For those people who like to go abroad etc - what age did you first leave pup ?
I just dont think I can abandon him to kennels or even to sitters . I feel too guilty
For those with more experience - what age did you first leave pup ( or even adult dog) and how did you find they reacted when you returned home ? Where they okay once you returned or did you find they fretted too much?
lel

IM sure somebody will be along soon with more experience than me, but I would say it should be quite a while before you leave your pup with other people. He will be bonding with you , hopefully learning a lot of things and a week in a pups life is a long time. I wouldnt like to leave a pup with anyone who is not an experienced handler as they may unintentially teach yr pup bad habits.

We also have just got a pup Mar and have decided that this year we will not have any other o/s hols. Unfortunately we have one booked but its only a long weekend, and he will be 6 months by then. Im hoping that by that time he will be mature enough to behave himself at the inlaws otherwise we wont be having to many hols without him.

As for kennels, make sure that you have a look at them. A good time is first thing in the morning, they wont have had time to tidy the place up and you will be able to see the condition they are in. Look at the dogs and how the kennel maids handle them. Otherwise see if you can get some recomendations from people who have dogs. I am fortunate that the lady who runs my puppy classes also has a kennels and our neighbours highly recommend her. Im sure that your vet will also have some advise re good kennels.

Dont feel guilty though you must have a life outside of your dogs (is that a sharp indrawn breath I heard across the doggy forum) If you take the time to find a good kennel and at the best age for your pup/dog it can be a holiday for both you and your dog. All the best.

Could someone please explain what *holidays* are - I seem to have forgotten :)

Christine

Christine ..as far as I remember .....they are something the children and the husband get ;)

HTH

Mel :D

Oh, too true!!! :D

I recomend a pet-sitter coming to stay at home (preferably a good friend or family member) where puppies are concerned. You have 'set' up things to be safe for the puppy there, while a new place is a whole new set of dangers. Kennels on the other hand, can be 'cold' and scary for puppies. Also, pups need alot more affection and love than offered -even in the best establishments. Many apparently great kennels leave the place to uneducated 'cheap labor' when the owners are gone and while you think you left your puppy to a 'nice lady' a yucky, mean, man is banging hard on his cage to make him stop whimpering (this can cause irreperable damage to a young dog). For me the best way is to have someone nice stay with your puppy at home. When the dog is a little older (6-8months depending on breed maturity) you can leave him with friends that have another dog (that yours is good friends with -preferably of the opposite sex) at their home. But of course you WILL be asked to return the favor some day. I find that this aggrement: "You watch mine, I'll watch yours", works wondefully and even good friends take better care of your dog when they know you will be caring for theirs soon. This has worked SO well for me that my dog never seems to miss me at all when I'm gone -he's had such a wonderful time!

The other half took me away for my birthday two weekends ago, just Fri, SAt, came home sunday lunch time. My sister (who has charlie every morning anyway), and her boyfriend (who charl thinks is the best think since poached fish ;) ) came to our house to mind him, so that it would cause him as little upset as possible.

After phoning *at least* 20 times every day, where sis assured me that charlie was fine and dandy, we arrived home for me to be hit square in the chest by a furry little cannonball, who then followed me round the house crying for two hours :( Turns out he had spent the whole weekend lying on our bed, refusing to eat, refusing to go for walks, sighing whenever they tried to tempt him with toys / food! Stubborn little man! Poor sis was heartbroken, but didn't want to spoil our weekend, bless!

The other half is not impressed by my deciding that all future holidays are cancelled - dunno why its bothering him so much, not like we've had to put the rest of our life on hold for pup :D

Dogs aye, who'd 'ave'em :D

Majix
:D