Dog Community

Just a vent about dog boarding places

Posted : 4/25/2007 2:05:18 PM

Soooo we're going out of town for a few days in May. My usual dog sitter is actually coming with us, so we have to board. I spent about two weeks trying to decide where to do it since each has it's up and down sides (I had to make a spreadsheet to sort it all out!) but one thing really got to me:

Exercise being an extra fee.

Which of course leaves those of us with limited budgets with the choice of saving money by being like the worst dog momma in the entire universe and not signing up for the exercise options. PetSmart really burns me because everything is extra there and their base rate is already more expensive than anywhere else in the area. Want to give your dog a Kong? Extra. Play time? Extra. A treat? Extra. Talk about guilt.

Meanwhile, the place I normally use because it is affiliated with the animal shelter (proceeds go to the shelter) has also begun charging extra for time in the exercise yard. In 15 minute increments. Fifteen minutes. Conrad *might* have time to sniff for the perfect place to poop in 15 minutes.

I would really so much rather these places just up their base rates a bit and include the exercise and not give people the choice of denying their dog exercise in order to save some money (and as someone trying to save money, I'm not saying that in a denigrating matter--it's a legimate issue and a tough choice to make). And the place I finally found does just that. Their base rate is a few dollars more, but dogs get out at least 3 times a day into the exercise yard and it is not extra.

It was just really getting to me. Every time I'd look at a new place and look at their rates, I'd find that if I wanted my dogs' time at the facility to be at all livable I'd have to add all this extra on top of it all. They're accustomed to at the very least an hour a day of solid exercise per day, so sorry 15 minutes for $6.00 extra per dog is not going to cut it.

Liesje

Posted : 4/25/2007 2:15:16 PM

That's annoying.

Someday I hope to have my own boarding facility and I'll be doing it for the love of dogs, not money. "Extra" to me means something like a special bath, grooming, dog massage, additional work on obedience, not food, treats, toys, some human interaction, and basic exercise.

Amitiel

Posted : 4/25/2007 2:23:23 PM

noticed a tread here (& maybe a nich that someone could fill) no dog walkers here and only maybe 3 boarding places that are not at an animal hospital and only 2 of those - luckily my vet boards (not to sure he wants Max as a boarder, was in a chewing stage then)

jetty

Posted : 4/25/2007 2:35:39 PM

That's pathetic! I can't believe they do that - and 15 minutes is nothing!!!!! I'm glad you found a good place to board your hounds! I wish I was close enough to steal them.....errr I mean dog sit.[

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Jewlieee

Posted : 4/25/2007 2:36:07 PM

I have a place that I swear by. My dog *loves* going there and I don't feel guilty at all about dropping her off. The dogs get their own rooms with a raised bed (which has treats on the pillows), a TV, toys and bones. They get to go out 4 x per day, one of those times being a doggy play time where they can play and socialize with other dogs. They have fountains outside and little pools for the dogs to play in. You can buy extra play times but I usually don't. I think that there's enough enrichment and my dog is always happy so I don't feel guilty. The people even know her by name when she comes. They are more expensive than anyone else around but I've tried the cheaper places and it's not worth it. They forget to give my dog her meds (this was an animal hospital btw!), she didn't get the bones I brought for her to chew on and there was no bed - just a concrete floor with a drain in the middle.

It's so worth is to pay the extra money and be able to enjoy your time away knowing that your dog is well cared for and happy.

jennie_c_d

Posted : 4/25/2007 3:41:13 PM

I work in a boarding kennel, and I can't board my dogs there. It gets on my nerves that to walk THROUGH the kennel with my dog (even though her disgusting germs are all over me), I have to vaccinate her with bordatella every six months, and distemper every year.

Yeah, right. It'd be a cold day in .... a hot place. I'd be too scared to board them anywhere that the people don't have to see me every day.

rolenta

Posted : 4/25/2007 3:45:44 PM

That is so stupid! Locking a dog in a kennel and then leaving it is not work, so in my opinion, if they want to earn their wages they should exercise those dogs! Fifteen minutes in a yard should not cost $6, my goodness!

