Mixing Dogs At Kennels

[espinay2]

Only with my express permission beforehand. I have some dogs I don't want mixing even with my own other dogs as they don't get on. Just because they come from the same household, and are in runs next to each other, does not mean they may necessarily be run together in the same exercise area. I also have entire dogs.

The kennel staff don't know my dogs and their likley reactions to others - and while I try to make things clear on check in I would NOT be happy if an entire bitch was mixed by kennel staff with other dogs and she happened to go into season early or have a silent season while boarded.

I am also not confident of the experience level of some kennel staff and the level of supervision they would get when in exercise areas with other dogs.

Sure it may all go fine, but frankly I don't want someone taking that risk with my dogs, who they do not know, without my permission, when under their care.

[Leema]

I wouldn't want my dogs mixing with other dogs when at kennels. BUT, there are plenty of owners that do, and who dogs used to genuinely enjoy the experience. I think it depends on the facility (degree of supervision, maximum number of dogs in a yard, etc) and the dog itself.

At the facility I used to work at, we used to have 5-6 dogs maximum in a yard, and we knew the dogs pretty well to be able to gauge who may get along with who. For the large retrieving breeds, they used to have a lot of fun playing and wrestling together. However, many dogs didn't enjoy the experience, and were exercised alone because of this.

[wuffles]

I don't let mine mix with others. They have each other, that is all they have at home during the day anyway, so I don't think the extra risk is worth it. They also "gang up" when run together with other dogs and I only trust myself to deal with that appropriately.

If it was JUST my boy, I would let him socialise with others. But my girl is a target for bullies so it is not ideal for her.

[Pockets]

When I used to work at a boarding kennels, we used to have group playtimes, where each dog would be assessed for the suitability to join a group :) it worked well, it was only ever done under supervision, the dogs were never left alone, there were never any games played with balls or toys and no food or treats around either, as these are obviously high value items. I can honestly say in the 3 years I worked there, we never had one issue, from a kennel hand point of view, the difference in the dogs at the kennels that got social time with other dogs, to those that didnt (at owner request) was amazing :)

[trinabean]

I'm OK with my dog being allowed to have 'playtime' with other dogs when kennelled.

Having said that, he only gets kennelled with his breeder, and she only owns and kennels one specific breed. So the dogs are similar in size and play-style. I also trust his breeders judgement completely. We've had no problems so far. :)

[Pockets]

There is one kennel I know of in Melbourne that kennels strange dogs together all the time, completely unacceptable I think, I would never leave dogs unsupervised who didnt know each other (as in are from the same family). When I questioned the owner of this, he said they have no issues....my response, well too bad if you did, cause your not their at night are you!!!

[Cosmolo]

I would never want my dogs mixed with others. I have known a few kennels who pair up dogs to be kennelled with strange dogs over night and/ or have large groups playing unsupervised- NOT for me and my dogs.

[Guest donatella]

I would never board my dog full stop and definitely wouldnt want her running with other dogs.

[Sydoo]

I don't drop my dog off at the park to run with strange dogs unsupervised, so why would I pay a kennel to do the same thing?

My BC doesn't seem to care for most other dogs so it's not something that would improve her stay even if it was well supervised. I don't take her to doggy day care for the same reason.

[GregW]

I wouldn't want my dogs mixing with other dogs when at kennels. BUT, there are plenty of owners that do, and who dogs used to genuinely enjoy the experience. I think it depends on the facility (degree of supervision, maximum number of dogs in a yard, etc) and the dog itself.

At the facility I used to work at, we used to have 5-6 dogs maximum in a yard, and we knew the dogs pretty well to be able to gauge who may get along with who. For the large retrieving breeds, they used to have a lot of fun playing and wrestling together. However, many dogs didn't enjoy the experience, and were exercised alone because of this.

This pretty much sums up why I take our lab to a particular kennel. Playtime was monitored and dogs were assesed when and whom could play with, were given a lengthy tour, meet the staff, answered all our questions, we're asked if would like the dog to share, which we agreed to Even shown an emergecy plan in case of a bush fire. Since then have never had any concerns. Genuinely feel that our dog will be safe and secure. In fact I prefer they go there instead of friends or family.

Judging by otther posts must be lucky to have found a place that I can trust.

[Her Majesty Dogmad]

I also know of a friend of a friend's large purebred male dog, very gentle, undesexed. He had to go to kennels in unforeseen circumstances.

When she collected him he was bleeding, the kennels said they knew nothing of it, no he hadn't been with any other dogs.

The vet examined him and he'd been viciously bitten and obviously attacked and died the next day ....

I hope they sued the kennels, not sure what happened but it was extremely distressing.

[spikey]

It is the number one reason why I do not board my dogs. Under no circumstances do I want my dogs mixing with others.

I used to feel exactly like this. Even if a kennel said they didnt mix dogs, I would not trust them as I know how common practice it is.

I feel differently now as I trust the person who boards my dogs implicitly. I feel like she knows them almost as well as I do and she is an extremely good dog trainer. I would have no problem with her walking them with any dog she feels suitable. I also know that she would never leave them unattended with other dogs. None of my dogs are reactive which also helps.

This.

I have found the most wonderful kennel and the owner is great with dogs and knows her guests very well. I trust her completely to know which dogs will get along, she spends so much time with them. And she never just puts different dogs into a run together to play unsupervised, she takes them for walks together, or for a swim in the dam, then they go back into their own runs. And if I still wasn't comfortable with this, and told her I didn't want my dog to socialise with other dogs, I know she would respect my wish too.

