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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

Kennels

56 replies

Floofydawg · 17/03/2023 17:34

Just been to see a kennels which I'd provisionally booked for our dog in the summer and OMG I don't know what I was expecting but it's literally like doggy jail! Have resigned myself to finding a home boarder but wondered if anyone had used kennels and found them ok? There's clearly a big market for them.

Maybe I'm being precious and my dog is a bit spoilt. We've only ever left him with family. I do know he's only a dog but I honestly can't leave him there.

OP posts:

EdithStourton · 17/03/2023 17:37

We have used kennels for more than 20 years, for all our dogs. Honestly, they're fine. The one we use is very careful to make sure that the one who isn't bothered about food gets enough to eat, I know they get they free exercise time in the paddock, they go in willingly and they don't hate us when they come out.

BiteyShark · 17/03/2023 18:30

My parents used kennels for all their dogs.

The dogs came back stressed, the blankets they sent were torn through stress biting and they lost massive amounts of weight as they didn't eat.

Now I am sure there are dogs that thrive in that environment but my dog is definitely not one of them. He is sensitive and is much better with a home border so kennels is never going to be a consideration.

BevMarsh · 17/03/2023 18:39

My dog stayed in a kennels once.
Heated, looked great and was touted as 'luxury' but he absolutely hated it.
Think it was the constant barking and lack of real human company. He was just a number really.
He really wasn't himself for a few days afterwards and cried when we put him in the car the next day- he must have thought we were taking him back😔
I'd never use a kennel again.

Original poster

Floofydawg · 17/03/2023 18:55

Thankyou for the replies, you've definitely made my mind up. My dog loves cuddles and I just know he'd get no real human contact in there. Going to see a home boarding lady in a few days.

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Newpeep · 17/03/2023 19:34

It depends on the dog and kennels. I know some who love it and some who hate it. I use a cattery for my cat and he is always happy there according to what I’ve seen. It is a nice one though with outside areas and very large chalets rather than pens.

The best thing to do is a test night and see how he gets on.

RunningFromInsanity · 17/03/2023 21:49

My dog love his kennels. He runs off down the path when I drop him off.
Yes it can be a bit noisy but they do settle down.
I prefer the ‘prison’ look ie bars all around as it’s added security and therefore no way he can escape, whereas plenty of opportunities from a home boarder.
Also, the dog couldn’t give a shit about the look, they don’t appreciate painted walls, pictures, flower boxes etc. Just need a warm bed and some walks.

The smaller the kennels, the more personal time the dog gets, but obviously the more expensive.

bluetongue · 18/03/2023 07:07

My whippet would hate kennels. I stopped sending him to daycare because he hated the noise and constant activity. He’s an introvert with sensory issues I think 😁

He goes to a home boarder but I wasn’t completely happy after his last visit so I’m considering looking for someone new. Sigh.

Good luck. It’s one of the worst parts of dog ownership for me. I love him so much but also get jealous of people that can do spontaneous trips or weekends away without stressing about dog care.

Original poster

Floofydawg · 18/03/2023 07:20

@bluetongue can I ask what you weren't happy about in relation to the home boarder? Just wondering what to look out for.

OP posts:

bluetongue · 18/03/2023 07:28

Floofydawg · 18/03/2023 07:20

@bluetongue can I ask what you weren't happy about in relation to the home boarder? Just wondering what to look out for.

He needed vet treatment for an injury and I thought she was really a bit too casual about it and didn’t follow up with me to see if he was okay until a week after it happened. I understand accidents happen and he wasn’t badly injured (he’s fine now) but she was just a bit too casual.

He’s been going there since a puppy so it’s a tricky decision.

Original poster

Floofydawg · 18/03/2023 07:29

Oh, that's not good.

OP posts:

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 18/03/2023 07:33

Have you considered finding a dog sitter who can come and look after him in your house?

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 18/03/2023 07:36

I’ve heard a few horror stories with home boarders. Unfamiliar dogs, toy, food and beds to argue over. Easily has the potential to be a disaster

Original poster

Floofydawg · 18/03/2023 07:49

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 18/03/2023 07:33

Have you considered finding a dog sitter who can come and look after him in your house?

I don't really want a complete stranger in my house for 2 weeks.

