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The canine ancestral tree views KL put forth in the 1950s are now considered outdated and invalid--http://www.txtwriter.com/Onscience/Articles/familydog.html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!