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The doghouse

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Original poster

If you use a dog kennels when you are away, how long have you done it for?

31 replies

steppemum · 15/01/2026 14:34

We have a dog, he is a rescue. At home he is fine, but he has lots of things where we would not put him in a home boarding situation.
We used to go away and have a house sitter and a dog walker. He is a big dog and can be fine on a walk but can also reacts to other dogs and then you need an experienced dog walker.
Our house sitter is now elderly.
Our dog walker is now full of regular customers so won't take one-off holiday walks. This has actually happened twice, people setting up did a great job with him, then they get a regular set of customers and can't fit him in every day over a holiday (and we had a third walker has now moved). We have tried a new walker, but it didn't work out, they were not reliable.
So last time we were away we used kennels.
He seemed very happy, was fine afterwards, so we used them again over Christmas. Happy going in, Happy coming home.

To be honest this is a huge relief, and I feel more confident doing this, as I know he is safe, and being well cared for.

BUT first time was 10 days. Second time was 3 days.
We now have the opportunity to go to SE Asia in the Autumn for work. It is to attend a conference plus travel time.
In total it would be 2.5 - 3 weeks.
The biggest obstacle is the dog. Is that too long for kennels?

It is honestly the only thing that is really stopping me from agreeing. But I don't want to be unfair to our dog, and have him think he has been abandoned.
He will go into kennels at some point in the summer for a week when we are away.

OP posts:
Toastersandkettles · 15/01/2026 14:54

The longest we've done is 5 nights, but I'd put him in for 2.5-3 weeks if I absolutely had to. The kennels we use are fantastic and I think he might even prefer it to being at home! If your dog seems happy there, then he'll most likely be fine for that period of time.

Starlight1979 · 15/01/2026 14:54

I personally wouldn't (but then again I actively dislike kennels for many reasons).

Can you find a dog boarder?

Where abouts are you located?

unbelievablybelievable · 15/01/2026 14:59

Id go for a boarder rather than kennels for that long. Or even a house sitter/dog minder.

Melsy88 · 15/01/2026 15:01

I think it really depends on the kennels. From what i've seen they vary massively from those that mostly keep the dogs in kennels all day with a brief walk to those who run almost as a doggy daycare with lots of fun and interaction with other dogs during the day. Also depends on the sleeping arrangements. Is it in a cold kennel, in a nice heated area or a home from home arrangement in a house?

Starlight1979 · 15/01/2026 15:08

Melsy88 · 15/01/2026 15:01

I think it really depends on the kennels. From what i've seen they vary massively from those that mostly keep the dogs in kennels all day with a brief walk to those who run almost as a doggy daycare with lots of fun and interaction with other dogs during the day. Also depends on the sleeping arrangements. Is it in a cold kennel, in a nice heated area or a home from home arrangement in a house?

A home from home arrangement wouldn't be kennels though. That would be dog boarding.

Original poster
steppemum · 15/01/2026 15:11

not to be arsey, but I thought I had clearly explained in the OP that neither a home boarder, nor a house sitter are good options.

he is not an easy dog, he is also big and 30 kgs.
He cannot be boarded with other dogs, cats, small furries or children. He must be boarded with someone who has experience of walking large reactive dogs.
He needs a house with a secure 6 foot unclimable fence/wall around the garden, and not open plan due to his kitchen theivery.
I did find a boarder. She sounded great. She charges £85 per night. That is not an option.

House sitter has the same problem, either they have to be prepared to work around his quirks, AND be an experienced dog person to walk him, or I need a house sitter and a dog walker, and I cannot find a reputable dog walker near me who has experience with large reactive dogs, because they are all fully booked.
I also do not like the idea of having a stranger live in our house while away, I feel uncomfortable with the idea that they may snoop. We don't have a friend or family member who could move in for nearly 3 weeks.

So the options are kennels, or don't go.
He does honestly come home happier and calmer from kennels than he was after we left him with a house sitter and dog walker. (It used to take him a few days to settle down with us again, but after kennels he is really chill)
At kennels he is walked twice a day in the fields for 40 minutes, and has 2 x per day play time in the garden. That is as much exercise as he gets at home. He sleeps the rest, they all love him because he is a big soppy lump with people, and he seems to understand that dogs behind fences are ok and so he isn't reactive to the other dogs around him at kennels, unless he meets them without a fence in between (eg going to/from a walk)

But still, it isn't the sofa, and it is nearly 3 weeks.
I just don't know!

OP posts:
somewhereintheworld · 15/01/2026 15:19

I would put my dog in because she loves the kennels she goes to. She goes in without a backward glance. I don't think dogs have any sense of time, so your dog wouldn't really be aware if it was one week or three. If he/she likes the kennels, then go for it.

Peoplemakemedespair · 15/01/2026 15:33

16 days the longest for mine and I don’t think about him at all when he’s in there. He’s fine

Original poster
steppemum · 15/01/2026 15:41

somewhereintheworld · 15/01/2026 15:19

I would put my dog in because she loves the kennels she goes to. She goes in without a backward glance. I don't think dogs have any sense of time, so your dog wouldn't really be aware if it was one week or three. If he/she likes the kennels, then go for it.

that is interesting about the sense of time. I hadn't thought of that.

