Dear All

I live in the Essex area of England and will be taking 2 weeks holiday this September.  Our gorgeous male dobermann, will be just under 10 months old by then but already the thought of leaving him for the first time like that is worrying me - and I just don't want to leave him in kennels as he hates being shut in small spaces.  I am unsure about the idea of dog sitters in the house either, but want him to be comfortable, well loved and looked after in a home-like atmosphere.  Can anyone recommend anywhere/anyone we can make enquiries to, as we are going to start to look into this now, and would prefer someone who is familiar with dobermanns.  Thanks very much for any help its very appreciated. 

Mandy

Mandy, just a word of reassurance about kennels.  My sister has an 8 month dobie, who is going to kennels for the first time next week.  Like your dog, she isn't too keen on being left on her own, but she went for a trial weekend at the kennels and absoultely loved it!  Maybe if you just see how your boy gets on for a few days he might be ok.  They are surrounded by other dogs and get lots of walks if it's a good kennels, which there are plenty of.
Good luck :)

Hi Rachel,

Thanks so much for reassuring me.  I think wherever we decide to take him we will have to have a trial session and also for his peace of mind too as it will reassure him we are coming back for him and he will be taken back home afterwards.   I think being surrounded by other dogs will also be a help as a small distraction to him too, to stop him worrying.  I do feel guilty leaving him though, but then I guess I am a "new mum" and have the usual worries with that one and will have to just overcome that.  It does help though when you hear about someone else with the same dog breed having got on well.  Thanks again!

Hi Mandy

You will worry more than your boy :)  Most dogs like small places - mine like cardboard boxes if they can squeeze themselves into them.

Kennels are the most secure places to leave your dogs - if they get off lead exercise it is in a well fenced area and they have plenty of stimulation with the other dogs around.

Hi Christine

I have a lot going on with my dobe at the moment....! :D

The main reason I worry I suppose is because he had the whole of our conservatory when we first got him and we used a baby-gate on the door from there to the house, and at night he just went crazy trying to get through the bars of the gate.  Like a lot of young dogs I suppose he hated being shut in one room and when we opened up the downstairs to him for free roaming once he was toilet trained, he settled down instantly.  We tried the baby gate a couple of months later to see if we could leave him in one room while, say, I ironed, but he went crazy again (mainly crying and ramming/mouthing the gate).  I don't know if its because he knew I was in another room and he wanted to get to me, or whether he just hated being confined.  (He has never used a crate when he was little and he now sleeps in an open room on his bed).  So with kennels that was my only worry if he was in a cage-type set up - however large it was - as it upset him so much when he was little.  But then as I said I guess I am a paranoid new mum!!! :D :D  (And talking about small spaces he does actually curl up in a corner behind the armchair I sit on sometimes - so I guess you don't know before you try!)

Hmmmm - on reflection seems I already succumming to being "owned" by my dobe!!! LOL!

Why not look for someone who does home boarding - a dog minder who looks after dogs in their own home, not yours?

My dobe hates to be seperated from us -if we are in the house he goes mad to get to us but when I go to work he settles down in the kitchen - he also goes into kennels when we go away and he is fine with it , My advise would be to visit as many kennels as you can -you will *know* when its the right one  .
But make the most of your holiday -if he's 10 months now , he's gonna run you ragged  for the next 2 years ;) :D

Yes, Dobes are the biggest babies when it comes to being shut away from their people...the biggest babies. They are so velcro that they're sure they'll die if they're not close to you. LOL. I haven't left Lyric yet with anyone, so I don't know how that will go.

I've had a house sitter for my other dogs when I had to go away for a week, but I took big Doberbaby with me. I guess I really prefer a house sitter that I trust and know well because my Chihuahuas are big babies too, but they loved the gal who stayed here and they still had their familiar place. My Lab couldn't care less if I am gone. She's so independent.

When we go away this year we are leaving Abby with our dog trainer she doesnt like sleeping on her own so Caroline is going to have her sleep in the spare room with her, She is also going to continue with her training while I am gone. I cant think of anyone else I would trust with her for two weeks. I am in Herts if thats not to far I can give you her no. she may be able to help you or know someone who can.
Mary

I suppose I'm lucky, I have a great group of friends who look after my dogs, I either take them to my friends or occ. one of my non-doggy friends stays at my house and looks after them!!

Is there no-one who you could ask to look after yours?

I'm sure he'll be OK no matter what though, it is a good idea though to let them do a weekend at the kennels beforehand.

Hi Mandy

I'm in the exact same situation as you, as I'm going away for two weekends this year (Glastonbury and wedding) and can't take Cam.

I did consider a pet sitter, but decided against it on the basis that I wouldn't feel comfortable letting him/her give Cam off lead exercise - and he'd go nuts without it. So, I asked around for kennel recommendations, and found one which came very highly recommended (and several which didn't, so I think you're doing the right thing researching this early!). They offer a free day trial, and suggest that you bring your dogs for walks etc in the grounds in order to get them used to the place. They also suggest you bring your pooch into the grooming parlour etc, to meet the staff and get fussed.

I really hate the idea of leaving Cam, so I know what you're going through. However, he's a happy chappie so I'm hoping he settles in ok. We've booked him loads of 'extras' like free play and grooming etc, so he'll have a lot of interaction with the staff throughout the day.

It's a crazy place actually - you can book your dog a telly, radio, videos, and there's a swimming pool and vets on site. I wouldn't mind staying there myself!

Good luck

Jo :)

Thanks to everyone for all your suggestions and reassurances! (I read my message back and I sound like a real neurotic mother!! LOL)  I suppose I am really but then he is my (BIG) baby!  Carrie is so right and as so many others have said before - dobes certainly are velcro dogs, but I don't think we would have it any other way, would we!! :D

We will do some more researching for kennels and I am sure you are right in that we will *know* when we have found the right one for us. 

The tone of all these messages is very positive so I'm sure this has made you feel a bit more relaxed about using kennels, but don't forget, there are bad ones!  I've heard so many horror stories.  We've just been abroad for a week, leaving Alfie for the first time, and I was adamant I didn't want to use kennels.  We found someone who looks after dogs in her own home so we had a few trial sessions and it worked out really well.  Luckily we found her through a friend but have a look at the National Association of Pet Sitters (www.dogsit.com).  They list by area although you do have to pay a fee to get the list.  Good luck.

Forgot to ask, whereabouts in Essex are you?
We're in Essex too, so maybe you could meet the lady we use?