Boarding A Puppy

[WinGus]

Hi

I have to go overseas at the end of Nov for 2 weeks and am wondering if it is a good idea to board my puppy in a kennel or to get someone else to look after her. She is a week short of 6 months and just desexed.

I probably wouldn't have too much of an issue with boarding a dog, except that a) she's still young and b) she is very fearful/submissive/nervous and as such I'm a bit hesitant that leaving her in a boarding kennel would be a good idea. However, she's also nervous of my in-laws whom we may be leaving her with if we decide against the boarding kennel! :rolleyes:

So apart from being a psychotically anxious mum for 2 weeks without her baby , I'm not sure where to leave her!!!

Will the boarding kennels that including lots of training and socialisation be good for her? If so, can you recommend any good ones? Just for clarification, we are currently taking her to obedience classes, but thought full on obedience might help her develop her confidence and to be less fearful!?! ;)

What are your opinions on boarding kennels vs relatives looking after dogs?!?

Thanks

[Poodle wrangler]

If leaving a pup with relatives, consider the potential puppy damage and how that may impact the relationship :rolleyes:. It may actually be more expensive to leave them with relatives.

How are your relatives- are they "dog people"- you know what I mean ;)? If not, I'd feel happier about a boarding kennel that was recommended. Actually go there and check out the place, too. 2 weeks isn't that long a time.

[Rhi*Jak*Ed]

There's been some posts in the past about kennels etc - it might be worthwhile doing a search and having a read of them just to have a look at others' experiences, both good and bad.

I had a friend stay at my place when I went away for 5 days back in May - Jak was only 3 months old at the time. It was the worst thing I could have done. Well, to be more exact, she was probably not the right person for the job. Jak suffered terrible separation anxiety and ended up getting quite 'aggressive' with my friend, to the point that day one she was in tears. Jak was moved to a kennel where she happily stayed for the remainder of my time away. I wasn't happy about that, as I could have put her in a kennel but thought that having her stay in her own home would be better. I think she missed me terribly and didn't take too kindly to having a stranger come home to her - plus my friend didn't seem to follow any of the 'instructions' that I'd left for her. But anyway...

Now if I need to go away I have the option of taking her to stay with her Doggie Daycare mum - and it will always be my first option. She had a sleepover there back in August and had so much fun! Plus, she was very well behaved and from all accounts didn't notice that I wasn't there

My friend still doesn't like to visit - despite Jak not showing any signs that she remembers her. It certainly strained a friendship as I entrusted my little girl with her and it just ended up a big nightmare, with me stuck in the middle of the outback feeling completely helpless. Thankfully my mum took charge

All the best with it

[Gretel]

Any chance the pup could go back to the breeder for a visit? Otherwise I'd find a kennel you are happy with.

[Dogsfevr]

We board many young dogs with no issues at all.

Although if you pick a facility that does inhouse obedience pick wisely.Personally i wouldnt go in that direction but a good kennel can instill confidience with good dog knowledge & just the way they approach situations.

[WinGus]

Thanks for all the helpful replies.

Poodle wrangler, my in-laws had dogs before, so they are dog people so to speak. Of course I don't want to offend them by suggesting they are incapable of looking after my little one!! On the other hand, depending on how they follow instructions (as per Rhi's experience), the relationship could be strained!! Ah, in-laws!!!

Rhi, I started to read some previous posts about kennel experiences, but got lazy as there were so many! Thanks for sharing your experience! I'm sorry your friendship has been strained that way.

Gretel, thanks for the suggestion. I did think of the breeder, and I'm sure she would love to have Pepper back for a little while, but I don't know how to ask tactfully that she look after my baby! She's also been unwell lately, so I don't want to burden her unnecessarily.

Showdog, I guess I do share your concern in that I'm putting Pepper at risk if I didn't find a facility that did good inhouse training. Anyone have any suggestions of good inhouse trainers in Sydney?

[Eileen]

Not that I've had to do either, but I would choose a kennel over rellies. They would feel terrible if something happened to the pup while in their care.

[percyk]

Not that I've had to do either, but I would choose a kennel over rellies. They would feel terrible if something happened to the pup while in their care.

its awful when u do have to leave pets

my choice would be to leave it with the breeder but of course thats rarely possible

ive had a young dog in a kennel

it was fine but then again he had two of other dogs with him

he didnt go backward in training ( we were gone ten days) but i dont think his socialisation was worked on either... just incidental i guess

bad things can happen either way ..rellies can get annoyed and discipline harshly...that can happen in a kennel too

considering both options id probably go with a good boarding facility and make sure u make it clear that u are a concerned dog owner...kinda sets it in ur head that ur expecting the best care..not just dropping off a dog for a couple of weeks

mind u im not suggesting that ur anything but nice and polite to them

its a big issue with trust but im pretty confident that for the most things go well in kennels

good luck!