OP posts:
Original poster
steppemum · 15/01/2026 15:43

Peoplemakemedespair · 15/01/2026 15:33

16 days the longest for mine and I don’t think about him at all when he’s in there. He’s fine

that's the thing, when he is in kennels I know he is safe and not causing any trouble. I used ot worry about him all the time when we were away. When he is in kennels, I don't and I know he is safe.

If anything goes wrong with any other set up, I will be half way round the world!

OP posts:
Dutchhouse14 · 15/01/2026 15:53

Weve used it forc16 days (2 week holiday)
If dog is nervous you can ask for a kennel positiined in a quieter place/end of row etc.
The inecwe use isnt as smart as some /slightly scruffy but they really make a fuss of the dogs and take them on 2 woodland walks a day which counts for more

Dutchhouse14 · 15/01/2026 15:53

Also our kennels post photos on fb so you can see them on their walks etc

jamandcustard · 15/01/2026 16:15

If he was fine for 10 days he'll be fine for 3 weeks. Please don't worry!

Indianajet · 15/01/2026 16:19

When I was in hospital the two dogs I had then where in kennels for a month - totally unavoidable. They knew the kennel owner well, and were absolutely fine - but they had each other which I am sure helped.

northernerinsomerset · 15/01/2026 16:35

If your dog is happy in the kennels then I would say 2 -3 weeks would be fine.Ours might be going in for that amount of time in September.As long as your dog seems happy then I would say no problem,go for it.

countrygirl99 · 15/01/2026 16:47

We've used for 16 days. I've given up on boarding as we've been let down both times we've booked, luckily not too late to book kennels. Once the person decided to move several hours away to look after an ailing parent and the other had a serious illness so had to give up. I know a few people who've been let down last minute for various reasons and had a nightmare getting sorted.

Heatingneedstobeontoday · 15/01/2026 18:23

16 nights was the longest ours went in. They absolutely loved it.. When ddog was post stroke and didn't have long left they let us use their garden for free one afternoon so she could enjoy the place one last time. We were very grateful for every holiday we had been able to have knowing ddogs were well cared for. We personally never got as good pics as they did!!

EdithStourton · 15/01/2026 18:29

steppemum · 15/01/2026 14:34

We have a dog, he is a rescue. At home he is fine, but he has lots of things where we would not put him in a home boarding situation.
We used to go away and have a house sitter and a dog walker. He is a big dog and can be fine on a walk but can also reacts to other dogs and then you need an experienced dog walker.
Our house sitter is now elderly.
Our dog walker is now full of regular customers so won't take one-off holiday walks. This has actually happened twice, people setting up did a great job with him, then they get a regular set of customers and can't fit him in every day over a holiday (and we had a third walker has now moved). We have tried a new walker, but it didn't work out, they were not reliable.
So last time we were away we used kennels.
He seemed very happy, was fine afterwards, so we used them again over Christmas. Happy going in, Happy coming home.

To be honest this is a huge relief, and I feel more confident doing this, as I know he is safe, and being well cared for.

BUT first time was 10 days. Second time was 3 days.
We now have the opportunity to go to SE Asia in the Autumn for work. It is to attend a conference plus travel time.
In total it would be 2.5 - 3 weeks.
The biggest obstacle is the dog. Is that too long for kennels?

It is honestly the only thing that is really stopping me from agreeing. But I don't want to be unfair to our dog, and have him think he has been abandoned.
He will go into kennels at some point in the summer for a week when we are away.

We have done 3 weeks.
Both dogs were fine afterwards, and went back to kennels several months later with no issues.

Kennels are used to handling dogs with issues.

Heatingneedstobeontoday · 15/01/2026 20:39

One of our ddogs we got a month before Covid hit.... They did - after asking - some training with her as she wasn't great.... She looked forward to going. Our Husky didn't even look round for us when we dropped her off!!

Crunched · 15/01/2026 21:22

I have done 3 weeks and would do so again if necessary with no issue. As a previous poster mentions, dogs live in the moment.

Imaginingdragonsagain · 15/01/2026 21:24

we’ve done kennels for 2 weeks. Seems absolutely fine.

Original poster
steppemum · 16/01/2026 13:59

Thank you all for your encouraging stories.
Sounds like he will be fine.

Wow, looks LIke I might be heading round the workd at the end of this year!

OP posts:
MildlyAnnoyed · 16/01/2026 14:02

The longest mine has been is 2 weeks. He didn’t want to come home, tried to get back in! He had a lovely time, I wouldn’t hesitate to let him stay for longer.

HolidayPlanningAgain · 16/01/2026 14:31

Most we’ve done is 16 nights and he was absolutely fine, he goes in 5-6 times a year for anything from 1 night to 16.. plus he does daycare there if we are both out on the same day.
he jumps out of the car and runs to the front door to go in. The staff are fantastic with him and they all soon learnt his little quirks! They know he’s strong and can get spooked easily so they always make sure when he goes for a long walk they pair him with someone suitable. (They get field time on top of this at least twice a day)
They send pictures most days so I know he’s happy!

I’d happily leave him 3 weeks for a chance to travel there! Go and enjoy, he’ll be fine

CombatBarbie · 16/01/2026 15:54

I work at a kennels and have dogs myself. We get dogs come in for 6 weeks or more when parents are going to Australia or similar or having to work away. Its very common.

If the dog has been fine with your kennels and are happy with the handlers I don't see the problem. We send regular pics, videos of boarders whilst we walk them etc.

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