First time in kennels

[Dc]

We have to leave our dog in kennels for the first time since we have had her (2 years) We love her to bits as she is very loving  and often naughty. My wife visited the kennels to make sure they were ok and then got all upset. Has anyone any tips to reassure her/us that things will go ok. Any advice greatly appreciated.

regards

dc

[Eslier]

dc, prooviding you have done your research properly and found a good kennels run by caring people, you have nothing to worry about. If you are unfamiliar with dog kennels however, go and look at three or more different ones to get an idea of what is available. Standards in France vary enourmously, especially amongst places run by Brits.   We looked at three overe here, the first was awful: draughty and insecure, the second was not bad but the only kennels with heating were in the sick bay, and the third which is fantastic but you need to book almost a year in advance to get into.

Unless you know that your dog is used to socialising with other dogs, make sure she will be exercised on her own - not just let loose in a field with all the others. If she usually lives indoors, make sure that heating is provided in the kennel. Check to see that the dog's bed in the kennel is raised off the concrete floor on a wooden platform or something. Make sure that the kennels will provide the same food that your dog is used to. Look for things like, is that soft fluffy "vetibed" type bedding provided and kept clean, is there a radio left on to keep the dogs company. Finally, chat to the owners or staff and be sure that they are caring.

Providing the kennels pass all these tests then you can leave your dog with confidence and not worry. Dogs don't seem to have the same perception of time passing as humans so she'll be fine. You are bound to be sad saying goodbye to her but that only shows that you love her and is understandable. She'll be delighted to see you when you pick her up and all good kennels give their guests a good grooming before they go home so she should look good too. It's far better to leave you much loved dog in the safe care of professionals in a good kennels than with strangers at home. You can enjoy your holiday knowing that your dog is safe.

[Junlesley]

We always leave our two dogs with pet sitters, have you tried looking for any in your area?

[Deimos]

[quote user="Eslier"] Make sure that the kennels

will provide the same food that your dog is used to. [/quote]

 

I always take my dog’s food with him, enough for his stay,

individually packaged into meal portions with a few extra in case delayed in collecting

(i.e. in self seal bags one per meal – though I guess this is only possible if

you feed your dog dried complete food). 

As my dogs are not fed Royal Canin, this ensures they has familiar food

(though they will quite happily eat Royal Canin, I always figure familiar food

can do no harm and probably helps).  No

kennels I have ever used have had a problem with this (though with one UK

kennel I was not convinced they actually fed the food I took – with the French

kennel I have used I am certain they did).

Ian

 

[ninahookins]

Hi Dc

Perhaps we could help you, we look after dogs in our own home. We like to meet the dogs and their owners first so we invite you to come for coffee, You get to see where your dog will be staying, we have no kennels, they live in the house with us and are treated as our own pet. We provide the food that your dog would eat at home. We have been looking after dogs for more than 3 years now and can provide reference contacts if you want extra reasurance.

We can also collect and deliver after the first initial meeting, so distance is not a problem.

Please don't hessitate to email me if you have further questions or email me your phone number and I will give you a call. [email protected]

It always makes your holiday so much better if you know your animals are well cared for this is our aim.

Regards

Nina

[Chrissie]

Have you got the time to put your pet in for just a couple of days before you actually go away?  We have always done this with dogs going for the first time.  That way, even if they are a bit confused as to why their world has changed, after a couple of days you come back and all is as normal.  Then the second time, they aren't so confused and expect to see you again before too long.  In addition, of course, this gives you the chance to see how they get on, and how they react to going back the second time - ours have always walked off without a second glance, tails wagging, so we were reassured that they were happy there.

I think it is also important to leave them quickly and without any kind of scene - just hand them over, or walk them to the kennel, and leave straight away.  That way, your emotions don't rub off on them and they aren't worried on your behalf.

Good luck

Chrissie (81)

[Deimos]

[quote user="Chrissie"]

Have you got the time to put your pet in for just a couple of days before you actually go away?  We have always done this with dogs going for the first time.  That way, even if they are a bit confused as to why their world has changed, after a couple of days you come back and all is as normal.  Then the second time, they aren't so confused and expect to see you again before too long.  In addition, of course, this gives you the chance to see how they get on, and how they react to going back the second time - ours have always walked off without a second glance, tails wagging, so we were reassured that they were happy there.

I think it is also important to leave them quickly and without any kind of scene - just hand them over, or walk them to the kennel, and leave straight away.  That way, your emotions don't rub off on them and they aren't worried on your behalf.

Good luck

Chrissie (81)

[/quote]

I agree.  good advice.

Ian