Dutch Shepherd Forum

wahinelf wrote:SIXTEEN DOLLARS?!?! That is insane. What are your competitors prices?!

I pay about $50 a night at the kennel I take mine to, but thats after a 10% industry discount.

I could board her where I work but she gets NO socialization and she acts like a complete IDIOT!

Kennels are worth it - maybe pay half in advance so it feels less horrible handing over the plastic at the end of their stay?

We're are right in line with the industry standard. The only big difference is we don't charge extra for playtime and interaction in the yards. If dogs are social, I think they should get to socialize. If they aren't, then at least they can hang out with me for some time every day. If I charged for it, and someone didn't want to pay, then I would still do it because I think its fairest to the dog. Then I would feel like I was taking advantage of those who do pay for it. LOL. I guess if we added on for all the little extras I could bring the price up. But my clients are loyal... so its fine.

Holly Shit Christie!!! You could barely find a dog walker around here to walk a dog for an hour for $16!

I would go for the kennel if you trust them and have been happy with them. House sitting can be fine too but only if you trust that person's competence (maybe hire a pet sitter?).

I am back from my mini vacation and I did end up putting the dogs in that kennel (qimmiq). The lady that runs it offered to give Halo her booster shots (she is a vet tech also) and it actually saved me money, because I would have had to pay the "exam fee" of $75 at the vet plus the cost of the shots. Anyway, the dogs were great at the kennel, they were both filthy, which means they were outside playing a lot.
The kennel lady told me that Diesel ran around so much on the first day that his paws were sore by the end of the day! They were so tired when I picked them up so I know they were having fun. I am really glad I put them there, its worth it to know they were in good hands and that they were getting lots of activity.

There you go, you had fun, they had fun...its all good...except its bath time now, eh? Take some pics of that to post, will you?

Sugars Mom wrote:There you go, you had fun, they had fun...its all good...except its bath time now, eh? Take some pics of that to post, will you?

LOL, I bathed them as soon as they got home and I didn't take any pictures. I lured them into the bathroom with treats. Halo went first, she whined the whole time but was pretty tolerant. Diesel sat on the floor looking miserable knowing what was coming. But, he didn't put up a fight when it was time to get in the tub. He just hopped in knowing it was useless to resist.
They both get really hyper after a bath, Diesel in particular! Diesel just loves getting toweled off! Halo's fur is much thicker than Diesel so I had attempted to blow dry her once, but she was really upset by it so I don't bother any more. I will take pictures next time

Your bathing stories bring back so many memories...

I don't bathe Geyser in our bathroom, alas, since my landlords have this horrible cast iron tub in here (can you tell I HATE the frigging thing? ...just try getting into one of those with a new hip!), and they had it re-enameled, so they're super picky about nothing damaging the finish. So, for example, I can't even put down a non-skid rug thing in the bottom of the tub, so G won't slip all over. Needless to say, her nails would not be a good idea...

But, when I had my GSD, we had a normal fiberglass tub/shower thing, like freaking normal people . I'd have to bribe her into the tub, and tether her, but we'd get the job done. Then, I'd lay cotton blankets all over the bathroom floor, because as soon as she got out, there was water water everwhere, and it was a lot easier to wipe up the floor with the cotton blankets and toss them in the wash. Then, she'd race all over the house, much like your dogs...

With Geyser, I have to tether her outside to a fence, and that means summer weather, or take her to a do-it-yourself bath place, that costs like $15.

Mostly, I just wipe her down with a wet towel, and with these wash and wear dogs, done!