Kennels or dog sitter for holidays?

[disappearingfish]

We’ve just come back from a short break, the first time we have left our dog since we got him over two years ago.

We put him in kennels as a trial and it seems he’s been completely fine. Was pleased to see us and be home, no anxiousness or anything.

We have a longer holiday planned for the summer and I was planning on getting a dog sitter, but now I’m thinking of just using kennels again if he’s happy there.

What do you all prefer for your pooches?

Tried both, and home boarding too.
My first dog was safer in a decent kennels. Got dog 2, she hated kennels, needed a sitter in our home.

Gave up, take the dog ( sadly only 1 now) wherever we go on holiday 🙄

But to answer your original question, I prefer a decent kennels.

A dog sitter. I’d never send my dog to kennels personally speaking.

If he was happy in kennels then stick with kennels - and I say that as a dog sitter.

Depends on your budget too, in my area a sitter is double the price of kennels!

I know someone that board dogs in her own home and I know I will worry less with my pup being there in June when we go on holiday than if he was in kennels. So I'm choosing that option for peace of mind though she charges £38 a night which is a significant cost. No idea what kennels charge.

Sitter. Ideally someone who can either know your dog well first. Stays at your house even better. Take no risks - meaning not at their house if there’s children, keep dog on lead unless dog is exceptionally well trained & obedient..

Im not a fan of kennels. Too stressful for dog. xx

If your dog is used to living in a home then kennels can be traumatic, even if they don't show it. I always used a 'home from home' service, where my dog was taken into someone's home for the duration and treated as their pet. You can stipulate if you want your dog being the only one 'boarded', if they do t like other dogs. My girl would have been happy to stay when we collected her, she was spoilt so much.

I have a home boarder. My dog is a rescue. He was so underweight when we got him, due to stress. We worry he'll think he's been surrendered again. He would absolutely hate it. He hates being alone.

It depends on the dog. My last two went to a dog sitter, very rarely though; mostly came on holiday with us.
Current dog is a lively youngster, absolutely loves going to the kennels. It’s a great kennel.

We use kennels and my DDog loves it. He tried to run back in when we went to collect him! My DDog is quite independent; he was born on a farm and wasn't coddled as a puppy. He sleeps on his own downstairs and cuddles for maybe 3 minutes before walking off. His dream is to spend 10 hours minimum outside, and that's exactly what he gets at kennels.
All dogs are different, but if yours seemed happy with a short break, then he'd probably be perfectly happy with a longer one too.

I guess it’s different for different dogs then. My dog is tricky, and can need pretty strong handling when on walks. I would worry about a dog sitter losing control of him when out.

He seems so unbothered about his stay at kennels. What would trauma look like if not changes in body language and/or behaviour during or after a stay?

OP, don't listen to people saying kennels are traumatic and stressful - they may be for some dogs, but for many others, they're absolutely fine.

You know your dog better than some stranger on the internet - if he was happy for a short stay then chances are he'll be absolutely fine for longer ones. Not all dogs suit home boarding or house sitters despite how wonderful people on here will tell you they are (and I say that as a house sitter!).

We use kennels having tried a home sitter/boarder - suits my aloof dog much more! He likes his own space at kennels, likes the routine and is totally calm and happy when he gets home. After a sitter or boarder he was always very ‘hyped up’ for a few days, clingy, jumpy etc

Its very dog dependent

Mine go to doggy day care once a week which is also a boarding kennels so they know it and are known by the staff. They jump out the car and run in and seem very happy there. Personally I wouldn’t have a house sitter 1 I can’t cope with other people staying in my house when I’m not there and 2. 1 of my dogs is wary of strangers and I don’t think the sitter would get near enough to her to get her out for a walk.
Kennels are not the hideous places often portrayed on here I know they are happy and safe and playing with their friends.

Kennels but my dog is an escape artist so I just don’t think a dog sitter could manage him and he’s a clumsy idiot so he’d get lost bless him. Our kennels sends daily videos including him on walks and he goes in and comes out tail wagging so all good!!

Kennels are so much safer than a sitter or home boarder, so if your dog is happy in the kennels carry on using them.

Some dogs find the routine at kennels soothing and calming, and are happier that they're not forced to mix with other dogs. Kennels with good reputations are extremely secure, staff have excellent training and qualifications, and the kennels are large and clean, with access to individual outdoor space for each dog. I don't understand people who emphatically state they'd never put their dog in a kennel when they've never even tested it to see if the dog might actually be happy there.

Thank you all. It’s so much appreciated. Our old dog only ever spent one night in a kennel and he absolutely hated it, so I agree it depends on the dog. I think our current dog is more secure in a kennel and he adapted fine. At home he has constant attention, treats and comfy spots to snooze in, so it’s definitely a more spartan existence, but he is still content. The thing that he did appreciate in kennels is exercising off lead in a secure area with other dogs.

We've always used kennels and each one of our rescue dogs has been happy there. We've always 'worked them up' to it, mind - with slow progress from a meet and greet and play in their paddock, via a few hours a couple of times, then one overnight, then a weekend, etc.

The main reason we prefer kennels is the security of knowing if the dog is booked in, an 'emergency' such as family, friend or dog sitter might have won't stop us going on holiday.

It was for this reason that when we got our current dog (who was an 'emergency rehome' owing to the sudden death of her owner), who is absolutely adorable and with whom our neighbours have entirely fallen in love - when they pleaded with us to let them take care of her in their house when we go on holiday, we refused. They have children, grandchildren, etc and a sudden emergency could have us left with no dog care and no holiday.