Have You Ever Boarded Your Dogs?

[Freedom]

I have not used boarding facilities in the past, and now I can't imagine what it would cost me with 4 dogs, 11 cats!

I did wonder about sleeping with two Tshirts and leaving them with the dogs at the kennel, one each. As mentioned about toys and such, you may not see the shirts again so don't make them YOUR favorite ones.

[ramanth]

I have boarded both Kia and Chipper at a local non-vet facility. They also had a doggy day care that my two just loved.

I took their beds, some treats, and their own food (a must with Chipper).

I only board them as a last resort, but have been very happy with this place.

http://carawaykennels.com/first.html

[lute]

I haven't ever boarded my dogs. Haven't needed to. We do boarding at the clinic I work at. I like all the different dogs that come in. Sometimes the owners worry a little too much and tend to over pack.LOL We had one woman who dropped off about 15 toys and packed her little dog's whole wardrobe! We all got a little kick out of it. She also packed a bunch of pictures of the dog. I guess in case we forgot what she looked like.HAHA

Take their own food. If the facility has their own food you can feed that, but it's not good for the dogs to change foods like that abruptly. Chances are their food isn't going to be real healthy for them either.

Try and take something for them to play with or chew on. Something from home so it has your smell on it.

kt_luvs_kitties said to bring their bowls. If the facility is a good one they will clean the bowls at least once a day. We disinfect and replace ours twice a day. When owners bring their own bowls we don't use them. Don't want to risk getting them ruined.

I'm sure they will have fun on their visit! Try not to worry too much!

[lute]

Oh yeah! The Bordetella vacc. was a good idea! I had to get all my pups vaccinated because I accedently brought it home to them. I felt horrible!

[lizbud]

Well, just dropped off my babies. Smokey was shaking in the exam room
but walked off with the girl to the kennel ok. Maggie was her usual happy self.

Takeing a quick shower & then I'm off to the airport. Talk to ya'll when I get
back.

[Ginger's Mom]

Well, I know that you are already gone. But have a good time, Liz. And don't forget to let us know how the pups made out when you get back.

[lute]

Have a safe trip!

[Hellow]

Yea, have a safe trip!

We always have to board Reggie every vacation we take because:

1. We cant take her with us the 200+ (I believe) mile journy to Myrtle Beach and back
2. There are very, very few hotels/condos/resorts that accept pets there

[IRescue452]

Have a good trip. Since its on the subject of what to do when boarding, I'll give my late advice for other people.

Try not to bring your own kennel unless they specifically request it. Also, let them provide the blankets if they have blankets for every dog. Speaking from experience, dogs who are being boarded and become a little scared sometimes hole up in their own kennels or beds within their enclosure and become protective and dangerous. I've had to use a catch pole to get a dog out of her little pink kennel once and then had to remove the kennel from her enclosure. The owner was not happy with us, but how were we supposed to walk the dog who was growling and biting and wouldn't come out of her kennel? Once it was gone, her protectiveness went away.

[lizbud]

Smokey & Maggie did well while I was away. I am happy with the care
they recieved there and I'd probably go there again. I missed them when
I was away. I made up for it by lovin up on my daughter's dog Coco every
chance I got. Smokey's eating was off normal, but I expected that. I think
kennel life would be devastating for him, if it were long term.

Maggie ate well ( I'm not surprised ) & did fine with all the staff. She's
acting a little more tired & subdued today, but that might be just the
change of being away. A Vet there talked to me about her weight. She
thinks she might need a change from her thyroid meds. Maggie
needs to lose more weight.

[Ginger's Mom]

Glad to hear that the furkids made out well. I am sure they were glad to have Mom home. Is Maggie showing any other signs of problems with her thyroid? You may want to mention what was said to your own vet and she what s/he says. I am sure Coco enjoyed spending time with her Grammy (do you have skin grandchildren as well?).

[lizbud]

Is Maggie showing any other signs of problems with her thyroid? You may want to mention what was said to your own vet and she what s/he says. I am sure Coco enjoyed spending time with her Grammy (do you have skin grandchildren as well?).

Yes, I made an appt. to bring Maggie in for a consult next Tuesday.
The Vet at Noah's (where they stayed) suggested asking my Vet for
her thoughts on using something called Slentrol. It's an appetite suppresant.

My daughter's pup Coco Puff, (lab/pit mix) is such a cuddlebug anyway,
it's hard not to hug her all day long. No skin grandkids yet, just a
Calico kitty Selena of my Son & my daughter's pup,Coco.