I have 2 cockers (both bitches aged 3 and 6 months). We are hoping to go on holiday in the Summer. Up to now we have been lucky and my parents have had them when we have been away - we can no longer do this now. We are beginning to look round at kennels. We are going to put them in for an odd night or two before we leave them for a whole week just so that they can get use to it. We have been recommended 2 local kennels and we are planning to visit them in the near future.

This is where you come in - what questions should we ask when we visit them and what should we be looking for?

Thank you for your help in advance.

Cocker guest!!!

Hi.
Recommendation is always the best way to go. As the manageress of a boarding kennels we welcome any "viewing" during our opening hours without appointment. See if they ask you questions about your dog, we ask as much as we can, anything and everything about pets to help us look after them. Kennels should not smell, bedding should be clean/dry. Check exercise areas to make sure they are secure. Make a note of the vaccination requirements and ask if they insist on seeing proof. NEVER leave your dog to be taken to its kennel, YOU take your dog and collect him/her from there when you return. Most of all see that the kennels are clean and the dogs in their care appear happy.
Hope this helps.
Dawn.

Hi Fellow "Cocker" person

I support everything Dawn has said. I would also add, as you have Cockers, check on their ability to groom your dog. You'd be surprisd at the number of Kennels that DON'T routinely groom the dogs. If you have along haired breed like ours then you could come back to a disaster. We did last year and that was after being re-assured that she new what she was doing.

Your girls will be at the stage when they are likely to have lots of puppy fluff. If they're not groomed thoroughly every day, then by the time you get back they will be one big ball of matted fur.

Some kennels charge extra for daily grooming especially of long-haired breeds.

Not trying to put you off - but just to give you something to check on very carefully.

Good luck, I hope you find somewhere that you are happy with. It is a very hard thing to do.

Pam n the boys

I forgot to mention book VERY early. Good kennels get full quickly.
Dawn.

Alwasy take note too, of how the dogs are when you maybe take them back again ...I worked in kennels for a while, quite good ones, but although the female owner was great with the dogs her husband was quite different. He only liked greyhounds!

A lady left a shy Goldie with the kennels, and I caught the man shoving a broom aggressivley through the bars of the kennel door at him. The dog was scared of men and the man had already been told this.

When the owner collected her dog, she asked how he had been, and the man told her "Oh, he loved it, he was fine". The dog had in fact hated it!

Also some of the kennel maids i worked with had a great idea of hosing the dogs on a hot day, or course this terrified some dogs as they could not escape from the hose.

I know there are some fabulous kennels out there, but what i am trying to say is, don't always accept what you are told, go by gut instinct and your dogs reactions too! I am sure you will find a lovely kennel for your Cockers.

LIndsay