Can anyone recommend a good kennel or someone who takes in dogs whilst the owners are on holiday ? We have never had to put our pets in Kennels before, but our son & family are coming with us next year, so our TT who is now only 8 months old, but will then be over a year, will have to go into Kennels. Preferably not too far from Maidenhead. But, I am dreading it & would really like someone to come recommended. I have asked other dog walkers, but most seem to have relatives to 'do the honours'. any suggestions gratefully received.

is Maidenhead far from Reading? I have a good Kennel here in Reading, very reasonably priced and I also used to use one near to Benson in oxfordshire (don't know which is closer ) Let me know if either of these will be of any use and I will look up the details. :-)

Maidenhead is approx 1/2 hr away from Reading.
Reading will be closer to Maidenhead than Benson.

Maidenhead is only 10 miles from Reading . Please could you PM me the details.

Thanks

Diane

What kennel would you recommend in Reading?

Hi, Their contact is cosy kennel there is a map on the website, but it is off Oxford Rd in reading, quite easy to find. I used them once beg Sept and they were fantastic with my boy. I can tell this as he would usually be hoarse through barking himself silly with me not being around :rolleyes:  but he wasn't and he had eaten etc. Can't remember prices exactly but the kennels are heated etc and they have some lovely parrots behind the counter too :-D

their phone number is: 0118 9431500

And they breed Westies???  Sorry I wouldn't ......... :(

so people arn't allowed to breed dogs because they are a kennels what a very strange attitude. Personally I had no problem with the place, and would be happy to send my boy back there any time :-D

Feel free. :(

Because they breed? Or because it's Westies? Or because you know something else? Don't live there so wouldn't be using a kennels in Reading, just curious. I always find difficulty in deciding on a kennels anyway, not sure how to choose them... have stuck with the last one I found because it's the first time I've put my gsp in for a couple of days and he hasn't dropped weight like nobody's business (last kennels he lost 3kg in 4 days... I don't like counting his ribs).

Or because you know something else?

Yes :( But each to their own. :) 
Having run a grooming parlour in Berkshire for nearly 20 years, I know about all the dog services in the area, many on a personal level.

so can you please fill me in by pm Val as to what the problem is, cos if it is that bad then I would like to know

From your reply to my previous post, we'll leave it at that - I wouldn't. :)

From the looks of the website they breed jack russels.
But Oxford Rd isn't the nicest area of Reading ;)

If I lived near this kennel I personally wouldn't use for a couple of reasons. One is I don't like to see boarding kennels using sawdust and hay, they're great for your own kennels but I like to see boarding kennels using vetbed and with clear floors so you know it's clean. 2nd and more important the exercise part... they say they will put your dog out to play on its own or with others if they're getting along - and check them regularly! This just scares me, no dog should be left with a strange dog even for a moment, even if they are getting along. I would want to know my dog was secure (no riverside walkies), and would not have the opportunity to bite or be bitten by another dog.

Well done chaumsong, and that's just from the website without knowing the people! :(

Diane is there any chance that your dog's breeder would take them back?  Just a thought. :)  Or maybe contact the person who took your puppy training class for a recommendation in your area?

I don't think so Val, she lives in Kent & hasn't been very well lately. That is what I would prefer!

Just a thought! :)

What about Ryslip kennels?
They are Near Maidenhead (Church Lane, Binfield, Nr Bracknell)
They do shipping of peoples pets overseas etc.
I'm sure they do boarding of dogs & cats.
The owner is Liz Cartledge (Int Ch show judge and well respected)

They do have a website http://www.ryslip.com

Thanks Box (??) I will check them out & have a look at their website. do you know anyone who has used them?

Good to have suggestions & we will start visiting after christmas.

Thanks again
Diane

If I were you I would go through the yellow pages and make a list of kennels to visit in your area. Before you visit you have to decide what is important to you as different people have different things they look for in a kennel. Personally I look for a big kennel with seperate run that the dog has access to all day. As you have a small breed this probably won't be important to you, you'll probably want to find one that has heating on 24 hours. I want a kennel that doesn't smell (even of bleach), that has piles of clean vetbed in reception and every inmate has bedding. I've worked in two kennels were the owners would bring beds which were promptly put away to stay clean and put back in the kennel the day they were being collected :rolleyes:  I also would never choose a kennel were they walk the dogs, I'd be too worried about my dog somehow getting out it's lead and running away, although they are well behaved with me I couldn't guarantee they wouldn't run away from a stranger. Other people like the idea of their dogs getting out for daily walk so it is really down to you. Also check that every dog has water as I also know a kennel where they restrict the dogs access to water - to keep the kennels cleaner

