Kennels or Dog Minder?

When my sister was ill in hospital we put her dog in kennels. We asked a dog lover for a recommendation. He was there for four weeks and he came out fitter and slimmer then when he went in. He suffered no ill effects at all and had certainly not been deprived of attention or Mis-treated. My sister now uses a local dog walker. They charge several pounds a day more than the kennels but she likes to think he gets more attention. Personally, I would use recommended kennels.

We had a German Shepherd rescue dog about ten years ago who was a bit unpredictable so we were very careful when visitors or children were around. The first kennels we attempted to leave him in - just for a few days - said they wouldn't have him back as he was bordering on dangerous. We felt this was an exaggeration so we tried a different boarding kennels, making sure they were aware of possible problems. They told us he was the most 'biddable' dog they had ever had, affectionate and friendly and they'd have him back any time.

I've always thought dogs are very good judges of character!

Y'can't not love a Springer .

My Springer spaniel is a real country dog and spends a lot of time just charging around the field. However, he loves going to the kennels and they love him and say he's the easiest dog they look after...(which I can hardly believe).I know he is safe and I would not like to impose the responsibility of him on someone else.I think a lot depends on the temperament of the dog..mine is very sociable ( and just slightly bonkers).

I'm sure I read somewhere else of a collie that the same thing happened to [it may have been on here?]. I wonder if it's because collies are such intelligent, well behaved dogs that people assume that they won't do anything dangerous and, unlike a lot of dogs, they seem very much in control when off the lead? I knew some people that owned a collie and said it would never, ever leave their front garden so they just used to let it out all the time; one day it just ran straight across the road and was killed .

I look after a neighbours dog when he's on holiday but I insist that the dog stays on the lead when he's with me . I won't be responsible for him unless I can keep him on the lead the dog is used to being run off lead but he knows now that its not going to happen while he is in my care. Its not ideal but at least his owner knows he will won't get into any mischief while he's away. Maybe you could put a similar rule in place, although if the dog is safe in a garden then it might not apply unless they take the dogs in their care out walking.

I've always been a bit apprehensive about passing the responsibility of a dogs safety on to someone else and opt for kennels on the few times that we do go away without our dog. The last time that I took him in he bounded out of the car and nearly pulled me to the entrance gate. He was overjoyed to meet the kennel owner (didn't do much for my self esteem!) and was very happy to stay for a few days. I reckon that he likes the change of routine, new friends around him and he certainly comes home happy but exhausted. I think he looks on it as one long party - he is a very sociable dog and the kennels do work out which dogs can go out together for free play in a well fenced area. I'd choose kennels for safety over a dog sitter any day.
Have you called in to your kennels unannounced and asked to have a look around to see how the dogs react. Perhaps they do an overnight trial when you could gauge how he/she would feel about a short break

Andie just comes with me when I go on holiday. One of my daughters looked after him when I was in hospital.
I expect the usual love etc when I am away. He has never complained about me not giving him a holiday.

Frank

My daughter uses a company which matches dogs to suitable private individuals, where the pet will stay as a member of the family. She has been delighted with the arrangement each time so far, and I think the cost is no more than kennels, but so much better! Maybe a Google search would find a similar option in your area.

I'm having the same dilemma, as I want to go on holiday more often but hate the thought of putting my dog in kennels. I always had two dogs so they could go into kennels together [which didn't seem so bad] but now have an 'only dog'. Even having someone come round twice a day to see her if we're away doesn't seem enough. A local doggie day care centre will take them home for holidays but then she'd be with other dogs being driven around in someone's car etc. I feel that, if I put her in kennels she'll think I've deserted her .