Mic Foster

Posted : 4/25/2007 5:12:07 PM

We don't believe in TV's, telephones, pawdicures, but we do believe in doing what is right for the dog.

Our rate is $35 - Includes boarding cot (we are cage free, unless owner requests otherwise), unlimited play (except after meals), constant interaction with people, access to elimination area at all times, tons of games, treats, food, medication dispensing, massages, go home bath, treat on the cot at night, some basic obedience, and whatever else we feel like the dog needs.

Our goal is to offer the dogs everything they need have to have wonderful stay...they need a queit place to sleep, loads of exercise, high quality food, soothing music, lots of human interaction, and a very strict schedule...

People complain about our prices all the time, but if they check out our nearest compeptitor they would see that it maybe $20 a night to start, but with as much playtime as we offer it would cost $100+ per night.

Anyway, you may want to search out a cage-free facility or a daycare that does boarding.

mrstjohnson

Posted : 4/25/2007 5:56:35 PM

Their base rate is a few dollars more, but dogs get out at least 3 times a day into the exercise yard and it is not extra.

I know exactly what you mean. When we had to board Charlie last year it was mind numbing. I must have called/interviewed about 15 places. He was on benedryl twice a day and one place wanted to charge me $3.00 a dosage! I couldn't believe it, it's not like it is an injection or anything (two little pills put in his food). Then if I wanted him to go outside, it was another $5.00 per 1/2 hour session. If I wanted to bring my own food (which I did) that was another couple of bucks.

I finally found a place like you did. It was about $20 a day (small family owned 10 kennel boarding facility) but didn't charge any extra fees.

nyiceprincess

Posted : 4/25/2007 9:34:01 PM

My friend has a place up here.I think its only 13$ a day.cage free,they stay in here home and can play outside as much as they want.If they are there for more than a few days she grooms them for free!
She does get calls from people who want their dogs kept in a cage and dont want anyone to touch them.
She also got one call from a crazy lady that told her dogs are solitary animals and that they should never be allowed to interact with other dogs.There is so such thing as playing between 2 dogs its only about dominance and dog kibble is the natural diet for dogs.They should never eat anything else.
She has to turn these people away.keeping your dog in a cage is not a service she offers unless its just crating for bedtime.

jode88

Posted : 4/26/2007 10:28:48 AM

I have yet to find a boarding facility that doesn't charge extra for exercise and stuff.
One place I looked into also charged to bring your own food ( i'll never understand that one) and charged for potty outside. Maybe one day I can own my own place.

mudpuppy

Posted : 4/26/2007 10:42:15 AM

I would never board at any of the places around here-- the affordable ones just stick the dogs in runs and ignore them, and the good ones cost a fortune. Hiring a live-in dog sitter has always worked well, and been less expensive than boarding, for us.

nGoldenm

Posted : 4/26/2007 11:55:08 AM

It took me a while to find a place to board Max should I ever need to as well. I finally found a place that lets you bring in your dog bed, toys, or anything else that you want to. They have indoor/outdoor runs, and they turn them loose in the exercise yard with or without other dogs 4 times a day. They will feed whatever you feed and will mix in anything you do for no extra charge. And they have pick up times every day, even on holidays. This is also the place that Max goes to for grooming. There's only one problem. You have to book VERY far in advance if you need to board for a busy weekend. She's already booked through Labor Day for all holidays.

Kara

Posted : 4/26/2007 4:06:39 PM

The worst part is when vet offices with boarding do that and then can tell you your dog is fat [:@] Exercise is a NEED.

Jeanne Gilda

Posted : 4/27/2007 3:10:06 AM

Man, those fees are outrageous! As well as some of the others...more money to give your dog a medicine it needs!~ I'm lucky Bog's groomer only charges $15 a night of course I would need to provide his own food and his blanket (security reasons). But he would get to play and live with her dogs (that he likes and they like him)! I haven't used her yet but she knows I will when the time comes! Glad you were able to find a good place for your dogs!