Advise on kenneling an older pet
 

I am traveling to Europe for 13 days in December. I have always been fortunate enough to have a family member or friend take care of my two dogs when I travel. My Golden Retriever is 9 years old and has never been kenneled. It appears I may have to so on this trip. Do you think 13 days will be to traumatic for her first time? Or should I have her kenneled for a weekend before I leave? Also they have a very long dog run connected to each kennel. Do you think it would be wise to kennel both dogs in the same kennel? One is 45 pounds and the other is only 8 pounds.

Did someone refer you to this kennel based on personal experience? That would help you make your choice - I've never had to board mine, but I'd use the one my coworker uses if I had to, because I know how she is with her dog.

I did a trial run for the first time I had to leave him in a kennel. That way he knew I would be coming back after my trip as I did for the trial stay. He actually had fun as they have a play time.

I kenneled my dalmatian for 3 weeks and he was fine, but this was a very good kennel I sent him to. Make sure the kennel you pick is clean and they walk the dogs or let them run in a pen several times a day. Also make sure your dog has had a bordetella (aka, kennel cough) vaccination.

Yes the kennel was recommended by a co-worker and the big draw is that it is out of the city allowing for longer dog runs connected to the kennel. The kennel has a good reputation. I am more worried about my dog's sanity being caged/confined. My Bolognese suffers from seperation anxiety, that is why I am considering putting both in the same kennel.

Give the kennel also to leave something in the little one's cage that has your scent on it.

Kenneling both dogs together might make them feel more secure in a strange place. But I guess only if your Golden is quite gentle with the little one. I've only had big dogs, and my current 2 would surely be happier together.

I've only kenneled them for very short weekend trips. For my 2-week trips to Europe I get a dog sitter who comes to the house several times a day. And my daughter lives nearby and can check things out. No matter what, I always feel guilty and consider cancelling the trip because of the dogs! I haven't done that yet, but as they get older, I'm afraid I just might. (They are my babies!).

<< Or should I have her kenneled for a weekend before I leave?>>
Yes, definitely. You might even try kenneling them for one day first--drop them off in the a.m. and then pick up at closing time. Then try a weekend. Just explain to the kennel what you're doing. You might also ask the kennel people to describe how your dogs act during boarding. That will also give you an idea ow attentive they are and how they feel about your dogs.

Whether to board them in the same space--depends on the dogs. You might try that out as well for a day or a weekend and aks the kennel poeople to observe them and let you know how they act with each other. If they like each other but feel stressed being together too much, you might ask for them to be in separate but adjacent kennels. I used to do that with my two dogs for the first few year after I got the younger dog. They basically got along, but they were two females, and the older, smaller dog was sometimes nsaty to the younger one or just felt stressed being too close to her. Eventually their relationship changed and I was able to board them together, and the younger dog, who is very kind and has a strong herding instinct, used to look after the older one.

I like to "interview" a kennel before deciding to use it. I don't make it obvious that it's an interview, but I ask questions re what they'd do if.... I also check whether the place is reasonably escape-proof. There was abeautiful, highly recommended kennel that I found totally unacceptable, becaues I thought it would be too easy for a dog to escape and because they gave a stupid answer to my question re what they'd do if my dog threw up a few times or had a little diarrhea.

I think it's much safer to leave a dog with a good kennel than to have a friend take care of the dog. I've know too many people who temporarily lost a freind's dog while dog-sitting during the friend's vacation. I think their friends never found out. I also found out years later that my parents lost my dog temporarily when they were taking care of her for a few days when I had surgery 20 years ago.

I think this thread drifted into various kennel issues: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34684696

Thanks for all the advise. The two dogs get along fine under normal circumstances.
Thanks CMT for the advise on escape-proof. That was the one thing I neglected to check. Especially since my golden answers by the name of "Naughty runaway dog". She actually escaped from my father one time. He lives 300 miles away. Fortunately, I had put my area code on her dog tag. The doggy jail notified me and I in return called my father and told him he had to pay the bail money.

