Dutch Shepherd Forum

I'm not really sure what to do...

I am going to Ontario for a few days to visit family. My husband will be away for work by coincidence on the exact days I will be gone. I am torn about what to do with the dogs.
We have a nice kennel here in Yellowknife that will give them lots of activity and socialization but it's expensive. ($65 per day for both x 6 days)
OR I could ask a friend to housesit for us but I am not totally confident with their abilities or desire.
hmmm, still thinking about it...the kennel would give me more peace of mind I think.

What does everyone else do with their dogs when you go away?

Diesel wrote: but it's expensive. ($65 per day for both x 6 days)

Holy shit I should move and start again!!

House sitting is fine, but unless they are staying in your home, the dogs are crated a ton and I think do better in a kennel run. I am sure there are other decent places where your dog will get exercise and interaction for less than that???

I've only been away once since we got Zane and we kenneled him. The nice thing for us is that the rescue we got him from is actually housed at a kennel, so we knew he'd feel at home staying there since he lived there for 4 months (when we dropped him off, he made a beeline for the pool and then ran back to his pen without a second look at us).

If the cost isn't too prohibitive for you, I think it's worth the peace of mind to go with the kennel that you know will take good care of them.

Christie M wrote:Holy shit I should move and start again!!

Come to New York, you could charge $65/night per dog and no one would blink!

Christie M wrote:

Diesel wrote: but it's expensive. ($65 per day for both x 6 days)

Holy shit I should move and start again!!

House sitting is fine, but unless they are staying in your home, the dogs are crated a ton and I think do better in a kennel run. I am sure there are other decent places where your dog will get exercise and interaction for less than that???

There are two other kennels here that are cheaper. One is outdoor only, the other one is indoor but they only take the dogs out to do their business three times per day. I left the dogs there for xmas holidays and they were so wound up when I got back. Plus Halo was fatter and Diesel was thinner?

I had a friend housesit for me once she is great with the dogs but currently she has a broken ankle so I can't ask her.

Thar's not a terrible price, but it does add up. I like the place I take my dogs. It's very secure with lots of fences and locks. I think I would worry more if they were left with a friend. Unless you really trust your friend.

I vote for the kennel, I take my girls to a really nice place and they can stay together. its more expensive but I know they are safe. i would NOT trust anyone to come into my home in the first place and then deal with two crazy DS.

How is $65 a night not terrible. LOL. I charge $16 per night......and I have a clue. Geography is phenomenal.

I vote for the kennel too. I don't think there is anyone I know that I could trust to properly take care of, supervise and exercise Sugar.

Here I pay $30/day or $35 for a day with an overnight. It is pricy when you need multiple days for sure. There is not much of a choice in price here...some places may be $5/day cheaper, but I like the place I take Sugar to. It's worth the $5 more/day.

I WISH I could pay only $16 for good care for my dog!!

Sugars Mom wrote: I WISH I could pay only $16 for good care for my dog!!

Ditto on that! The couple of places in Phoenix that I would trust with our Dutchies are far pricier than that. II'd be beyond thrilled if a Dutchie person was running a facility that was anywhere near that $16 price tag!

$16 a night? We could board all of our dogs and go on a real vacation at that price!

Here is the link to the kennel I am thinking about. http://www.qimmiq.ca/

They seem to offer a pretty good service. I worry about their waiver but I suppose it's necessary.

$16! Noplace around here you could board that cheap. I pay $22 a night per dog, and it's a 45 minute drive out into the countryside.

The trainer we go to for Rally and Agility also does boarding and she adores Zodiac so on the rare occasion that we don't take Zodiac with us we board her there. It's not cheap, but I've boarded Zodiac in another place before where she got hurt so the peace of mind is worth the extra money paid.

That looks like a really nice place, clean. I would have no problem boarding my dogs there. Thats about the same price I pay here in Ct. I have a few places I can bring mine that I feel comfortable. I would rather pay to board and know they are watched 24/7 then worry about someone coming into my home and having problems.

I have booked the dogs in the kennel but one of the prerequisites is that I have to provide proof of vaccination. I just pulled out their records thinking they were both due in July, only to realize Halo's vaccines expired in April...now I can't get a vet appointment before I leave. Hopefully they will make an exception.
Otherwise I can leave Halo with my roommate (she's easier to deal with) and put Diesel in the kennel but I don't want to separate them.
I should have thought about this sooner...

I recently took a trip, and boarded both my dogs for $75 a night. I'd go with a decent kennel, even if it is pricey. The peace of mind goes a long ways towards enjoying your trip, and not worrying about the dogs.

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?

Been there too with needing last minute vaccinations. Luckily once the kennel I boarded at had the vet right next door so they did the shots I needed. Hopefully you can get in.

Peace of mind is priceless! With that said, it can get pricey. Our local vets board for $15/night but then again the dogs are only tended to once a day on weekends/holidays AND there is always the potential for disease exposure.

Then the only other boarding facility here is exclusive, minimum $35/night per dog stay. They tack on costs alacarte for every little single thing. What my area needs is a place, say at $20-25/night.

For me personally, I have several vet tech friends whom I switch off with when we take vacations; that includes my farm animals. I have my kennels set up so they dont have to have physical contact with the dogs because I do have a couple who, well... I totally trust these friends and they the same with me. Gosh, I love the barter system!!!