Having run a quarantine kennel/boarding kennel, I agree with you Chaumsong.  Clean, roomy, heated kennel with attached covered run - no walks for security.  And I would also expect lots of dog experience so that the owners would know if my dog needed the Vet.  I would also want the dogs fed in the morning even if it wasn't their usual routine time and with their usual food, so that the staff could watch the dogs and not come in to a dead dog with bloat in the morning as many feed in the afternoon before the staff go home.
The kennel that I use in Swindon suits me fine.  The owner puts the dogs 'to bed' at 10pm with a biscuit, which is what most pet dogs are used to, not like most kennels who shut the dogs in at 4pm when the staff go home and expect them to last until 8am the following morning before they are let out again! :(  No wonder they come out smelling of pee. :(
Another kennel I know uses 14 year old school children to walk the dogs on the common - you can imagine the results! :(

Hope that helps a little with your search Diane. :D

Thanks Val. Could you send me the website of the one in Swindon ? I can see it is a minefield! we will spend some time going around & inspecting after christmas.

Diane

> I would also want the dogs fed in the morning even if it wasn't their usual routine time and with their usual food, so that the staff could watch the dogs and not come in to a dead dog with bloat in the morning

Excellent point. The idea of my dogs getting bloat in kennels (gsp and fcr.. not impossible) is a BIG worry of mine if I ever leave them (in fact it could possibly go under the 'phobias' post - it would be such an unpleasant way to go), and I never thought of the kennels feeding in the morning - I presume you mean just feeding once a day in the morning?

TBH I didn't look at the link to this particular kennels - I was just curious as to whether you knew something about them from the way your post was worded -  and I have never thought to ask at kennels if my dogs would be put with strange dogs at all (it didn't occur to me that anyone would be imbecile enough to put strange dogs together when they had experience of running a kennels :rolleyes: - and I thought I was a cynic!). I did see round the kennels, and the enclosed area the dogs were exercised in, and from talking to the woman about her dogs etc she seemed fairly on the ball. But now I've been given some ideas about what to ask/ look for over and above that. Thanks :)

PS Sorry DianeSolo, didn't mean to hijack your thread.

Bloat is not uncommon in boarding kennels because they tend to NOT feed the food that the dog is used to but for quickness feed the same to all of the dogs, normally the cheapest complete food, often with flaked sort. :( .  And they tend to clean out in the morning and feed after lunch, the staff finishing at about 4pm.  But of course, to find a dog dead in the morning with bloat is 'just one of those things'! :(

from the way your post was worded
Exactly.  Sometimes what is NOT said is what is relevant and you have to read between the lines. ;)

When kennels tell you that they exercise dogs in paddocks individually, just take a minute to work out the sums.  If they have 60 dogs in and 1 exercise run, how long would each dog have in a 7 hour working day?  7 minutes per day???  They don't do it.  You're better off with a reasonable sized kennel with covered attached run and be safe and secure. :)

I did animal care at college and one of our modules was kennel / cattery management, we visited quite a few kennels who all said about feeding in the morning due to bloat.  My friend used to put her dogs in kennels and during the day all of the kennel doors were left open so the dogs could go in and out and play together - you only need one territorial dog to guard his bed and water bowl

>the staff finishing at about 4pm.
>a 7 hour working day

What? Are you seriously telling me that there's nobody on duty 24/7? Are the dogs not checked at least once an hour during the hours of daylight? What about dogs which need medication at 12-hour or 8-hour (very common for ABs or anti-convulsants) intervals?

In most boarding kennels the staff go home at 4pm after starting work at 8am.  The licence says that there has to be a responsible adult on site.  So if the owner is in their house, 1/4 mile up the drive, then that is within the licence.  A dog may or may not get the medication that it needs at the prescribed time, depending on the conscience of the owner.  And it varies dramatically. :(

The other thing to be aware of is that most kennel owners pay peanuts and get monkeys for staff.  Often the owner may well be experienced but will delegate to less able staff then that is the quality of care that the dogs will get.    Just like buying a puppy from a reputable breeder is easy for those of us who understand the dog world and very difficult for those who don't, then the boarding kennel world is another mine field.  And quarantine?  Well!! :(   It's the only job in my life that I've ever walked out on - and with a mortgage, daughter etc and no other income - because of the conditions. :(

The answer is if you have a good boarding kennel, then hang on to them. :)

>if the owner is in their house, 1/4 mile up the drive, then that is within the licence.

