Dog Community

kennel/home?

Posted : 4/12/2006 7:24:41 PM

Hi everyone, I found a friend willing to come to my house three times a day while I'm gone at the beach in the beginning of August. My concern is that Dweezil will bark, needing to go outside to potty (she's beginning to do this) ... and nobody will be there, and she will "unlearn" everything ... My aunt recommended a kennel close by that is sanitary, and the dogs have a run, and I *think* are played with a couple times a day. I'm not sure what will be less traumatic for her, she'll be about 10 months by then. Any thoughts?

nigguysmom

Posted : 4/12/2006 7:58:03 PM

That's a hard one, especially for a puppy. Is Dweezil in a crate all day long? Have you seen the kennel? Go check them out and see what they are like, if you are comfortable with them, it might be better to put Dweezil at the kennel if he is only going to be out of his crate 3 times a day.

angelamarie

Posted : 4/12/2006 8:00:02 PM

You should visit the kennel to check it for cleanliness and get to meet its staff, also talk to someone who has kenneled there.

I think for a 10 month old dog, the kennel is the better option. There'll be other dogs to bark at and observe and some human contact. And, you will not have to worry at all about how he's doing at the house in your absence.

When our previous dog was younger, we always boarded her at a beautiful kennel near our home. She was never stressed out by it and came home the same as she left. When she got older and quirky, we started to get full time house sitters. I wouldn't ever feel comfortable with someone simply stopping in here and there.

bichinpanda

Posted : 4/12/2006 9:17:01 PM

She would be in the bathroom -- where she usually is for extended periods of time (really, she's only in the crate at night), just in case she needs to go, and she always uses the puppy pads. But I'm beginning to think the kennel idea would be good, also. I think I'm going to drop in on the kennel tomorrow morning before classes to check them out, website looked nice, but would like to see it first. She's my first puppy, so I wasn't sure if home would actually be better for the younger ones. I just think maybe it'd be better since she'll separate the kennel from home...so she won't learn any bad habits for the house while i'm gone.

pamdb

Posted : 4/13/2006 1:50:11 PM

We lucked out with our dog (she was 5 months when we adopted her) we
found someone who was working part time for our Vet and she stayed at out
house (we especially wanted someone at night) and she went to work and everything,
but was there at night with our dog and because she worked part-time she was
able to be there during the day off and on. She charged $30 a day and was worth it
for peace of mind. And our dog loved her.

Patt

Posted : 4/14/2006 1:28:18 AM

I agree with the others, I think boarding her in a kennel is best. I don't like leaving a young dog at home depending on others to come in and take care of her, anything can happen. Be sure to check the place out first if it's not okay then look for another. Good luck and let us know what happens.

willowchow

Posted : 4/14/2006 1:44:55 AM

I know of some pet sitters that do what Pam's does. I also did that before I got married, then after stopped doing overnights at client homes.

However, is it possible your dog could stay at her house?? I do continue to do in my home overnights.