Boarding Age

[jltwigg10]

I would really like to ask everyone for their experience or opinion about a decision I have to make soon.

In November we are going to my dad's for Thanksgiving. He is not a big dog/puppy person. Last year we boarded the little canines we had and went up there without them (We boarded 4 dogs. Three of the little ones we had are no longer here but that is a different issue/story).
I have to be honest and say that although I missed them time went fast and I was picking them up before long.

This year though I have my Yorkies now and I am having serious mixed feelings about boarding them. I know I have read that some of you have boarded your little ones and they have been fine.

I guess because I have not had mine long I am not sure I want to spend 4 days away from them.

When it is time for our trip they will be 7 months and almost 8 mos old.
Am I just being an over protective mom and they will be fine there?

Please help me with my decision.

[smallmans]

Hi,
I cannot offer any intelligent response based on my own experience. I have ready many threads on this and have decided I would NEVER board my Bella.
I am afraid she would come back a different dog due to the lack of direct human interaction. She is a Yorkie that loves to snuggle, be held, be with us and is so happy when she is with people. She is okay when left alone up to 4 hours and sleeps in her own crate at night. So she has some experience "on her own". I guess I would sacrifice the $$$$$ and hire a live-in dogsitter to stay with her if that was the only option available besides boarding. I know that there are numerous YT members that have offered to Yorkie-sit for fellow members when they have to leave their Yorkies. Maybe this might be an option, you could find someone in your immediate are or close to your dad's.
Good luck, it's not easy to decide, but you'll get lots of good advice from members here with more exprience, knowlege than I have. Take care.

[Britster]

I think you need to just do your research and be certain you are confident in the boarding place. Take a tour, view the kennels, talk to the staff, see how the dogs are interacting, how clean the place is, etc.

There's a few kennels I would never leave my dog at, but I've seen a few in this area that seem really, really nice, and have doggie daycare during the day so the dogs are out with each other pretty much all day. I could never leave Jackson at a place I knew he was going to be kenneled most of the time. He's really shy when it comes to strange people, and without me there, I think he'd be a little freaked by being in a new place. Boarding would honestly be a last resort for me, just because I don't think my dog would handle it well.

You can find petsitters that come to your home, which I would definitely try and do first. I'm lucky that my dad is usually available for dogsitting, and if he wasn't, I have a few other close friends/family I would trust. My second option would be in home pet sitting. My last option would be boarding and I'd be reallllyyy picky.

[Roccosmommy]

I think their ages will be ok to board, the issue is finding the right place to bring them. I was lucky enough to find a great place right in my town that is very clean, cozy and does not kennel the dogs. The dogs are separated by size when inside as well as outside. The small dogs have their own room with little sofas and chairs. When boarding, you can bring their bed, crate, blankets, etc. to sleep in the room. Before boarding Rocco, I asked if someone would be on the premises overnight; to my delight, the woman who runs it said "Oh, of course. I sleep upstairs so the dogs are never alone. And actually, as long as you don't mind, I usually let the little ones sleep in my bedroom". Needless to say, I was sold and so was Rocco . Do your research, and let them spend some days at the place you choose before committing to overnight boarding. Best of luck to you.
Oh, and by the way, I boarded him for only 4 nights, then had a house/pet sitter for the next 4 days. He was just fine.

[jltwigg10]

Well I checked and did find a pretty nice place. However I liked the idea of a "home" environment better so I asked a breeder friend of mine and she is going to keep them for me. I feel like such a weight has been lifted. I can go and relax and know that they are being well cared for.

[DaisyMom]

I'm glad you have found a solution to your dilemma.

My vote is to go the way you have chosen, to have friends care for your pets or to hire a pet sitter when you need to be away. I have done both in the past, and I think that the pet sitter was well worth the cost. I knew that my animals were going to stay in their home environment, with a professional who had made it her job to feed, walk, brush, play with them, etc. The added benefit was that there was someone bringing in the mail and watching the house while we were away.

On the other hand, I have also boarded Daisy with my family vet during vacation time. I picked a place where I knew she wouldn't just be warehoused, but would be played with and fussed over as well. I must admit that this option was a bit harder for me......I wanted to explain to her that I would be back very soon and we would go home again, but of course a dog lives in the moment and wouldn't understand this. Ultimately, I think it is the quality of a facility that gives you the peace of mind you need to choose this route.

Best wishes.........

[Baby Pepper]

I am very lucky, that Pepper can stay with his Nan (breeder) whenever we go away. He has lots of little Yorkie mates to run around and play with, and Nan dearly loves him! Unfortunately, it is 3 hours drive each way. Still, it is well worth it!!