It is a good idea to give them a treat so that when they put her into the kennel they can give her a treat for positive reinforcement.

My dog is usually raw fed, they feed him biscuit kibble as it’s easier, but I give them a bag of his treats for bedtime.
I also leave his blanket and a toy so he has something familiar in his kennel.

With ours they take the dog through whilst you give over the vaccination record, food, toy, medication. No fuss or bother. Dog just treats it as normal and is fine getting out of the car.

Once you have done all the forms drop offs can be as quick as you like! Ime it is ddog's personality dependent of it works out! One of my needy ddogs looked at me like I had slit her throat as I left her... She now comes on holiday with us!! 2 of our others love going!! Heated kennels and a huge enclosed paddock which allows our husky time off lead that she doesn't get at home.
Proof pic...

Your routine sounds better. The only two kennels I have visited (which get very good reputation) both seem to expect you to “settle them in to their kennel” yourself before you leave them. It does seem like the dog is likely to cotton on and decide they don’t want to

All the kennels I know prefer you not to enter the kennel block for hygiene reasons and because it sets all the other dogs off.

We take ours to the paddock. The member of staff has a few mins of reacquainting with the ddogs then we leave...
Last time they didn't even look round as the car drove off..
Little buggars! They also upload pics and videos at our agreement onto their website. Reassurance when we away they are also having fun!

It varies a bit at the kennels we use, depending on who's around.

If one person, they check your booking and the vaccination records, then you hand over the dogs and their treats etc, and the same person who checked them in takes them through to the kennels.

If two people, one will take the dogs pretty much straight away.

Older dog goes frolicking in. Younger dog will do anything older dog does so follows along perfectly happily.

I’m a dog trainer at a dog daycare/kennel. There’s a few things I’d recommend:
-Pack some canned food or toppers to mix in the kibble plus some treats. The majority of the dogs don’t eat much the first few days.

-Send something that smells like home. A blanket or towel is good unless your dog is a chewer. (It needs to be washable and inexpensive. We’ve had many posh beds chewed/soiled.)

-Add on a playtime. It helps dogs adjust to the new environment.

-Model good behavior at drop off. You don’t want your dog anxious or sad so act happy.

-Let your dog go to the bathroom before you walk in. Many dogs pee while the owner is distracted checking in.