Have You Ever Boarded a Dog?
By ladym33
@ladym33 (10979)
United States
May 10, 2010 11:15am CST
We never put our old dog in a kennel when she was still alive when we went on vacation. My mother in law was always more than happy to watch her, but we have a new dog now a very active 2 year old German Shepherd that we adopted months ago. My mother in law is no longer with us and while we have a couple of friends who would not mind watching her neither one of them have fenced in yards. She is a good sized dog and needs to be active, and if she manages to get away from them they will never catch her, my son let her out the front door once and it took over an hour and 2 people on foot and 2 in cars to finally get her back. So while I feel bad about boarding her I have found a place that has a nice sized area for each dog and each dog has space to run both inside and outside all day if they like, and there are high walls so they can't get out. But they can still interact with one another if they want. I really think this is best for her and the safest, although it will cost a good chunk of money but I just feel more comfortable doing this then having her stay with a friend and risk her running away. Have you ever boarded a dog or a cat? Was it a positive experience? Did your pet seem fine afterwards?
2 people like this
9 responses
@candyfairy21 (2039)
• Philippines
10 May 10
Hi I have never tried this but do what's best for your dog. As you have checked out the place and find it safe then go ahead with it. I mean if she is a handful think about her security. That's just my opinion though. If I were still living alone I would board my dog and I can be sure that she is well fed and taking care of because if I let someone wtach her and she is very active my friend might get a hard time taking care of her and plus if she runs off like that geez... don't know what will happen.
1 person likes this
But as I said this was a long, long time ago.
@marsha32 (6631)
• United States
11 May 10
I never have....
not that I wouldn't, but you know me, I am poor.
We don't get to take vacations where we are gone.
And, if we did, my mom would always make sure to feed our pets (but at that time we lived right next door to her)
Marsha
@momalisa65 (1971)
• United States
11 May 10
I put my beagle in a kennel when we go away. He likes to go there.
They let the dogs out in the yard for awhile each day and they all run around together.
The place even took a picture of the dogs in the yard and made a postcard with it and wrote "Summer Camp" on it, and gave it to us when we came home.
@hmkoct5 (2065)
• United States
11 May 10
Yes, I have boarded my dog quite often. He actually loves it. It is one time when he gets to be around other dogs. I have boarded him at a few different places. His favorite was a ranch. They had a huge fenced in area and the dogs could just run around all day if they wanted to. They were only really separated at night. He loved it there. I also board him at Petsmart. They seem to take him for a number of walks and he gets playtime there. It is pretty expensive there, though. We have a local place called Home Away From Home, that is also very good. They have video cameras and we can log on and see our dog any time we want.
@sulsisels (1685)
• United States
11 May 10
Hi lady..I feel for you because I have had, out of desperation, to board a time or two myself and the guilt almost killed me~~My dogs were always fine when I got home, just really really mad at me. Neither or them would have anything to do with me for a full day when I got the home. My Irish Setter wouldn't eat a morsel so they say, my Bijon lets nothing interfere with his stomach. He eats no matter what!! I'm sure the kennel you've chosen will be just fine. Go on your trip and don't worry. He will be waiting patiently for you to come get him, i'm sure, but all the stories about kennels, hopefully don't go on anymore. The gals that took care of my two were just as sweet and loving as if the dogs were their own and I'm sure yours will be too..P.S. It dosen't hurt to bring him a present from your trip..Like a big chewy or something to help him get over it!! It helps mine...sort of! lol
@GardenGerty (160665)
• United States
10 May 10
I used to keep my sister's dogs at my house. When I went on vacation she paid and boarded them. They did just fine. I think it varies with each dog. In our state they have to have an extra shot to prevent some kind of a kennel borne illness, but it is good for a year. If you have seen this place, and are happy with it, I would say it would make a great deal of difference in how you feel about your vacation. You will have more peace of mind and can really enjoy yourself trusting that your dog is safe and has room to run as well.
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
10 May 10
I've never had to board my animals because we have lots of family nearby to take care of them if we're gone but my step daughter boards hers regularly. They come down here to Florida once or twice every year and their two dogs are too large to bring along. She's always been happy with the one or two facilities she uses for her dogs and they always seem fine afterwards.