Same here. The first time we boarded our girl, she was around 9 years old (not sure whether she has been boarded by previous owners, as she was a rescue dog so don't know her history) - she had always been dominant with other bitches, and also about a year previously we had been attacked by two Mastiff/Staffy crosses whilst out walking one morning so she had since become (understandably) quite unreliable around other dogs - she had the "I'll get you before you get me" mentality going, especially if another dog ran at us, as it seemed she was trying to protect me as well as herself (when I managed to get the attacking dogs off her, they went for me instead), so I was very anxious about putting her in kennels and how she would react to other dogs in such close proximity. Unfortunately our only other family members in Perth weren't able to look after her this time, so we had little choice. Thankfully the boarding kennels we chose were excellent - I explained the situation to them, and they made a point of carefully introducing her to a gentle, calm male dog and eventually allowing them to play together under supervision, and it's been the best thing that could happen to her. She now LOVES going to the kennels, adores the people there, and queens it around the place, she gets to play with other (carefully selected) dogs and has a whale of a time - she's now boarded there 4 times, up to 6 weeks at one stage, and comes home happy, healthy and fit as a flea (not bad for a 12 year old!). Her attitude towards other dogs has also improved tremendously.

The people running these kennels are brilliant and I trust them implicitly regarding her care and which dogs she mixes with whilst she's there. I can certainly understand that many people DON'T want their dogs to mix with others at kennels, and it's certainly their right to request this AND have it adhered to - the dog's owner should always have the final say in that regard.

Edited May 11, 2012 by spikey

[Kavik]

No I don't want mine mixing with strange dogs if I board them. One of my dogs is dog aggressive, so it is very important that she is not run with dogs other than my own, and that they are separated at feeding time. I am very careful where I board my dogs for this reason.

[Pockets]

We also used to take 100's Of photos and would give them to the owners when they picked up their dogs, owners were happy to see their dogs have a good time and had no hesitation leaving then with us, as often you worry when you leave dogs at kennels, like any parent, hoping they are enjoying themselves.

It was always the owners choice if they wanted their dog in social interaction with other dogs, we had many options.

The dog could have individual play with a staff member or super playtime with other dogs (matched with suitability)

For many "social" dogs staying for a long period I think it was important for them to get that social time with other dogs, they would quickly become depressed if this was something they were used to on a regular basis, the last thing you want in your kennel is an unhappy dog

We had some "family" dogs come in together where one was a quite older dog, who was past the time where he wanted to play, with another dog who was young and playful. It was good to be able to separate the dogs into different social groups to be able to provide them with that enrichment :) the older dog would mellow around and lay out in the sun with quieter dogs and the pup would burn all his energy playing with other dogs.

[Guest Willow]

I boarded my 5 monthg old kelpie at a kennel that allowed dogs to mix. I specifically stated she was not to mix, and they ignored meand she got into a fight. Caused problems for the rest of her life

[Tilly]

I don't board my boys either ... but if I had too (looked into it for emergencies) they would need to be kennelled side by side and definately not allowed to mix with other dogs.

My older boy is food agressive (sometimes) and while both dogs get on well 90% of the time ... they require firm handling otherwise a fight can break out. They do need their space as the older boy gets grumpy occassionally and needs the younger one to give him some space. Old age is setting in ...

[blitz3]

My boy plays rough and i know how that can get out of control quickly if the signs are missed so theres no way i would allow it

[BC Crazy]

I also know of a friend of a friend's large purebred male dog, very gentle, undesexed. He had to go to kennels in unforeseen circumstances.

When she collected him he was bleeding, the kennels said they knew nothing of it, no he hadn't been with any other dogs.

The vet examined him and he'd been viciously bitten and obviously attacked and died the next day ....

I hope they sued the kennels, not sure what happened but it was extremely distressing.

OMG !! That is just terrible poor boy. I would have sued the pants off them. No wonder I don't use boarding kennels. If my dogs can't come with & or OH can't be with them, then I just don't go. And I don't get out much for that very reason but it doesn't bother me cause I only miss them when I away from them any way.

[rastus_froggy]

For my own dogs I am very against having them with other dogs at kennels. I have only boarded very few time but am lucky enough to have found a great kennel where dogs have their own individual day pen and their own individual night pen. There are 2 styles of day pens, one for the non escape artists (fence height 6foot) they are 10m X 10m and then the jail cells (fence height 3m with inward slope at top) and they are about 4m X 5m.

They have a maximum of 20 dogs at any one time in their entire kennel. They are a retired couple who do it for their love of dogsand to keep themselves occupied, not to make money.

[PAX]

I board a very select group of dogs, even more so since I broke my leg last year by a dog running into me.

I do what the owners wish, unless I see it is problematic, then I discuss it.

I keep contact via facebook or email, send pics and videos, I know what it is like to be away from my own dogs.

I never run dogs with unknown dogs....unless the owners have asked for it, because of my knowledge of the dogs I mind, repeat offenders, I know how they play and who and if they can be be matched with others.

Most of the dogs I mind, I mind often, so I know them, know what they like and don't like. I want my boarders to go home the same and most often better than when they come in.

It's sad to me that so many people have bad things to say about kennels, I know the dogs I mind drag their owners up to to my kennels:)

I am a small selective kennel, I try to run it more like a farm stay.

If your not happy, look for something smaller that cater for what you want you need.

I know of kennels that charge heaps for a motel type room, I have no doubt dogs will be happier with lots of exercise and fun in preference to having a tv and lounge.

Do and pick what ever you are most comfortable with, the dogs will manage.