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Whattodo121 · 18/03/2023 08:16

We are currently sorting out kennels for our slightly reactive/feisty border collie and when I went to look round, like you I was horrified as it does look a bit like prison. BUT, the manager is lovely and a dog behaviourist, we’ve already had three meet and greet sessions free of charge with her to acclimatise DDog. They only allow managers to deal with the slightly more sensitive dogs, they only exercise them individually and they are clearly extremely experienced. We have a lovely dog Walker who does home boarding but is usually booked up a year in advance and in laws will look after her on occasion, but I wanted a solution that was guilt free. She’s going to have a day session there next week and then an overnight the following to see if she’s happy there. There’s no way I’d send her to anyone else’s house or have her here with a stranger.

cocksstrideintheevening · 18/03/2023 08:37

My dog wouldn't cope in kennels. When I was a kid our family dogs went to kennels as home boarding wasn't really a thing then, and my mum was always anxious about them.

Now we either take doggo with us and drive to France / Spain on holiday or he homeboards. We found a lovely lady through holidays4dogs but he now has health issues that she couldn't manage confidently so he goes to one of the nurses at our vets. Worth asking the vets, they all do it at ours.

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 18/03/2023 08:40

I don't really want a complete stranger in my house for 2 weeks.

Fair enough.

All I would say is please do your research around home boarders. Assuming you're in in the UK, they must be council licensed. Ask for references, reviews, proof of insurance and their policies on what they'd do if the dogs didn't get along or fought.

Not all home boarders are equal and there are some really dodgy ones out there.

ImAGoodPerson · 18/03/2023 12:37

What is the issue re having someone in your house? Personally I much prefer having someone stay at ours, it means the dogs are happy as in their own environment, also it means security wise the house is safe. There is not a chance either of mine would be OK in kennels, one of them sleeps on my bed for a start. They are both quite needy for various reasons.

To be fair we got to know the lady we use for a while before as she is a trainer/walker. Is this a possibility?

The worst thing is having to make sure everything is really clean and tidy before going away.

Original poster

Floofydawg · 18/03/2023 13:28

I think lots of people would be very uncomfortable with having a complete stranger stay in their house. Not sure what's to explain.

OP posts:

Quveas · 18/03/2023 13:44

Floofydawg · 17/03/2023 18:55

Thankyou for the replies, you've definitely made my mind up. My dog loves cuddles and I just know he'd get no real human contact in there. Going to see a home boarding lady in a few days.

My dog adores his kennels. He gets excited when he realises he's on the road there, and runs staright in without looking back even! He gets plenty of cuddles and has all the staff well trained. I think as with people it depends on the individual and the kennels - there are a few I wouldn't consider, but that doesn't mean they are all like that.

Original poster

Floofydawg · 18/03/2023 13:47

@Quveas I'm sure they're not all the same but I just didn't get a good feeling from the one I saw. They were very formal and not very friendly. When I emailed them asking to cancel because I didn't think that kennels were for us (ie trying not to be personal about it) the response I got was 'I'm sorry you didn't like our kennels', which I thought was a bit odd.

OP posts:

ImAGoodPerson · 18/03/2023 13:48

Floofydawg · 18/03/2023 13:28

I think lots of people would be very uncomfortable with having a complete stranger stay in their house. Not sure what's to explain.

I was only asking, I wondered what specific issue you felt there was, everyone is different. I have never felt like that, I have always felt safer having someone house sitting. Like I say I got to know the person first and they got to know the dogs. I'm not suggesting someone you have never met who rocks up the day you leave.

Original poster

Floofydawg · 18/03/2023 13:50

@ImAGoodPerson I get your point but if I'm being really honest I just don't have the time or energy to get to know someone to the level where I'd be happy for them to stay in my house. The holiday is in 3 months.

OP posts:

ImAGoodPerson · 18/03/2023 13:54

Floofydawg · 18/03/2023 13:50

That's fair enough. Our lady had looked after our 1st dog a few times (he had separation anxiety so she dog-sat) and we did training with her for quite a few months. We didn't have a holiday planned for a while due to covid so it was probably 7 months or so before we left him. Can't say how I'd feel after 3 months but she is a known trainer/sitter in our area so I felt confident with her really. Obviously to find someone suitable and get to know them would be a push in that case.

RoxTen · 18/03/2023 15:22

We were going to look for someone to come to the house to dog sit but when we looked into it our home insurance wouldn't be valid.

Stellaris22 · 18/03/2023 15:25

Home boarders are just as likely to be awful as kennels, just because it's in someone's house there's no guarantee they'll be treated better.

Ours goes to a kennels because I know she'll get exercise and be well looked after. She knows the owners now and is excited to see them when we drop her off.

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