What you describe just convinces me even more that my dogs will never go into boarding kennels. That's appalling.

I don't think I could put my two in kennels either, although I never found it a problem with my cat.

There are kennels and kennels JG :)   At my local kennels the owners house is yards away, she is a qualified veterinary nurse so will understand the need for regular medication but I think most kennel owners would, otherwise they could be dealing with a very poorly dog by the time the owner returns, generally at least a week later :)  They do have to restrict the coming and goings from these kennels during the evening due to their licensing but they are open to the public up to 6pm so certainly have staff right there up till then.  Personal recommendations are obviously the way to go though.

ive never had a problem leaving my cats in a cattery but then I suppose cats are quite self sufficient as long as they have food and water, and eachother to antagonise !!!  the dogs on the other hand go to a friend who is a dog sitter and looks after them in her own home, she is very experienced (she fosters rescue great danes ) and the boys usually have their own room with a sofa and tv - plus loads of land to run around on without the need for going for walks and getting lost

I have no problems with my kennels. They will feed twice a day if required and any food - if they don't stock it, they will feed whatever you provide. The dogs are walked in a large field near the kennels either individually or in pairs - depending on the dogs. The staff are on site until 6pm and the owner lives on site, close to the kennels (part of a farm, where there is also an equine veterinary surgery). My daughter used to work there at weekends and I know the manager. They have a very professional approach to the care of the dogs and I have no qualms about leaving my dogs there :)

Daisy

There are some good ones around. :)  I'm lucky with mine too.

> Bloat is not uncommon in boarding kennels

That's what I suspected :( Stress, change of routine (and change of diet - my dogs have rarely been in kennels; when they have I've taken their own food in, but if it doesn't get fed....) My dogs hardly ever go in kennels - they come on holiday with me, kennels is for the unavoidable odd few days. Have to say, the kennels I've used recently is quite small, owner run (never seen any other staff) and house is practically on top of kennels (although obviously doesn't guarantee that dogs get checked). But unless you have actually worked there and know the people personally, you can't really guarantee that...

I have to say I would much rather (personally) use a well run kennels that have a friend look after my dog. (Just a warning really..) For one thing, an experienced kennel staff will be more likely to spot an ill dog than a pet owning friend. For another... I used to have a friend look after my dog with theirs. They lived down the street from my mother and I was at a party at my mother's - and suddenly my dog appeared in the middle of it There is a path down the back of the houses where people walk dogs - but he appeared from the ROAD side of the house - off lead... Fortunately in one piece, or they wouldn't have been friends for long.... we're still friends, I just don't trust them with my dogs ;) I have 'doggy' friends that know what they're doing and I would trust with my dogs - but they wouldn't have space with their own :D And the f/cs breeder said she'd have him to stay (kenneled, not in the house) but I don't know if that includes his gsp friend ;)

Other thing I do in kennels is leave a contact number in case of any problems (and it's the only time I carry my mobile ;) ). I suppose it depends on the kennels if they would bother - but it reassures me to think that no calls = dogs alive & OK. And if there was a problem I could say what I wanted doing and head straight back...

I have had so many offers of friends to look after my boys - everyone loves them, but no one realises how much hard work they are and I just wouldnt trust anyone else with them, its too easy for them to escape, or have a fight with another dog, there are only actually two other people I trust with my boys - my friend who is a pet sitter and my mum :p

I can recommend somebody in West Oxon which maybe a bit far away but it is a small farm and they only have a few dogs at a time :)

They are also walked twice a day but have free run always supervised in ten acres on secure land :)

There are horses, goats, chickens and they have two dogs of their own :)

They have to meet you and your dog before they say they will have them as they make sure that the dog will fit in and also will not scare or chase any of the resident animals.

They are also let in the house in the evenings and there is normally a fight ( a nice one ) to get pride of place in front of the open fire :D

It is home from home really and we often have difficulties getting the girls to come home with us :rolleyes: :D

Thank you all for your tips & could you let me have details of the one in W Oxon, although not too sure about running free in 10 acres.Coco does like other dogs, although at the moment his exuberant attention is often rebuffed!!