Hi
I have to put my girlie, Macey (GSD) into boarding kennels for 3 nights while I am away, unfortunately There's no one that can look after her for me.
As I have never had to do this before, I didn't know what to expect, I went to the kennels today to check before booking, the young girl I spoke to seemed really nice, seemed to care about the dogs and had been working there over a year. She showed me around, let me see all the dogs and explained the routine.
I've never seen boarding kennels before so I have nothing to compare, every where was clean and no nasty smells or anything, but it just looked like dogs in small kennels, as the RSPCA would have them I spose. They did have small runs at the back but not much.
They had an enclosed run to excercise the dogs which she said they do seperately, but only twice a day for 10 to 15 mins, so I assume for the rest of the 23 and a half hours they are in the kennels and just left. Also the barking as we went through was very loud which I expected, but Macey is used to people and children and the hustle and bustle of a family round her, she doesn't bark much  herself and I fear all the noise may freak her out, she is fine with small dogs but a bit wary of big ones her own size. I said all this to the girl and she said she could put Macey in the isloation block where they keep older dogs or dogs with dietry needs, this block only contained 3 kennels, and I would definately be happier with her in there.
My macey is with me 24/7 and I feel as if I shouldn't be going even though it's only 3 nights, she is only 15 months and I feel very protective towards her, like I do my children, I think she'll be so lonely and confused and I'm really feeling guilty, are all kennels roughly the same, I cant check any others out as they are all booked at this short notice, I've asked around my neighbours but they cant reccomend any as they haven't used any.
Any ones advice or experiences would be much appreciated, as I said before, I haven't had to use them before so maybe what I have described is how they usually are.

many thanks.

We have got to leave our Dobe when we are away on holiday - I left him for a night in June and he stayed with someone at their home.  If you go onto the internet and look for petsitters there are lots of these type of people.  The one I am using for my main holiday is on a register "National Association Registered Petminders".  I live in the South East area, but I am sure they must operate in all areas.  I have been to visit the lady my dobe is staying with but he will live in their home for 2 weeks.

http://www.dogsit.com

You didn't say whereabouts you are - maybe someone can recommend a good one.
I've found the difference between kennels is incredible - ranging form very very bad to very good. I think the barking goes on at all of them  - it's just that when one starts they all start and then it becomes a competition to see who has the loudest voice (mine probably wins).

You may be surprised at how yours copes with it. We have a really good one that our dog goes to regularly and he's always fine there - seems to enjoy it. They exercise the dogs together so he always makes lots of new friends.

Don't feel too guilty - three nights isn't very long and it will be a good test to see how she gets on.

You should of checked out several kennels BEFORE making your decision, there was a thread on this not so long back (do a search to find).  The kennels seem ok to me, however you are NOT supposed to board healthy animals in the isolation block, because it is for isolation and sick/contagious animals ONLY. I certainly would NOT want a dog of mine isolated the entire duration of its stay, as you say she is a sociable animal that likes company, so being with the other dogs and people around all day would be much better.
Dawn.

Thanks for advice to everyone.

I live on the Isle of Wight and there seems limited choice.
The isolation block at these kennels IS NOT for sick animals, as I said in my post, at these kennels it was for older dogs, or dogs with special diets, the kennels did not take in sick animals.
ALL the other kennels on the island were fully booked at this short notice, so it wasn't a case of checking them out before hand, I wouldn't dream of just taking my dog to kennels without going there and checking them first which is precisiely why I came on here to ask opinions after checking the place out.

dont worry too much, we run a small boarding kennel and we often get dogs in who's owners feel guilty about going away, we try to make their stay as comfy and stress free as possible by getting the owners to bring as many of the dogs toys, blankets, possessions etc with them as possible, so that they feel more at home. hope you manage to find a nice kennel, make sure you pick one who has the dogs welfare as priority!

Yeah Russett, but I bet your isolation block isn't for old dogs though!! :D

Sorry Tashina, if the kennel is using isolation for anything other than that they are breaking the law!  Taking you for a ride because you don't know any different, maybe even over booking, which is why all the others are fully booked, and these had space.....in the isolation block! think about it. NO kennel will knowingly take in a sick dog, but dogs get sick at any time, thats what isolation is for, to protect the others!  I've done this for 12yrs, you get to know what some people will do in order to make money.
Dawn.