is there a right way and wrong way of introducing a dog to kennels when we go on holidays . were already feeling guilty . we dont go untill next august for one week . our dog is a four month old staffy . or are pets at home any good ?

Could you take the dog for a visit, nearer the time of course, and let him have a good sniff round etc maybe let him stay the day ( if the kennels are willing) and see how he takes to it. Maybe even an overnite stay beforehand just to make sure they will settle. :)
( apologies if dogs a she :D )

Many kennels will take dogs just for the day.  So, it's a good idea to take him for a day a few times, so that he gets used to it and realises that you do come back again.  You'll also feel better about how he will react and will be able to enjoy your holiday more, knowing he is ok.  A week isn't a long time, either.

I kennel regularly and I favour one establishment where my dog can't wait to get in but is also delighted when we pick him up. 

You must find a kennel that you like and that you also like the staff/owners and have a good feeling about, they differ hugely.  Get the right one and I'm sure your dog will be fine.  And good kennels quite often take dogs just for the day beforehand to get them used to their surroundings.

Another tip - book your dog in for a few days some time before you need to and pop back on the second day.  Sometimes the lovely pen they have put your dog in on the day you take him, is not the same pen he's in when you turn up unexpectedly the next day.  If you know what I mean. And then if you're not happy dispute the fee and remove him. Check, check, check then leave the dog and go and have a good holiday :)

CG

PS apologies to all you good kennel owners but I have had experience of not very good ones as well as extremely good ones.

anyone heard of petsathome . where someone comes to your house feeds the dog and takes her for walks . what do kennels charge per night . and do the sleep in pens outside as ive never been to one before.

If you've never been to one, why don't you give a few a call and just pop round?  Usually you can have a look during the day, when they say it's convenient.

Usually each dog has a small indoor area - concrete - with a bed, and then an outdoor concrete run. 

Kennels can be from about £10-18 per night, depending on where you live.

They are always cheaper than having a company come into your home. 

Different people prefer different things.  I know of people who like the security of knowing that their dog is locked up, away from other dogs and away from all harm while they are away, and that they wouldn't trust a stranger to follow their instructions exactly when they are out of the country.  While I know other people who say that they like the fact that their dog can stay in its familiar home with a familiar routine while they are away.  Horses for courses.

I've heard of Pets at Home, don't know anyone who has used them tho. We have used Animal Angels a few times, once whe we away for a week on hoilday and one last month when my brother got married. We didn't particulary like the lady who came but the dogs did :D and she did everything we told her to and the house was kept in perfect order. Last month we had a different lady who I spoke to quite alot before she came, it was only for a day and a night but she was great, and she even did my washing for me!
They are, about, 3 times as expensive as kennels(depends on now many dogs or other animals you have too) but it does mean the rountine is kept the same(good if you have a stressy dog like one of ours is) and someone is on your house(they can only leave it for a certain amoutn of time each day)
Our have never been in kennels, I think the younger 2 would be ok, not the older girl tho. I've worked in kennels and they can be very noisy and boring for the dogs, I know alot of kennels are excellent though, its just a case of having a good look around and if you find one youi like you could always put your dog in for half a day then an over night stay to get them used to it. Alot of dogs we had in settled in very quickly, dogs can be very adaptable but it totally didn't suit some character!
HTH :)

My boys went to kennels as puppies and they were fine, but I hated leaving them. Now we leave them with friends from the dog clubs, which is much better - for me anyway! :-D

Hi Adam

Regarding Pets At Home, quite a few of my clients have used them and have all been very pleased with the service.  I met a lady who works for that company a few years ago and she although she seemed a bit mad, she was mad in the nicest possible way, if that makes sense, and she absolutely adored dogs and cats.  I've heard good things about Animal Angels too.  I'm not sure exactly what these companies charge but I suspect they don't come cheap.

I'm always a bit wary when it comes to kennels.  It seems to me that the good ones are very, very good but there are a lot of dodgy kennels, and one can never be 100% sure which type is which.  Word of mouth is probably the best way to find a good kennel, so it's worth asking other owners, and if you decide a kennel is the best option make sure you book well in advance as the decent ones can be booked up months in advance.

Another option you might like to consider is a dog-sitter, i.e. someone to take your dog into their home.  We have a 15 month old whippet and last month we spent 3 weeks in Africa.  Before that holiday I hadn't been away for more than a week and he'd always stayed with a friend, so I was nervous about leaving him for so long.  My fears were completely unfounded as he had a ball and if I'm honest he probably didn't want to leave!  It wasn't ridiculously expensive either, I think we paid $15 (that should be pounds!) a day.  If you want to look into that option then your vet should be able to recommend local sitters.

