Boarding kennels for a puppy

[essayer]

Me and OH have been planning on getting a dog for a while. We've got our eye on a few puppies (steady now) and one has come up locally, approx 13wks and with all vaccinations.

We have an overnight trip away soon and a weekend break booked in July, unfortunately can't take the doggy to either and so kennels would be our only option.

I am of the view this is a bad idea, given the young age, but then again, maybe it does them good to get accustomed to different places ..

The OH is of course "seen it, want it NOW" which is a separate can of worms, but opinions on this subject would be appreciated.

[bexVN]

Try dog sitters instead, kennels is not your only option

[vixen1700]

We use Petpals when we go away, rather than use some sort of cat boarders, and can't recommend them highly enough. No stress on the cats and a great service.

http://www.petpals.com/

[Mobile Chicane]

Friends use 'Barking Mad' for their viszla and are very pleased with the service. Dogs are boarded in a home environment, typically by people who have dogs of their own.

[Jasandjules]

bexVN said:

Try dog sitters instead, kennels is not your only option

This.

Far better for the dogs IMHO.

[66comanche]

Jasandjules said:

bexVN said:

Try dog sitters instead, kennels is not your only option

This.

Far better for the dogs IMHO.

Another +1 for this, world of difference - putting a pup that young into kennels is tantamount to cruelty IMHO so either wait and get a different puppy after your breaks, or find a good dog sitter who can carry on the good work with socialisation, training etc.

[welshjohn]

When our doberman was a pup we had to leave her in kennels for a few days.The kennel owner put her in with a lab puppy.She had a whale of a time as well

[essayer]

Well we have taken the plunge and will pick up new pup on Monday
She will stay with someone overnight when we go away next month.
She is an 8wk labradoodle cross and after visiting the breeder we've seen how lovingly the litter has been raised up so far. Pics to follow

I realise now they are too little for kennels, but have found a few places locally that do dog sitting or "day visits" so if we are called away unexpectedly then we do indeed have another option!

Edited by essayer on Thursday 28th June 15:09