Of course, I don't know the rules of this kennel - but most of the ones around my town would only allow them to be together during the day. For liability reasons, they all insist on having pairs of pets only "room together" when there is full staffing during the day. At night when there is just a skeleton staff or no one on premises - they would have to be in their own enclosures/cages.

We routinely kennel our two dogs together when necessary and the facility we use does NOT insist that they board separately at night.

My one piece of advice: DO NOT under ANY circumstances take anyone's "word" for "how wonderful" a kennel supposedly is..and I mean ANYONE. GO and inspect it yourself and use this strategy: Show up and ask for a tour..if they do not allow you to do so without hesitation (none of the old "only during certain hours" routine which should immediately raise major suspicions in your mind) then pick a different facility.

This is a MAJOR decision and should not be made by anyone else but yourself and no exceptions whatsoever.

Good advice above & I'll ditto Travelnut. Send along a t-shirt you've slept in so it has your scent. That's a good idea too if you ever have to put your dog on a plane.

I spoil my pups and have gone through some major upheavals in the last couple of years - as have my pups. Here's what has worked for me.

Definitely check out the kennel first. I DID ask someone who feels the same as I about their pups and found a wonderful place almost an hour's drive away - but they take excellent care of the pups. It's not fancy like the "resort" kennels in the metro area, but my pup is absolutely happy there. She's jumped out of the car before and walked to the front door - without a leash on! That had NEVER happened before - but likes the kennel and groomer so much she prances happily to the front door.

Check it out first. I agree that if they have certain hours for this, go elsewhere.

I'd always heard that dogs like having their own blanket. Never had done this before, but started and it works wonderfully. I have a small down throw I bought at Target for human use and it's become her blanket. Easily washed. Very soft. She now knows wherever she goes, that if her blanket is with her she is "supposed" to be there and will settle in if I leave her at a strange (to her) house for a few hours. She has become the best traveling companion.

I'd get something similar - if just a beach towel or old "dog" towel - and get your two used to being with their blankets. That way, if they are split at night, they will still have the familiar item with them. My two girls traveled together until Gracie died - but the solo pup now does just fine by herself.

Big pup and little pup together? Yes, even with difference in size, especially since your Golden is 9 years old and probably pretty calm. It may not be an option though. My new favorite kennel keeps the big dogs in one area and the smaller dogs in another building. I like this because the noise is not so bad in the "little dog" kennel.

Do give them trial runs before. Do a day stay. Then a night stay. Then a weekend stay. Let them get used to the routine - and that will give you time to get to know the kennel. If they aren't good with "overprotective" parents, then don't be apologetic and go elsewhere. I've day boarded my pup quite a bit in my travels and there was one place I wished I'd just walked out the door.

Pay extra for walks or play time. If nothing else, it will get the helpers interacting with the dogs more. My VERY elusive pup went up to one of the helpers as we were leaving one day with tail (actually butt) wagging and got her special petting from him. I can't tell you how lucky I felt after watching them together.

Once you are comfortable with the facility, go on your travels without worrying. They WILL be okay.

Thanks all, there is a reason why I am fretting so about this topic.
I have checked out numerous kennels during the years and have never felt comfortable with any of them (not even one at a vet's office) that is why I have always resorted to a pet sitter in my house. The kennel I am considering is the first kennel I have actually liked and it is about an hour away.
The reason I am pacing the floor on this situation is because of an incident in the past. I had been taking my golden to a groomer for several years. The kind that do multiple dogs at the same time. One day I picked her up and she was dragging me out the door. As soon as she got outside she had diarrhea. As soon as I got her home (2 minute drive) she had it again. I took her in the house and she drank an entire bowl of water, very unusual, and had to immediatley go outside again. This time it was pure blood that came out. I rushed her to the animal emergency center and the vet said that she was so stressed and traumatized that she tore the lining in her colon. After the vet, I went back to the groomer and they said nothing out of the ordinary happened and actually got an attitude with me for implying that they did something to my dog. Hence to say I have an excellent groomer now that only grooms one dog at a time in their shop. The old groomer knew that she would go nuts in one of those small barely turn around cages. The vet said they either put her in a cage next to a dog that apparently stressed her out or perhaps used a shock collar on her but there was no way to prove that. I know that it was human that stressed her out. She loves people. The type of dog that will help a burglar move my stuff out as long as they pet her. When I took her to the emergency hospital she wouldn't get near any humans and was crawling under chairs. The vet actually had to muzzle her. She even showed her teeth at me, the one and only time in 9 years.

