Hi there everyone, I wondered if anyone could help me... I've got a Beagle puppy, Bella, and we are going away on holiday for one week starting  June 18th. Bella will be 9 months old by then. I had booked a friend who is a dogsitter, but we got out wires mixed up along the way and now don't have anyone to look after her. I really don't want to leave her in kennels and am looking for either as sitter at my house or somewhere to take her where she's going to be well looked after. I live in Halesowen, West Midlands. Please please, if anyone can help or knows someone reliable and trustworthy, can they mail me on michellejswain@hotmail.com. I'm also looking for puppy training classes in my area. Thanks XX

I appreciate your concern but I kennel my dog frequently and I would actually prefer this to leaving with friends.  Kennels are professional and have the dogs best interest at heart, although you do have to vet them and find a decent one.  If you can't find a sitter do check out the kennels in your area and go and visit them all til your satisfied.  It does not affect the dog one iota to be kennelled, he/she just appreciates you all the more when you pick them up!

PS you might want to get a kennel cough vaccination before you put you dog in kennels as my dog does suffer from this.

CG

Although I agree kenneling doesn't affect most dogs it can badly affect some especially if they like their home comforts, for a dog that is used to the sofa being forced to sit outside in kennels for most of the day can be a big shock.
For house sitters check with your vet they usually know some, or if you have a local petshop they usually hear about the good and bad ones, our little local pet shop had a list of ones that had been recomended and a list of ones to avoid like the plague!!

Steve

She says in her post that her friend IS a Petsitter...