Hi,
We are thinking about putting our lab puppy into kennels if we go abroad on holiday. She will be 9 months by then. Can anyone advise if a pup this age would be ok or if it would be utter madness for us to consider this! Also unsure at what age most kennels accept pups. Wouldn't want to leave her if even small chance that it would upset her as she is great round all other dogs and people. Thanks.

Hi Guest

Firstly, this is only my opinion so feel free to disagree!

I wouldn't consider leaving a pup much younger than 9 months in a kennel, although obviously this would depend on the personality of the dog in question.  I think that on the whole most dogs are OK when left in kennels but there will always be a chance that your dog won't adjust well to that environment.  Unfortunately there's no real way of knowing how your dog will cope until you actually board him.

I believe that when one leaves one's dog, if it's at all possible for them to stay with a trusted friend/relative then the dog is usually happier.  Another option you may want to consider is a dogsitter who will look after your pet in their house.  I know there are lots of people who choose not to on holiday, or they take their pet with them, but it's my personal belief that most well-adjusted dogs are fine when left with someone trustworthy.  I'm going to Africa in September for 3 weeks, at which time my whippet will be 15 months.  One of our clients (I'm a vet nurse) is a dogsitter who lives out in Herts and has heaps of land and lots of friendly, scruffy dogs she has picked up over the years.  My dog went for a weekend so we could see how he coped.  Bearing in mind that he's quite a clingy dog by nature you can imagine that I had slightly mixed feelings when it became apparent that he didn't really miss me at all!  He could have at least pretended a bit!

As you are going abroad I assume that you will be away for at least a week.  If I were in your situation I would probably kennel the pup for a day or two to gauge his response.

HTH

M-C

Hi,
Where abouts are you.  I have a 7 month old Lab bitch and would be happy to look after your while you go on holiday if you like.  p.M. me if you want to take this any further.  Good loving home would want for nothing.

I feel I have to disagree with Mary-Caroline. I worked in boarding kennels for 6 years and hold the National Small Animal Care Certificate, run by the Animal Care College.
We had regular clients with dogs of all age ranges.  I think the younger you start a dog in a good boarding kennels, the better.  That way the dog learns that being in the kennels isn't a bad thing & he knows that you be returning at some point.
The kennel staff also get to know your dog and all the little personality traits that make him special! 
We had 1 particular dog who came to us at 16 weeks for a weekend and carried on coming to us the whole time I was working there.  He would run from the car into the kennel and because he knew what to expect, loved every minute of his time with us.
I wouldn't leave my dogs anywhere else for two reasons.  It's a huge responsibility for someone to take care of someone else's 'baby' and I know that my dogs know the owners and staff at the kennels and if there are any problems the staff have the knowledge to deal with them.
You have to do what you feel is best for you and your dog.  Hope you have a great holiday, whatever you decide to do!! :)

I think its a good idea to get them used to it quite young, 9 months would be ok IMO, having said that I have a whippet and he would die a death if we put him in kennels!! I suppose it depends on how confident your dog is.

As a boarding kennel owner we often have puppies even younger come and stay. there is absolutely nothing wrong in boarding a puppy of that age. We find those dogs that are mollycoddled at home are the hardest to readjust.
A word of help and caution you do need to check out the prospective kennel very carefully recommendations are best and it may be advisable to have a tryout period say for over a weekend to see how you and the puppy make out, usually its the owners fret more than the dog. kennels have to meet certain standards and while being boarded should be covered on the boarding kennels insurance policy should anything happen.
I would strongly be aware that if you use other forms of care ie -pet sitting service- friends-relatives-neighbours etc, the number of times we get phone calls saying arrangements made like this the people have let them down at the last minute is unbelievable. Risks envolved are the carers don't turn up to take dogs out for walks- don't know where you vet is- let dogs escape through the back/front door, yes it happens more often than people realise, unfortunately so many people tend to think that this  is the best for the dogs and refuse to listen to professional advice.
Boarding kennels and catteries depend on giving good service or they go out of business, ok there are some that don't worry as in all businesses, pet sitters albeit having good intentions don't have any legal responsability if things go wrong whereby licenced Boarding Boarding kennel do.
Therefore I would strongly suggest looking at as many different kennels as possible, ask as many questions as you can, seek out recommendations and try the kennels out over a weekend first.

Bazza

Do you take your dog to training classes because the one I attend with my dogs also  board with the choice of kennels with the schools owner or at the home of one of the qualified instructors .
This works well because the trainers know the dogs from class and will also continue training while you are away on holiday.The dogs are happy with a familiar face.You do not have to attend class to board.This does prove to be a very popular option in my area.

Hey starryeyes, what dog club do you attend?? (K9)??
Aly

How long have you had your pup? I would personally suggest that you forego your foreign holiday and take your pup with you on a more local holiday. Sonja

I would say your pup would be absolutely fine - providing the kennels you go to is a good one. Why don't you book her in for a couple of nights before you go, then you'll know how she goes on. Far better to start her young in my opinion.

9 months is a great age to introduce your dog to kennels. At that age they take it in their stride. If you are going away for any longer than 7/8 days why not let your dog go into the kennels for a weekend beforehand. I work with labs & they are very adaptable & as long as they are getting fed whilst there ~they're usually happy!  :D