The most important factor in a kennel is air conditioning. If they have it, don't leave your pet there.

This may seem counterintuitive, but airborn respiratory diseases are a real problem at kennels. Air conditioning circulates the air and the disease.

Dogs are pack animals and are not highly territorial like cats, so they miss people more than their home as a place. The effect on the dog will largely depend on whether it is a primarily wolf- or hyena-blood dog. Wolf blood dogs, i e., German Shepards, tend to be come attached to their "owners" and suffer much more than hyena-blood dogs, i .e. spaniels. They switch to however treats them nice fairly quickly. If you have a dog and haven't read Konrad Lorenz's "Man Meets Dog," you probably should.

As far as trial run is concerned, that is probably a good idea.

I would consult your vet as to the best choices. There are vast differences in kennels - and for an older animal kenneling at the vet might be the best idea.

If you do decide to kennel be sure it's one that has full service doggy day care and that there are sufficient helpers for the number of animals that your pet will get enough attention.

I don't know how practical this is for you, but have you considered looking for a good professional dogsitter? That would circumvent the confinement and kennel cough issues.

I'm the volunteer dogsitter for my travelling companion when travels alone, but she's found an absolutely wonderful professional for when we travel together. Fortunately, we're in in a dog-friendly area, and there are a number of well-recommended sitters. My friend interviewed several, partly to see how they got on with the dogs and partly to see how she felt about them, and ended up with an absolutely incredible sitter. The dogs adore her (myu friend has seen how they greet her when she comes over on her pre-trip business visits), she loves them and is great with them (you can tell how well she understands their personalities on those pre-trip visits and by her reports), and she's extremely responsible and stays in touch by e-mail. She comes by twice a day for meals and walks, and she drives them to the dog park for play sessions. (They have a dog door and a fenced yard, so they can go out when they need to.)

Petsitters Int'l, is a reputable business listing of sitters.
I have five dogs so kenneling would probably cost more than my airfare. Two are quite elderly and not keen on any change in their lives. I hired one of the vet techs from my vet's office to come and stay at the house. She sleeps here, plays with them, lets them out morning, lunch and evening. It costs me $25 a day. I live in rural North Carolina and my cost is probably low compared to the national average. I know I have a good arrangement. With dog flu a concern, I think it would be worth investigating.
Travel safely.

I would not necessarily be too suspicious of a kennel that does not allow inside vistors during certain hours. Those may be the times when they clean the whole kennel, while the dogs are out in the runs and their indoor cubicles are wet.

Having worked in a vet's office many moons ago and having boarded my dog may times (reluctantly - I moved away from my pet sitter - dumb!), I say this:

The single best indicator of a good boarding kennel is your nose. If it smells clean - and just clean, no heavy product scents - it is clean. There's no faking it in a kennel, and it's way too hard to keep it smelling that way for it to be accomplished by people who don't care.

The second best way to tell is if they ask good questions about your pet: When does he usually eat? How often does she go outside? Would you rather we called a vet immediately at a slight sign of digestive upset or wait to see what develops? Would she rather play in a run or be walked? Those are pertinent questions about your pet's care that shows they are attentive to each pet, and its owners' wishes.

I'd kennel your dogs together if you can, presuming they're good housemates at home. It cuts that "I'm all alone in a strange place" panic. It might even be slightly cheaper, which is a happy bonus.

