Boarding?

okiron

So, we are probably taking a trip at the end of the month and we're trying to figure out what we're going to do about the animals. The cats, rabbit and snake are easy, we can have a neighbor's kid come in once a day for food and water but now that we have a puppy, we're a bit stumped. We can't take him with us, it's going to be a "should we move here" trip so we'd be spending most of the time checking out housing, employment, other stuff where dogs wont be allowed.

Should we board him at the vets? Should we find a petsitter on Craigslist that would be willing to board? Leave him tied to a NKF member's front door?

tjbart17

Ha ha ha Rina that last one would work, but NKF members would probably not give him back. How old will he be first? Will he have all of his shots?

okiron

Well he'd be about 16 weeks so he would have just gotten his rabies shot so yeah UTD.

tjbart17

I would board him then. Ask your vet for recommendations, check out sites like yelp etc. to get reviews, and visit all of them to see if they have a "puppy room" just in case older dogs get annoyed with your cute little bundle of joy and energy.

I would board him rather than crate him at a vet's office. It's a good experience to be with other dogs. Just my opinion.....

Nekopan

If you board him at the vet's, make sure to provide your own food. Otherwise they'll just feed crappy Science Diet or whatever brand they try to push there.

okiron

We would provide our own food regardless lol. He'll already be stressed with us leaving him, no need to change his diet as well.

shibamistress

I think boarding him is the best bet, and is probably good practice anyway, because he'll get used to it....good in case you have to do it in the future.

There are places, like Tara said, that have puppy rooms and play as part of the boarding. I don't do that myself--I just found a good kennel that has nice clean indoor runs, because my Shibas don't do "play groups." *lol* I like the kennel I go to; they are nothing fancy, but clean, and kind to the dogs, and they have a very stable employee base (same kennel people for years) so I figure they must be doing something right.

dlroberts

I'm trying to figure this out myself right now. Because I'm new to the area, I don't have friends I trust to watch the dogs for me. Also, I have a 7 month old intact dog so most daycare/boarding places won't take him.

I'm considering boarding them at the vet. I'm also looking for kennel facilities. Lastly, I'm considering building some indoor kennels and hiring a pet sitter to come 3-4 times a day.

With 3 dogs, cost is something to consider. It is cheaper to have a pet sitter come 3 times a day than to board them (ignoring the cost of building the kennels). But that also means they will be kenneled in the house all but 1:30 each day. I don't want them to get in the habbit of pottying in the house. I'd rather they learn to potty in a strange kennel environment.

None of the options are ideal. But all will work, especially if it is only for a few days.

tjbart17

Dave you can send your intact male to my house anytime!!!! But you might not get him back. Muahahahahaha

dlroberts

LOL. Something tells me if he's going anywhere, Brad and Jen might call dibs. ;-)

tjbart17

Dang I tried lol

sjp051993

You can send him to me.

tjbart17

Unaltered Tyson and Tora. Bow chicka wow wow!!!! lol

ShikokuSpirit

Call me .

sunyata

From the couple of times that I have had to board my dogs, I used my vet's office. They have wonderful staff and take personal time with the dogs. They will also let doggie sisters/brothers play together (but will not board them in the same kennel for safety's sake).

Dave, if I lived a little bit closer, I would totally doggie sit for you! But Lucy may end up finding her way to VA! Haha.