Kennels

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We are looking for kennels for a long term stay for 4 weeks for our German sheppard in and around Orpington Kent. Need to be clean and safe where dogs are really cared for. Happy to travel further afield. Appreciate any recommendations.

How long for and when? And most importantly - budget?

Have you considered a pet/housesitter? They stay in your house for free whilst caring for your dog in it’s own home (trusted housesitters app is the better one)

I was going to say does it have to be kennels?
Some dogs might cope but I know mine wouldn't and some GS can be dog reactive

I second a pet / house sitting service. Ours works out a lot cheaper than kennels would be for 3 dogs, a lizard, fish (our 2 goldfish are very sociable - they do come and say hallo and let you know when its feeding time!) We also have various plants that need regular watering.

Wouldn’t use kennels. Can you use a sitter?

I would consider a sitter but would prefer recommendations and they take the dogs........ my home would logistically not be available for them to house sit.......any help appreciated........

Why is it when someone comes on asking for recommendations for X, everyone says to do Y instead?

OP I would ask on your local Facebook pages or see if any local walkers have any recommendations - everyone knows everyone in the animal world and I’m sure they’ll be able to recommend somewhere safe.

Why is it when someone comes on asking for recommendations for X, everyone says to do Y instead?

Because 4 weeks in Kennels is a he'll of a long time for a dog. It can be very stressful with all the other dogs coming & going.
So people are suggesting alternatives because this would be best for the dog.

AND it looks like OP would consider Home Boarding as well

I'm sure OP knows her dog and knows what other alternatives exist.

I got recommendations from acquaintances at the local dog park. Personal recs are the best IMO.
The kennels did a 1-hour preliminary meet up to check vaccines and immediate reactions and we eased our dog into it (separation anxiety) by doing longer and longer stays. He’s now booked in for a week in April and our conscience is clear that he’ll be well looked after. Happy? Maybe not…
4 weeks is a long time. Maybe boarding at a person’s home would be better.

As a PP said, ask other dog walkers and find out what they know. And book well ahead.

Our two go into kennels together. I used to worry that the anxious one wouldn't eat, but she comes home no thinner than she went in, and sometimes a bit chunkier. They both emerge happy and slot straight back into the normal domestic routine.

There are some excellent kennels out there.

Kennels are fine if you get a good one especially that gives daily or twice daily walks.

First response hadn't even read the op!! Says for 4 weeks!!

I found a wonderful dog sitter for my GSD on Rover.com, try that?

This!!!

Sigh.

There's a difference between 4 weeks to a day - which is about a or just under month - and closer to five weeks (which is over a month) and trickier. Lots of kennels put 4 weeks - 28 days - exactly as their maximum and will not flex on this for anything or anyone. If OP needs it for 29 or 30 days, she'll really struggle.

So, actually, it was an important question.

Thanks for all the thoughts. However I was looking for specific recommendations!! I don't know any dog walkers in the area and wondered who might have anyone or kennels they have experience of.