I actually get a little miffed that my dog is so nonchalant after I pick her up at the kennel. She loves it so much she doesn't much miss me like she does when I just go to work for the day. I'm blessed to have such a good kennel nearby.

Imhornet, as a lifelong spaniel owner and one who spends a great deal of time with spaniel breeders and trainers, I can't begin to tell you how WRONG you are in your assessment about spaniels and owner attachment. That assessment is just plain RUBBISH. In fact, spaniel breeds are among the most likely to suffer from separation anxiety (which is more than just being miserable left alone, but also being deprived of the dog's "pack") and are NOT happy with whoever hands them a treat. You are passing on some just plain wrong-headed information.
We kenneled our one cocker briefly and she was an emotional wreck afterwards, even though the kennel ticked all the boxes (clean, good staff, etc.).
The canine ancestral tree views KL put forth in the 1950s are now considered outdated and invalid--http://www.txtwriter.com/Onscience/Articles/familydog.html

If your 9 yo dog has never been kenneled and is strongly attached to you, then I would advise against a kennel. Separation from you AND from home might be highly stressful. A trusted, qualified best sitter would probably be the best approach and since you have two dogs, would probably cost about the same as boarding them at a quality kennel.

Imhornet, also check:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konrad_Lorenz

try this:

www.petsit.com

and type in your zip code. you might find someone nearby to come into your house. usually the ones on this site are licensed and bonded etc. I have not used this site yet but plan to shortly, when I go to NYC after Thanksgiving. (my prior petsitter kinda freaked out when I went to New Zealand and I cannot trust her anymore).

We have used both petsitters and kennels, and---hands down---the clear choice for us is the kennel.

It's a nuisance that your older dog hasn't been kenneled before, but I think a weekend trial stay is probably unneccessary, especially if the two dogs stay together.

We have a 15-year-old cocker/poodle mix and an 8-year-old Bichon Friese who routinely stay at a beautiful country kennel the owners call South Forty, but which we call "camp" for the dogs. They are well-cared for and safe, and not as lonely as they would be crated at home waiting for a sitter three times a day. At the kennel they see people most of the day from their cages and are walked five times each day. At home, they are isolated one to a crate (we don't have one big enough for both) and we couldn't talk the sitter into coming more than 3x per day because she was too busy.

Find a kennel that is really excellent and leave with confidence.


ps. We are moving just before Thanksgiving and have scheduled a "camp stay" for our dogs during the week of packing and actual moving. It will be a great relief not to have to worry about them wandering off because someone's left a door open, or getting squashed under a moving sofa!

I am not a dog owner, but I find it comforting and warming to read this thread and observe the deep concern and affection you all have for your dogs.

You have to be good people to be such caring and thoughtful pet "guardians." I have a hunch you don't think of yourself as "owners."

kswl - wow - a 15 year old, that's great. I have a 12 year old Labrador who is going to a kennel (that he really enjoys) tomorrow because I'm scheduled to go to Venice Saturday. He's been slowing down over the past 2 years. After a check up 2 months ago (more for my peace of mind before going to Venice this month) he was started on some thyroid and heart medication and has responded very well. The kennel has no problems giving him the medication and will give him extra attention. Of course the kennel has all the necessary info to contact me in Venice if there is an emergency. They also have my vet's info and 2 friends who can be contacted in case I can't. I'm still going to be a bit worried but I feel good about going and that he'll get very good care.

Hi Mary Fran. You're right---in our family, our precious pets own our hearts. ((L))

Again thanks for all the advise but my problem has been resolved. My regular pet sitter found out I was going to France and volunteered to watch my dogs. She is a freshman in college so I didn't think she would want to do it during finals. In fact she said it was the exact opposite, peace and quiet during finals. She demanded a bonus though, a bottle of wine (to be aged until she turns 21)!

Parisnow, I'm glad the perfect solution has occurred. Have a wonderful time - now you can REALLY relax!

