We are going away for the first time (6 days )since we have had our dog and we are having to put our 14mth old Springer into kennels. We had hoped our daughter would be able to look after her but her work commitments now mean she cant  Any advice on this subject as i  am at home all day and she has been with me nearly every day for the last 12 months so  this could be a worrying time for Us and Molly -thanks

Hi,

Have you had a good look round the kennels so that you know that she is going to be in good hands? If you have and you are happy then this should help to put you at ease ;)

I always used to look round the kennels before I booked my dog in and made sure that I was happy with the staff and the surroundings and that they were happy to feed the same diet etc. Honestly, you will be amazed, dogs are such resilient creatures that within a few hours or days they settle very well and when you get back you will wonder what the fuss was about :)

I had to put my rescue GSD in kennels last year and was worried sick about her incase she thought that she had been abandoned again, thankfully, she was fine and didn't want to come home, I was quite jealous of all the love and fuss she made of the kennel owner who treated her as if she was her own

My 2 dogs are with me 24/7 also, but believe me, they do survive without you, even though I sometimes think we like to believe that they cant. She'll be fine, try not to worry :)

Thanks yes i know the owner of the kennels and we have visited. ITS also the local rescue centre
we have done sponserd walks for them in the past. I guess its the big sad eyes that makes it difficult ,still i expext its always difficult the first time. 

Well she couldn't be in better hands then :)

>>I guess its the big sad eyes that makes it difficult<<  

I would advise not looking back otherwise your eyes will be sadder than hers. :D I hate goodbyes, even for a short trip to the shops :) 

Please make sure the rescue dogs are AWAY from the boarders, this is the law and stray dogs can carry a much higher risk of disease incubation and contamination than pet dogs.  By law ALL rescue/stray dogs should be cared for by seperate staff and should be housed and exercised in seperate areas.

Have a great holiday, I am sure your dog will be fine, a young age and an outgoing breed, should be no problem for him/her!
Dawn.

You have def done the right thing by checking out the kennels first.

I worked in a very busy boarding/breeding kennels for six years and we always recommended to people that they came and met us and looked round the kennels before they book anything.  We very rarely had a problem with a dog on it's first visit. Some of our regular dogs would run out of the car, and into the first available kennel, never giving their owners a second look!  Most places don't mind if you give them a quick ring, just to check on the dog, particularly if it's the first time you have left them. You've done it all right and as long as you are happy with the kennels, there should be no problem.

From Alistairthurley's post,  he/she is aware of the set up regarding kennels especially being on such familiar terms with them. The problem that AH has, is separation from Molly, not worry over the Boarding Kennels :)

Thanks for the comments, we waited 20 years before getting our dog as we have always worked.We waited till one of us was home before we got one and what in the past has been a simple act of going away has now created a worry. Our dog is very outgoing and friendly just wanted to know from others that she would not be too stressed by the experiance.     

I would suggest you put your dog in for one night beforehand if possible as a gradual introduction.

We had the same problem with our two shih-tzus. We bought two so they had company should we ever have to board them.  It made no difference to us when they first went in to kennels we were still worried stiff they would be ok. I think the answer is as others have said. You have to vet the kennels and feel happy with them. We have just been away and our two have just come home from the kennels. Yes I like to think they missed us, but they were happy as was all the  other dogs there and now we are home they have settled back into their routine as if they have never been away. I am sure we will go through all the worrying if they have to go in again.  Enjoy   your holiday and try not to worry.
                                                                                                                                    maggie

Just dropped her off, so much for love !, went off with the kennel master like he was her new best friend. He was taking her on a 20 min walk first to get used to him and the place,  so don't feel so bad at the moment thanks for all the tips , now i might start getting ready for a 4 am plane trip now.