Hi,
I have a 20 wk cocker pup called Jess.  My mother has her litter sister Abbie.  My husband has booked a long weekend in Barcelona for our 10th wedding anniversary on the 22nd January. He booked this trip in August before we had the puppy.  My only option is to board the puppy while we're away as Jess and Abbie continually fight when on each others territory. They are ok when we're out for a walk together though but my mum can't have Jess at her house for this reason.  I'm absolutely gutted and am so worried about putting her in the kennels.  I have looked at their website and intend to go and have a look around there first but I don't think I will have a very good time cos I'll be constantly worrying about Jess.  She is quite a nervous puppy too.  Do you think she will be ok to board for 4 days?  Is she still too young to be put in kennels?  I am going out of my mind with worry about what to do
Please please reply and let me know your opinions out there.  She could have stayed with my mum in law but they have a 10 yr old ESS and she does not like puppies in her house at all.

Thanks a lot
Very worried Linda

I had to go away to attend an exhibition for a few days when my pup was nearly five months old.  I didn't like the idea of kennels and found a pet sitter who looked after him in her home.   I did worry but he was absolutely fine.  He had his own bed and toys and was, I suspect, thoroughly spoiled.  I wouldn't hesitate if I needed to go away again.
regards Jenny

Forgot to mention that I found the petsitter through my vet. So if you do decide to look for an alternative to a kennel you could ask your vet.

Hi Linda
As long as you find yourself (well, your puppy!) a good kennels, she'll be fine. Try & find one from a friend's recommendation & make sure you have a good look round it yourself before you book her in. Find a kennels that has a quiet area - the one we use has an area away from the main kennels for oldies & nervous dogs, so that it's not too much of a culture shock for her! At that time of year, kenels probably won't be too busy anyway. It will be good experience for her because there could well be times in the future when you have to leave her. Find a good kennels & go & enjoy yourself!

I'm sure she'll be fine.

Nobody likes putting their dog in kennels, but sometimes you have to & at her age, it's the best age to start.

She'll accept it better than if she were to go in as an older dog for the first time.

A baby cocker - my guess is, she'll spend as much time out of her kennel (having cuddles) as she does in it!

Thank you all so much for your reassurances.  We are going to look round the kennels in the morning.  my mothers auntie has boarded her westie here twice a year for last 2 years and she says they are marvellous with the dogs. They also walk them twice a day and they have a huge excercise yard where they are let out at least 5 or 6 times a day for free excercise.
As you say, she might have to go in again in the future, so perhaps better to start young.  It will only be for 4 days but the best part of the weekend for me will be going to pick her up!!!!  lol.

Once again, thanks a lot, I feel so much better already
xxxxxxxxxx
a calmer Linda

I've worked in boarding kennels & although all the dogs get lots of attention, the babies always get a little extra TLC.