"mhornet, as a lifelong spaniel owner and one who spends a great deal of time with spaniel breeders and trainers, I can't begin to tell you how WRONG"

So you know more than nobel prize winning animal behaviorist Konrad Lorez? Sure you do.

I am so happy your dogs will be able to stay at home. I hope you have a beautiful trip.

Imhornet, theories are just that...theories and winning a Nobel Prize doesn't certify KL's theory as "right".

http://www.txtwriter.com/Onscience/A...familydog.html

Did you take the time to read the link provided for you earlier? I found the information very interesting, and it appears that KL's theory has been discounted by DNA testing not available to him in the 50's.

As a lay person, I found the generalities you described as "rubbish" as well. I did not respond because everyone is entitled to their opinion.

No need to slam someone who doesn't consider KL's theories valid any longer. Based on the scientific research cited in the link, I would have to agree.

Yes, Imhornet, in this particular instance I AM sure I know better than KL. And genetics research backs ME up, NOT him. Why didn't you read either of the links?

If you want to cling to outdated, invalid 50+ year old theories, go right ahead. But don't expect everyone else to go along. Especially spaniel owners who DO know better.

<i>&quot;Also make sure your dog has had a bordetella (aka, kennel cough) vaccination.&quot;</i>

I would not advise giving an older dog a vaccination for anything, except as required by law. Kennel cough is not that serious, however, a vaccine will irreparably damage your dog's immune system and make him or her more susceptible to any number of illnesses.

Also, if your pet has had the bordatella vaccine at any point in his life, he is like to be innoculated against it as there is growing evidence in the academic veterinary community (<i>i.e.</i>, the ones that don't profit from the vaccines) that pets, like children, are over-vaccinated and that the vaccines last for much, much longer than your average vet will lead you to believe.

Sorry for the soapbox, but I practically jumped out of my seat when I read that piece of advice.

BTilke - I agree. I have had setters or spaniels all my life (I currently have 3 cocker spaniels) and they are some of THE most attached dogs you have ever met. All they want is to be with their people.

There is even a line in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream where one of the females (I forget which) offers to be one of the males' (again, I forget) &quot;spaniel,&quot; meaning that, she'll follow him and be at his beck and call.

Nytraveler -- I looked into boarding my dog at the vet's office years ago. Unfortunately my vet doesn't board.

Kennel cough doesn't alarm me. My little one caught it once. That new dog flu alarms me though.

Now for the debate with the spaniel owners. I got my first dog at 5 years old, German Shepard. Growing up my family always had at least two dogs. Including family members, we have owned dogs as small as a tiny toy poodle to as large as an Irish Wolfhound and everything in between. The saying is &quot;mans best friend&quot; referring to all dogs not specific breeds. In my experience all dogs become attached to their owners. From my dad's hunting dogs to my mom's lap dogs.

One thing I will agree with, whoever wrote it or researched it, do not train them to be guard dogs. Because they are pack animals, they will instinctively guard their den/home. By training them to be guard dogs you are training them to be vicious.

Parisnow, of course, a dog from any given breed (or a mixed breed) can be as attached as a dog from any other breed. I would never say otherwise, although it is widely acknowledged that certain spaniel breeds are more prone to separation anxiety (the general rule of thumb for English cockers is no more than 5.5 hours alone and preferably not on a regular basis, don't know why that seems to be the &quot;magic number&quot; but it is. There is also a popular saying among ECS afficionados that &quot;owning an English cocker means never having to go to the bathroom alone again&quot;).
What I did disagree with is the erroneous theory that spaniel breeds are inherently LESS likely to be as attached to their owners as a GSD or other so-called wolf descendant breed. I won't stand for anyone &quot;dissing&quot; ;-) my spaniels with such outdated stuff. Anyway, I believe KL's most important (and still valid) work was with imprinting in BIRDS, which is a whole 'nuther kettle of fish.

Hooray on having a pet sitter lined up. You must be relieved and happy that it's worked out so well--have a great trip!