Good luck, and have a great holiday.  I'm sure he'll be fine, and take it from me, it's the best feeling in the world when they greet you upon your return!

Mary-Caroline

Hi Adam.

A couple of points should you consider a pet sitter in YOUR home, or leaving your dog with a pet sitter in their home.

They have NO insurance as far as your dog is concerned, any vet bills will be your responsibility, the only insurance is third party and covers your home.

Do you mind strangers alone in your house while you are away?

Do you trust a stranger not to leave a door open and your dog escaping, from your house or theirs?

What happens if your dog escapes?

If the sitters have dogs, what happens if they dont get on with yours? will YOUR dog then be isolated and kept alone?

How do you feel about the possibility of your dog being left alone when they are out?
Dawn.

Dogs escape from kennels on occassion. Dogs can also be stolen from kennels from time to time too. I think the "what if"  apply to every scenario and accidents do happen. If you leave your dogs with anyone else, anything can happen in the same way it can happen when you are looking after your own animals :) It all comes down to which suits you and your dogs best. Personally, I would opt for kennels but I am very fussy which kennels I use :D

"Dogs can also be stolen from kennels from time to time too"
"Dogs escape from kennels on occassion"
Only if the security is crap!
Dawn.

There are many companies that arrange for people to stay in your house while you're away and mind your pets. I've used 'Minders Kepers' several times, and have no complaints at all. It's good to know that your house isn't left empty for burglars to be able to take their time, your dogs are in familiar surroundings and have their usual routine. It's not cheap (expect to pay about £30 per day) but if you have more than one dog it's on a par with kennels, pricewise. The company vets the sitters and has insurance.

We use pet pals to mind our dog while we go away for a week, he loves it because he stays with the man who also walks him while Im at work so its someone he has got a relationship with. Costs about £17 a day to be housed at their home.

I left one of my dogs in kennels and when I returned he couldnt bark as he had lost his voice through barking and stressing.  I didnt forgive myself for weeks and hence will never use kennels again.  (the kennels we used were excellent aswell, we had done several visits etc. 2 walks a day and a bath if got muddy, but they couldnt even get the lead on Billy as he was so upset. Billy was a rescue and I think it was just too much for him to go back into the kennel environment).  Maybe if you had two that could give each other moral support it would be better.

I used to put my girls in a very nice kennels in Scotty land...now they have their Pet Passports and come with us!!! They were always SSSSOOOOOOOOO well behaved when we picked them up...lasted all of 2 to 3 weeks!!! LOL Then back to normal naughty selves!!! :D All the best, Dawn

Yes, you will feel guilty we all do! (But we still need that holiday!!) What I have always done with a dog that has never been kenneled before, is take him/her for a couple of 1 day stays. Just to get them used to the enviroment and get used to the idea that they do get collected again.

As well as Pets At Home (where they come to walk and feed your dog - but I don't think that is a good idea for a long holiday as your dog is alone all night.) Some areas do actually have a service where they will take your dog to live with them in their home whilst you are holidaying.  So check out your area for that!

And lastly, don't feel too guilty, dogs really have no concept of time, you could be gone for a 2 weeks or a 2 days, it will all be the same to them. Although your dog will miss you, as long as he/she is fed, walked and cared for they will be fine, don't feel guilty........... even though I still do!

Go round to a few kennels.  Pop in unannounced and see if they'll show you around.  Kennels that make you have an app't sometimes have things to hide.  A good kennel will appreciate that you want to check them out whenever.  Ours invites visits all day except for a 2 hour slot through lunch (which is understandable).  When we were stuck at the last minute we were recommended them and went out on a bank holiday monday hoping to just see the property.  THey walked us from one end of the kennel block to the other.  The girls have been very happy there.  Not as ideal as being home, but they're a heck of a lot safer.  These kennels also do an introduction trial for free.  One afternoon, and then one overnight.

The girls haven't been kenneled since we got Teya, so in November (when we get some new windows put in the house) they're all going for 2 nights as an introduction for her so that when the time comes she'll have already been there and it won't be so strange.

If you're not going till next August then I'd suggest maybe a weekend or something in June or July.  But definitely go visit a few and see what you're comfortable with.  There are some great ones out there and some I wouldn't touch with a bargepole.

Wendy